Japanese Studies

BA (Hons)

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Year of entry: 2026-27
Year of entry: 2027-28

Start date:

October 2026

Study route:

Three years full-time, on campus

UCAS code: T210
Four years part-time, on campus
Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience

UCAS code: T211
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year

UCAS code: T212
Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:

Fully approved

Location:

Birkbeck Campus, Central London

Awarding body:

University of London

Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year | with International Experience

Start date:

October 2027

Study route:

Three years full-time, on campus

UCAS code: T210
Four years part-time, on campus
Four years full-time, on campus with International Experience

UCAS code: T211
Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year

UCAS code: T212
Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:

Fully approved

Location:

Birkbeck Campus, Central London

Awarding body:

University of London

Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year | with International Experience

Course Overview

Our BA Japanese Studies has been especially designed to offer you stimulating and critical academic expertise in Japanese culture, history and society based on the cutting-edge research we conduct on Japan. At the same time, you will have the chance to gain a near-fluent command of the Japanese language.

Why choose this course?
- This course is ideal for various levels of competence in Japanese, whether you are a complete beginner or an intermediate learner.
- You will be taught by specialists in contemporary Japanese culture and native Japanese teachers with decades of teaching experience.
- This course also offers you the opportunity, if you opt for the International Experience route, to spend a year studying in Japan where we have a range of university partners.
- Our partnerships with Japanese universities also give you access to online conversation exchange programmes, summer schools in Japan and other exciting opportunities.
What will I learn?

Learning Japanese is essential to understanding Japan. Comprehending its culture and history is also fundamental to grasping the role that Japanese cultural production plays in our global society. On this course you will gain a high level of proficiency in Japanese and develop your cultural understanding through modules exploring literature, film, popular culture, manga and anime, history, visual art, linguistics, translation and society.
In cross-cultural modules you will learn from a team of specialists in different cultures and analyse comparative themes across a variety of linguistic, cultural and historical contexts.
You will also master transferable skills such as essay and report writing, oral presentations, video essays, critical and logical thinking, and translating.
If you achieve a high level of proficiency in Japanese as well as a high level of success academically on this course you may also have the chance to learn either Korean or Mandarin Chinese as part of your degree and be awarded either a BA Japanese Studies with Korean or BA Japanese Studies with Chinese.
How will I learn?

Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunity to participate and interact with peers and our expert tutors.
This course is available to study full- or part-time. It mainly follows an evening timetable, though some Japanese classes may take place on Saturday during the daytime.
How often will I attend classes?

Full-time: Three to four evenings a week, plus some Saturday daytime classes, October to July.
Please note that if you choose the International Experience route this may differ during your year abroad.
Part-time: Two to three evenings a week, plus some Saturday daytime classes depending on the module, October to July.
Part-time with Foundation year: One to two evenings a week, plus some Saturday daytime classes depending on the module, October to July.
Foundation year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.
International Experience

On the International Experience route you will spend your third year in one of our select universities in Japan, including in Hokkaido, Tokyo and Osaka, where you will deepen your language skills and cultural knowledge. Most classes at our partner universities in Japan will take place in the daytime.
Course disclaimer

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

We ranked first in Teaching Satisfaction in London for Asian Studies courses in the 2024 National Student Survey.
This course includes modules focused on employability for the cultural industries and an industry placement programme.
We offer a range of joint honours programmes, combining Japanese with another subject such as art history, English, film and media, law, linguistics, journalism, politics, or digital media.
All teaching takes place in our central London location in Bloomsbury, a stone’s throw from research libraries. Our own library has thousands of books and resources on Japan and we are also next to the SOAS library and British Library which both have an impressive collection of Japanese books, to which Birkbeck students can apply for free access.
We are surrounded by all the cultural richness that London has to offer by way of cultural institutes, theatres, museums and galleries relevant to the study of Japanese language and culture, such as the Japan Society, Daiwa Foundation, Japan House London, Japan Foundation, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and British Film Institute.
Our students come from diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, learning abilities, nationalities and identities. This diversity enriches your learning experience and improves your ability to succeed in the world beyond academic studies.

