Japanese – Bachelor of Arts

Let your love of the Japanese language give you an edge in the international job market. Gain fascinating insights into Japan’s rich language, culture, and society.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand

Specialise in Japanese for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey

Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) will equip you with upper-intermediate and above language skills in spoken and written Japanese.

You can expect to gain competence approximately equivalent to Level Three and above of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. No prior Japanese language learning is required. However, if you have studied some Japanese previously, please contact the qualification coordinator for advice on the appropriate entry level.

The BA in Japanese is not suitable for native Japanese speakers.

Relevant in a global context

Discover the world from the Japanese perspective. Learn how Japan has interacted with the rest of the world.

Interactive study and supportive staff

Whether you study on campus or by distance, you will learn from supportive, passionate staff. You'll use study materials with digital exercises and assignments, audio, videos and presentations. You can integrate your own self-study with these supportive learning resources. Distance students can attend regular live online language tutorials. You won't have to learn on your own. Everyone can practise speaking Japanese in a shared environment.

Uniquely combines culture and language

Language does not exist in isolation. It becomes more powerful when it is learnt in a cultural context. Courses on Japanese culture, society, literature and film will give you a rich perspective for understanding Japan. Some are delivered in English. Through exploring this context, you will also explore your own culture and identity.

Further study

You are encouraged to apply for scholarships for postgraduate study in Japan. A second major in another subject will enable you to undertake a postgraduate qualification in that subject with a Japanese perspective, e.g. in history, social anthropology, linguistics.

A Bachelor of Arts in Japanese is a good fit if you:

  • are interested in different people and cultures
  • are good with languages and keen to learn a new one like Japanese
  • want skills that can take you all over the world.

Planning information

If you study full time, in the first year you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school if you wish. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

You need to pass five courses at 300-level for your BA. One of these (230310) is in the compulsory core and three are required for your major. If you are not taking a double major or a minor, you will need to take one 300-level elective course to meet this requirement.

About this major

A Japanese major consists of 120 credits (eight courses).

The only compulsory course is 242103 Introduction to Japanese Culture at 100-level, but you will need to complete Japanese 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B in order to take the 300-level courses required for the major. To complement the language courses there are courses on Japanese culture, language, society and cinema which are taught in English. 

If you already have prior knowledge of Japanese, you may enter at higher levels, subject to successful completion of an online placement test. You will need to contact the Qualification Coordinator using the Enquire button on this page before you embark on language courses, so that you commence your studies at the most appropriate level for you.

Minors

Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.

A minor must be in a different subject from your major.

A Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) with a minor

You may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that qualification will apply.

All BA majors can be taken as minors and there are also some additional minor-only subjects.

A Japanese minor (for students who are studying a different degree) 

If you are not studying towards a BA (Japanese) and wish to complete a minor in Japanese see the BA regulations for requirements.  

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Bachelor of Arts

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Bachelor of Arts core courses

Japanese courses

Subject courses

Choose at least 15 credits from
Course code: 242101 Japanese 1A 15 credits

This course provides students with introductory level proficiency in Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students learn romanised script, the two phonetic scripts (hiragana and katakana) and approximately 60 Japanese characters (kanji), as well as basic sentence structures and vocabulary useful for everyday life in Japan.

Restrictions: 242102, 242201, 242202, 242301, 242302, 242304, 242305, 242306, 242307

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Course code: 242102 Japanese 1B 15 credits

This course builds on the introductory level proficiency in Japanese established in 242.101 Japanese 1A developing further basic competence in Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. An additional 87 kanji are learnt. An increased range of sentence structures and vocabulary useful for everyday situations and interactions in Japan are introduced.

Prerequisites: 242101 or appraisal required Restrictions: 242201, 242202, 242301, 242302, 242304, 242305, 242306, 242307

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Course code: 242103 Introduction to Japanese Culture 15 credits

An overview of the cultural development of Japan from early times to the present.

Restrictions: 169123

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Choose at least 30 credits from
Course code: 242201 Japanese 2A 15 credits

This course provides students with a pre-intermediate level of reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency in Japanese building on skills established in prior study. Student will use a range of written and oral exercises to practise new grammatical structures, vocabulary and approximately 80 new kanji, and will acquire the tools to discuss topics of relevance to themselves and Japanese culture and society at an appropriate level.

Prerequisites: 242102 or appraisal required Restrictions: 242202, 242301, 242302, 242304, 242305, 242306, 242307

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Course code: 242202 Japanese 2B 15 credits

This course further develops students' reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency in Japanese at pre-intermediate level, extending skills gained in 242.201 Japanese 2A. Student will continue to use a range of written and oral exercises to practise new grammatical structures, vocabulary and approximately 100 new kanji, and will improve their ability to discuss topics of relevance to themselves and Japanese culture and society at an appropriate level. The use of respect language (keigo) will also be introduced.

Prerequisites: 242201 or appraisal required Restrictions: 242301, 242302, 242304, 242305, 242306, 242307

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Course code: 242205 Japanese Cinema 15 credits

This course will introduce Japanese cinema in English translation as an art form that strongly reflects its culture. Traditional samurai films, contemporary social problem films and animations are used to explore how films address issues of modernity and national identity. No previous knowledge of Japanese language, history, or culture is required.

Restrictions: 169227

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Choose at least 45 credits from
Course code: 242301 Japanese 3A 15 credits

This course provides students with a pre-advanced level of reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency in Japanese building on skills established in prior study. Students will continue to extend and refine their ability in Japanese through using a range of exercises practising more advanced vocabulary and idioms, grammatical structures, respect language (keigo) and approximately 244 new kanji. Students will be expected to develop comprehension and communication skills to deal confidently and accurately with various situations.

Prerequisites: 242202 or appraisal required Restrictions: 242302

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Course code: 242302 Japanese 3B 15 credits

This course further extends students' Japanese proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking to advanced level, building on skills established in 242.301 Japanese 3A. Students will continue to further extend and refine their ability in Japanese through practising an increased range of vocabulary and idioms, grammatical structures, respect language (keigo) and approximately 208 new kanji. Students will be expected to develop their comprehension and communication skills for confident and accurate use in more varied situations.

Prerequisites: 242301 or appraisal required

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Course code: 242304 Reading and Writing about Current Japan 15 credits

Selected issues of contemporary Japanese society will be studied through the medium of texts in the Japanese language. Further development of Japanese skills in reading and writing.

Prerequisites: 242202 or appraisal required

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Course code: 242305 Readings in Modern Japanese Literature 15 credits

A study of selected extracts in the original Japanese from the work of major modern writers.

Prerequisites: 242202 or appraisal required

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Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Japanese), outside of university admission regulations.

No previous study of Japanese is required.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

If you have already completed a bachelor degree

If you have already completed a bachelor degree you may replace 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry or 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking with courses of your choice. You will need to apply for replacement courses via a Special permission request in your portal and you will need to attach evidence of your completed degree with the request.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

With a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Japanese, you will have career prospects in many vital spheres, including:

  • business
  • trade and commerce
  • education
  • Japan Exchange and Teaching programme (JET)
  • foreign affairs
  • military and strategic affairs
  • border security
  • tourism
  • disaster management
  • creative arts
  • website localisation

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