South Korea · Bachelor's
Yonsei University
BA in Korean Language and Literature
Yonsei University
Course Overview
Yonsei's BA in Korean Language and Literature is delivered through the Department of Korean Language and Literature within the College of Liberal Arts — Yonsei is one of Korea's SKY universities (Seoul National, Korea University, Yonsei) and the oldest private university in Korea. The 4-year programme covers classical and modern Korean literature, hanja (Sino-Korean characters) and Hangul evolution, Korean linguistics (phonology, syntax, sociolinguistics), Korean cultural studies, and contemporary K-content analysis (K-pop industry, K-drama narratives, Korean cinema, webtoon culture — Yonsei is the leading academic centre for global K-wave studies). Students complete a study-abroad option at one of Yonsei's exchange partners and a Year-4 thesis on a literary, linguistic, or cultural studies topic. The programme is particularly well-served by Yonsei's Korean Language Institute (KLI) — the oldest and largest Korean-as-a-foreign-language teaching institute in Korea.
Sri Lankan applicants choose Yonsei BA Korean Language because the global Hallyu (Korean Wave) creates exceptional career value for Korean-speaking professionals — K-pop entertainment companies (HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP, YG), K-drama production houses, Samsung Electronics' global marketing functions, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor, plus the Korean Cultural Centres worldwide all hire Korean-speaking non-Korean nationals at premium rates. Yonsei's tuition (KRW 7.5 million/year, roughly LKR 1.7 million/year) is among the most affordable English-or-Korean Bachelor's degrees from a SKY-tier global university. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) administered by NIIED funds Korean undergrad degrees fully for international applicants, including Sri Lanka's annual allocation. Korean post-study work is via the D-10 Job Seeker visa, with F-2-7 Long-Term Skilled Worker pathway. Sri Lankan returnees route into senior translation / interpretation roles at Sri Lankan-Korean trade missions, Korean Embassy Colombo cultural attache positions, K-pop event production in Colombo, Samsung Sri Lanka R&D Centre (Colombo) bilingual support roles, and into faculty positions at the University of Kelaniya Department of Modern Languages (which offers Korean) and SLIIT.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A-Levels: BBC-BBB.
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 Cs (any stream).
- check_circle IB Diploma: 26-30 points overall.
- check_circle TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Level 3+ recommended for direct entry — applicants without TOPIK can enter via Yonsei's 1-year KLI Korean language preparation programme.
- check_circle Two academic references; CV; personal statement (500-1,000 words); admissions interview (remote, may include a basic Korean conversation assessment).
English Proficiency
- check_circle English language proficiency is NOT REQUIRED for Korean-medium programmes — the BA Korean Language is taught primarily in Korean.
- check_circle However, applicants without TOPIK Level 3 are required to complete Yonsei KLI's 1-year intensive Korean language preparation programme before BA enrolment.
- check_circle Yonsei KLI offers world-class Korean-as-a-foreign-language pedagogy, including specific tracks for South Asian applicants.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (KRW) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, BA programme) | KRW 7,500,000 | Rs. 1,725,000 |
| Yonsei KLI Korean Language Year (if needed) | KRW 7,000,000 | Rs. 1,610,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Seoul) | KRW 12,000,000 | Rs. 2,760,000 |
| Student Visa, National Health Insurance & Setup | KRW 1,500,000 | Rs. 345,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment (excluding KLI year) | KRW 21,000,000 | Rs. 4,830,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for South Korea's D-10 Job Seeker visa (6 months extendable to 2 years) on graduation, with conversion to F-2-7 Long-Term Skilled Worker visa. Yonsei BA Korean Language graduates with TOPIK Level 6 (highest level) route into entertainment industry roles at HYBE (parent of BTS), SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, CJ ENM (K-drama production), Studio Dragon, Naver Webtoon (English / multi-language localisation teams), plus Korean Cultural Centres worldwide, the Korean Foundation, and global multinational Korean liaison roles at Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor, Kia, POSCO, SK Group — KRW 40,000,000-70,000,000 starting (LKR 9.2M-16M/yr; Korean cost of living is significantly lower than Western capitals, making take-home value strong). Sri Lankan returnees route into senior translation / interpretation roles at Sri Lankan-Korean trade missions, Korean Cultural Centre Colombo, K-pop event production in Colombo, Samsung Sri Lanka R&D Centre (Colombo) bilingual support, plus into Korean language teaching at the University of Kelaniya Department of Modern Languages, SLIIT, and private Korean language schools across Sri Lanka.
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