Modules and Teaching

Starting in October 2026
- Three years full-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - Japanese 1, 2, 3 or 4 (depending on level at entry)
  - Two compulsory modules
  - Level 4 option module: Culture and Text and/or Culture and Image
  Year 2
  - Japanese 2, 3, 4 or 5 (depending on entry level), or Japanese 2 (intensive) and Japanese 3 (intensive)
  - Four Level 5 option modules:
    Popular Culture of East Asia, and/or Theorising Japanese Cinema
    Comparative option such as Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis, or Film and Politics
    Korean or Chinese 1 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 1 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 2)
  Year 3
  - Japanese 4 or 5 (depending on starting level)
  - Five Level 6 option modules:
    Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society and Advanced Seminar in Japanese Linguistics and Translation
    Cross-cultural option, e.g. Film and Politics, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality
    Languages and cultures dissertation
    Korean or Chinese 1 or 2 (if you passed Japanese 3 or 4 in Year 2 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 3)
    Industry placement
  Please note, if you complete at least 90 credits of Korean or Chinese language modules and achieve Korean or Chinese 3, the award title will be BA Japanese Studies with Korean/Chinese.
  
  Compulsory modules
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Rethinking Japan: Introduction to Modern Japanese Society and Culture (Level 4)
  Japanese language modules
  Korean language modules
  Chinese language modules
  Indicative option modules
  Please note that not all modules are available every year; the list above is indicative.
- Four years part-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - Japanese 1, 2, 3 or 4 (depending on level at entry)
  - Compulsory module
  - Level 4 option module: Culture and Text, or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan
  Year 2
  - Japanese 2, 3, 4 or 5 (depending on entry level), or Japanese 2 (intensive) and Japanese 3 (intensive)
  - Level 4 option module from those listed above
  - Four Level 5 option modules:
    Popular Culture of East Asia, and/or Theorising Japanese Cinema
    Comparative option such as Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis, or Film and Politics
    Korean or Chinese 1 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 1 and are taking Japanese 4 in Year 2)
  Year 3
  - Japanese 3, 4 or 5
  - Three option modules:
    One Level 5 option from those listed above
    One Level 6 option from those listed below
    Level 6 Korean or Chinese 1 or 2 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 2 and are taking Japanese 4 in Year 3)
  Year 4
  - Japanese 4 or 5
  - Five Level 6 option modules:
    Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society and Advanced Seminar in Japanese Linguistics and Translation
    Cross-cultural option, e.g. Film and Politics, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality
    Languages and cultures dissertation
    Korean or Chinese 1, 2 or 3 (if you passed Japanese 3 in a previous year and are taking Japanese 4 in Year 4)
    Industry placement
  Please note, if you complete at least 90 credits of Korean or Chinese language modules and achieve Korean or Chinese 3, the award title will be BA Japanese Studies with Korean/Chinese.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Japanese language modules
  Korean language modules
  Chinese language modules
  Indicative option modules
  Please note that not all modules are available every year; the list above is indicative.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, consisting of 120 credits in each of Years 1, 2 and 4, and 60 credits for your year abroad.
  Year 1
  - Japanese 1, 2, 3 or 4 (depending on level at entry)
  - Two compulsory modules
  - Level 4 option module: Culture and Text and/or Culture and Image
  Year 2
  - Japanese 2, 3, 4 or 5 (depending on entry level), or Japanese 2 (intensive) and Japanese 3 (intensive)
  - Four Level 5 option modules:
    Popular Culture of East Asia, and/or Theorising Japanese Cinema
    Comparative option such as Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis, or Film and Politics
    Korean or Chinese 1 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 1 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 2)
  Year 3
  - Year abroad
  Year 4
  - Japanese 4 or 5 (depending on starting level)
  - Five Level 6 option modules:
    Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society and Advanced Seminar in Japanese Linguistics and Translation
    Cross-cultural option, e.g. Film and Politics, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality
    Languages and cultures dissertation
    Korean or Chinese 1 or 2 (if you passed Japanese 3 or 4 in Year 2 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 3)
    Industry placement
  Compulsory modules
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Rethinking Japan: Introduction to Modern Japanese Society and Culture (Level 4)
  Japanese language modules
  Korean language modules
  Chinese language modules
  Indicative option modules
  Please note that not all modules are available every year; the list above is indicative.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  For the Foundation Year, you undertake three core modules and choose one option module: either The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World or a language module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Japanese Studies.
  
