ObjectivesThis four-year course aims to provide students with a firm grounding in the Japanese language along with understandings of Japan in historical, cultural social and global contexts. Students will be studying Japanese throughout the course. The core language teaching enables you to develop various linguistic skills: speaking and writing accurately; understanding and analysing audio, video and written materials; using different registers; speaking to a group with confidence; and translating with appropriate sensitivity. Students follow a Japanese Studies curriculum through which they will learn about Japan-related topics in historical, linguistic, cultural, religious and other contexts, drawing on the wide range of research carried out by staff in Japanese Studies. The course centres around a core framework in year 1 but some choice of modules from year 2 onwards will enable students to focus on particular areas of interest in the study of Japan and East Asia. Applicants should be aware that learning Japanese is very intensive and that a great deal of time is required for this throughout the course (extending through the summer period between years one and two, particularly for beginners). The first few weeks may be particularly intensive for those who have not encountered Japanese script and we strongly advise all applicants to ensure that they have learned at least the hiragana script prior to Week One of teaching; guidance on materials to help with this can be obtained from language tutors.
Entry requirementsSelected entry requirements English language: Candidates must be proficient in the English language, which is the language of instruction and examination at the university. Acceptable English Language qualifications include IELTS 6.5, CPE grade C, CAE Grade B or another equivalent A level: Grades BBB (see GCSE for further subject requirements) AS level: Two AS-Levels may be accepted in place of the third A-Level. Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications. Unit grades will not normally form part of offer conditions, except for Mathematics programmes. GCSE: English Language and a modern foreign language both grade B or higher Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification. However, as the opportunities to take these modules are not open to all applicants, currently this is not an essential requirement of the University. International baccalaureate: 32 points overall Additional entry requirements Additional entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Academic titleBA Japanese Studies
Course descriptionJapanese can be studied with several other subjects at the University of Manchester.
Joint Honours (One Language)
Japanese can be studied alongside Business and Management as a joint honours degree course.
Joint Honours (Two Languages)
You can combine 2 languages as a joint honours degree as long as one of the languages has been studied to A2 (or equivalent) level. You can combine Japanese with French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian or Portuguese.
Special features Japanese Studies at Manchester is taught by a diverse team of academic specialists in the field degree give you the opportunity either to build on existing knowledge of the language (i.e. GCSE-level or AS/A2-level or equivalent), or to study it as a beginner.
Module details
It is probably true to say that you will be doing more hours of study than many other students but if you put in the work your achievements will be correspondingly high. If you are concerned that Japanese is not the same as European languages in terms of workload then you should probably not be considering this course. If you are planning to work part-time you must ensure that you are able to put in sufficient study hours. Hard work is essential for learning Japanese - especially the written language - but doing so is an extraordinarily rewarding experience that opens numerous doors and produces very high levels of satisfaction.
Course content for year 1
The first and second-year language courses include an Independent Language Learning Programme, through which you build up a portfolio of independent work by making linguistic notes on, for example, Japanese videos, satellite TV, or newspapers. This enables you to develop not only your linguistic expertise, but also your skills in independent learning - a vital requirement in today's knowledge-based society. The language teaching programme includes work on interpreting and on translation as practical skills
Course content for year 2
The language courses in year 2 continue to build competence and the Independent Language Learning Portfolio and learning partnerships remain central to this process. In addition students develop their studies of Japan via a choice of courses in areas such as Japanese history, religion, society and culture, and begin to prepare for residence abroad.
Course content for year 3
Your third year of study is spent studying in Japan under approved conditions.
Course content for year 4
Students taking single honours Japanese will undertake a dissertation in Japanese studies to work on an area of particular interest in depth as well as selecting from various modules in religion, historical, cultural and social science areas. The language teaching programme continues to develop skills such as reading and writing Japanese, and includes work on interpreting and on translation as practical skills.
Career opportunities
Languages qualify you for a wide range of employment. Your high-level language skills will open up numerous paths with an international dimension (e.g. business, industry and finance). You will also have excellent all-round communication skills making you a strong contender for openings in the media, PR and similar areas.
In our experience, many graduates go straight into business services, marketing, advertising, management, banking or communications. Others opt for postgraduate study or further vocational training to become accountants, lawyers, teachers (in England or abroad) or enter the Civil Service.