Korean and Economics

Korean and economics is a combination that reflects the extraordinary transformation of South Korea into one of the world's most significant economies, and the growing importance of the Korean language and culture in global trade, technology, and popular culture. Korean is a language of a highly educated, technologically sophisticated society with major companies operating across electronics, automotive, entertainment, and beauty industries. Economics provides the rigorous analytical tools for understanding markets, growth, trade, and the behaviour of firms and governments.

Together they create a distinctive and commercially relevant qualification.

At the School of Oriental and African Studies, this four-year, full-time programme benefits from SOAS's exceptional depth in Asian language and area studies, combined with a serious programme in economics. The programme includes a foundation year, which provides a thorough introduction to both disciplines for students entering from a range of educational backgrounds, ensuring all students have the academic preparation they need before progressing into the main degree. You will develop Korean language skills to a substantial level alongside rigorous training in economic theory and quantitative methods, gaining both linguistic competence and analytical expertise.

The combination of Korean language and economic knowledge is valuable in a range of professional contexts. Graduates are well-placed for careers in international business, trade and investment advisory services, finance, diplomacy, the foreign service, international organisations, and NGOs with a focus on East Asia. South Korean companies operating in the UK and UK companies with Korean operations are also significant employers.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in Korean studies, economics, international relations, or area studies, building on a combination of skills that remains genuinely scarce in the UK graduate market.