You are eligible to apply for the MA Asian Studies: Korean Studies (120 EC) if you have:

• A bachelor’s degree from a research university, equivalent to the level of a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree;
• Knowledge of the nature and role of as well as the ability to analyse and report on academic inquiry in the humanities or social sciences; and
• Completed components at bachelor’s level (which may include the thesis) equivalent to at least 30 EC (or equivalent) on at least three out of these six disciplines: history, art, culture, politics, society or economy of one or more East Asian countries or regions.
• Fundamental knowledge of pre-modern and modern Korea;
• Knowledge of Koreanist traditions and understanding of disciplinary-methodological issues.
• Sufficient command of Korean, at level TOPIK 4.

Please note that because an important distinguishing aspect of the programme is advanced language acquisition in Korean, this specialisation is not suitable for native speakers, and for students with a higher TOPIK level.

In addition, you also have to meet the following qualitative admission requirements:

• Good grades comparable with an average mark of at least 7.0 (Dutch grading system) for the entire bachelor’s programme, and a grade for the bachelor’s thesis of a 7.0 or higher (Dutch grading system), and
• Demonstrable motivation to study and suitability for the particular MA programme/specialisation, and
• Good academic writing skills: the ability to write a well-structured essay/paper on a topic in the specific field of the specialisation in English.

• A good academic record must be shown by a transcript of records/grade list (including the grade of the Bachelor’s thesis and/or average grade).
• Your motivation should be demonstrated by a well-argued and structured motivation letter in which you indicate why you want to follow the MA programme, and show clear understanding of the content of the study programme, specifically listing two courses of the current study programme (from the Prospectus) and explaining why these appeal to you. The statement should be between 700 and 1,500 words.
• Good academic writing skills should be demonstrated by a Writing Sample. You should submit a 1,250 word essay as part of the admission process:
  • in this essay you must demonstrate a clear affinity with and specific knowledge of Asian studies in general and specifically in the field of the specialisation for which you apply,
  • specifically, the essay must answer a research question, provide an argument that demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the topic of the essay.
• Two letters of reference, of which at least one by an academic member of staff.

Applicants with a degree from a Dutch university of applied sciences (hbo) or equivalent are not eligible for admission to the Master’s and pre-master’s programme.

The following requirements apply*: 

• IELTS Academic modules only, on paper or on computer: 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 for each separate component score.
  • We do not accept IELTS Academic online.
  • We do not accept IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator, or IELTS One Skill Retake
• TOEFL internet based: 90 overall, with at least 20 for each separate component.
  • We are not able to accept The TOEFL IBT Home Edition™, except in the following situation only:
    You are unable to take an in-person test on location because test centres are inaccessible or closed due to unsafe conditions in a country.
  • We do not accept the following types of test: TOEFL My Best™ scores (multiple test scores combined), TOEFL Essentials™  or institutional tests such as ITP.

• Cambridge English Exam C2 Proficiency, or C1 Advanced (180), with a minimum score of 169 for each separate component.

Note that English test results may not be more than two years old and must be obtained in one single test.

*You do not have to submit an English proficiency test if you have completed your education in the USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (except French-taught programmes in Canada) Singapore, South-Africa or Malta; or if you have obtained an English-taught International Baccalaureate™; or if you have completed a Dutch VWO diploma or an English-taught bachelor at a Dutch research university or (for September intake) a diploma of an English-taught higher professional education (hbo) programme completed at a Dutch university of applied sciences.

For detailed information, including exemption criteria and methods of submission, refer to English language proficiency.

You should have sufficient command of Korean, at level TOPIK 4.

All applicants are requested to include in their dossier:

1. a letter from the head of the language programme they completed indicating that the candidates’ language proficiency is indeed comparable to this level, and
2. a detailed specification of the number of EC earned in language training.

Additional documentation may also be included.

Please note that because an important distinguishing aspect of the programme is advanced language acquisition in Korean, this specialisation is not suitable for native speakers, and for students with a higher TOPIK level.

As mentioned above, Korean Studies has a limited capacity. The programme will make a selection on the grounds of the following criteria:

1. With regard to admission to the programme, the Admissions Board assesses the knowledge and skills of the applicants on the basis of the files they have submitted.

2. If necessary the Board can contact you by mail or telephone at any time during the admission procedure in order to gain further information.

3. The Admissions Board decides on the basis of this assessment

a. which applicants meet the entry requirements of the specialisation – if appropriate on the condition that they have been awarded their bachelor’s degree in time – and can in principle be admitted;

b. which applicants cannot be admitted because they do not meet the requirements.

4. The Board ranks the suitability of the applicants in category a to the specialisation of the MA programme on the basis of the files they have submitted, having regard to the qualitative admission requirements and, if the Board has requested this, the further information provided by the applicant.