Japanese Studies (MSc/MPhil): University of Oxford

Research Programmes

The Nissan Institute does not run its own research programmes. If you are interested in doing doctoral work on modern Japan please contact a member of the Institute in the first instance but you will need to apply through the relevant department of the university: Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science or History.

Taught Programmes

Japanese specialists in the Oriental Studies Faculty and the Nissan Institute combine their resources to offer a programme of courses about modern Japan and the Japanese language that make up either a one year MSc or a two year MPhil. Options are available in the disciplines of: Political Science, Economics, Law, Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics and History.

MSc in Modern Japanese Studies

Native speakers of Japanese take three courses about Japan, the research methods course and write a 10,000 word dissertation. Non-native speakers take two courses about Japan, the language course, the research methods course and write a dissertation.

MPhil in Modern Japanese Studies

Students who continue into the second year for the MPhil programme either take two more courses, a further research methods course and write a 30,000 word dissertation or, continue with the language course, do one more course about Japan, a research methods course and the dissertation.

Entry Requirements

Minimum of upper second-class undergraduate degree or equivalent. Non-native speakers should have a knowledge of Japanese at least equivalent to Japan Foundation Proficiency Test Level 3.

General enquiries: 

• Postal address:
        The Graduate Admissions Office
        PO Box 738
        University of Oxford
        Wellington Square
        Oxford, OX1 9FB
• Tel: +44 (0)1865 270059
• Fax: +44 (0)1865 270049
• Email: graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk