BA Japanese

Programme Code: T210 BA/J

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

The single-subject degree in Japanese aims to provide students with the highest level of competence in all aspects of the written and spoken language, and with an introduction to Japanese culture, both classical and modern.

Modules in pre-modern and modern literature, history, linguistics, TV and film studies are taught within the Japanese Section, while other Japan-related modules may be taken as open options in various departments of the School.

Please note that the BA Japanese will undergo a structural reform for 2018/19. Two different compulsory modules (0.5 units each) will be added to year 2 of the degrees, replacing the current compulsory modules (Survey of pre-modern Japanese Literature in Translation and Introduction to Pre-Modern Japanese Language). This change will allow students to engage more with contemporary Japan and thus widen the scope of understanding current issues. 

All students spend Year Three in Japan at one of the following universities: Hokkaido University of Education (Hokkaido), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Keio University, Waseda University, Sophia University, Ochanomizu University, Hitotsubashi University, International Christian University (all Tokyo), Nagoya University, Nanzan University (both Nagoya), Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Osaka University (both Osaka), Doshisha University (Kyoto), Kansai University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Kyushu University, Kobe University, and Ritsumeikan University. Please bear in mind that the Year Abroad is compulsory, and that no teaching is available at SOAS for 3rd year students.

In year 3 of the degree students pay the reduced fee for "BA/BSc Language Year Abroad" as detailed here, and do not pay tuition fees to the host institution in Japan. The Japanese government, however, requires all international students to show proof of sufficient funds to support themselves financially throughout their entire study period. The amount required varies by university, and currently ranges between 800,000 and 1,800,000 yen. Applicants who cannot show proof of sufficient funds for living expenses for their period of study will not obtain a student visa. Applicants can contact the department for further information.

In the final year, single–subject students write an Independent Study Project based on in-depth study in one of many possible fields using Japanese language sources.

Students must take a total of 120 credits each year.

Year 1: 

The programme accommodates absolute beginners as well as those with some knowledge of Japanese. Absolute beginners are placed in J1 - Elementary Japanese (60 credits), and students who know some Japanese may be allocated, after a placement test, to J1 - Accelerated Elementary Japanese Language (45 credits).  More advanced learners can also be accommodated, but please note that second-year entry is only possible for students who have previously studied Japanese at degree level.

Elementary Japanese students will additionally take Aspects of Japanese Culture I and II (total 30 credits) and one open option (i.e. a module in a subject other than those named in the student’s chosen degree title). Accelerated Elementary Japanese students will also take Aspects of Japanese Culture 1 and 2, and an additional 15 credits to be chosen between Introduction to the Study of Language Learning I or II, Issues in Post-War Japanese Society I, Survey of Modern Japanese Literature (in translation). The remaining 30 credits may be an open option.

Year 2: 

Students take J2: Japanese (60 credits), a half-module (15 credits) of Survey of Pre-modern Japanese Literature in Translation, and a half-module (15 credits) of Introduction to Pre-modern Japanese Language. The remaining 30 credits are made up from other modules within the Japanese section or alternatively from open options.

Please note that the BA Japanese will undergo a structural reform for 2018/19. Two different compulsory modules (0.5 units each) will be added to year 2 of the degrees, replacing the current compulsory modules (Survey of pre-modern Japanese Literature in Translation and Introduction to Pre-Modern Japanese Language). This change will allow students to engage more with contemporary Japan and thus widen the scope of understanding current issues. 

Year 3: 

This is a compulsory year spent in Japan for both single and two-subject degree students, and there is no tuition offered by the department. Students are expected to take the equivalent of 120 credits in this year at a Japanese university.

Year 4: 

The Independent Study Project (ISP: 10,000-word essay on an approved topic) 30 credits is compulsory. This is combined with at least 60 other credits available in the Japanese section; the remaining 30 credits may be an open option.

Students in Year 1 of BA Japanese (single or joint subject) must meet all three of the following conditions to be eligible to progress to the second year of their degree:

1. They must pass in all core modules prescribed for Year 1 of their degree.
2. They must pass in modules to the minimum value of 90 credits.
3. In the core Japanese module J1: Elementary Japanese 155901195 or J1: Accelerated elementary Japanese 15 5901196, they must obtain a minimum mark of 50% following the May/June examination.

*Notes to the regulation:

A. These progression requirements do not apply to BA Japanese Studies (single and joint subject).

B. Students who obtain 50% or more in J1Elementary Japanese or J1 Accelerated elementary Japanese following a September resit examination will not meet the progression requirement. Students who obtain 20% to 39% in J1 following the May/June examination may enter to take a September resit examination, but only with the aim of applying to transfer to another degree (see Note C below).

