Japanese and Linguistics MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Japanese

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

TQ21

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.

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

Japanese and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

  • a modern language in its cultural context
  • the expression and creation of meaning

You will benefit from the same Japanese language training as our MA (Hons) Japanese students, but will be able to focus your studies on the social scientific understanding of language.

On our programme, Linguistics options of particular relevance to language students cover:

  • sociolinguistics - the relationship between language and society
  • variation in the languages of the world
  • first and second languages acquisition
  • Global Englishes

Japanese

Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland to offer undergraduate honours degrees in Japanese.

Our programme has been carefully designed to enable you to become an expert on Japan. You will also learn about the country's place in East Asia, one of the world's most important and influential regions.

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 welcome heritage language learners.

A highlight of the programme is spending Year 3 in Japan, studying abroad and experiencing Japanese culture firsthand.

Linguistics

Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning.

You will also study different aspects of language, including:

  • its uses in everyday life
  • how its use varies across society and evolves over time
  • how it is mastered by children

As you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to plan and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment.

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 in the study of Japan and of linguistics.

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 and linguistics. You will also further develop your Japanese language and translation skills.

How a joint degree programme works

You will study both Japanese and Linguistics to degree level, as well as taking optional courses in Years 1 and 2.

Japanese is based in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) and Linguistics in the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences (PPLS) on the same campus.

Your teaching will take place in and around the main LLC and PPLS buildings in the University's Central Area.

On your Year Abroad (Year 3), you'll complete coursework for both sides of the programme while using your Japanese language skills daily.

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
  • 4th in the UK and 7th in the world for Linguistics 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.
  • Combine practical language learning with language science.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

Before arriving, I couldn't have begun to imagine the world that studying Japanese at the University of Edinburgh would open to me. Every challenge was its own reward! The teaching staff were so welcoming and supportive, and always encouraged us to reach our full potential at every step of our education. Taking this programme is one choice in life that I'd make over and over again, if given the chance!

Nairne Japanese and Linguistics 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 and Linguistics

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

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

Japanese

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).

Linguistics

You will take two semester-long courses which introduce you to the principles of language analysis.

You will study:

  • the way language is structured
  • the regional and social variations of language in general, and of the English language in particular

You will also be introduced to the study of semantics and pragmatics.

Option courses

You will complete your Year 1 studies with option courses chosen from a wide range offered by the University.

For example, you can:

  • learn more about East Asian history, including Japan's relationship with China and Korea
  • take a course in Japanese literature, politics or culture

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

Other options include, but are not limited to, courses in:

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

Japanese

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

In preparation for honours study, you can opt to undertake a mini-dissertation project. This course will develop your critical skills, help you find your own research voice and gain confidence finding, reading and discussing literature on Japan.

Alternatively, you can choose one or more option courses on other aspects of Japan, or in other subjects at the University. Japanese and East Asian options typically include:

  • Political Cultures and Cultural Politics in Contemporary Japan
  • Supernatural Japan: Doing Japanology through Yokai
  • Japanese Language Beyond University
  • Society and Culture in Pre-modern East Asia
  • East Asian Youth: Spaces, Ecologies, Technologies
Linguistics

You will take Linguistics courses in:

  • Linguistic Theory and the Structure of English
  • Cross-linguistic Variation: Limits and Theories
Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will spend Year 3 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.

You will spend a minimum of 30 weeks in Japan. This is when you will really deepen your knowledge of the 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.

You will also undertake a project in language sciences while you're abroad; this usually involves writing an essay on a relevant 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 study at least two specialist language sciences courses for Linguistics.

You will also take honours-level option courses in either linguistics, Japanese studies, or a combination of the two.

If you would like to take more honours-level linguistics courses, it’s possible to do so. Alternatively, you can take up to two options courses in Japanese studies, or choose one course from each side of your programme.

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

From Year 2 onwards, you will do some independent practical work for linguistics.

In addition to 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.

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, in the lab, 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 specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment ranks among the best in the world. It includes:

  • recording studios
  • a perception experiment laboratory
  • an eye-tracking laboratory

Career paths

Skills and experience

Combining the study of a language with linguistics 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 and linguistic skills you will develop on this joint honours programme, you will also gain a nuanced understanding of other 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 Linguistics
  • 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:

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

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 LLC 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
  • the Anime Society
  • LingSoc - the Linguistics and English Language 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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