Law and Korean

Law and Korean is a combination that prepares you for the intersection of legal practice and one of Asia's most dynamic and distinctive cultural and economic contexts. Korean is the official language of South Korea, one of the world's leading economies and a major force in technology, manufacturing, culture and international trade, and of North Korea, a country whose legal and political systems raise some of the most significant human rights and international law questions of our time. Understanding either demands genuine Korean language competence alongside knowledge of the legal frameworks within which relations with the Korean peninsula are conducted.

At SOAS University of London, this four-year full-time degree gives you a rigorous legal education in the foundations of English law alongside genuine proficiency in Korean language and culture. SOAS's distinctive focus on Asia, Africa and the Middle East means the programme situates both law and Korean within a genuinely global rather than Eurocentric frame, and you will engage with international law, comparative law and the legal dimensions of international trade and development as well as the core subjects of a qualifying LLB. The degree includes a foundation year, providing a supported route into both legal and linguistic study for students who benefit from additional preparation.

Typical entry is around 136 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates are well placed for careers in international law, trade law, arbitration, the diplomatic and consular services, financial services with Korean or broader East Asian exposure, NGO work, journalism and research focused on Korea and Northeast Asia. Law firms with Korean clients or operations value lawyers who can work in the language and understand the culture, and Korean investment in UK and European markets makes this combination increasingly relevant. Further study in law, Korean studies, international relations or Asian area studies is a natural progression.