Korean Studies (MA) (120EC)
Career prospects
Where do our graduates work?
Our alumni can be found working within multinationals such as banks, insurance companies, and government bodies. Others have followed paths into consultancy, management, journalism, PR and marketing, tourism, and education.
Examples of the diverse roles of our graduates include:
- Secretary at an Embassy
- Policy Officer at a ministry
- Communications adviser
- Coordinator of an Asia desk
- Coordinator of a Korean trade mission
- Export consultant on Korea
- Junior policy officer, political and international relations
- Manager of a translation and interpreting agency
- Marketing Officer
- Travel consultant on Korea
- Sales manager Korea
- Interpreter of Korean
- Translator of Korean
Research Master
If you have ambitions to pursue a PhD position or career as a researcher outside of academia you can apply for the two-year Research Master in Asian Studies on completion of the programme.
Maaike de Vries
Graduated in Korean Studies (MA Asian Studies)
"Last year, immediately after graduating the 120EC Korean Studies master, I started a dual degree PhD in Korean Studies and History of Medicine/Drugs. I decided to enroll for that specific master because I wanted to continue academic research."
A solid base for PhD research
"Although there is a research master that prepares you for a PhD track, I decided to enroll for the Korean Studies track instead. Mainly because I wanted to improve my Korean language skills and take courses at a Korean university. The master gave me a solid base for PhD research. It taught me to critically engage with primary and secondary sources (in both Korean and English) within and outside my field of interest, and it introduced me to core works in the field of Asian Studies. It also gave me the opportunity to study in South Korea."
Building my academic network
"In Korea, at Yonsei University, I enrolled in a course on Cultural Studies. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the professor who taught the course now turns out to be one of the most important individuals for leads to primary sources I need for my PhD research project. So coincidentally, deciding to do the master has helped me to start building my academic network as well."
In which sector do students find jobs?
- 29 % Financial institutions
- 14 % Non-profit
- 14 % Publishing
- 14 % Media and journalism
- 14 % Research
- 14 % Other
This graph is based on alumni data from the MA Asian Studies (120EC) 2020 through 2024.
Career preparation
Find out how this programme exactly prepares you for your future career and check our career preparation activities.
Launch your career with a master’s degree
Continuing your studies after your bachelor's degree pays off. Graduates with a master's degree are more likely to find higher-level positions: 77% start at a university of applied sciences (hbo) or university level, compared to 63% of graduates who only hold a bachelor's degree. This difference remains visible in the long term. After more than two years of work experience, 87% of master's alumni work at a university of applied sciences or university level, compared to 76% of bachelor's alumni.
A unique strength on the job market
As a Humanities graduate, you have developed talents that are in high demand on the job market. Intercultural skills, written communication, and social awareness are qualities that clearly distinguish Humanities graduates on the job market. Your ability to think analytically and creatively also gives you an edge.
Do you consider to put your knowledge into practice during your studies? Determine whether an internship could be an option for you. Start orientating your possibilities by visiting an internship information session. This way you can receive information about the internship procedure and listen to tips of former interns.
Notice that you will search for an internship yourself to find a place of your interest. Do you need some help with this or the application process? Do not hesitate to contact the Career Service. When you have found an internship, inform us. Then, the internship coordinator advises you how to proceed and provides your internship plan with feedback so it can be submitted for approval to the board of examiners.
Our staff can help you identify both the career that is right for you, and the necessary steps to get you there. Our team at the Humanities Career Service provides all Leiden University humanities students with professional advice and guidance on everything from internships and career planning to job applications. Humanities Career Service also organises regular workshops on topics such as effective interview skills and creating a successful CV.
The Humanities Career Service offers you various (online) workshops, webinars and info sessions. Check our overview of career activities.
The Leiden University Career Zone is an online career portal that helps you to prepare for the job market. Here you can find information, tools and tips to help you gain more personal insight, learn about the job market, develop your application skills, plan your academic and professional career, find job vacancies and discover what the Career Service can do for you.
Join the Mentor Network to contact alumni with experience on the labour market and ask them for advice. More than 1200 alumni are happy to help you!
Jelle on finding an internship via Leiden University's Mentor Network
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