Apply for Korean Studies Major (BA)

Korean students taking a walk
MJRU-KORES

Korean Studies

Undergraduate major

Gain a strong understanding of Korean culture and language, expand your career opportunities through intercultural literacy and learn skills in global engagement.

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Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Minimum ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Korean Studies Major (BA)
  • Credit

    Credit

    200
Course outline

Check the application deadline for the parent course

Course outline

Outline

Outline

Worldwide, Korean is the fastest-growing language among non-native speakers, and with the global popularity of K-pop and K-dramas, the interest in Korean culture is no surprise.

In Australia, over the past decade there’s been increasing awareness of Korean studies as a language/culture-based studies area, and Korea–Australia relations are growing in economic, political and intercultural importance. As a result, there is a growing demand for graduates in Korean studies.

In this course you’ll explore Korean society, culture, history, politics and international relations and gain strong competency in the Korean language. You’ll also delve into some of the most intriguing societal and cultural issues of the Korean peninsula, ranging from South Korea–North Korea relations to the success of Hallyu, which refers to the rising wave of popularity of South Korean culture.

The course will give you a transformative learning experience so that you can work and engage comfortably in diverse cultural environments – an attribute that is increasingly vital as cultures and industries become more globally entwined.

Importantly, the language learning incorporates in-class activities that have a strong focus on active learning and developing communication skills in real-world contexts.

You do not need prior knowledge of the Korean language, or any other Asian language, to study this major.

Korean Studies is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You may choose to broaden your knowledge and skills with a second major, or select elective units or a specialisation that supports your career goals. You can also study this major as part of a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Commerce double degree.

See the Curtin Handbook for more course information.

Korean Studies Specialisation

If you are studying another major in any of Curtin’s study areas, adding a specialisation (comprising four units) in Korean Studies will give you a solid foundation in understanding Korean society, language and culture to succeed in a workplace that requires strong intercultural skills. If you're considering studying science, engineering, health sciences or education, adding intercultural and linguistic competencies through a specialisation in Korean Studies will give you an advantage in global job markets.

How this course will make you industry ready

The language learning in this course incorporates in-class activities that have a strong focus on active learning and developing communication skills in real-world contexts.

What jobs can the Korean Studies lead to?

Careers

  • Communications, marketing and media consultant/officer
  • Diplomat
  • Foreign policy advisor
  • Language specialist
  • Education professional
  • Policy consultant or researcher
  • Travel and tourism business development manager
  • Exports advisor.

Industries

  • Global business
  • Cultural enterprise
  • Cultural development
  • Energy
  • International relations
  • International trade
  • Non-government organisations (NGOs)
  • Journalism
  • Public service.

What you'll learn

  • demonstrate good written and spoken Korean language ability, and apply them competently in social and professional contexts, GC1, GC3, GC5
  • evaluate a range of issues in Korean society and culture with clarity and purpose; and, through using appropriate research evidence and language, support judgement and inform culturally-sensitive decision making in the context of future employment or postgraduate study, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6
  • demonstrate cultural confidence to engage across diverse global contexts with an advanced level of Korean linguistic and cultural competence, GC2, GC4, GC5, GC6
  • develop social sciences research projects related to the two Koreas in future employment contexts and manage and take responsibility for their own learning processes with minimum guidance, GC3, GC5, GC6

Why study Korean Studies

International study opportunities

You can complete some of your course at one of Curtin’s partner institutions in Korea.

Premier research hub

Curtin hosts the Korea Research Centre, which is Western Australia’s premier hub for research and student-centred projects in Korean studies and research.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either verbal or quantitative

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either verbal or quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or AQF Diploma; or AQF Advanced Diploma.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    Written English and either verbal or quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Please view the Bachelor of Arts degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: MJRU-KORES
  • Last updated on: 28 March 2024

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