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Korean Studies at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

15Jan
The University of Edinburgh - Postgraduate Online Learning Essentials
Postgraduate
19Feb
The University of Edinburgh - Postgraduate Discovery Day
Postgraduate

Course summary

A PhD in Korean Studies is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in the two Koreas in a community that really values research, and to make an original, positive contribution to learning in this area. Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. Our programme is based in an Asian Studies department with a unique combination of disciplinary expertise in Korean Studies, Japanese, Chinese, and East Asian Relations. Reflecting the Korean peninsula's place at the centre of landmark geopolitical developments in the early 21st century, we have particular strengths in:

  • modern Korean history
  • Korean society and culture
  • political economy
  • urban studies
  • security
  • public policy
  • political science
  • international relations
Working with colleagues elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and across the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between languages and/or disciplines, including:
  • comparative literature
  • film studies
  • translation studies
Over the course of your PhD, you will be expected to complete an original body of work under the expert guidance of your supervisors leading to a dissertation of usually between 80,000 and 100,000 words. You will be awarded your doctorate if your thesis is judged to be of an appropriate standard, and your research makes a definite contribution to knowledge. Research excellence In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of:
  • Modern Languages and Linguistics
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Sociology
  • History
  • Theology and Religious Studies
The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - third in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research in Modern Languages and Linguistics alone, according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings. Go beyond the books Beyond the Books is a podcast from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research and the people who make it happen. Listen to a mix of PhD, early career and established researchers talk about their journey to and through academia and about their current and recent research. Guests include Dr Youngmi Kim (Series 2 - Episode 3), Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies and Director of the Centre for Korean Studies.

Modules

See the University of Edinburgh website for detailed programme information.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Tuition fees vary between degree programmes. Find the specific fees for your chosen programme on our website.
Korean Studies at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS