BA East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale University

Programme overview

The major in East Asian Languages and Literatures provides rigorous training in the study of East Asian languages, literatures, cultures, and thought from ancient times through the present, with a strong focus on the reading and analysis of texts, theater, film, and other forms of media. Students select either the Chinese, Japanese, or Korean concentration but are encouraged to take courses across geographical regions to become familiar with East Asian literary culture more broadly. The major is excellent preparation for careers including law, business, academia, foreign service, translation, and journalism that demand advanced linguistic proficiency and analytical sophistication.

Faculty: Yale College | Duration: Thirty-six term courses in eight terms of enrollment (Yale College bachelor's degree) | Study mode: full-time | Location: New Haven, CT, United States

What you will study

Number of courses: 11 courses (incl one-term senior essay) or 12 courses (incl yearlong senior essay) beyond prerequisite. Specific courses required: Chinese concentration — CHNS 1500 , 1510 or equivalents, and CHNS 1700 ; Japanese concentration — JAPN 1500 , 1510 or equivalents, and JAPN 1700 ; Korean concentration — KREN 1500 , 1510 or equivalents, and KREN 1700. Distribution of courses: 1 survey course in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or East Asian history and culture; 3 courses in literature in translation numbered EALL 2000–3999, one of them premodern; 3 adv courses with readings in Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Senior requirement: One-term senior essay ( EALL 4910 ) or yearlong senior

Career pathways

The major is excellent preparation for careers including law, business, academia, foreign service, translation, and journalism that demand advanced linguistic proficiency and analytical sophistication.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Yale College, not to this major (applies to all Yale College programmes). Yale College requires letters of recommendation, a school report with transcript, and ACT or SAT scores; applicants who are non-native English speakers without two or more years in an English-medium school must also submit an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English or Duolingo English Test). Major prerequisite: CHNS 1400 , or JAPN 1400 , or KREN 1400 , or equivalent.

USD 72,500 a year (2026-27). Yale College 2026-2027 tuition (single rate for all Yale College students). Excludes housing, food, optional health insurance, student activities fee and class dues. Source

First-year and transfer applicants apply to begin in the fall semester.

First-year applicants apply through the Common Application, the Coalition Application on SCOIR or the QuestBridge Application. Single-Choice Early Action deadline: November 1. QuestBridge National College Match deadline: November 1. Regular Decision deadline: January 2. Yale does not advantage students by program.

First-year and transfer applicants must include ACT or SAT scores (testing is required); neither exam is preferred.

Transfer applicants submit the Transfer Common Application by March 1 to enter as sophomores or juniors.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences deadlines (all 11:59 pm Eastern) for fall 2027: December 1, 2026 (e.g. BBS, Chemistry, Economics, History, Linguistics, Psychology, Public Health, Statistics); December 15, 2026 (e.g. American Studies, Anthropology, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science PhD, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Law, Management, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Political Science, Sociology); January 2, 2027 (e.g. African Studies, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Architecture, Computer Science MS, Earth and Planetary Sciences, East Asian Studies, Nursing, Philosophy). Combined programs follow the earlier deadline or December 15.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application fee for all degree-seeking applicants is US $105, non-refundable, payable by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express; fee waivers can be requested until January 2.

GRE General Test requirements vary by GSAS program (required, optional or not accepted) for the 2026-2027 cycle.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.yale.edu/apply

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