梅西大学

Gain fascinating insights into Japan’s rich language, culture and society

Let your love of the Japanese language give you an edge in the international job market.

Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) will equip you with upper-intermediate and above language skills in spoken and written Japanese.

You can expect to gain competence approximately equivalent to Level Three and above of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. No prior Japanese language learning is required. However, if you have studied some Japanese previously, please contact the programme coordinator for advice on the appropriate entry level.

The BA in Japanese is not suitable for native Japanese speakers.

Relevant in a global context

Discover the world from the Japanese perspective. Learn how Japan has interacted with the rest of the world.

Interactive study and supportive staff

Whether you study on campus or by distance, you will learn from supportive, passionate staff. You'll use study materials with digital exercises and assignments, audio, videos and presentations. You can integrate your own self-study with these supportive learning resources. Distance students can attend regular live online language tutorials. You won't have to learn on your own. Everyone can practise speaking Japanese in a shared environment.

Uniquely combines culture and language

Language does not exist in isolation. It becomes more powerful when it is learnt in a cultural context. Courses on Japanese culture, society, literature and film will give you a rich perspective for understanding Japan. Some are delivered in English. Through exploring this context, you will also explore your own culture and identity.

Careers

With a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Japanese, you will have career prospects in many vital spheres, including:

• business
• trade and commerce
• education
• Japan Exchange and Teaching programme (JET)
• foreign affairs
• military and strategic affairs
• border security
• tourism
• disaster management
• creative arts
• website localisation

Further study

You are encouraged to apply for scholarships for postgraduate study in Japan. A second major in another subject will enable you to undertake a postgraduate qualification in that subject with a Japanese perspective, e.g. in history, social anthropology, linguistics.

Major requirements

The only compulsory course is the introductory Japanese culture course at 100-level, but you will need to complete Japanese 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B in order to take the 300-level courses required for the major. To complement the language courses there are courses on Japanese culture, language, society and cinema which are taught in English.

If you already have prior knowledge of Japanese, you may enter at higher levels, subject to successful completion of an online placement test. You will need to contact the Programme Coordinator using the Enquire button on this page before you embark on language courses, so that you commence your studies at the most appropriate level for you.

A major in Japanese consists of 135 credits.