- Where you can study
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Distance and online
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Not open to international students
- Note:
- Note: Not all courses are available in any one year. 2 years part-time. Not available for full-time study.
Specialise in Japanese for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
If you are fascinated by Japan's rich culture and society, you may wish to consider the Diploma in Arts (Japanese).
You’ll learn intermediate and above language skills in spoken and written Japanese. You’ll also get a solid understanding of the cultural background underpinning this complex and powerful society.
You’ll acquire competence equivalent to Level Four and above of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Each language course builds upon the previous one. No prior knowledge of Japanese is required. However, if you have studied some Japanese previously, please contact the qualification coordinator for advice on the appropriate entry level.
A Diploma in 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
- want skills that can take you all over the world.
Planning information
Planning information
The Diploma in Arts (Japanese) cannot be completed in one year full-time study because of the prerequisites for the language courses.
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 Get advice button on this page before you embark on language courses, so that you commence your studies at the most appropriate level for you.
The Diploma in Arts (Japanese) is not suitable for native Japanese speakers.
If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.
If you have questions, contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
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
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 Diploma in Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Japanese courses
Subject courses
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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse code: 242103 Introduction to Japanese Culture 15 credits
An overview of the cultural development of Japan from early times to the present.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsCourse 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.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
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 this qualification, 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 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.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $7,415
- International students: Not applicable
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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
Careers and job opportunities
You will have career prospects in many vital spheres, including:
- business
- trade and commerce
- education
- the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme
- foreign affairs
- military and strategic affairs
- border security
- tourism
- disaster management
- creative arts
- website localisation.
Related study options
Japanese – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Develop your oral and written Japanese with Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Japanese). You can study Japanese without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
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.
Japanese – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Japanese) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Japanese without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
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