Japanese Studies

Our BA Japanese Studies has been especially designed to offer you stimulating and critical academic expertise in Japanese culture, history and society based on the cutting-edge research we conduct on Japan. At the same time, you will have the chance to gain a near-fluent command of the Japanese language.

Why choose this course?

• This course is ideal for various levels of competence in Japanese, whether you are a complete beginner or an intermediate learner.

• You will be taught by specialists in contemporary Japanese culture and native Japanese teachers.

• It offers you the opportunity, if you opt for the International Experience route, to spend a year studying in Japan.

• Our partnerships with Japanese universities give you access to online conversation exchange programmes and summer schools in Japan.

What you will learn

You will gain a high level of proficiency in Japanese and develop your cultural understanding through modules exploring literature, film, popular culture, manga and anime, history, visual art, linguistics, translation and society.

In cross-cultural modules you will learn from specialists in different cultures and analyse comparative themes across a variety of linguistic, cultural and historical contexts.

You will also master transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations, video essays, critical and logical thinking, and translating.

You may also have the chance to learn Korean.

How you will learn

Teaching takes place in small-group seminars. The course is available to study full- or part-time. It mainly follows an evening timetable, though some Japanese classes may take place on Saturday during the daytime.

On the International Experience route you will spend your third year at university in Japan. Most classes take place in the daytime.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

• We ranked first in Teaching Satisfaction in London for Asian Studies courses in the 2024 National Student Survey.

• This course includes modules focused on employability for the cultural industries and an industry placement programme.

• We offer joint honours programmes combining Japanese with another subject such as art history, English, film and media, law, linguistics, journalism, politics, or digital media.

• Our library has thousands of books and resources on Japan and we are next to the SOAS library and British Library which both have an impressive collection of Japanese books, to which you can apply for free access.

• We are surrounded by cultural institutes, theatres, museums and galleries such as the Japan Society, Daiwa Foundation, Japan House London, Japan Foundation, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and British Film Institute.

Careers and employability

You will have access to an industry placement programme which offers you invaluable work experience at cultural or Japan-related organisations.

On graduating, you will have gained transferable skills including:

• a high competence in Japanese

• the ability to analyse and engage critically with cultural topics

• producing journalistic reviews, video essays and translations

• increased confidence when presenting and debating complex issues

• the ability to work independently and effectively manage your time and deadlines.

This course will prepare you for career paths in a range of fields and professions, including:

• language teacher in Japan

• editor or publishing role

• translator

• events manager for Japanese organisations

• marketing manager

• journalist

• social researcher

• digital content creator

• positions in hospitality, gaming, telecommunications.

Course modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.