MPhil in Japanese Studies

University of Oxford

The MPhil in Japanese Studies is a two-year course offered jointly by the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies that combines intensive language courses, three courses about Japan, research methods courses and a 30,000-word thesis. Native speakers of Japanese take two additional courses about Japan.The MPhil in Japanese Studies is designed as a two-year, six-term taught course 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 Japan, 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 Nissan Institute (within the Oxford School of Global 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 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.In total, there are eight components to the MPhil in Japanese Studies course.