After your degree
Where might our programmes take you? Read more about career options and be inspired by our alumni.
Careers
Skills and experience
Completing a degree programme in Japanese Studies demonstrates that you're a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas – what employers value as Intercultural Competence.
Beyond the language skills you will develop on our programmes, and the nuanced understanding you will gain of diverse 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 concepts, and to manage your time to meet deadlines on different types of project, both independently and as part of a group.
Opportunities across sectors
Our programmes are an excellent primer for a range of careers.
Within the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors, previous graduates have gone on to work in:
- business, finance and commerce
- 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 and venture acceleration
- translating and interpreting
Home and away
With increasing migration in response to changing global dynamics, there is demand for our graduates both at home 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 - with more than 128 million native speakers - Japanese is one of the world's 15 most commonly used languages.
A cultural treasure-trove, the country is also a major global power.
Alumni stories
Zoë Vincent (Japanese MA (Hons), 2015) first experienced working in Japan on her undergraduate Year Abroad, when she completed an internship in Tokyo with the British Chamber of Commerce.
She went on to work across a variety of sectors, including as an Assistant Language Teacher on the JET Programme, which connects English teachers with Japanese schools.
In 2016, she took on what The Telegraph posited as the ‘world’s toughest job’, promoting Fukushima Prefecture to tourists and international media after the 2011 tsunami and nuclear disasters.
Zoë then took up a role as a Project Manager for Fulford Enterprises in Tokyo, a Language Services and Media Production company working with tourism clients. Now, she works for market intelligence agency Mintel as a Japanese-to-English Translator.
When I came to visit the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) at Open Day, I really liked the fact that there was lots of choice of subjects as optional modules. It meant there was a lot of variety in the classes I had every week [and] many teachers with a range of expertise and teaching styles. Being able to get individualised teaching and advice, and hearing the experience and opinions of people with such a diverse range of academic passions made me realise the possibilities for my own future paths. I never would have got a chance to study Art History or Norwegian at university level if I hadn’t studied at LLC.
Be inspired by more alumni in literatures, languages and cultures
Careers advice
Throughout your time with us, we will encourage you to identify and hone your employability skills.
As part of the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), we have a dedicated Careers Consultant within the University's excellent Careers Service.
You can book one-to-one appointments and practice interviews, access a range of online resources, and attend themed fairs such as the Creative and Cultural Careers Festival.
Popular peer support includes Life After LLC, a panel event where you can draw inspiration from our recent graduates.
Find out more about the Careers Service
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, for example, we typically offer a Masters by Research degree in Japanese and taught MSc programmes in areas such as:
- East Asian Studies
- Comparative Literature
- Intermediality
- Translation Studies