The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Japanese Studies
BA (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
T200
Start dates
September 2021 / September 2022
Location
Course length
Full time: 4 years
Part time: up to 8 years
Department
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Are you passionate about Japan Studies and looking for a way to transform your knowledge of its culture and language?
Embarking on a Japanese Studies degree course at Oxford Brookes means you’ll be:
- Learning all about Japanese history and culture
- Dissecting the intricacies of interesting topics such as Japanese manga and anime
- Sharpening your Japanese oral and written skills
- Spending a year studying or working in Japan.
Through our Japanese Studies course, your Japanese speaking abilities will be enhanced. This is true whether you’re a complete beginner or already have existing language abilities.
The skills you develop will be of high value in multiple career paths such as:
- education
- translation
- international commerce
- the Diplomatic Service.
You can opt to spend your third year in Japan. In doing so, you’ll return with a more superior command of the language and a deeper understanding of the culture, country and people.
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Combine this course
You can study this course as part of a combined honours degree. This course can be combined with:
How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
For more information about how we are supporting applicants impacted by Covid-19, please see our information for applicants page.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104
A Level: BCC
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Further offer details
Applications are also welcomed for consideration from applicants with European qualifications, international qualifications or recognised foundation courses. For advice on eligibility please contact Admissions: admissions@brookes.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.
If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.
We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Application process
Full time Home / EU applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home / EU applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Year abroad
Whilst studying in Japan you will pay a reduced tuition fee to Oxford Brookes (as a guide, 2020 £1,380 for Home/EU students, and £4,000 for International students). You will be responsible for your own travel, food, and accommodation costs. Living costs vary depending on where in Japan you choose to study and depend on the Yen-GBP exchange rate. Some of our university partners often offer full or partial scholarships.
Students should also note that most Japanese universities require medical appointments and medical tests as part of their application process. Such appointments and tests usually incur costs in the region of £150 - £250+ which each student will be responsible for.
In addition, most universities in Japan require students to register with the Japanese National Health Insurance Scheme which can cost up to 20,000 yen.
Learning and assessment
Your Year 1 studies will include Japanese language from beginners, and the Introduction to Japanese Society and Culture module will provide essential background knowledge of Japanese society, geography and history.
In Year 2 you’ll focus on developing your language skills even further. Additional modules will allow a more detailed study of the arts, culture and society of Japan.
Year 3 will be a transformative one where we provide you with the opportunity to study at a university in Japan, building your Japanese language skills to a much more substantial level. Your Year 3 will bring together all that you have learned linguistically and culturally as you fully immerse yourself in all that Japan can offer.
In Year 4, you’ll be able to build on the greater fluency and range of expression you developed during your year abroad. Furthermore, you’ll be able to choose from a range of modules exploring specific aspects of Japanese life, institutions and culture at an advanced level.
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Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
We’ve designed the course to help you gain:
- a structured knowledge of grammar, reading and writing skills
- and develop your spoken fluency in Japanese.
On this course you’ll benefit from:
- small class sizes with lots of participation
- language classes taught by native speakers
- access to the latest e-learning skills
- Oxford Brookes’ own Japanese graded reading materials, Let’s Read Japanese
- being taught by highly experienced language teachers.
In lectures for your content (ie non-language) modules, we will introduce you to the subject area. You will then explore specific issues in greater depth in seminars. You will be directed towards the study of primary and secondary texts and other cultural products.
You can learn more about the Japanese language and culture experts who will teach you by exploring our staff profiles.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Assessment methods vary from module to module.
Language module assessments consist of:
- 70% regular in-class tests and portfolio completion at home
- 30% final examination.
Content module assessments are normally 100% coursework. They include:
- essays
- small research projects
- oral presentations
- in-class tests.
Study Abroad
You will spend Year 3 entirely in Japan, studying at one of the universities with which we have exchange arrangements.
You will attend intensive language courses and lectures which complement your programme of studies at Oxford Brookes. By carrying out an independent research project on contemporary Japan and immersing yourself in Japanese life and social activities with fellow students, you will acquire a high level of linguistic and cultural competence.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Japanese Studies will give you the communication and interpersonal skills which are increasingly demanded in the global job market. Your analytical, team-working and presentational skills will make you immediately effective in the international workplace.
The course will equip you to seek employment in global professions such as tourism, international management and media, or in linguistic fields such as translating or language teaching.
Recent graduates have found employment at the Japanese Embassy, the Japan Foundation, and within Japanese businesses such as All Nippon Airways.
Further study
Our close links with other departments, including anthropology and film studies, make it possible for graduates to pursue specific areas of interest within Japanese studies at postgraduate level at Oxford Brookes. A number of students have also gone on to study at postgraduate level at other established institutions.
Student profiles
Our Staff
Dr Kerri Russell
Kerri’s research is mainly concerned with the origins and development of the Japonic language family, which consists of the varieties of Japanese spoken in Japan and the Ryukyuan islands. She has also worked on Ainu, Middle Korean, and several Altaic languages spoken in East Asia.
Read more about KerriFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.