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Born in China and raised in Portugal, Luxi Xu discovered a passion for Chinese literature during her undergraduate studies. Her grandfather was a headmaster and poet who was forced to become a bricklayer during the Cultural Revolution. Seeking to be closer to him, she studied literature and developed a passion for the oral traditions of storytelling.
“I realised that many of the tales passed down to me differed from the morality tales that my Portuguese or British friends seemed to experience,” she says. “During my undergraduate degree in English and Related Literature, I dipped for the first time into my interests in ‘nonsense literature,’ children’s literature, and literature in translation.”
This exposure opened her eyes to a facet of her identity she hadn’t fully considered – ultimately leading her to SOAS University of London‘s Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures for her MA in Chinese Studies.
“I chose SOAS as it seemed like a place of intersectionality where I could find a balance of Western and Eastern cultures,” Xu says. “I found a space for myself at SOAS to study post-Communist Chinese children’s literature and the possibility of censorship through silence and omission – discovering the culturally specific cautionary tales that were infused into what at first glance seemed like nonsense.
The department, ranked 12th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2023), offers master’s programmes in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Studies. These programmes cover these regions broadly. They cater to beginners and advanced learners alike through intensive and less intensive language options, allowing students to tailor their programmes to their specific needs and goals.
But language acquisition represents only one facet of the programmes. The department champions a decolonised approach, taking on a region’s rich history, literature, visual culture, and contemporary social issues. By merging several disciplines, students can bridge the humanities and social sciences, getting a more well-rounded understanding of their region.
Luxi Xu praises SOAS University of London’s experienced professors, access to a variety of sources, and close contacts with Chinese universities. Source: SOAS University of London
The department offers a variety of postgraduate programmes, including one-year master’s degrees in Chinese Studies, Korean Studies, and Japanese Studies, with part-time options available. For those seeking deeper language immersion, two-year programmes with intensive language options are also offered in Chinese, Korean, or Japanese.
he MA Chinese Studies programme is a deep exploration of contemporary China, with the option to go deeper into pre-modern aspects. Courses like “Literature, Politics and National Identity in Modern China” and “Myths, Legends and Folkways of East Asia” provide a glimpse into the programme’s breadth.
One of Xu’s favourite courses was “East Asian Myths.” It allowed her to draw connections across cultures, identifying the shared religious and traditional themes that bind China, Japan, and Korea together. The course showed how East Asian mythology is reinterpreted in modern media, contrasting with her experience of Abrahamic influences and sparked stimulating discussions that broadened her perspective.
“I also found the language courses helpful,” Xu says. “The autonomy I had paired with the resources the university had at hand was a great motivator for me to sharpen my Mandarin skills.”
Such is the impact SOAS has on its students that Manassavee Amy Issarathamrong, who pursued an MA in Japanese Studies, returned to SOAS to take on an MA in Korean Studies. During her first MA, one of Issarathamrong’s favourite classes was “Advanced Korean Readings” with Dr. Owen Miller. This class not only bolstered Issarathamrong’s Korean reading skills but also sparked an interest in Korean history, thanks to the readings chosen for the course. “This inspired me to pursue my second MA at SOAS in Korean Studies,” she says.
After graduating from SOAS, Manassavee Amy Issarathamrong decided to pursue a PhD in Translation back in her home country. The application process was easier as she was exempted from some of the prerequisites, such as English language proficiency. Source: SOAS University of London
Issarathamrong’s MA at SOAS gave her a fresh perspective on Japan that proved useful in her career. Unlike her experience in Asian classrooms, where students passively received information, SOAS classes were filled with passionate exchanges. Lecturers and students from around the world brought their viewpoints, sparking discussions unlike any Issarathamrong had encountered before. Now, she is in her second year of a PhD programme in Japanese translation back in Thailand.
SOAS’s East Asian Languages and Cultures programmes prepare graduates just as well for careers in industry – something Umar Farooqi, MA in Japanese studies graduate, attests to.
“The MA provided insight from an informed and researched position,” he says. “This allowed us to enjoyably engage with Japanese culture and society whilst providing a critical and retrospective analysis. I am now the Academic Manager of a Japanese company. This has allowed me to speak to my clients with a degree of reliability and understanding, thereby increasing our business through fruitful relations.
MA in Japanese studies graduate Umar Farooqi is now an academic manager for a Japanese company. Source: SOAS University of London
No matter which programme you choose, you’ll benefit from the vast expertise across SOAS, extending beyond the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. For example, if you’re interested in Japan, you can also take modules offered by faculty in Anthropology, History of Art, Religions, and Economics and Finance.
The best part? You’ll live and learn in central London, with access to world-leading libraries and archival collections, including the British Library, The National Archives, and the British Museum and thrive in one of Europe’s most multicultural communities. From watching famed West End shows to being part of iconic festivals, you’ll get to improve your English skills in some of the most immersive ways possible.
Learn more about the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.
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