Japanese Studies at Durham dates back to the early 1980s, but interest in Japan goes back much further, with the Oriental Museum collecting Japanese objects from the 1950s onwards.
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures has six full-time Japanese language teachers, three teaching on the BA in Japanese Studies and three teaching optional courses in Japanese at the Centre for Foreign Language Study. In addition, we have three staff members researching different aspects of Japanese culture who teach modules on literature, history and film as part of the BA in Japanese Studies degree. They also contribute a Japanese dimension to other degrees at MLAC: the BA in Visual Arts and Film, the MAs in Translation Studies, in Languages, Literatures & Cultures, and in Visual Culture, as well as supervising PhD students.
Studying Japanese has been one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences of my life so far. My year abroad in Japan not only completely transformed my language ability, but also allowed me to build meaningful connections with people from all over the world who shared my passion. I couldn’t recommend it more.
The approaches of our research-led modules in historical, literary and visual studies are unique, and include:
The Department of History and the School of Government and International Affairs also have specialists who contribute modules in East Asian history and international relations that can be taken as part of the BA in Japanese Studies degree.
Optional modules also allow students to take subsidiary Korean or Chinese language in each year of study in Durham and to work with Japanese objects in the Oriental Museum.
The autumn light in Tokyo. Photo taken by our student Takeo Broadhurst on their year abroad.
Find out how to apply, all course details and structure, entry requirements and more.
Japanese Studies at Durham has been a wonderful linguistic and cultural journey. Durham provides rigorous academic teaching in an immersive, engaging environment with friendly teaching staff. The course varies from developing language skills, to discovering the richness of Japanese literature and history, to the allure of present-day popular culture.
Our partner universities in Japan, where Durham students study during their 3rd year abroad, include six out of the ten top ranking universities. Studying there, in addition to the intensive Japanese language classes, offers many opportunities outside class to participate in Japanese cultural activities and practise speaking Japanese, and to keep up your Korean or Chinese by chatting to fellow students.
Teikyo University in Durham, a branch campus of a Japanese university, makes its facilities, including an extensive library of works in Japanese, available to our students, and the Anglo-Japanese Society provides a forum for Durham students to meet regularly with Teikyo students for academic, cultural and social activities.
Studying Japanese at Durham is a rewarding and enriching experience. The teaching staff go above and beyond to create a very enjoyable learning atmosphere. The language and literature modules have introduced me to a beautiful new culture that I am looking forward to joining during my year abroad in Tokyo!
Japanese / English translation is taught on our MA in Translation Studies. This offers a combination of common modules which MA students of all languages take, so you get the opportunity to mix with a wide range of students, and dedicated teaching for Japanese / English translation. There is also the opportunity to go on to a PhD degree in translation studies.
Find out more about our members of staff responsible for Japanese studies, other language courses, employability, study abroad and scholarships.