Please note that this BA programme will undergo a structural reform for 2019/20. Although the overall scope and learning outcomes will remain mostly unchanged, there may be minor changes to the core module and the selection of guided options. These changes are designed to improve the student experience and engagement with the subject matter, based on feedback from current and previous students.
We are unique in the breadth and depth of our regional specialisation and are home to the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe. The degree aims to serve both students with minimal Korean language expertise and also students who already have more advanced Korean language skills. Students have the opportunity to study Korean culture in depth, along with the study of Korean language.
Our rich and diversified expertise allows you to gain focused knowledge in the regions of your interest, both in their classical traditions as well as their contemporary developments, together with more or less intensive study of their languages.
Additionally, the nature of the Combined Honours Degree enables you to develop a specialist niche for yourself by studying another subject.
What subjects can you combine it with?
Other disciplines - Development Studies, Economics, History, History of Art/ Archaeology, International Relations, Linguistics, Music, Politics, Social Anthropology, Study of Religions, World Philosophies.
Languages – Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Japanese Studies
Why study Korean Studies Combined Honours at SOAS?
Apply now via UCAS or visit our upcoming Open Day.
Find out more about how to apply.
Find out more on our Japan and Korea department page.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Please see the Unistats data for the various combinations of this programme under the Combinations tab.
Click on a combined programme to load KIS data
Students take 120 credits per year composed of core and optional modules, which allows for students to design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals. Students take 60 credits of Korean Studies, and the remaining 60 credits from their other subject in each year.
Students will take the module below:
Choose a module(s) from List A below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Second Subject
60 credits are taken from the syllabus of the second subject
This module must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.
Choose a module(s) from List A below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module(s) from List A or List B below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Second Subject
60 credits are taken from the syllabus of the second subject
Compulsory Modules
Choose a module(s) from List A or List B below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Guided Option
Choose a module(s) from List A and /or List B below to the value of 30 credits
AND
Second Subject
60 credits are taken from the syllabus of the second subject
Available to students depending on their language ability and subject to prerequisites (if any).
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| K100: Elementary Korean | 155900842 | 60 | Full Year |
| Korean 1 A | 155906028 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Korean 1 B | 155906029 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Korean 2 | 155901404 | 30 | Full Year |
| Korean 3 | 155900843 | 30 | Full Year |
| K401: Korean-English Translation | 155901414 | 15 | Term 2 |
Before selecting a module, students must first check that the module is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any prerequisites.
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| H120 The Confucian World | 154800229 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Cool Japan: Manga, Anime, Sushi | 155901416 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Trajectories of Modernity in Korean Literature and Film | 155901390 | 15 | Term 1 |
| The Other Korea: North Korea since 1945 | 155901356 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Fieldwork methods in language and culture | 155901417 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Royal Arts of Korea | 154900152 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Modern and Contemporary Art in East Asia | 154900150 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Musical Traditions of East Asia | 155800078 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Pop and Politics in East Asia | 155800077 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Queer Cinema in Asia | 155907000 | 15 | Term 2 |
| History and Memory in East Asian Cultures | 155903015 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Identity and social relations in Japanese | 155901418 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Contemporary Issues in the Japanese and Korean Economies | 151030020 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Finance in Japan and Korea | 151030021 | 15 | Term 2 |
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 60, 45, 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are taught over one term or the full year. It also shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.
More information is on the page for each module.
Modules are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, usually one hour a week of each. Sometimes, one follows the other in a two-hour bloc. Sometimes, the tutorial is at a different time or on a different day than the lecture.
Tutorials are sessions in which students are expected to present reports and take a lead in discussions.
Depending on the size of the class, some intermediate and advanced level modules are less strictly divided between a formal lecture and a tutorial discussion, and instead, the topic is briefly introduced by the lecturer, followed by a seminar discussion. Advanced level modules, which are usually taught in one two-hour bloc, often take this format.
These can be taken by final-year students only. Like the Special Subject dissertation, its aim is to provide an opportunity for students to conduct original historical research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to use a range of primary historical sources. It too involves no formal classes and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography).
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Studying this programme will provide students with competency in Korean language skills as well as intercultural awareness and understanding. Choosing to study a joint degree programme will increase the breadth of your knowledge, and will develop additional skills with which to further your studies of Korean, or to make comparative study with other areas.
Skills gained include:
Graduates from the Department leave SOAS not only with language and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector.
Find out more about Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea Destinations.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.