What level of Korean do I need to start the Diploma in Korean Language?

Approximately TOPIK Level 2 — comfortable with Hangul, around 1,500 vocabulary items and basic grammar. The Diploma in Korean Language takes you from there toward TOPIK Level 4 over the course.

Does the Diploma in Korean Language guarantee a TOPIK pass?

No course can guarantee a TOPIK pass — the test is administered independently. The Diploma in Korean Language is structured around TOPIK 3–4 content and includes timed practice papers, so most students sitting the test at the end of the course pass at level 3 with many reaching level 4.

Can I study the Diploma in Korean Language online?

Yes. The Diploma in Korean Language runs on-campus in central London, fully online with live tutor sessions, and as distance learning. Speaking practice is conducted in small online groups across all three modes.

Is the Diploma in Korean Language useful for K-content localisation work?

Yes. The translation and localisation module specifically covers K-content material — gaming, streaming, K-pop, K-drama subtitling — at an introductory level. Many Diploma in Korean Language graduates move into entry-level localisation roles.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

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

Course Overview

The Diploma in Korean Language at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a nine-to-twelve-month UK qualification for learners moving Korean from intermediate to upper-intermediate level. The course is aligned to the King Sejong Institute progression framework and the TOPIK examination structure, and is built for students aiming at a working professional level.

You will work through Korean script (Hangul) at intermediate-to-advanced reading speed, build a vocabulary of around 4,000 items, learn honorifics in workplace context, and produce an applied portfolio that demonstrates working Korean across reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Key Features

TOPIK-aligned curriculum structured around the levels 3–4 (intermediate) progression.
Honorifics module — formal speech levels, workplace registers, family and social contexts.
Reading and listening practice using current Korean newspapers, broadcasts and K-content material.
Applied speaking in small groups — discussion, presentation, professional meeting language.
Translation and localisation introduction — short K-content localisation pieces under tutor review.
Cultural competence module covering workplace norms, social conventions and regional variation.

What You Will Learn

The Diploma in Korean Language is structured around the four working capabilities a professional learner of Korean needs — reading, writing, listening and speaking — with cultural literacy as a fifth integrative skill. You finish able to read intermediate Korean material at speed, write a structured email or short essay, follow news bulletins and conversations, and present and discuss in Korean in a workplace context.

Reading — newspapers, magazines, short essays, business documents.
Writing — structured emails, short essays, summary writing.
Listening — news, podcasts, K-drama and film, recorded meetings.
Speaking — discussion, presentation, professional meeting language.
Honorifics — formal speech levels, workplace registers, social and family contexts.
Vocabulary at around 4,000 items including topic clusters for work, society and current affairs.
Translation and localisation introduction — short Korean-to-English pieces.
Cultural competence — workplace norms, regional variation, contemporary Korean society.

Who This Course Is For

Certificate-level Korean students or self-taught learners around TOPIK Level 2 ready to move to intermediate.
K-content enthusiasts (K-pop, K-drama, gaming) ready to formalise their Korean to professional levels.
UK-based professionals working with Korean clients, suppliers or markets.
Bilingual heritage learners wanting structured study in formal and workplace Korean.

Career Pathways

The Diploma in Korean Language supports progression into junior Korea-facing roles in the UK. Typical roles include:

Korean Translator (junior or entry-level role)
K-Content Localisation Specialist (gaming, streaming, K-pop industry)
Bilingual Account Manager (Korean business in the UK, UK firms in Korea)
Korea Programme Officer (cultural body, university, trade body)
Tourism and Hospitality Specialist (Korean-market-facing roles in London hospitality)
Bilingual Customer Success Specialist (technology firm with Korean market)

Graduates progress to the Advanced Diploma in Korean Language Studies or to a BA top-up with Korean.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school (A-Levels, BTEC, or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
Korean at approximately TOPIK Level 2 — confirmed by short oral assessment at application.
Personal statement.
Mature applicants (21+) may apply with two years of relevant work experience using Korean.

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.