Why Bachelor of Arts?
Seeking inspiration? Look no further than Japan's innovative technology and vibrant pop culture – from their robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to anime and manga scenes.
Mastering Japanese is a profound personal achievement. Immersing yourself in the culture will open your eyes to new ways of thinking and living.
As the world's third-largest economy and a major trading partner with Australia, Japan offers exciting business and career opportunities. Become a bridge between cultures, contributing to international relations, partnerships and mutual understanding.
With over 130 million Japanese speakers worldwide, learning the language will connect you to a world of new experiences.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Arts is flexible and exploratory, designed to build critical thinking skills and prepare you for professional success. The Japanese Studies major explores Japan's language, culture and global impact. You’ll tackle big questions like: How does language shape cultural norms? What impact has anime had on global youth culture? Did Fukushima influence Japan’s energy policies?
You'll investigate the role of language in society, analyse emerging research – and even undertake your own.
Our curriculum goes beyond studying Japan from a textbook perspective, focusing on experiential learning and real-world application. Our hands-on approach means you won’t just learn about Japan; you’ll experience it through study abroad programs, internships and direct engagement with experts and scholars. You’ll build a versatile toolkit of intercultural communication and digital literacy skills. Whether you aim for roles in international business, diplomacy or cultural exchange, you’ll graduate ready to take on exciting challenges in a globally connected world.
Key features
Learn to speak, read and write Japanese. - Study Japan’s influence in modern society.
- Immerse yourself in Japanese culture through in-country and study-abroad programs.
- Build professional connections with researchers and guest scholars.
- Clarify your career direction through research and reflection.
- Choose an industry internship tailored to your interests.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Arts degrees are flexible and future-facing, tailored to today’s challenges. Build your cultural competence as you deep-dive into human rights, values and differences. Sharpen essential skills in writing, communication, analysis and debate. Learn to think and problem-solve creatively.
Through research and self-reflection, you’ll clarify your career goals and create a roadmap to success. You’ll undertake an industry internship, learning from experienced mentors and building your professional networks.
In your Japanese Studies major, you’ll explore Japanese culture – from ancient Shinto beliefs to modern anime and cosplay.
There are two streams: Beginners – for those new to Japanese or with some school experience – and Continuers, for those with high grades in previous study or native speakers.
You’ll take tailored courses to build your knowledge and language skills, including:
- Japanese IA and IB
- Japanese IIA and IIB
- Japanese IIIA and IIIB
- Asia: cultures and identities
- Asia beyond climate change.
You’ll build a firm grasp of modern Japanese, including a broad vocabulary and solid grammatical understanding for both spoken and written forms. You'll be able to communicate effectively in Japanese, recognise and use hiragana, katakana and a significant number of kanji characters.
You'll graduate with strong language proficiency, intercultural understanding and adaptability, ready to confidently navigate diverse social and cultural environments.
Majors
The Bachelor of Arts is also available with majors in the following:
- Aboriginal Studies
- Archaeology and Classical Studies
- Art History and Visual Culture
- Anthropology
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Creative Writing
- English Literature
- Environmental Management
- French Studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Geography
- German Studies
- History
- International Development
- International Security
- Italian Studies
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Population and Migration Studies
- Screen Studies
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 18 units for Core courses, and
- 96 units for 2 Majors from Majors, and
- 18 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 12 units for all Electives
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 1
|
Course code
SOCI1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Internship: Society and Culture
|
Course code
SOCI3903
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Elective 1
|
Course code
AUXX1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Elective 2
|
Course code
AUXX1012
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IA
|
Course code
LANG1501
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IB
|
Course code
LANG1502
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IIA
|
Course code
LANG1503
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IIB
|
Course code
LANG1504
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Asia and the World
|
Course code
LANG1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Asian Cultures
|
Course code
LANG1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Asia: Cultures & Identities
|
Course code
LANG2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Asia Beyond Climate Change
|
Course code
POLI3011
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IIA
|
Course code
LANG1503
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IIB
|
Course code
LANG1504
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IIIA
|
Course code
LANG2501
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Japanese IIIB
|
Course code
LANG2502
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Asia and the World
|
Course code
LANG1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Asian Cultures
|
Course code
LANG1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Asia: Cultures & Identities
|
Course code
LANG2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Asia Beyond Climate Change
|
Course code
POLI3011
|
Units
6
|
Complete one Major from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Aboriginal Studies
|
Course code
ABORBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Anthropology
|
Course code
ANTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Archaeology and Classical Studies
|
Course code
ARCYBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Art History and Visual Culture
|
Course code
ARTHBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing
|
Course code
CREWBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
English Literature
|
Course code
ENGLBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Management
|
Course code
ENVMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
French Studies
|
Course code
FRENBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Geography
|
Course code
GEOGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
German Studies
|
Course code
GERMBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Chinese Studies
|
Course code
CHINBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Cultural Studies
|
Course code
CULTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
Course code
GENDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
History
|
Course code
HISTBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Development
|
Course code
INTDBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
International Security
|
Course code
INTSBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Italian Studies
|
Course code
ITALBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
|
Course code
LINGBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Philosophy
|
Course code
PHILBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Politics
|
Course code
POLIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Population and Migration Studies
|
Course code
POPUBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Screen Studies
|
Course code
SCRNBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Sociology
|
Course code
SOCIBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Spanish Studies
|
Course code
SPANBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Social Research and Policy Analysis
|
Course code
SOCRBARTS
|
Units
48
|
|
|
Course name
Kaurna Languages
|
Course code
KAURBARTS
|
Units
48
|
Career outcomes
Cross-cultural skills gained through Arts and Japanese Studies will be highly beneficial for your future career. You could be a creative director, a diplomat or a journalist in Tokyo. You might work in international business, helping companies with communication and cultural understanding. Perhaps you’re interested in research, teaching, tourism or translation.
You could also be a:
- Interpreter
- Language instructor
- Cultural liaison
- Import/export coordinator
- International relations specialist
- Travel consultant
- Market research analyst
- Foreign service officer
- Public Relations specialist
- Cultural event coordinator
- Legal assistant.
Adelaide University graduates have secured prestigious positions at the Embassy of Japan, Consulate General of Japan, Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo, DFAT, Australian Signals Directorate, Austrade, Lowy Institute and the American Air Force.
Industry trends
As companies expand globally, there is a growing need for professionals who can navigate different cultures and languages. You could unlock opportunities in multinational corporations; understanding Japanese culture and business etiquette is essential for successful international partnerships and collaborations.
Japan is a major global player in technology, business and innovation. Your language skills will be highly valuable in sectors like robotics, AI, and gaming, where Japanese companies are big players. The proliferation of digital media is also creating high demand for skilled translators and localisers who can adapt content for Japanese audiences.
The economic and trade relationship between Australia and Japan is only expected to grow, making your comprehensive understanding of Japan's language and culture a real asset in our globalised future.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
