Our undergraduate Japanese degree programmes emphasise the study of modern Japan . With their interdisciplinary focus, they provide students with both language and intercultural competence. Our first year language courses are aimed at beginners, although students with sufficient prior knowledge of Japanese can continue their language study at a higher level. Students acquire good basic skills in preparation for the year abroad in Japan during their second year. While abroad, they achieve a high level of day-to-day language proficiency and learn from the experience of living in a different culture.

Our upper-level language modules develop the linguistic skills gained during the year abroad, whilst complementary studies modules enhance the cultural, economic and social understanding of modern Japan.

Most of our programmes last for four years. Some Joint Honours combinations involving two languages last for five. All students are required to take 40 credits (out of a total of 120) of Japanese language modules in Years 1, 3 and 4. During the year abroad (Year 2), students follow an intensive Japanese language course at a Japanese university.

A wide range of Japan-related non-language modules are also offered. Examples include: Japan Inside-Out; IT Skills in Japanese; Politics in Contemporary Japan; Japan's International Relations; Organisation, Management and the Economy in Japan; Modern Japanese History; Japanese Society: Modernity & Post-modernity; Japanese Literature and the Search for Post-War Identity; Sino-Japanese Relations; Religion in Japan.

On graduation, many of our students join JET, the Japanese Government scheme, which allows graduates to spend a year working in Japan . Other graduates have pursued careers in business, journalism and publishing, diplomacy, teaching and overseas aid work, tourism, broadcasting, public relations, translating and interpreting, throughout the East Asia region, and in East Asian-related jobs in Britain , Europe and the United States.

Providing they successfully complete their first year, our undergraduate students spend their second year at a university in Japan , where they follow an intensive Japanese language course. We currently have partnerships with 11 universities in Japan : Akita International University ; Fukuoka University , Gakushuin Women's College, Hosei University , International Christian University , Kansai Gaidai University , Kobe Gakuin University , Konan University , Kumamoto University , Nanzan University , Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Students are prepared for the year abroad via a series of briefing meetings during their first year.

East Asian Studies

MA in Japanese Studies
The following Japan-related modules are compulsory:

- East Asian Language Skills: Japanese
- Dissertation on a Japan related topic
- Japan : Politics, Economics and Contemporary Society
- Japanese Business Dynamics

MA in Japanese Business
The following Japan-related modules are compulsory:

Other MA programmes
The following Japan-related modules are offered as optional electives:

- Japan : Politics, Economics and Contemporary Society
- Japanese Business Dynamics
- The Japanese Economy: Continuity and Change

Students may also opt to take Japanese as part of their East Asian Language Skills module if this is relevant to their programme of study.

Centre for Translation Studies

MA Applied Translation Studies
This programme offers the opportunity to develop the high-level translation and project management skills required to work as a practising translator and to acquire direct experience of a wide array of translation tools used in the profession today.

MA Interpreting and Translation Studies and Postgraduate Diploma in Conference Interpreting
These programmes are designed to enable students to acquire advanced interpreting skills which they can apply in a professional capacity, whether in a conference mode or in the environment of business negotiations.

MA Translation Studies with Interpreting
This programme is designed to enable students to acquire advanced translation and liaison interpreting skills which they can apply in a professional capacity, whether in a company's translation department or in the environment of business negotiations.

MA Screen Translation Studies
This programme familiarises students with the linguistic, cultural and technical challenges of screen translation, dubbing and subtitling. Specialising in screen translation, they produce their own translations and subtitles using professional software.

PhDs

The following Japan-related PhDs are currently in progress:

- 'Shinpa Theatre Movement'(commenced 01/05/05, max time limit 30/04/11)
-'The Jesuit mission to new France: A new interpretation in the light of the earlier Jesuit experience in Japan' (commenced 01/09/03, max time limit 31/08/08).