Japanese Studies MSc
About
The MSc in Japanese Studies is intended to be both a stand-alone course for those seeking to improve their language skills and an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of modern Japan. Native speakers of Japanese or those with native speaker competence are encouraged to apply as well as those who are not native speakers.
The course is taught by full-time members of the Nissan Institute (within the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and all the courses are designed for master's-level students.
The department does not teach Japanese language for beginners. However, it does offer language teaching which will equip you to do research about Japan. The levels range from JLPT Level 3 up to and beyond Level 1.
The course acts as either a foundation for those intending to seek employment working in Japan or with Japan, or as a preparation for further research on Japan either on the follow-on MPhil course or on a doctoral programme at Oxford or elsewhere. It is taught over three terms.
Course structure
An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the compulsory and optional elements of the course are provided in the Course components section of this page.
There are five components to the MSc degree. You will:
- take a core course on research methods;
- choose two option courses;
- take a Japanese language course, or if you have native speaker competence, a further course about Japan, chosen from the list of option courses; and
- write a dissertation of 12,000 words.
The Nissan Institute Seminar runs weekly over the Michaelmas (autumn), Hilary (spring) and well into Trinity (summer) terms. Each week, speakers with a national and international reputation in Japanese studies are invited to present a paper about their current research. Attendance at the Nissan Institute Seminar is an integral part of the course.
In addition, the Nissan Research Seminar provides an arena for graduate students working on Japan to meet weekly during Michaelmas and Trinity terms to exchange ideas about their work in progress. Master’s students are welcomed into this graduate research community.
Assessment
The research methods course is assessed on the basis of projects and tasks set in the course of teaching. The language course is assessed through a combination of tests and quizzes set during the year and an end-of-year examination. The courses about Japan are assessed by a written examination in English in the chosen subjects. The research project (dissertation) is examined for its competence, conceptual grasp and innovation.
How to apply
Resources for study
As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.
The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students to support with learning and research, as well as guidance on what technology to bring with you as a new student at Oxford.
The Bodleian Japanese Library (BJL) is the main lending service within the University for the material you will require. A large part of its material can be borrowed for a limited period. It is located within the same building as the Nissan Institute. A tutorial on using the library and IT facilities will be provided during the first weeks of the programme by the librarian at the BJL.
The Nissan Institute provides students with the use of a study room that has desk space and chairs. Individual lockers are provided for storage of student belongings. Wireless internet access is available throughout the building. The student room also contains a collection of Japanese and English books and dictionaries. This room is available to all students on the MSc and MPhil courses during normal office hours.
