Japanese Studies Graduate Diploma - Grad Dip

Our Graduate Diploma in Japanese Studies is ideal if you have a passion for learning Japanese and exploring the culture of Japan but have a basic understanding of Japan already and have achieved beginners’ proficiency in the language. It gives you the chance to consolidate and expand your knowledge further.

Why choose this course?

* You will be taught by specialists in contemporary Japanese culture and veteran native Japanese teachers with many years of language teaching experience.

* It offers you a multidisciplinary approach to studying Japanese language and culture covering a range of skills and topics, including manga and anime, film, literature, history, linguistics, translation, visual arts and gender studies.

* As the curriculum on this course is equivalent to the final year of our BA Japanese Studies, it is also ideal if you have substantial experience of Japan but are not qualified to undergraduate degree level in this subject.

What will I learn?

You will take a Japanese language module to help boost your Japanese skills to intermediate-level proficiency. You will also take content modules that give you an in-depth understanding of Japanese culture, society and linguistics.

Cross-cultural modules will then give you the opportunity to learn from a team of specialists in different cultures and analyse comparative themes across a variety of linguistic, cultural and historical contexts.

You will also master transferable skills such as essay writing, oral presentations, video essays, written reports, critical and logical thinking, and translating.

How will I learn?

Teaching takes place in small-group seminars giving you plenty of opportunity to participate and interact with your peers and tutors. You will be taught Japanese in an interactive classroom setting by our team of native Japanese teachers.

This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has a mainly evening timetable with some Japanese classes taking place on Saturday during the daytime.

Highlights

* Our Japanese Studies team achieved first place in London for Teaching Satisfaction in the 2024 National Student Survey.

* Birkbeck is surrounded by all the cultural richness that London has to offer, including cultural institutes, theatres, museums and galleries relevant to the study of Japanese language and culture, such as the Japan Society, Daiwa Foundation, Japan House London, Japan Foundation, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and British Film Institute.

* Our students come from diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, learning abilities, nationalities and identities, helping enrich your learning experience and enhance your ability to succeed in the world beyond academic studies.

Careers and employability

On this Graduate Diploma in Japanese Studies you will also have the chance to participate in our industry programme which offers invaluable work experience at cultural or Japan-related organisations such as the Japan Society and Daiwa Foundation.

On graduating successfully you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

* the ability to analyse and engage critically with cultural topics or products such as literature, film, manga and anime and other cultural artefacts

* experience in producing various forms of work such as journalistic reviews, video essays and translations

* an increased confidence when presenting and debating complex issues in a succinct and convincing manner both in writing and orally

* the ability to work independently and effectively manage your time and diverse deadlines.

Studying this course will prepare you for roles in a range of fields and professions, including:

* language teacher in Japan

* editor or a role in publishing

* translator

* events manager for Japanese organisations

* marketing manager

* journalist

* social researcher

* digital content creator

* positions in hospitality, gaming, telecommunications and other industries.