Korean Studies PhD

The Korean peninsula lies at the centre of landmark geopolitical developments in the early 21st century. A PhD in Korean Studies is an opportunity to expand upon your interests and expertise in the two Koreas in a community that really values research, and to make an original, positive contribution to learning in this area.

Join our community and undertake a specialised research project under the guidance of experienced and well-published supervisors. Part of an Asian Studies department with a unique combination of disciplinary expertise in Korean Studies, Japanese, Chinese, and East Asian Relations, we have particular strengths in history, society and culture, economics, urban studies, security, public policy, political science, and international relations.

Working with colleagues elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, and across the wider University, we are able to support PhD theses crossing boundaries between languages and/or disciplines, including comparative literature, film studies, and translation studies.

A Masters by Research (MScR) programme is ideal if you have a clear idea of the independent research you wish to undertake at masters level.

This programme includes optional training on research skills, methods and problems.

Between the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the Careers Service and the Institute for Academic Development (IAD), you’ll find a further range of programmes and resources to help you develop your postgraduate skills, as well as having access to the University’s fantastic libraries, collections and worldwide strategic partnerships.

As part of our research community, you will be immersed in a world of knowledge exchange, with lots of opportunities to share ideas, learning and creative work. Activities range from a regular seminar series in Asian Studies (with talks by staff, research students and visiting speakers) to the annual Korean Film Festival, and year-round screenings and workshops. We also play a key role in the yearly symposium held in honour of Edinburgh alumnus Yun Posun, bringing together leading scholars from South Korea, Europe and beyond.

You will acquire an interdisciplinary understanding of the major issues in Korean society, politics, culture, economy and international relations, and history and will be able to relate those to broader social, political and economic trends in the East Asian region and globally. Drawing on different analytical and methodological tools, you will be able to engage various disciplinary and theoretical perspectives and apply concepts to empirical cases.

You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to analyse, compare and assess competing claims and make informed judgements about them. You will additionally gain transferable skills, including analysis presentation, communication, the use of new technologies in a learning environment, and team work.