Undergraduate
Japanese Studies
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Telephone
131 UWA (131 892)
International
(+61 8) 6488 1000
Hours
Frequently asked questions
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Careers and further study
This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.
Career Pathways
There is high demand for graduates with knowledge of Japan and Japanese. By graduating with a major in Japanese, you can find employment opportunities in federal and state government departments, private industry, and community groups. Combining Japanese with a major in another discipline—such as anthropology, economics, geography, history, industrial relations and politics— will make you particularly attractive to employers.
Studying Japanese can lead to career opportunities such as:
- Journalist
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Officer
- Teacher*
- Translator*
*Postgraduate study required
Further Study
This major lays the foundation for further study options at honours and postgraduate level.
You may be interested in the Master of Translation Studies.
Master of Translation Studies
Hear about the Master of Translation Studies
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.
Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
International Student Fees
There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 3.6
- 75.5
- 254
- 324
- 14.5
- 280
- 61
- 1130
- 56
- 75
Admission requirements
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
How to apply
Ready for the next step?
Find out how to apply through our simple online application process.
We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course.
We can’t wait for you to join us!
Course details
About the course
Quick details
- Available
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1
- 3-4 hours per unit
- Undergraduate
- MJD-JPNSB
- 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Chloe Ip
Chloe Ip
I wanted to do Engineering and Japanese as my majors and no other university offered that so I chose UWA. I really enjoy the campus, its atmosphere and the old buildings. Aside from the campus I love the opportunities provide for us. I was able to go on exchange and it was the best experience of my life! I learned a lot and made life-long friends. This is my favourite aspect of studying at UWA. I’d like to study my Masters in Civil Engineering and eventually work for a housing/reconstruction company – maybe even in Japan.
I am involved in Robogals – we visit schools and teach girls about the importance of women in Engineering and to play with robots.
Regina Mobley
Regina Mobley
“UWA was undoubtedly the best place to study languages within Perth, especially if I wanted to expand my horizons and study languages such as Latin, Korean and Italian, which I did units in throughout my course.”
Regina Mobley
Bachelor of Arts - Asian Studies and Japanese Studies
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Korean Studies 
French Studies 
Chinese Studies Why take a second major
- Expand your skills - Taking a second major either in a complementary area or in something like Economics or Business Law will show you have developed transferable skills such as, teamwork, critical thinking, digital literacy and presentation skills – which are highly sought after in the workforce.
- Add it to your resume – Employers are looking for graduates who have skills in a variety of areas. Two majors will expand your career prospects and help you stand out amongst the crowd.
Meet our students
Course Structure
This major is suitable for complete beginners and for students who have completed secondary school language studies. It is possible to combine Japanese Studies with a second major from within our other bachelor's degrees.
Popular combinations
You'll learn to
- show competence in the Japanese language in the four skills of language acquisition – reading, writing, listening and speaking
- operate effectively in daily conversations or complex discussions in social and academic work situations
- understand and engage with Japanese-language texts and Japan-relevant English-language material – written, audio or visual – of an intellectual nature in particular areas of interest and expertise
- understand how culturally specific social structures affect interpersonal communication, and determine how to apply this knowledge to your own interactions in a culturally sensitive manner
- engage effectively in the key debates on Japanese history, society and culture in a professional manner
- demonstrate transferable skills such as digital literacy, information management, group working, research skills and critical thinking
Hear about the Bachelor of Modern Languages
Put theory into practice
Current UWA students are eligible to take one of our professional experience units. These units bridge the gap between university and the workplace by providing opportunities to gain hands-on, practical experience. You can master new skills, make connections and network, get a taste of the opportunities in the workforce and add experience to your resume, all before graduating.
Find out more about Work Integrated Learning.
Mutsumi no ma and Japanese Garden
Your degree options
This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Modern Languages
Why study this course?
- Study with experts in Japanese studies and language education
- Attend conversation practice and functions in UWA’s traditional Japanese tatami room
- Join the Japanese Students’ Association for language practice, cultural exchange and networking
A day in the life of a translation studies student
Step into Claire's life and experience what it's like to be a Master of Translation Studies student for the day.
Become a bilingual citizen of the world at the largest language hub in Western Australia
Become a bilingual citizen of the world at the largest language hub in Western Australia
With four European, four Asian and two Classical languages on offer, UWA is the leading institution in WA for language learning.
Immerse yourself in another language. Learn to see the world in a new way. Move between cultures with ease.
With our unique course structure, you can combine a language with your other interests to create your perfect study plan. French and Finance? Chinese and Chemistry? German and Geography? Japanese and Jurisprudence? It’s up to you.
You’ll learn to translate not just words, but ideas.
During your studies you can put your skills into practice by travelling overseas with one of our many global learning opportunities, from short courses to long-term student exchange programs.
After completing an undergraduate major in any of our eight modern languages (Chinese Studies, Indonesian Studies, Japanese Studies, Korean Studies, French Studies, German Studies, Italian Studies, and Spanish Studies), you could continue on to our Master of Translation Studies (the only course of its kind in Western Australia) to gain a prestigious professional qualification. Endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), Master of Translation Studies students may also undertake a work placement in Australia or overseas.
Where could your language studies take you?
Access UWA Language Hub
Why you should take a language as your second major or minor
Interested in the study of languages? Study with us at the largest language hub in the state.