Japanese Studies

The MA Japanese Studies at SOAS is the most comprehensive available anywhere in Europe.

You are able to choose modules that cover Japan’s history from the pre-modern era to the present, and ranging over the social and political sciences as well as humanities. Students who take this programme come from many countries and have a wide variety of academic backgrounds.

Some have already studied, or lived, in Japan and wish to broaden their knowledge or understanding. Others wish to focus their previous training on the region, while still others will come from Japan or other East Asian countries wishing to study Japan from the perspective of a different culture and academic tradition. Knowledge of the Japanese language is not a requirement of the programme. Language modules, however, are popular options.

SOAS has its own Japan Research Centre and shares the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Culture with the University of East Anglia. Students are welcome to attend the regular seminars held by the centres, where international speakers present their research engaging with diverse aspects of the study in Japan.

Why study Japanese at SOAS

• SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023).
• We are ranked 12th in the UK for Modern Languages (QS World University Rankings 2023).
• We are home to the largest concentration of Japan specialists outside of Japan.
• You will not only learn the essential language skills but also an in-depth understanding of the region’s culture covering subjects from literature, history, cinema, and politics.
• Your command of a language will set you apart from graduates of other universities.

Global Partnerships

This programme can be offered as part of a dual masters degree with Sophia University.

Through the dual masters, students can spend the first year studying at Sophia on the Graduate Programme in Global Studies and second year at SOAS studying MA Japanese Studies or vice versa and gain a masters from each institution. For more information on the dual masters, please see the SOAS-Sophia partnership on the Global Partnerships website.