C. Students who meet conditions 1 and 2 above and either pass J1 with a mark of 40% to 49% following the May/June examination or who pass J1 with any mark from 40% upwards following a September resit examination may apply to transfer to another degree (such as Year 2 of BA Japanese Studies). Applications for transfer must be made by means of the degree transfer application form, obtainable from any Faculty Office.

D. September resit examinations are available only in respect of modules failed with a mark in the range 20% to 39%. Students who have passed a module (40%+) may not attempt a September resit examination with the aim of improving their mark.

1st year Elementary Japanese

Core Module

This module must be passed in order to progress to the following year of study

Compulsory Modules

Open Option

Choose one open option module to the value of 30 credits from this department, or another department (i.e. a module in a subject other than those named in the student’s chosen degree title). Students may not choose a language open option during their first year.

1st year Accelerated Japanese

Core Module

This module must be passed in order to progress to the following year of study

Compulsory Modules

Choose one of the following

Open Option

Choose one open option module to the value of 30 credits from this department, or another department (i.e. a module in a subject other than those named in the student’s chosen degree title). Students may not choose a language open option during their first year.

2nd Year

Core Module

This module must be passed in order to progress to the following year of study

Compulsory Modules

Open Option

Choose one open option module to the value of 30 credits from this department, or another department (i.e. a module in a subject other than those named in the student’s chosen degree title). Students may not choose a language open option during their first year.

3rd Year: Year Abroad

Please see more information on the year abroad in Japan under the Teaching & Learning tab.

4th Year

Compulsory Modules

Choose a minimum of 60 credits from this list (Students may choose 90 credits from this list, instead of taking the last 30 credits as an open option)

Open Option

Choose one open option module to the value of 30 credits from this department, or another department (i.e. a module in a subject other than those named in the student’s chosen degree title). Students may not choose a language open option during their first year.

Open Option modules from the Japanese section

Programme Specification

• BA Japanese - Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 36kb)

Disclaimer

Year abroad

All students spend their third year in Japan at one of the Japanese universities listed below, following successful completion of their second year and the J2: Japanese core module. Please note that there are limited places for each destination, and they may not be available every year. Students will be allocated a university based on their GPA (Grade Point Average) and their results from the first term of their second year.

Where possible, students in the BA Japanese (and…) must take half of their modules on Japanese Language and the other half on cultural topics or related to their joint degree. It is always preferable and recommended that students take lectures conducted in Japanese in order to get the most from their time in Japan.

In order to proceed to Year 4 of their degree, students must pass the equivalent of at least three quarters of the minimum number of modules considered to be a ‘full’ load by the host university. Students who fail to satisfy these requirements may be allowed to take a re-entry assessment at SOAS on their return to determine whether or not they are eligible to progress to Year 4 of their degree course. Failure to pass the re-entry assessment will result in the student having to apply for a change of degree.

Students usually apply for accommodation with the host university. Typical living costs are around 100,000 Yen per month, but this varies by location.

Tokyo

• Hitotsubashi
• International Christian University
• Keio
• Ochanomizu (women only)
• Sophia
• Tokyo U. of Foreign Studies
• Waseda
• Meiji University
• Tokyo University

Nagoya

• Nagoya
• Nanzan

Kyoto

• Doshisha
• Kyoto U. of Foreign Studies
• Ritsumeikan

Osaka

• Kansai
• Osaka U., School of Economics
• Osaka U., School of Foreign Studies

Kobe

• Kobe
• Kwansei Gakuin

Fukuoka

• Kyushu

Hokkaido

• Hokkaido U. of Education

Teaching & Learning

Language teaching is mostly in small tutorial groups; tapes and language laboratory facilities are available for formal teaching and self-study. Non-language modules are taught by lecture and seminar.

Students are assessed by a combination of written examination (and oral for language modules) and coursework, including essays and translations.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Pre Entry Reading

• R. Bowring & P Kornicki (eds), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Japan 1996
• D. Keene, Anthology of Japanese Literature, 1980
• A. Gordon, A modern history of Japan, 1996
• H Paul Varley, Japanese Culture (4th edition) 1998

Tuition Fees

Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.

Fees for 2017/18 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. 

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

Students who specialise in Japan and the Japanese language at SOAS will gain competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. You will have developed a familiarity
with the region through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law. Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

• How to Apply
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