Cultural and Social Science Research on Japan
Master of Arts

The study programme is consecutive and requires a degree of the four-year programme Bachelor Plus or a comparable four-year Bachelor programme (240 CP), where at least 80 CP have been achieved in the subject of Japanese studies/modules in Japanese studies. Additionally, excellent English language skills, as well as at least one year abroad at a Japanese university are an absolute requirement. You need a language education in Japanese comprising 74 SWS or Japanese skills on the level of at least JLPT N2. Since almost all of our courses are mainly in German, sufficient academic German language skills are also a must. The language skills have to be present already at the time of application.

In the one-year Master’s programme “Modern Japan”, we offer you an extensive curriculum to deepen your knowledge of Japan and specialize in the field of Modern Japan. Topics such as cultural and social change, Japan in a global context, and media and popular culture are the focus of this programme. In addition, you will deepen your language skills so that you can express yourself confidently in Japanese in the academic field as well.

First, you will improve your Japanese language skills in the first semester through advanced language courses focussing on translation of texts and the discussion of current topics.

You will also be given an insight into the necessary theories and methods for researching Modern Japan.

The module “Being Academic” allows you to pursue your own academic project during the first and second semester, accompanied by a lecturer as your mentor.

In the second semester you will also write your Master’s thesis.

During your two-semester-long study in Japan (especially during the Bachelor Plus programme), you have already realized an empirical research project. Our one-year Master’s programme allows you to methodically and theoretically incorporate your research project into a larger scaled academic context. This way you achieve outstanding key skills for an academic career.

These skills are important key qualifications for any professional career.

Same as for our two-year Master programme, you will have various career options in professional fields like science and research, press and publishing, media, journalism, libraries, museums and archives, cultural institutes, adult education, international organisations and business enterprises.