International Business with Japanese MA (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Business Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code N1T2 Award MA (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Central Area Start date September 2026 School Business School College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Study abroad Mandatory Accreditation Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme Combine the study of business with Japanese to prepare for the social, political, environmental and cultural challenges facing contemporary businesses, governments and not-for-profit organisations.Taught by world-leading industry professionals and researchers, you will develop personal and professional competencies such as:authentic leadershipethical, responsible, sustainable business behaviourentrepreneurial practiceeffective communicationBusiness School competency frameworkThis will enable you to work across a range of roles in contemporary business including:financestrategyinnovationmarketinghuman resource managementdata analyticsentrepreneurshipJapaneseOver the past 150 years, Japan has experienced change at a breakneck pace but has nevertheless retained its fascinating cultural heritage.On this programme, you will develop the language and critical skills to engage with this dynamic society. You will also gain an appreciation of Japan's place in East Asia, now one of the world's most important and influential regions.You will study the Japanese language from beginner, post-beginner or advanced level. Our programme is not for native speakers, but we welcome students with prior experience of studying Japanese and heritage language learners.International businessYou will specialise in international business in Year 2 and have a compulsory study year abroad in Year 3 at one of our international partner institutions in a Japanese-speaking country. You will experience first-hand different cultures and approaches and develop your understanding of the international environment. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years.A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.How long it takes to complete our degree programmes Programme rankings You can find our programme rankings on our website.Our accreditation and rankings Programme benefits We actively engage with industry, policy makers and wider society, on our courses and through guest speakers and local, regional, national and international treks.Across a range of courses, including bespoke student consultancy projects, you will have exciting opportunities to work closely with for-profit, public and third sector organisations, developing professional experience before you graduate.The structure of our programmes means that during the early years of study, there is often the flexibility to change from one subject pathway to another.You can also participate in a large number of business societies, business events and peer-support schemes, including opportunities to use your Japanese socially.This degree includes mandatory study abroad participation in Year 3. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for MA (Hons) International Business with Japanese View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA (Hons) International Business with Japanese. Additional costs As studying abroad in Year 3 is a compulsory part of your degree programme, your costs will vary depending on the country or partner university. Additional costs may include:insurancevisa requirementsaccommodationinternet accesstravelIn Year 4, you will undertake a dissertation as a compulsory assessment component. Depending on the field of study you choose, there may be costs associated with:undertaking surveystravelconducting interviews 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:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee 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 Programme details What you will study You can draw on a range of disciplines outside business, particularly in Years 1 and 2, which include:psychologylaweconomicssociologyart and designhistorymathematicsAsian studies Year 1 Your studies will provide an introduction to accounting, business and its global environment.You will have the opportunity to undertake an option course from within the Business School or other schools within the University (subject to availability and timetabling constraints)JapaneseDepending on your existing knowledge, you will start your Japanese language studies at one of the following levels:beginnerpost-beginnerpost-intermediate (advanced)You will learn Modern Japanese using both kana writing (Japanese phonetic writing) and kanji (Japanese characters). Classes will focus on the main linguistic skills:speakinglisteningreadingwriting Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 You will broaden your knowledge of essential business subjects and the international environment in which business operates.You will further develop your Japanese language skills and your understanding of Japanese society and culture. Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 (study abroad mandatory) As you progress to honours level, you will spend Year 3 abroad at a partner university or business school.You will complete and pass a full year of assessed subjects which align with what you would have studied in Edinburgh. You will also take an equivalent compulsory course in strategic management at the partner university.Students studying International Business with Japanese will develop their language skills at a partner university in a Japanese-speaking institution and study business courses taught in English.You will start the preparation for your dissertation (in Year 4) by submitting your dissertation research proposal and you will be allocated a dissertation adviser.Applying to study abroad is a competitive process. In order to be offered a place, you will need a strong academic performance in Year 1 with a minimum first year average of 60%. Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 Your Management Honours Dissertation is central to Year 4. You will choose at least three more specialist honours courses in key areas of international business or one or two honours courses in other subject areas. Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Study abroad Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into the global business dimension and the cultures and languages of the individual markets we deal with. The year abroad is compulsory for International Business with Japanese students.To be inspired, read stories by Edinburgh students about their experiences abroad.Student experiences abroadYou will spend Year 3 studying abroad at a Japanese partner university. You will complete and pass a full year of examinable subjects (equivalent to 120 credits). The majority of these will be in international business courses taught in English and including Japanese language courses.Business School partner universities (subject to change)The benefits of studying abroadLiving and studying abroad will give you the opportunity to try new things such as:using your language skills dailytaking on new challengesenhancing your academic perspectivevisiting new placesmeeting new peopleYour self-confidence will improve and you will develop valuable skills for the future, all of which are highly valued by employers. Teaching and assessment Teaching We embrace a variety of different teaching methods including:lecturesuse of computer laboratoriesworkshopstutorialsone-to-one meetings with course lecturers/tutors/student advisersindependent learning throughout your studies (in particular for your honours dissertation research) Assessment Courses are assessed by a diverse and innovative range of methods and often take the form of formative work. This provides you with ongoing feedback and summative assessment, on which your final course grade is achieved.Some of these assessment methods are:blogsbusiness planningfeasibility analysiscase study analysiscomputer-based timed assignmentsconsultancy reportsreflective journalsessaysexamspitchesportfoliosposterspresentationsgroup and individual projectstechnical workshopsworkbooksthe dissertationMany of your assessments will involve:industry engagementreal case examplespractical solutions to contemporary business problemsA very small number of courses are assessed using only a single, written examination or coursework assignment. Most courses employ two or more forms of assessment, and a growing number combine both individual and group-based activities to develop subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills. Support for your studies We offer a supportive environment where you can grow and develop as an independent learner. You will be guided and supported throughout your studies by our dedicated Student Services Team who offer:enhanced course and programme guidancewellbeing, professional and academic advicestudy skills developmentWe also have an excellent peer support service to help you develop your study skills.The University offers a service called EdHelp where you can get help and advice on everything from finance to counselling, accommodation, and accessing IT and library resources.EdHelpEnvironment for learning Our Student Services Team offers an extensive range of personal and professional provisions to support you on your undergraduate journey. We provide a variety of opportunities for you to engage in co- and extra-curricular activities. Our dedicated Student Development Team can help you develop a range of essential business graduate competencies.You can find out about both teams on their sites:Student Services TeamStudent Development TeamEdinburgh AwardYou may participate in the Edinburgh Award supported by an alumni professional mentor and trained coaches: Personal and Professional Development (Year 2)Effective and Responsible Leadership (Year 3 or 4)Edinburgh Award Our academic staff You will be taught by:experienced subject-specific lecturersindustry professionalsresearch-led academicsinternationally renowned guest speakerslanguage tutorsWe have a number of leading academics who have designed and developed courses specific to their research, particularly in Years 3 and 4. Where you will study Study location All business teaching takes place across the central campus. However, you may be required to travel to the King’s Buildings (based on your course selection) if you are studying courses in science and engineering.Japanese teaching typically takes place near the Business School in the University's central area. Academic facilities The Business School is located in a dedicated building in George Square, in the middle of the central campus.You will have access to:specialist business resources in the central Main Library (books, journals, databases)dedicated student experience and student development supportdedicated teaching labs (and associated software and databases) for specialist business analytics, business research and finance-related coursesJapaneseResources for Japanese study include the University's East Asian Studies Collection, of which over 5,000 holdings are in Japanese. Career paths and further study Accreditation Our school and programmes are accredited by a range of world-leading business education organisations and professional bodies. We have strong links to the world of practice through:researchconsultancyteachingThis ensures that our school and programmes are: attuned to world-leading thinking and practice in business educationactively and continuously engaging with, and responding to, the needs of employersIt also ensures that you will be work-ready and prepared for entering the diverse range of globally available career opportunities post-graduation. Details of our accreditation and rankingsThis programme holds double accreditation from international ranking bodies: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) Career paths International Business graduates are highly valued by employers across the world and graduates of our programmes are highly sought after by a wide range of employers.Our graduates secure employment in a diverse range of fields, the most popular being:managementconsultingfinancemarketinghuman resourcesWith more than 128 million native speakers, Japanese is one of the world's 15 most commonly used languages.The skills you will develop on our programme, including through living abroad for a year, will give you the edge in a range of careers. Wherever you are in the world, the ability to understand and communicate in Japanese will make you stand out. Careers Service During your time as a student in the Business School and following graduation, the Careers Service will help you fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.Careers Service Further study After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Applying 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 qualificationsa personal statementevidence 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 websiteKey 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:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at 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 Life at Edinburgh 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 websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf 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 Japanese groups and societiesThere are also plenty of opportunities to use your Japanese socially.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 many ways to explore your subjects, interests and talents socially. You might be particularly interested in:the Japan Societythe Anime SocietyBizPALS - a team of dedicated undergraduate volunteers who aim to support fellow students, particularly in Years 1 and 2, during their transition into universityWe typically host visiting Noh masters from Japan for an annual performance and student workshops.There are also 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 studies too. The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities The Business School provides a range of modern spaces for students and staff, including:a caféeight lecture theatresa space for students to study and unwindLocated at the heart of the University campus, we also have ready access to state-of-the-art facilities. 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 servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
