Japanese

Information for applicants and offer holders for our degree programmes in Japanese. ようこそ

I’m delighted that you are interested in studying with us and very much hope that you will join our community. 

We have been teaching Japanese since 1966. Today, we are the only university in Scotland to offer undergraduate honours degrees in Japanese Studies.   

You can start the language as a complete beginner, or at a more advanced level. In addition, you will learn about Japan's history and culture and its place in East Asia. 

We hope that the information we’ve provided will help you choose the right university and degree for you. 

Professor Alex Thomson, Head of School 

Degree programmes and structures

Need a refresher on the details of the degree programme you've applied for? Our Degree Finder provides more information about your programme, such as:

  • what you will study
  • where you will study
  • career opportunities
  • fees, costs and funding 

Japanese degree programmes: 2025 entry

 

A Degree Programme Table (DPT) provides comprehensive information about the structure of a degree programme, including both compulsory and optional courses. The detailed programme content for 2025/26 is available below.

 

Japanese degree structures 2025/26

Why study Japanese at Edinburgh?

Over the past 150 years, Japan has experienced change at a rapid pace but has nevertheless retained its fascinating cultural heritage. On our programmes, you will develop the linguistic, intercultural and analytical skills to critically engage with this dynamic society in a truly interdisciplinary way. 

Japanese ranks in the world’s 10 most commonly used languages by number of native speakers. Learning the language and studying Japan demonstrates that you are a good communicator, and someone open to other cultures and new ideas; what employers value as Intercultural Competence. Our Japanese Studies graduates have gone on to careers in the private, public, not-for-profit, and for-benefit sectors around the world, including East Asia. 

Study with us, and you will develop advanced competency in Japanese, gaining the spoken and written skills to use the language daily in social and professional settings. Our final year students regularly pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test at N2 and N1 level. 

Our programmes have been carefully designed around the goal of making you an expert on Japan. They introduce skills and knowledge step by step, and we encourage you to see the connections between language, history, politics, culture and international relations at every stage.  

Undergraduate degrees in Japanese

On all of our undergraduate degree programmes, you will: 

  • Study over four years, giving you choice and flexibility. In Year 3 you will study at a university in Japan, gaining lived experience of East Asian culture.  
  • Try out other subjects in your first two years. If you’d like to choose more Asian Studies options, you can learn about China or Korea. Alternatively, you can do something completely different! 
  • Learn at the heart of Scotland's capital city. When you are on campus, you’ll spend most of your time in the University of Edinburgh's Central Area; in class, in the library, or in one of our many social and support spaces. 
  • Get the chance to join societies related to what you're studying, including the Japan Society and Anime Society. There’s also a Peer Support scheme for Japanese bringing together students across year groups. 
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections, including the University’s Chinese and East Asian Studies Collection. This runs to more than 50,000 resources, both print and digital, of which more than 5,000 are in Japanese. 

Have you applied for a joint honours degree? Don't forget to look at the information for each of your subjects. 

Not sure which School looks after the other subject of your degree? Check our School list for information on the subjects they manage. 

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences: Schools and subjects 


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