  Foundation Year core modules
  Foundation Year option modules
  Other language options may be available. Please contact the Foundation Year programme team for further information.
- Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Japanese Studies.
  
  Foundation Year 1 core modules
  - Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
  - Fundamentals of Study
  Foundation Year 2 core module
  - The Arts: Perspectives and Possibilities
  Foundation Year 2 option modules
  Other language options may be available. Please contact the Foundation Year programme team for further information.
Starting in October 2027
- Three years full-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - Japanese 1, 2, 3 or 4 (depending on level at entry)
  - Two compulsory modules
  - Level 4 option module: Culture and Text and/or Culture and Image
  Year 2
  - Japanese 2, 3, 4 or 5 (depending on entry level), or Japanese 2 (intensive) and Japanese 3 (intensive)
  - Four Level 5 option modules:
    Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Theorising Japanese Cinema
    Comparative Themes in the Novel, or Comparative Themes in Cinema
    Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis, or Film and Politics
    Korean or Chinese 1 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 1 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 2)
  Year 3
  - Japanese 4 or 5 (depending on starting level)
  - Five Level 6 option modules:
    Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society and Advanced Seminar in Japanese Linguistics and Translation
    Cross-cultural option, e.g. Film and Politics, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality
    Languages and cultures dissertation
    Korean or Chinese 1 or 2 (if you passed Japanese 3 or 4 in Year 2 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 3)
    Industry placement
  Please note, if you complete at least 90 credits of Korean or Chinese language modules and achieve Korean or Chinese 3, the award title will be BA Japanese Studies with Korean/Chinese.
  
  Compulsory modules
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Rethinking Japan: Introduction to Modern Japanese Society and Culture (Level 4)
  Japanese language modules
  Korean language modules
  Chinese language modules
  Indicative option modules
  Please note that not all modules are available every year; the list above is indicative.
- Four years part-time, on campus
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits.
  Year 1
  - Japanese 1, 2, 3 or 4 (depending on level at entry)
  - Compulsory module
  - Level 4 option module: Culture and Text: ‘Imagined Communities’, or Culture and Image, or Rethinking Japan
  Year 2
  - Japanese 2, 3, 4 or 5 (depending on entry level), or Japanese 2 (intensive) and Japanese 3 (intensive)
  - Level 4 option module from those listed above
  - Four Level 5 option modules:
    Popular Culture of East Asia, or Theorising Japanese Cinema
    Comparative Themes in the Novel, or Comparative Themes in Cinema
    Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis, or Film and Politics
    Korean or Chinese 1 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 1 and are taking Japanese 4 in Year 2)
  Year 3
  - Japanese 3, 4 or 5
  - Three option modules:
    One Level 5 option from those listed above
    One Level 6 option from those listed below
    Level 6 Korean or Chinese 1 or 2 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 2 and are taking Japanese 4 in Year 3)
  Year 4
  - Japanese 4 or 5
  - Five Level 6 option modules:
    Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society and Advanced Seminar in Japanese Linguistics and Translation
    Cross-cultural option, e.g. Film and Politics, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality
    Languages and cultures dissertation
    Korean or Chinese 1, 2 or 3 (if you passed Japanese 3 in a previous year and are taking Japanese 4 in Year 4)
    Industry placement
  Please note, if you complete at least 90 credits of Korean or Chinese language modules and achieve Korean or Chinese 3, the award title will be BA Japanese Studies with Korean/Chinese.
  
