How long does it take to learn Hangul on the Certificate in Korean Language?

Full reading and writing of Hangul by week three on the full-time route. Hangul is one of the most regular and efficient writing systems in the world; most students find it easier than they expect.

Does the Certificate in Korean Language teach the honorific system?

Yes — at foundation level. The polite (-yo) and formal (-mnida) registers are taught explicitly from the start. Full keigo-style honorific complexity is covered at Diploma and Advanced Diploma level.

Will the Certificate in Korean Language prepare me for TOPIK I?

Yes. The curriculum is mapped to TOPIK I (beginner level). An optional guided revision week prepares you specifically for the exam, which is taken separately at registered UK test centres.

Can I take the Certificate in Korean Language fully online?

Yes. Live small-group classes (typically twice a week), Hangul practice, structured speaking and written feedback all run online.

Is K-pop or K-drama exposure useful for the Certificate in Korean Language?

Yes — informal exposure helps with listening comprehension and cultural literacy. The course doesn't depend on it but recognises and builds on it where students have it.

Certificate in Korean Language in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Korean Language at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short, structured UK introduction to Korean for adult beginners. Across three to six months you will master Hangul (the Korean script), develop foundational spoken Korean using both polite and formal registers, and reach the level expected at TOPIK I (beginner).

Korea has become a major cultural and economic partner for UK organisations across technology, entertainment, automotive and creative industries. This Certificate is for adults who want a real grounded foundation in Korean — not a phrase-app level.

Key Features

Hangul mastery — full reading and writing of the Korean script by week three.
Polite and formal register — taught explicitly from the start.
TOPIK I-aligned curriculum with optional preparation week.
Cultural strand — contemporary Korean media, K-content as learning material.
Three study modes — on-campus, fully online, or distance learning.
Articulation into the Diploma in Korean Language at LSJHML.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Korean Language is built around what a Korean beginner needs to do — read Hangul, hold basic conversation in polite Korean, write short structured messages, recognise the formal register used in workplace contexts.

Hangul — full reading and writing by week three.
Korean honorific system at foundation level.
Polite (-yo) and formal (-mnida) forms.
Basic verb conjugation and sentence structure.
Greetings, introductions and everyday courtesy in Korean.
Numbers (Korean and Sino-Korean), dates, time-telling, transactions.
Reading short authentic Korean texts at TOPIK I level.
Writing short structured messages — text messages, brief notes.

Who This Course Is For

Adult beginners with no prior Korean.
Professionals working with Korean counterparts or markets.
K-content fans wanting to formalise informal language exposure.
Students preparing for time in Korea or exchange programmes.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Korean Language is a foundation credential. Typical applications include:

Bilingual Account Management (UK companies trading with Korea)
K-Content Localisation Assistant (entertainment, streaming, gaming)
Junior Communications roles (Korea-focused organisations)
Preparation for TOPIK I and TOPIK II certification
Continued Study (Diploma in Korean Language, BA Korean Language Studies)
Cultural Affairs and Heritage Roles (Korean collections)

The Certificate articulates into the Diploma in Korean Language at LSJHML for students continuing.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
No prior Korean required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.