Where does the programme belong?

School of Humanities Faculty of Languages and Cultures

Korean Studies, Diploma

Language skills

required

Programme length

One year - 60 ECTS

Study mode

Face-to-face learning

Application status

International students:

Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:

Are you interested in learning more about Korea?
Do you enjoy exploring new cultures?
Do you want a short diploma programme?
Do you want to learn Korean?
Do you want a programme that can be tailored to suit your interests?

A full-time student can complete this Diploma in Korean in one year, but it is also possible to study part-time and take two years.

Course topics include:

Korean
Language usage
Asian Philosophy
Individual projects

The programme coordinator supports all students in Korean studies.

Other

If you plan to graduate with a BA degree, you can take Korean studies as a 60 ECTS minor along with a 120 ECTS major in another subject.

Check the rules on majors and minors below under helpful content.

Icelandic matriculation examination (stúdentspróf) or equivalent qualification.

To complete the diploma in Korean Studies, students must complete 50 ECTS in mandatory Korean Studies courses, as specified in the programme structure. In addition, students must take 10 ECTS of elective course(s) during the fall semester. These electives may be chosen from any other programme within the School of Humanities.

Fall semester:
KOR101G Korean I 10 ECTS
KOR102G Conversational Korean I 10 ECTS
Free elective from within the School of Humanities 10 ECTS

Spring semester:
KOR201G Korean II 10 ECTS
KOR202G Conversational Korean II 10 ECTS
KOR204G Korean Society and Culture 10 ECTS

Programme structure

Check below to see how the programme is structured.

This programme does not offer specialisations.

First year

First year
Fall
Korean I
Conversational Korean I
Spring 1
Korean II
Conversational Korean II
Korean Society and Culture

First year | Fall

Korean I (KOR101G)

A mandatory (required) course for the programme

10 ECTS, credits

Course Description

This course is an elementary Korean language course designed for those who have no prior knowledge of Korean. The goal of the course is to enable students to develop comprehensive language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Korean and to master the writing system. This course will focus on both written and spoken languages and cover various topics in Korean culture for a better understanding of the language. Teaching will be conducted in English and Korean.

Language of instruction: English

Face-to-face learning

Further information about the course

First year | Fall

Conversational Korean I (KOR102G)

A mandatory (required) course for the programme

10 ECTS, credits

Course Description

This course is an elementary conversational course in Korean language. The goal of the course is to enable students to understand spoken language and to engage in real-life conversations in Korean. The course is based on interactive exercises and tasks, and active participation is key for the best learning outcomes.

While intended for beginners, it is highly recommended that the course be taken along with Korean I, as prior knowledge of the writing system is required. Teaching will be conducted in Korean.

Language of instruction: Korean

Face-to-face learning

Further information about the course

First year | Spring 1

Korean II (KOR201G)

A mandatory (required) course for the programme

10 ECTS, credits

Course Description

This course is an elementary Korean language course intended for those who have completed Korean I. The goal of the course is to enable students to develop comprehensive language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to build a solid foundation for further studies in Korean language. This course will focus on both written and spoken languages and cover various topics in Korean culture for a better understanding of the language. Teaching will be conducted in English and Korean.

Language of instruction: English

Face-to-face learning

Further information about the course

First year | Spring 1

Conversational Korean II (KOR202G)

A mandatory (required) course for the programme

10 ECTS, credits

Course Description

This course is an elementary conversational course in Korean language intended for those who completed Conversational Korean I. The goal of the course is to enable students to understand spoken language and to engage in real-life conversations in Korean. The course is based on interactive exercises and tasks, and active participation is key for the best learning outcomes. Teaching will be conducted in Korean.

