Checklist
If you started HKU in 2022-23 or later → Major / Minor
If you started HKU 2021-22 or before → Major / Minor
Regulations
For students admitted to the BA 4-year curriculum in the academic year 2019–2020, please click here to view the SMLC major/minor regulations.
For students admitted to the BA 4-year curriculum in the academic year 2020–2021, please click here to view the SMLC major/minor regulations.
For students admitted to the BA 4-year curriculum in the academic year 2021–2022, please click here to view the SMLC major/minor regulations.
For students admitted to the BA 4-year curriculum in the academic year 2022–2023, please click here to view the SMLC major/minor regulations.
Undergraduate Programme
The objective of the Korean Studies programme is to bring participants to a high level of proficiency in the language and to provide them with a sound knowledge of Korea within the interdisciplinary framework of Area Studies to be able to discuss matters relating to Korea in a critical and analytical fashion. (Korean Studies BA Syllabus, 2022/23)
The Major
A major in Korean Studies consists of three prerequisite courses (KORE1001, KORE1002 and KORE1021). In order to declare a major or a minor in Korean Studies, applicants must achieve at least grade C in KORE1002. (From 2022/23, at least C+ in all KORE1001, 1002, 1021.) In the subsequent years, students must take 54 credits which should consist of 18 credits of core courses and a further 30 credits of interdisciplinary elective courses listed below. KORE4007, KORE4008 and KORE4009 are the capstone courses designed to allow the application of disciplinary knowledge and principles learned in the first, second and third years. Finally, students will be strongly encouraged to participate in a 3 to 4-week linguistic stay in Korea during the summer either between their second and third year or third and fourth year of study.
The Minor
A minor in Korean Studies will provide students with a good command of the four different language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. A minor in Korean Studies will also allow students to gain a deeper insight into the core issues relating to Korea’s development, history and culture. In order to qualify for a Minor in Korean Studies, students must complete the junior year prerequisite courses (KORE1001 and KORE1002) and a total of 24 credits in subsequent years. These 24 credits must include KORE2001 and KORE2002 and at least one KORE2XXX or KORE3XXX content course. Minor students can also include KORE3001 or KORE3002 as electives.
*Many content electives (KORE2XXX and KORE3XXX) require KORE1021 as a prerequisite. Students who seek Minor are also encouraged to take KORE1021 in their first year at HKU.
*From 2022/23 admission, the minor requires KORE1021.