Japanese MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Japanese

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

T210

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Central Area

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Mandatory

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Over the past 150 years, Japan has experienced change at a rapid pace but has nevertheless retained its fascinating cultural heritage.

On our programme, you will develop the linguistic, intercultural and analytical skills to engage with this dynamic society in an interdisciplinary way.

Our language courses will develop your skills in speaking, listening to, reading and writing Modern Japanese. You can start the language as a complete beginner, or at a more advanced level - we will place you in the right course for you.

Our programme is not for native speakers, but we also welcome heritage language learners.

In addition to language learning, you will learn about Japan's place in East Asia, one of the world's most important and influential regions.

Why Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland to offer undergraduate honours degrees in Japanese. We also teach the languages, histories and cultures of China and Korea, giving you an interdisciplinary experience in East Asian studies.

You will be able to take a path through the programme that suits your interests, choosing from courses in:

  • pre-modern and modern history
  • politics and international relations
  • religion
  • literature, theatre, and cinema
  • linguistics

The University's excellent resources include the East Asian Studies Collection which contains more than 50,000 resources, both print and digital; over 5,000 are in Japanese.

Student societies include the Japan Society and the Anime Society. We also often host visiting Noh masters from Japan for performances and student workshops.

Teaching excellence

Our programme has been carefully designed to enable you to become an expert on Japan. It introduces skills and knowledge step by step, and we encourage you to see the connections between language, history, politics, culture and international relations at every stage.

Our courses are mostly taught in smaller groups, so you will have plenty of opportunities to contribute to class discussion and receive feedback on your progress.

Language classes are active, innovative, inclusive, and always informed by the best practice in the field. Our Year 4 students regularly pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test at N2 and N1 level.

You will also have the opportunity to study other subjects from a wide range offered by the University, and to spend a year studying in Japan.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.

Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in the Japanese language and the study of Japan.

In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond.

Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Japanese and East Asian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Japanese Studies. You will also further develop your Japanese language and translation skills and write a dissertation.

Programme rankings

  • 2nd in the UK for Asian Studies in The Complete University Guide - Subject League Table 2025
  • 3rd in the UK for Modern Languages in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025

Programme benefits

  • Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.
  • Study over four years, including one abroad.
  • Become fluent in a language.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

Studying Japanese at the University of Edinburgh has been a life changing experience. I have been able to explore and learn a new world that I never thought possible. Through studying at the University of Edinburgh I have been supported by incredibly encouraging staff and they help motivate me to do my best! It's a challenging experience, but definitely a rewarding one!

Cadely Japanese MA (Hons) graduate (2024)

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA (Hons) Japanese

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) Japanese.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

As long as international travel is possible, you will spend Year 3 in Japan. The costs you have to pay will depend on where you decide to go and how you spend your time.

Some study placements at language schools may charge a fee, but we will normally refund you for tuition costs as long as your activity has been approved.

You will be responsible for associated travel costs such as flights and visas.

Some scholarship money may be available from external sources, on a competitive basis, to cover some of the costs of studying abroad.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Depending on your existing knowledge, you will start your Japanese language studies at one of the following levels:

  • beginner
  • post-beginner
  • pre-intermediate (advanced)

Courses will focus on skills in speaking, listening to, reading and writing Modern Japanese. They will cover both kana writing (Japanese phonetic writing) and kanji (Japanese characters).

You will also take Modern East Asian History A: Japan and Korea in the Modern World. This course covers Japan and Korea's political, social, and economic history. It will help you to understand how the two countries have been inextricably linked, and to explore their changing relationship with China.

Option courses

You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses. You can choose courses from Asian Studies, or from a wide range offered by the University.

You can opt to study another language, such as Chinese or Korean. We offer one of the widest ranges of languages of any UK university; the majority are suitable for complete beginners and include cultural study.

Alternatively, you can opt to take a course in a completely different subject area. Options include, but are not limited to, courses in:

  • linguistics and language sciences
  • business, economics and informatics
  • politics, social policy, social anthropology and international relations
  • art and architectural history
  • history, classics and archaeology
  • philosophy, divinity and law
  • Celtic and Scottish ethnology
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will continue your Japanese language study, focusing on all the skills needed to live and study abroad in Year 3.

You will also deepen your understanding of Japanese society through a course on Political Cultures and Cultural Politics in Contemporary Japan. Using a case study approach, you will explore topics such as:

  • the law in everyday life
  • gender and the family
  • art and political activism
  • religion and death
  • animation and nationalism
  • big business and bureaucracy
  • ethnic diversity and political representation.

In preparation for undertaking independent research in your honours years, you will develop your critical skills through a mini-dissertation project. You will be guided step-by-step through:

  • turning ideas into questions
  • using library databases
  • evaluating the literature
  • selecting and applying relevant theories and methods
  • writing a coherent and persuasive piece of research
Option courses

As in Year 1, you will complete your studies with option courses.