  Compulsory module
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  Japanese language modules
  Korean language modules
  Chinese language modules
  Indicative option modules
  Please note that not all modules are available every year; the list above is indicative.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience
  Course structure
  You must complete modules worth a total of 420 credits, consisting of 120 credits in each of Years 1, 2 and 4, and 60 credits for your year abroad.
  Year 1
  - Japanese 1, 2, 3 or 4 (depending on level at entry)
  - Two compulsory modules
  - Level 4 option module: Culture and Text and/or Culture and Image
  Year 2
  - Japanese 2, 3, 4 or 5 (depending on entry level), or Japanese 2 (intensive) and Japanese 3 (intensive)
  - Four Level 5 option modules:
    Popular Culture in Japan and East Asia, or Theorising Japanese Cinema
    Comparative Themes in the Novel, or Comparative Themes in Cinema
    Reading Transnational Cultures, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality, or Culture and Crisis, or Film and Politics
    Korean or Chinese 1 (if you passed Japanese 3 in Year 1 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 2)
  Year 3
  - Year abroad
  Year 4
  - Japanese 4 or 5 (depending on starting level)
  - Five Level 6 option modules:
    Manga and Anime, or Advanced Seminar in Japanese Culture and Society and Advanced Seminar in Japanese Linguistics and Translation
    Cross-cultural option, e.g. Film and Politics, or Representations of Gender, Love and Sexuality
    Languages and cultures dissertation
    Korean or Chinese 1 or 2 (if you passed Japanese 3 or 4 in Year 2 and are taking Japanese 4 or 5 in Year 3)
    Industry placement
  Compulsory modules
  - Doing Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics
  - Rethinking Japan: Introduction to Modern Japanese Society and Culture (Level 4)
  Japanese language modules
  Korean language modules
  Chinese language modules
  Indicative option modules
  Please note that not all modules are available every year; the list above is indicative.
- Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  For the Foundation Year, you undertake three core modules and choose one option module: either The Arts: Questioning the Contemporary World or a language module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our three-year, full-time, evening study BA Japanese Studies.
  
  Foundation Year core modules
  Foundation Year option modules
  Other language options may be available. Please contact the Foundation Year programme team for further information.
- Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year
  Course structure
  In Foundation Year 1 you take two core modules and in Foundation Year 2 you take one core module and choose one option module.
  If you successfully complete these modules, you will automatically advance on to our four-year, part-time, evening study BA Japanese Studies.
  
  Foundation Year 1 core modules
  - Breaking Boundaries of Knowledge
  - Fundamentals of Study
  Foundation Year 2 core module
  - The Arts: Perspectives and Possibilities
  Foundation Year 2 option modules
  Other language options may be available. Please contact the Foundation Year programme team for further information.
Teaching

We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

What are the methods of teaching?
Teaching consists of lectures, student activity - either individual or in small groups - and open discussion. Varied use is made of support materials and technologies, including Moodle. Short student presentations offer the opportunity for formative feedback, and may be used to prepare a written assignment.
The Foundation Year is composed mainly of interactive lectures for large groups and tutorial-style classes that support the development of knowledge, skills, confidence and self-awareness.
How will I be assessed?

Assessment is wide-ranging on this course to reflect the changing demands of the skills of our graduates. You will be asked to make video essays or produce journalistic reviews or reflective commentaries, in addition to traditional academic essays, tests and language exams.

Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
- Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
- Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points
For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.
Part-time study

For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.
Alternative entry routes

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: DMM.
Year abroad

Please note you must make satisfactory progress during Years 1 and 2 of your degree to be eligible for a year abroad. Additionally, the non-UK partner institution may set its own entrance criteria, including, but not limited to, academic criteria, language requirements and visa requirements. In instances where a student does not meet the eligibility criteria for an approved year abroad or if it is not completed for another reason, their registration may be transferred to the corresponding BA degree pathway without the ‘with International Experience’ designation.
If you are a Student visa student, please be aware that you will initially be provided with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to study for the first two years of your course while at Birkbeck. During your third year of study at an overseas institution, you will be required to obtain a visa for that specific country. When you return to the UK to complete your fourth year, Birkbeck will issue you with a second CAS so that you can apply for another Student visa for your final year. You will therefore need to make a total of three visa applications: two for Birkbeck and one for the overseas institution.
What are the English language requirements?

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
What are the visa and funding requirements?
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.
The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:
- Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
- Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa
International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).
As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.
For full information, read our visa information for international students page.
Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time with International Experience, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, 3 years of study: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, international year: £1,465 per year
Full-time international students, international year: £2,775 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, 3 years of study: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, 3 years of study: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, international year: £1,505 per year
Full-time international students, international year: £2,900 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £18,500 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £9,790 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £18,500 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students, Year 1: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students, Year 1: £19,320 per year
Full-time home students, Year 2+: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students, Year 2+: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,250 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,335 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £13,875 per year

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee

If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
Tuition fees and maintenance loans

Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.
Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.
Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans, and the financial support available to help with your studies at Birkbeck. 
Can I apply for an international scholarship?

We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On this BA Japanese Studies you will have access to an industry placement programme which offers you invaluable work experience at cultural or Japan-related organisations such as the Japan Society and Daiwa Foundation.

On graduating, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

a high competence in Japanese, with a chance to study Korean if you excel in your studies
the ability to analyse and engage critically with cultural topics such as literature, film, manga and anime, and other cultural artefacts
the ability to produce various forms of work such as journalistic reviews, video essays and translations
an increased confidence when presenting and debating complex issues in a succinct and convincing manner both in writing and orally
the ability to work independently and effectively manage your time and diverse deadlines.

Studying this course will prepare you for career paths in a range of fields and professions, including:

language teacher in Japan
editor or publishing role
translator
events manager for Japanese organisations
marketing manager
journalist
social researcher
digital content creator
positions in hospitality, gaming, telecommunications and other industries.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in organisations including Japan House London, KDDI, Rachel Hill Resourcing, and the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET).

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.
The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.
How do I apply to study part-time?

If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.
Please note that online application opens in September.
When should I apply?

You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
How can I get help with my application?

Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
International agents

If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Related courses

Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese) (BA (Hons))

Japanese Studies

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Key information for 2027-28

Course Overview

Why choose this course?

What will I learn?

How will I learn?

How often will I attend classes?

Foundation year

International Experience

Course disclaimer

More Highlights

Modules and Teaching

Starting in October 2026

Three years full-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory modules

Japanese language modules

Korean language modules

Chinese language modules

Indicative option modules

Four years part-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

Japanese language modules

Korean language modules

Chinese language modules

Indicative option modules

Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience

Course structure

Compulsory modules

Japanese language modules

Korean language modules

Chinese language modules

Indicative option modules

Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year

Course structure

Foundation Year core modules

Foundation Year option modules

Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year

Course structure

Foundation Year 1 core modules

Foundation Year 2 core module

Foundation Year 2 option modules

Starting in October 2027

Three years full-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory modules

Japanese language modules

Korean language modules

Chinese language modules

Indicative option modules

Four years part-time, on campus

Course structure

Compulsory module

Japanese language modules

Korean language modules

Chinese language modules

Indicative option modules

Four years full-time, on campus, with International Experience

Course structure

Compulsory modules

Japanese language modules

Korean language modules

Chinese language modules

Indicative option modules

Four years full-time, on campus, with Foundation Year

Course structure

Foundation Year core modules

Foundation Year option modules

Six years part-time, on campus, with Foundation Year

Course structure

Foundation Year 1 core modules

Foundation Year 2 core module

Foundation Year 2 option modules

Teaching

How will I be assessed?

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

Entry Requirements