The MPhil in Japanese Studies is a two-year programme offered jointly by the Faculty of Oriental Studies and the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies that combines intensive language courses, three courses about Japan, research methods courses and a 30,000-word dissertation. Native speakers of Japanese take two additional courses about Japan.
The MPhil in Japanese Studies is designed as a two-year, six-term taught programme 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 the Japanese, 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 Faculty of Oriental Studies and the Nissan Institute 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.
The Japanese MPhil course is managed by the University's School of Global and Area Studies, who are the main point of contact for applicants interested in taking this course.
For details of the course and options within it, please see http://www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk/mphil-japanese-studies.