Key information
Duration
- Full-time: 36 months
- Part-time: 72 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting September 2027
- Apply before Jun 2027
Language: English
Delivered: On Campus
Campus Location: London, United Kingdom
Disciplines: Asian studies
Overview
The Japanese and Korean Studies programme from SOAS University of London, Japan and Korea Department is able to supervise MPhil and PhD degrees by research and thesis in a wide range of cultural and linguistic subjects.
Intending research students should not feel constrained to limit their choice of topics to those indicated against the names of current staff members (postgraduate students have recently been working on a range of topics that include Japanese cinema, Kabuki texts, modern Japanese linguistics and literature, Meiji historical texts, Korean linguistics and literature, Korean colonial and eighteenth century history). Visit the programme website for more information
Career opportunities:
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 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
- ITN
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- In the first year, students prepare for research by following a research training seminar series (RTS) convened at the Faculty level by the Associate Dean for Research and supported by the generic training on offer in the Doctoral School.
- The second year (or part time equivalent) is normally spent engaged in research. This may be by any combination of fieldwork and research in libraries and material collection as agreed between the student and the supervisor(s).
- The third year (or part time equivalent) is devoted to writing up research for the PhD thesis. During this time, students will normally give a presentation in a research seminar organised by the Departmental Research Tutor, comprising a select number of staff members with special expertise in the topic and other research students.
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 100 (or new TOEFL iBT 1-6 score: 5)
- PTE Academic: 70
- IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements: We normally require a 2.1 bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) plus a Masters degree in appropriate subject area plus one reference. In exceptional cases we may accept applicants who do not meet these criteria if they show evidence of a strong Masters degree and/or appropriate level of relevant work experience.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
- International: 23390 GBP / year
- Domestic: 5055 GBP / year
Living costs
London, United Kingdom: 1137 - 2157 GBP / month
Scholarships
- Tibawi Trust Award — Provided by university, Grant 1300 GBP, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based
- Sochon Foundation Scholarship — Provided by university, Grant 6000 GBP, Deadline 27 Jul 2027
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — Independent provider, Grant Various benefits, Deadline 07 Oct 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship — Independent provider, Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships — Independent provider, Grant 3500 USD, Deadline 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — Independent provider, Grant Various benefits, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based
- Scholarships for PhD Students — Independent provider, Grant 19000 GBP, Deadline Not specified, Merit-based
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Independent provider, Grant Various benefits, Deadline 28 Feb 2027, Merit-based
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — Independent provider, Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 31 Oct 2026, Merit-based
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Independent provider, Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 01 Mar 2027
- The PhD Prep Fellowship — Independent provider, Grant 10000 USD, Deadline 01 Sep 2026, Merit-based
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Independent provider, Grant 1000 USD, Deadline 13 Jan 2027, Merit-based
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Independent provider, Grant 3000 USD, Deadline 31 Dec 2026, Need-based
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — Independent provider, Grant 22500 GBP, Deadline Not specified
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — Independent provider, Grant 1500 USD, Deadline Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Independent provider, Grant 12000 USD, Deadline 11 Jan 2027