Japanese Studies MPhil

University of Oxford

MSc

This is a twelve-month programme offered jointly by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies that combines courses about Japan, an intensive language programme, a research methods course and a dissertation.

The MSc in Japanese Studies is intended to be both a stand-alone course for those seeking to improve their language skills and an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of modern Japan. Native speakers of Japanese or those with native speaker competence are encouraged to apply as well as those who are not native speakers. Please refer to the Entry requirements section of this page for guidance on the level of Japanese language proficiency required to be eligible for the course.

The course is taught by full-time members of the Nissan (within the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and all the courses are designed for master's-level students.

The department does not teach Japanese language for beginners. However, it does offer language teaching which will equip you to do research about Japan. The levels range from JLPT Level 3 up to and beyond Level 1.

The course acts as either a foundation for those intending to seek employment working in Japan or with Japan, or as a preparation for further research on Japan either on the follow-on MPhil course or on a doctoral programme at Oxford or elsewhere. It is taught over three terms.

MPhil

The MPhil in Japanese Studies is a two-year course offered jointly by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies that combines intensive language courses, three courses about Japan, research methods courses and a 30,000-word thesis. Native speakers of Japanese take two additional courses about Japan.

The MPhil in Japanese Studies is designed as a two-year, six-term taught course that comprises advanced research training focusing on developing language skills and on deepening your understanding of contemporary Japan.

It acts either as a foundation for those intending to seek employment working in Japan or with Japan, or as a preparation for further research on Japan on a doctoral programme at Oxford or elsewhere. It is taught by full-time members of the Nissan (within the Oxford School of Global Area Studies) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and all the courses are designed for master's-level students.

The department does not teach Japanese for beginners but rather aims to develop your existing language skill to the level at which you can use it to conduct research about Japan. The department's courses aim to take you from a minimum of JLPT Level 3 up to and beyond Level 1.