We typically offer the following option courses for Year 1 and Year 2 students:

  • Pre-Modern East Asian History
  • Society and Culture in Pre-modern East Asia
  • Modern East Asian History B (which looks at China in particular)
  • Introduction to Japanese Literature
  • Kanji: A linguistic and cultural introduction
  • Supernatural Japan: Doing Japanology through Yokai
  • Politics of Everyday Life in Modern Korea
  • Japanese Language Beyond University

You can also study a wide range of courses outside of Asian Studies.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will spend Year 3 (a minimum of 30 weeks) in Japan, turning classroom learning into living engagement with Japanese and East Asian culture. We have exchange relationships with some of the best universities in Japan.

This is when you will really deepen your knowledge of the Japanese language by speaking and using it daily. Living abroad will also give you the wider perspective, experience and skills to embrace the opportunities and challenges of life after university.

Coursework while abroad

You will study at a university in Japan. This immersive learning environment will strengthen your language and cross-cultural communication skills.

You will take our online course that offers guidance and support on making the most of your language learning while you are away.

In addition, you will expand your research skills by working with primary and secondary materials related to our honours-level courses. You will also submit two pieces of written work to us. As well as the materials at your host institution, you will have access to the University of Edinburgh's online library resources.

You will start work on your own research project in an area of Japanese history, society or culture, identifying what materials you will need and perhaps undertaking some fieldwork. By the end of the year, you will have submitted a detailed dissertation proposal on your chosen topic.

Keeping in touch

While you are abroad as part of your programme, you are still a student at the University of Edinburgh.

The Year Abroad Office and your Student Adviser, both based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), will check in with you at key points during your time away. Additionally, each language has a dedicated Year Abroad Coordinator for any academic queries, ensuring you are all set and ready for your final year in Edinburgh.

Just like any other time during your studies, you have access to all University services while you are abroad. These include our:

  • Student Wellbeing Service
  • Student Counselling
  • Student Disability and Learning Support
  • University emergency helpline (available 24 hours a day)
Wellbeing and safety

Your wellbeing and safety abroad is our first priority. If international travel is not possible or placements are disrupted, for example following travel advice from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), we will offer you alternative ways to engage with your studies. These will be tailored towards supporting you to meet your learning outcomes and to prepare for your final year.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will continue to study Japanese language at advanced level, including:

  • spoken and written Japanese
  • translation from Japanese to English

You will also choose from a range of honours-level option courses on Japan's:

  • history
  • politics
  • religion
  • culture
  • film
  • literature

You will work closely with a supervisor to complete your dissertation on the topic you chose in Year 3.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

You will spend Year 3 (a minimum of 30 weeks) at one of our exchange partner institutions in Japan.

This is your chance to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, and to develop your broader life experience and skills towards life after university.

We know that you are likely to have lots of questions about your Year Abroad. We have gone into lots of detail under ‘Year 3’ above. You can also find out more through the University's Study and Work Away Service.

What are my options for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

University is a place to plan your own goals under expert guidance, study independently and in groups, and reflect upon your learning throughout your degree.

Our approach to learning and teaching is active, inclusive and question-driven, so it may be different to your experiences at school. It will help you gain the skills for life after university, and we will guide you through the steps from one phase to the next.

Depending on the size of your year group, and which option courses you take, your classes will typically fall into three categories:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • seminars

In addition to these classes, to get the most out of your courses, you will need to read widely.

We make extensive use of our audio and visual resources, and you will also be encouraged to use online materials.

Lectures

Lectures are taken by all students on a course, typically at the same time. They are delivered as interactive presentations which may involve audio-visual material.

Lectures are given by an experienced academic. They are designed to guide you through the background, questions and debates related to the topic you are studying.

Tutorials

Tutorial groups are smaller. They are also led by an academic, but here the emphasis is more on what you think about the topic yourself. So, tutorials are your chance to discuss and expand upon what you have learned in a lecture.

Language tutorials give you the opportunity to develop your linguistic skills in a range of real-world tasks under the supervision of an experienced language teacher.

These classes typically cover skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking - all of which involve learning and applying grammar.

Seminars

Seminars blend features of lectures and tutorials. Again, they are designed to encourage and facilitate your active participation in learning.

On some courses, you will have seminars instead of lectures, especially in Year 4.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and exams.

Coursework is generally completed throughout the year, while exams take place at the end of a teaching block.

Coursework will take a range of forms to give you the opportunity to practice different skills. For example, you may be asked to:

  • write an essay, review, blog post, opinion piece or learning journal
  • respond to a piece of writing, film, or other media, including through close reading
  • give a short talk or presentation
  • record a podcast or video
  • design a poster or presentation

Exams will include oral exams to test your spoken language skills.

Depending on where you go and what you do during your Year Abroad, Year 3 may include being assessed, in part, by a host university.

In your final year, you will also complete a dissertation.

Support for your studies

As well as the teaching staff and other staff members you will meet day-to-day, there are lots of ways to get help with your learning, including through the University’s Institute for Academic Development (IAD). Peer support schemes bring together students across year groups to help each other with specific study skills, topics or themes.

