Overview and entry requirements
The MA Korean Studies and Intensive Language is a two-year full-time (or four-year part-time) programme. It is designed to provide Intensive Language training at different proficiency levels - depending on entry level - within a Masters programme in Korean Studies.
The MA Korean Studies and Intensive Language allows students to:
- cultivate or further develop a basic expertise in particular aspects of Korean Studies.
- choose modules that meet their own needs, with respect to their interest in Korea and future career plans.
- develop their abilities to synthesize information, to think critically, to manage a complex research project and to present their results in verbal and written form.
- achieve a high level of language proficiency.
- master transferable language and analytical skills in order to prepare for a variety of potential future professional or research careers.
See Japan and Korea Department
Combine Korean Studies with a language
Intensive Language pathways: Chinese, Japanese, Korean.
Why study Korean and Intensive Language at SOAS
- UK Top 10 in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Modern Languages
- we are home to the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe
- gain essential language skills but also an in-depth understanding of the region’s culture covering subjects from literature, history, cinema, and politics
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
Entry requirements
- We will consider all applications with 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.
Please see our 'postgraduate entry requirements' page for Overseas and EU qualifications and equivalencies.
Fees 2022/23
- Home students fees:
- £11,980
- Overseas students fees:
- £23,400
Fees for 2022/23 entrants. This is a Band 1 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found on the Postgraduate tuition fees page
May be combined with:
MA Korean Studies can be combined with the following Intensive Language pathways:
Structure
Students must take 315 credits in total, comprised of 255 taught credits (45 of which are taught abroad as part of a Summer School) and a 60-credit dissertation as outlined below. 15 credits are allocated to the core module.
In the first year, students take 60 credits of intensive language instruction, 15 credits on the core module and 45 credits in the discipline. During the summer, they participate in a Summer School abroad which gives them a further 45 credits upon successful completion.
In the second year, students take a further 30 credits in language, 60 credits in the discipline and a further 60 credits in the dissertation.
Across both years, students must choose a minimum of 45 credits of modules from List A (modules related to Korea) and a maximum of 60 credits from List B and/or List C (total of 30 credits), which includes language modules, modules related to other regions of East Asia and modules on Korea offered by other departments.
For students opting to take language acquisition modules in more than one language, a maximum of 30 credits of these can be at an introductory level.
Students will be asked to choose the module on which they will base their dissertation. The convenor of this module will usually be their dissertation supervisor. The module will usually be chosen from List A modules within the department, but after consultation with the programme convenor it may be possible to arrange for a supervisor from another department.
Please see 'Programme specification' below to download the PDF pathways specifications of the four-year part-time version of the programme.
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures has more information on the Intensive Language part of the programme.
All modules are subject to availability.
Programme
Year 1 (two years full time)
Discipline Component
Plus
Modules from the list below to the value of 45 credits.
Language Component
Students take 60 credits in the selected language.
Summer Abroad
Students participate in a Summer School abroad for the selected language.
Year 2 (two years full time)
Discipline Component
Modules from the list below to the value of 60 credits.
Language Component
Students take 30 credits in the selected language.
Dissertation
List A: Guided Options
Choose modules to the minimum value of 45 credits
List B: Guided Options (East Asia)
Choose modules to the maximum value of 30 - 60 credits from the List B.
Language
List C: Guided Options
Choose modules to the maximum value of 0 to 30 credits from List C or the central options list.
Programme Specification
Important notice
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.
Teaching & Learning
The MA Korean Studies and Intensive Lnaguage programme allows students to develop in 4 key areas:
Knowlegde
- Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of Korea’s past and present, within the parameters of the modules and disciplines chosen, and on her connections to the wider East Asian region through the core module.
- Students will acquire an advanced understanding of the theoretical and methodological tools of the relevant disciplines.
- Students who choose to take language will improve their knowledge of and ability to use Korean in their everyday life and, depending on the level achieved, professional career.
Intellectual (thinking) skills
- Students will learn how to assess data and evidence critically from a variety of sources and how to resolve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations.
- Students will learn the strengths and disciplines of particular disciplinary and theoretical approaches, cultivating their ability to draw on a variety of such approaches.
- Students will learn how to design and manage an independent research project, formulating the problem to be addressed, identifying the data to be analyzed, and synthesizing the findings to present well-supported conclusions.
Subject-based practical skills
- Students will learn how to read critically, to participate effectively in seminar discussions, and to present their work in both oral and written form.
- More specific skills will depend on the particular modules taken.
Transferable skills
- Students will learn how to access and evaluate electronic and other data effectively and efficiently.
- Students will learn how to solve complex problems, for example concerning economic development, historical causation, literary interpretation, or political decision-making.
- Students will learn how to communicate effectively in a variety of settings and formats.
Through their language study, students will:
- acquire/develop skills in both written and spoken language.
- develop a practical knowledge of rules governing both oral and written linguistic usages and multiple norms regulating intercultural communication, analytical skills (problem solving, formal operations), critical skills and creativity.
- develop the ability to engage with people or texts from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, understanding the role of different linguistic or cultural frames of reference.
SOAS Library
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.
Tuition fees
Fees for 2022/23 entrants, per academic year (Band 1 tuition fee)
Full-time |
Home Students |
Overseas Students |
£11,980 |
£23,400 |
Please note that fees go up each year. Two-year full-time programmes have 2 years of full-time fees; the fee in the second year will be higher than the fee for the first year (the full time fee above is for the first year only).
For full details of tuition fees, see our postgraduate tuition fees page.
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2022-01-28 15:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-31 00:00
Application Deadline: 2022-05-01 00:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
Employment
Graduates from the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures develop competencies in intercultural awareness, analysis and communication. Demand for specialists with advanced proficiency in the languages of China, Japan and Korea has significantly increased in recent years, and graduates with these skills are highly sought after by employers.
Recent Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures graduates have been hired by organisations including:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Bloomberg LP
- Department for Work and Pensions
- European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea
- European Commission
- Google
- ITN
- Japanese Government
- Korea Trade Centre (KOTRA)
- KPMG
- Mizuho Bank
- Nagahama Board of Education
- Nanjing Museum
- Pinsent Masons LLP
- PwC
- Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Shelterbox
- UNDP
Find out about our Careers Service.
A Student's Perspective
I really enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of SOAS and the chance to learn just as much from my fellow students as from my lecturers. I also really enjoyed how open and helpful the lecturers were, and was grateful to learn that they honestly cared about my progress in their course. I always felt supported during my time at SOAS.
Katarina Starcevic, Georgetown University