Postgraduate study

Postgraduate programmes in Japanese are available for students who are interested in Japanese-language related disciplines such as Japanese linguistics and teaching Japanese as a foreign language.

The School of Asian Studies emphasises a broad, multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Asia. If you are interested in Japan-related history, literature, social and cultural studies there are postgraduate programmes in Asian Studies.

New Zealand has a need for highly qualified people with Asia-related skills. Your high-level language skills and in-depth knowledge of your area of interest could lead to a career in: international organisations, NGOs, the corporate and public sectors, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, teaching Japanese, professional translation and copy editing, in IT or the media.

The BA(Hons) is a stand alone degree at postgraduate level. It may be taken after a completed BA and is awarded as a separate qualification. The BA(Hons) may be used as the entry qualification for the one year MA.

Admission requirements

A major in Japanese or Head of School approval.

Required course of study

Consult the BA(Hons) schedule for the courses you may take and how to structure your study.

• 2012 BA(Hons) schedule for Japanese
• University regulations for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• University general regulations for bachelors honours postgraduate degrees

From 2012 there are two separate MA options, depending on your entrance pathway.

120-point (one-year) MA

The 120-point MA requires one year of full-time study, with admission from a BA(Hons) or PGDipArts. It is available as either a research or taught masters.

Admission requirements

A BA(Hons) or PGDipArts in Japanese with an average grade of B or higher, or approval of the Head of School. There are higher requirements for some research options.

Required course of study

Consult the MA schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

• 2012 MA schedule for Japanese
  
• University regulations for the Master of Arts
• University general regulations for masters degrees

240-point (two-year) MA

The 240-point MA requires two consecutive years of full-time study, with admission from a BA or approved equivalent qualification. It is available as either a research or taught masters.

Admission requirements

A BA with a major in Japanese or approval of the Head of School. You must have an average grade of B or higher in at least 45 points above Stage II in the major.

To progress to the second year of the MA

In the first 120 points of MA enrolment, you must achieve:

• An average grade of B, or
• For a research masters, any grade specified for enrolment in a thesis or research portfolio.

If you do not achieve the required grade, enrolment for the MA cannot continue.

Required course of study

Consult the MA schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

• 2012 MA schedule for Japanese
• University regulations for the Master of Arts
• University general regulations for masters degrees

Doctor of Philosophy

This advanced research degree is by thesis only. The thesis normally consists of around 100, 000 words. The department must be satisfied that appropriate supervision is available and that adequate resources are accessible. Students should normally have a master’s degree acceptable to the University. There is a provision for upgrading a master’s thesis to a PhD after the first year of research. The duration is expected to be normally three to four years.

More information for potential and current PhD students can be found on the Faculty of Arts PhD site.

• How to apply

• The Graduate Diploma in Arts (GradDipArts)
• The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts)
• The Master of Literature (MLitt)

To apply and enrol for postgraduate study, visit our page on how to apply.

For more information on postgradute study in Japanese, contact an Adviser.