A Master of Studies (M.St.) in Korean Studies was approved in spring 1995 and graduated its first student in the spring of 1996. Since then, a number of students have gained higher degrees in Korean Studies. Among the Master’s students, four have been awarded a Distinction thus far in their examinations. Graduates have gone on for D.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees or found employment in business or government.

The degree is rigorous and time-consuming. It requires a student's full-time attention. The chief qualification for admission is the ability to read modern Korean, so there is little or no time for remedial language training. Nevertheless, we do improve students' Korean language (including an introduction to Middle Korean), add in some Classical Chinese, and possibly Japanese. The languages are key to the text readings and bibliographic training, which follows two separate tracks depending on the student's interest. One track instructs students in the Korean historical and literary tradition through intense study of a classical canon. Another track instructs students in the theory, application, and history of Korean linguistics. All students learn how to find information independently through classical and modern sources, and we aim to create independent researchers.

Sources of Funding

Graduate students may apply for publicly and privately funded research or language scholarships that specifically support Korean Studies:

The Korea Foundation offer Fellowships for graduate study at European universities. To find the details, go to http://www.kf.or.kr/ and follow the links: Home > Support for Korean Studies Overseas > Fellowship > Graduate studies Fellowship. Additionally, The Korea Foundation also offers Fellowships for language or research work in Korea for non-Korean nationals. For information, go to http://www.kf.or.kr/ and follow the links: Home > Support for Korean Studies Overseas > Fellowship > Fellowship for Korean Language Training.

Anglo-Korean Society Post-Graduate Bursary
The Anglo-Korean Society, through the Bursary Committee of the British Association for Korean Studies, offers a single GBP 500 bursary on a competitive basis to post-graduate students.

For more details, go to: http://www.baks.org.uk/.

Annual meeting of the Chang`am Village Association, South Chŏlla Province, 7 April 2003, 10.30am. The Association was founded in 1667, and the hall was built in 1760.