Postgraduate study
Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

Korean Studies Programme closed

Awards: Programme closed

Programme website: Korean Studies

Take a Korean Studies pathway through East Asian Studies

We have replaced our individual Master's programme in Korean Studies with a new MSc in East Asian Studies.

The new programme has been structured to give you the freedom to design your own postgraduate coursework and research. It is possible to choose courses focusing solely on Korea and Korean Studies and graduate with an:

  • MSc in East Asian Studies with Korean Studies

Alternatively, you may wish to use this opportunity to start learning about another country in East Asia, either on its own or in comparison. Our thriving Asian Studies department also has expertise in Japanese and Chinese Studies.

You can indicate when you apply which pathway suits you best and we will confirm your choice when you have joined the programme and selected your courses.

Our new MSc in East Asian Studies is now open for application.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant discipline.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
  • 50 George square
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9LH

If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures
  • 50 George square
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9LH