Language of instruction: Korean

Face-to-face learning

Further information about the course

First year | Spring 1

Korean Society and Culture (KOR204G)

A mandatory (required) course for the programme

10 ECTS, credits

Course Description

This course explores the dynamic interplay between Korea’s deep historical roots and its rapid emergence as a global technological and cultural influence. Guided by the theme “Rooted in History, Wired for the Future,” students will examine how Korea’s historical legacy, colonial and postwar experiences, and distinctive drive for transformation have shaped its present-day society and culture – including politics, gender and family relations, generational divides, the Korean Wave, and more – within an increasingly globalized world.

Language of instruction: English

Face-to-face learning

Further information about the course

Programme in Course Catalogue

First year

Fall
KOR101G
Korean I
Mandatory (required) course
10
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is an elementary Korean language course designed for those who have no prior knowledge of Korean. The goal of the course is to enable students to develop comprehensive language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Korean and to master the writing system. This course will focus on both written and spoken languages and cover various topics in Korean culture for a better understanding of the language. Teaching will be conducted in English and Korean.
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Further information
KOR102G
Conversational Korean I
Mandatory (required) course
10
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is an elementary conversational course in Korean language. The goal of the course is to enable students to understand spoken language and to engage in real-life conversations in Korean. The course is based on interactive exercises and tasks, and active participation is key for the best learning outcomes.

While intended for beginners, it is highly recommended that the course be taken along with Korean I, as prior knowledge of the writing system is required. Teaching will be conducted in Korean.
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Further information
Spring 2
KOR201G
Korean II
Mandatory (required) course
10
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is an elementary Korean language course intended for those who have completed Korean I. The goal of the course is to enable students to develop comprehensive language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to build a solid foundation for further studies in Korean language. This course will focus on both written and spoken languages and cover various topics in Korean culture for a better understanding of the language. Teaching will be conducted in English and Korean.
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Further information
KOR202G
Conversational Korean II
Mandatory (required) course
10
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course is an elementary conversational course in Korean language intended for those who completed Conversational Korean I. The goal of the course is to enable students to understand spoken language and to engage in real-life conversations in Korean. The course is based on interactive exercises and tasks, and active participation is key for the best learning outcomes. Teaching will be conducted in Korean.
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Further information
KOR204G
Korean Society and Culture
Mandatory (required) course
10
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
10 ECTS, credits
Course Description
This course explores the dynamic interplay between Korea’s deep historical roots and its rapid emergence as a global technological and cultural influence. Guided by the theme “Rooted in History, Wired for the Future,” students will examine how Korea’s historical legacy, colonial and postwar experiences, and distinctive drive for transformation have shaped its present-day society and culture – including politics, gender and family relations, generational divides, the Korean Wave, and more – within an increasingly globalized world.
Face-to-face learning
Prerequisites
Further information

Programme in Course Catalogue

The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.

Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.

Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.

More about the possibility of exchange studies abroad.

Knowledge of the Korean language and culture is useful for working in business, international affairs and tourism, to name a few examples.

An education in this area can open up opportunities in:

Tourism
International affairs
Tour guiding
Translation
Interpretation
Business
Imports and exports

This list is not exhaustive.

Linguae is the organisation for language students at the University of Iceland
Linguae organises social events for students at the Faculty of Languages and Cultures
Members currently include students of Italian, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Chinese and Russian
Linguae runs a Facebook group and a Facebook page

More about the UI student's social life

Kóresk fræði er ákaflega skemmtilegt nám og frábær grunnur fyrir þá sem vilja læra kóresku og hafa áhuga á kóreskri menningu. Ég valdi þetta nám til að kynnast nýju fólki og til að stunda framhaldsnám í Suður-Kóreu. Það getur verið yfirþyrmandi að læra nýtt ritmál og framandi málfræði, en námið fer vel yfir öll grundvallaratriði og hentar því mjög vel fyrir þá sem hafa enga reynslu af málinu. Tímarnir eru þátttökumiðaðir, þar sem þú kynnist samnemendum þínum vel og nærð tökum á tali, skrift, hlustun og lestri. Ég öðlaðist mjög góðan grunn sem nýtist mér í daglegum samskiptum í Kóreu og veitir dýpri skilning á þessari ríku menningu.