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Japanese Studies

BA (Hons)

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Key information

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: T210

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience


    UCAS code: T211

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: T212

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year | with International Experience

Course Overview

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 with decades of teaching experience. 
    • This course also offers you the opportunity, if you opt for the International Experience route, to spend a year studying in Japan where we have a range of university partners.
    • Our partnerships with Japanese universities also give you access to online conversation exchange programmes, summer schools in Japan and other exciting opportunities.

  • What will I learn?

    Learning Japanese is essential to understanding Japan. Comprehending its culture and history is also fundamental to grasping the role that Japanese cultural production plays in our global society. On this course 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 a team of 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 and report writing, oral presentations, video essays, critical and logical thinking, and translating.

    If you achieve a high level of proficiency in Japanese as well as a high level of success academically on this course you may also have the chance to learn either Korean or Mandarin Chinese as part of your degree and be awarded either a BA Japanese Studies with Korean or BA Japanese Studies with Chinese.

  • How will I learn?

    Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunity to participate and interact with peers and our expert tutors.

    This 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.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Three to four evenings a week, plus some Saturday daytime classes, October to July.

    Please note that if you choose the International Experience route this may differ during your year abroad.

    Part-time: Two to three evenings a week, plus some Saturday daytime classes depending on the module, October to July.

    Part-time with Foundation year: One to two evenings a week, plus some Saturday daytime classes depending on the module, October to July.

  • Foundation year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, 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.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • International Experience

    On the International Experience route you will spend your third year in one of our select universities in Japan, including in Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka, where you will deepen your language skills and cultural knowledge. Most classes at our partner universities in Japan will take place in the daytime.

  • Course disclaimer

    ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More 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 a range of joint honours programmes, combining Japanese with another subject such as art history, English, film and media, law, linguistics, journalism, politics, or digital media.
  • All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from research libraries. Our own library has thousands of books and resources on Japan and we are also next to the SOAS library and British Library which both have an impressive collection of Japanese books, to which ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú students can apply for free access.
  • We are surrounded by all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of cultural institutes, theatres, museums and galleries relevant to the study of Japanese language and culture, such as the Japan Society, Daiwa Foundation, Japan House London, Japan Foundation, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and British Film Institute.
  • Our students come from diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, learning abilities, nationalities and identities. This diversity enriches your learning experience and improves your ability to succeed in the world beyond academic studies.

Modules and Teaching

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
    • Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC) 
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • Alternative entry routes

    Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DMM.

  • Year abroad

    Please note you must make satisfactory progress during Years 1 and 2 of your degree to be eligible for a year abroad. Additionally, the non-UK partner institution may set its own entrance criteria, including, but not limited to, academic criteria, language requirements and visa requirements. In instances where a student does not meet the eligibility criteria for an approved year abroad or if it is not completed for another reason, their registration may be transferred to the corresponding BA degree pathway without the ‘with International Experience’ designation.

    If you are a Student visa student, please be aware that you will initially be provided with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to study for the first two years of your course while at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú. During your third year of study at an overseas institution, you will be required to obtain a visa for that specific country. When you return to the UK to complete your fourth year, ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú will issue you with a second CAS so that you can apply for another Student visa for your final year. You will therefore need to make a total of three visa applications: two for ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú and one for the overseas institution.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study  (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú or another institution.

Come and meet us

31 October
Undergraduate Open Day

If you would like to start your studies in October 2027, don't miss our Halloween-themed open day. Book Undergraduate Open Day

Campus tours

Join a current student for a lively 45-minute campus tour available year-round. Book a campus tour

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time with International Experience, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, 3 years of study: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, international year: £1,505 per year
Full-time international students, international year: £2,900 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by .

Careers and employability

On this BA Japanese Studies you will have access to an industry placement programme which offers you invaluable work experience at cultural or Japan-related organisations such as the Japan Society and Daiwa Foundation. 

On graduating, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • a high competence in Japanese, with a chance to study Korean if you excel in your studies
  • the ability to analyse and engage critically with cultural topics such as literature, film, manga and anime, and other cultural artefacts
  • the ability to produce various forms of work such as journalistic reviews, video essays and translations 
  • an increased confidence when presenting and debating complex issues in a succinct and convincing manner both in writing and orally
  • the ability to work independently and effectively manage your time and diverse deadlines.

Studying 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 and other industries.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in organisations including Japan House London, KDDI, Rachel Hill Resourcing, and the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET). 

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the . We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú on behalf of an international student, please use .

Related courses

Study routes for Japanese Studies (BA (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important Notice: Applications are now closed for undergraduate full-time courses starting in 2026. You can apply for these courses starting in 2027. All other courses starting in 2026 will close for application on 30 September 2026.

2027-28

Full-time

  • Three years full-time, on campus starting in October 2027

  • Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience starting in October 2027

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year starting in October 2027

Part-time