Korean
Korean is spoken by more than 75 million people around the world, and South Korea’s increasing visibility in the world economy – showing a higher world status, technological innovation and global popular culture – is prompting students to learn about this country with its rich history and diverse modern society.
Why Choose
Korean at UQ covers the fundamentals of the language and culture including K-pop, as well as business communication, translation and interpreting, and contemporary film and television.
With various authentic language techniques drawn from everyday life, the courses are practical and interactive, providing opportunities to meet Korean native speakers in regular conversational classes.
The Korean economy is the third largest in Asia after Japan, China. This means that employers in business and trading companies, law firms, schools and universities, and Federal and State Governments have a need for people with Korean expertise.
People with Korean language qualifications are also in great demand in an existing and expanding sector of information and technology, tourism, hospitality and other global Korean companies. There are also work opportunities in media, entertainment and film due to the increase in popularity of Hallyu (Korean Wave), which includes pop culture, food, music, K-drama and K-pop.
Employment opportunities in the field of social work in Australia may also be enhanced by the knowledge of the language and culture. There are also many English teaching positions available in Korea from kindergarten to university.
Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Arts
- Korean Major
- Korean Minor (visit Courses and Programs for further details)
- Bachelor of International Studies
- Korean Major
- Diploma in Languages
- Korean Major
- Dual Degrees
Honours
Pathways
Students may study Korean courses as electives in their degree, or complete a Korean Major.
Korean Majors can be undertaken by students from:
- Introductory level (no previous knowledge of Korean)
- Post-secondary students of Korean
Separate course starting points apply for students in each category.
A pathway that shows courses over 3 years is available.
Courses available in each stream are also listed on UQ's Courses and Programs site.
Unsure where to start?
Go to our online language course placement advisor and answer a short questionnaire. In most cases the system will recommend the starting course you should enrol in. For more complex cases, you will be advised how to proceed.
Language Course Placement Advisor
Looking for an elective course?
Courses concerning culture, literature, history, and film can be studied as electives within your degree, or some may count towards the Major in Korean. To find out more about the other courses offered, please consult the Courses and Programs site.
Postgraduate
What our graduates are doing
Marketing strategist and talk show panelist in Korea
After graduating, Blair started working full time at a digital marketing agency in Seoul, South Korea.
"Working at the agency has been a really great opportunity for me. I have a natural interest in fashion, technology, and social media, so being able to work in an environment that combines all three is great", he said.
Blair juggles full-time work with weekly recordings for the popular Korean talk show Abnormal Summit. Blair is one of seven non-Korean male panellists from all around the world who appear on the show which has a viewership over 12 million.
"I think in our globalizing world, having a second language under your belt is not only beneficial economically, but also culturally. It helps you to broaden your horizons, gives you a new perspective on your own culture and country, and is one of those really tangible forms of study that you can take out and use in the everyday. Without having studied Korean, I don't think I would have come to Seoul in the first place, which is something I can't really imagine. Having the language education that I did, it's really given me so many opportunities in areas I wouldn't have looked at. The TV show, for example, is a direct result of the Korean education I received both at UQ and here in Korea."
Blair has a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts (Korean) from The University of Queensland.
Get Involved
As a student at UQ, you have many opportunities to get involved and enhance your language learning experience, including exchange, joining clubs and participating in conversation classes.
Events
There are a number of school events and seminars held throughout the year such as the Latin American Film Festival and public lectures which students are encouraged to attend. Details for these events are published on the School Events page.
Exchange opportunities
Going on exchange will allow you to further advance your linguistic proficiency while living and studying abroad. UQ has agreements with Universities in over 40 countries around the world, with many in Korea such as:
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Korea University
- Seoul National University
- Yonsei University
See UQ Abroad for information about the exchange program.
In 2015 Korean student Angelia went on exchange to Yonsei University as part of her Bachelor of Commerce / Arts degree. Read her story here.
Clubs and societies
Joining a club or society is a great way to learn new skills and meet new like-minded people. There are over 190 affiliated clubs and societies at UQ. The Korean International Students Society (KISS) is one such club with a focus on the promotion of the understanding and appreciation of Korean cultures. Visit clubs and societies for a full list, and find one that interests you.
Conversation classes
Conversation classes run all semester in the Gordon Greenwood Building (#32), and are a great way for you to practice your language skills.
Details for classes are announced in tutorials each semester. You can also keep an eye on the school noticeboards and digital screens for current details.