Programme structure
The duration of the Master's programme is two years, and the programme consists of 120 credits.
Course of study
| 4. semester | JAP4595 – Master's Thesis in Japanese Studies | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. semester | |||
| 2. semester | JAP4610 – Readings in Japanese Studies | JAP4550 – Topics in Japanese studies: society and politics or Elective course | JAP4560 – Topics in Japanese studies: culture and religion or Elective course |
| 1. semester | JAP4100 – Designing a master project in Japanese Studies | JAP4101 – Theories and Methods in Japanese Studies | |
| Credits | 10 credits | 10 credits | 10 credits |
For students who were admitted to the program before 2025
The programme consists of 120 credits
The first two semesters build the methodological and theoretical basis for independent work on your master's thesis. You begin working on a topic for your master's thesis from day one.
- Compulsory courses, 40 credits
- Elective courses, 20 credits
- Study abroad, internship, or data collection, 30 credits
- Master's thesis, 30 credits
First semester
In your first semester, you develop specific methodological and theoretical competences that are relevant to your thesis in JAP4101 – Theories and Methods in Japanese Studies . In this course, you choose two out of three options: ethnography; historical research and classical Japanese; and/or literature and translation. At the end of the first semester you are assigned a thesis supervisor.
Compulsory courses
- JAP4100 – Designing a master project in Japanese Studies
- JAP4101 – Theories and Methods in Japanese Studies
Second semester
In your second semester you can choose one or two courses on topics in Japanese Studies directly connected to the research expertise of faculty. One of these two courses can be replaced with another elective course. You also continue to work towards the thesis through a guided reading course.
Compulsory courses
A minimum of 10 credits must be chosen from the following courses:
- JAP4550 – Topics in Japanese studies: society and politics
- JAP4560 – Topics in Japanese studies: culture and religion
The remaining 10 credits can be taken either from the list of courses above, or the additional elective courses:
- EAST4540 – East Asian Modernities
- EAST4504 – Religious Traditions in East Asia
- KIN4340 – Taiwan Studies
- KIN4520 – Recent Research in the China Field — Only for students with qualifications in Chinese
- KOS4020 – Conference participation and presentation
- KOS4030 – Work as a research assistant
- KOS4050 – Religion and Politics
- KOS4550 – Topics in Environmental Humanities
- MES4500 – Topics in Middle East Politics and Society I
- KULH4020 – Digital kulturarv — Requires fluency in Norwegian
Elective courses may be offered on an irregular basis. You can find information about which semesters the course will be offered in the course description.
You may apply for recognition of 10 credits obtained in other master's level courses.
For further inquiries, please contact studentinfo@ikos.uio.no
Third semester - thesis preparation
In your third semester you may study abroad at one of Japan's leading universities; work in an organisation, business or foreign affairs office in Japan; or combine data collection with training in communicating research results.
Choose one of the following 30 credit options:
-
Semester abroad (30 credits)
-
AMS4900 – International Project Term in Asia and the Middle East (30 credits)
- JAP4020 – Data Collection in Japanese Studies and EAST4610 – Voices from East Asia: How to Communicate Research Results (30 credits in total). This option can be done either in Japan or in Oslo.
Fourth semester - thesis
In your fourth semester you write a thesis with one-on-one supervision from an expert in the field you choose. Both in the coursework and in your independent research for the thesis, you will apply your oral and written Japanese language skills and develop them further.
Useful resources
- The department's website for master's students
- Previously submitted MA theses in Japanese Studies at the department
Diploma and degree
This programme leads to the following degree: Master's degree in Japanese Studies
The diploma is issued when you have completed the courses that meet the requirements for a degree. Read more about diplomas.