Where you will study

Study location

When you are on campus, you can expect to spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area - in class, in the library, or in one of the University’s many social and support spaces.

The Central Area is located on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, surrounded by lots of green space.

Academic facilities

The Main University Library holds academic books, journals and databases, films, newspapers and other media.

The Library is also the home of the University's Centre for Research Collections which brings together:

  • more than 400,000 rare books
  • six kilometres of archives and manuscripts
  • thousands of works of art, historical musical instruments and other objects

The Centre's treasures include over 100 rare Chinese and Japanese books dating from pre-1900 CE. More broadly, the East Asian Studies Collection contains more than 50,000 resources, both print and digital, of which over 5,000 are in Japanese.

Many of the University's Special Collections are digitised and available online from our excellent Resource Centre, computing labs and dedicated study spaces in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

The University's annual book-collecting prize, the David Laing Prize, gives you the opportunity to select a book for Special Collections, exhibit in the Centre for Research Collections and spend £500 to add to their own collection. In 2023, the Prize was won by graduating student of Japanese, Francesca Lutje-Wilkes, for her collection of the ‘Fabulous Year 24 group’ of female manga artists.

Read our interview with Francesca about her collection and the inspiration behind it

Career paths

Skills and experience

Studying a language to degree level demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas - what employers value as intercultural competence.

Beyond the language skills you will develop on this programme, you will also gain a nuanced understanding of diverse cultures and societies.

Graduating with a four-year Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh shows intellectual maturity, resilience, and flexibility.

The skills you will be able to demonstrate to employers when you graduate include the ability to:

  • understand, analyse and articulate complex issues and concepts
  • manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of projects
  • work independently and as part of a group

Opportunities across sectors

Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers, especially those that place a premium on thinking that is both disciplined and imaginative.

Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:

  • business, finance, commerce and tech
  • communications, marketing, advertising and public relations
  • education, outreach, advocacy and training
  • journalism, broadcasting and media
  • leisure, tourism and travel
  • politics, policy work, diplomacy, civil service and law
  • publishing, culture, heritage and the arts
  • research, development, consultancy and venture acceleration
  • translating and interpreting

Local and global opportunities

With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, and growing links between the UK and East Asia, there is demand for our graduates in Scotland, the UK and abroad.

Wherever you are based in the world, the ability to communicate in another language, and to understand the cultures to which it opens doors, will make you stand out.

If you are keen to work abroad, it’s good to know that Japanese ranks in the ten most commonly used languages by number of native speakers (125 million).

A cultural treasure trove, Japan is also a major global power with one of the world's top five economies.

Careers Service

Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.

Through the University's excellent Careers Service, you can:

  • get careers advice tailored towards Japanese and Asian Studies
  • book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews
  • access a range of online resources
  • attend events and themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival
  • get help finding work while you study and for around two years after you graduate

The Careers Service is also a partner in Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from recent graduates of programmes in literatures, languages and cultures.

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

The enhanced research skills you will develop on a four-year programme, particularly in your honours years, are a valuable asset if you wish to continue studying at postgraduate level.

At the University of Edinburgh, we typically offer:

  • a Masters by Research programme in Japanese
  • taught masters programmes in:
    • East Asian Studies (with the option to specialise in Japanese studies)
    • Comparative Literature
    • Intermediality
    • Translation Studies

Any of our masters degrees, whether research-based or taught, is a good foundation for a PhD, but is equally of value as a stand-alone qualification.

Graduate profiles

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

I think what makes Edinburgh special is that there is so much to do whatever your interests are! Whether you enjoy hiking, relaxing in a café, socialising with friends, or literally anything else, you will never run out of options here.

Minju Kim Japanese MA Hons graduate (2024)

During Minju's time with us, she was a three-time entrant to the annual Japanese Speech Contest for University Students. In her final year, she won the main prize for a 15-minute presentation in Japanese on ‘Japan and South Korea: Building a Stronger Relationship through the Power of Dialogue’.

Read our interview with Minju Kim about studying Japanese

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) supports more than 300 student-led societies and clubs, and promotes opportunities with local charities through its volunteering centre.

From making friends in language cafes to campaigning on global issues, these student-led groups offer lots of ways to explore your subjects, interests and talents socially. You might be particularly interested in the Japan Society and the Anime Society.

We typically host visiting Noh masters from Japan for an annual performance and student workshops.

You can also attend film screenings and an Asian Studies seminar series that features visiting speakers from around the world. This will bring you closer to students of Chinese and Korean.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a world-leading festival city filled with cinemas, theatres, galleries, libraries and collections.

The city's resources for studying literatures, languages and cultures are exceptional, and its world cinema scene is particularly strong.

Many national collections are located close to the University's Central Area, making them easy to access between classes. Highlights include the:

  • National Library of Scotland
  • National Galleries of Scotland
  • National Museum of Scotland, which holds over 5,000 Japanese woodblock prints in its extensive East Asian Collection

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

Other degrees in Japanese

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