Overview

The Korean programme at the University of Hawaii at Manoa provides students with a rigorous academic foundation in one of the world’s most influential East Asian languages. This undergraduate degree is designed to foster high-level proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while immersing students in cultural studies.

As part of the largest department of its kind in the United States, the curriculum benefits from an extensive range of faculty expertise and research resources. Students engage with innovative teaching methods that bridge the gap between linguistic theory and practical application in modern professional environments.

Why Korean at the University of Hawaii at Manoa?

The institution is home to the Korean Language Flagship Center, a federally funded initiative dedicated to developing professional-level language competency. This prestigious status brings significant investment to the campus, ensuring that students have access to high-quality instructional materials and specialised training pathways.

The Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures is the largest instructional unit within the College of Arts, Languages, and Letters. Its distinctive teaching features include a focus on both traditional literature and contemporary linguistics, supported by a large community of dedicated faculty and graduate assistants.

The university's unique location and institutional strengths make it a primary hub for East Asian studies. Students benefit from a diverse academic environment that encourages cross-cultural dialogue and provides a deep understanding of Korea's role within the global community and the Pacific region.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 33552 per year
National fee: USD 33552 per year
Local fee: USD 11520 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to build comprehensive communication skills alongside analytical expertise in regional texts. Modules may include:

Korean Language
Linguistics
Literature
Culture
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing

Careers with Korean

Graduates from this programme are well-prepared for diverse professional trajectories in both the public and private sectors. Many alumni secure roles within local, national, and international companies that require high-level linguistic expertise and cultural sensitivity for global operations.

Career opportunities also extend to government service, where graduates work for various local and federal agencies. The rigorous training in analytical thinking and communication also provides a strong foundation for those pursuing further academic study or careers in education, translation, and international relations.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Selected Readings in Korean

Korean Oral Proficiency Through Film

Korean for Career Professionals

Korean for Academic Purposes

Traditional Korean Literature

Modern Korean Literature

East Asian Archaeology

Art of Korea

Asian Humanities

East Asian Civilizations

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-06-30 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Honolulu, United States

Disciplines

Area & Cultural Studies Literature View 1013 other Bachelors in Literature in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Complete the Freshman Application!

Application Fee: $70 U.S.

Official High School Transcripts

Letter of Recommendation

Personal Statement & List of Achievements Form

Official Standardized Test Scores

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

33552 USD / year

≈ 33552 USD / year
Out-of-State

33552 USD / year

≈ 33552 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

11520 USD / year

≈ 11520 USD / year

Living costs

Honolulu

United States

1640 - 2500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Korean.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Honolulu

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners