Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) at Massey University combines Japanese language development with study of Japanese culture, society, history and literature. Massey states that students can develop upper-intermediate and above spoken and written Japanese, with expected competence approximately equivalent to Level 3 and above of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). No previous Japanese study is required.

Key benefits include:

• Development of Japanese listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
• Study of Japanese culture and society alongside language learning.
• Japanese culture and history courses taught in English provide cultural context.
• Digital exercises, audio, video and presentations support language learning.
• Distance students can participate in regular live online Japanese language tutorials.
• The degree can be combined with another major or an optional minor.
• A second major can provide a Japanese perspective for further postgraduate study in areas such as history, social anthropology or linguistics.
• The programme can support careers involving Japan, international business, trade, tourism, education and public-sector work.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Japanese major requires 120 credits. Students normally progress from introductory Japanese through intermediate and advanced language study, alongside courses on Japanese culture and society.

The current course structure includes:

Year 1 / introductory level:

• 242101 Japanese 1A – 15 credits
• 242102 Japanese 1B – 15 credits
• 242103 Introduction to Japanese Culture – 15 credits

Japanese 1A introduces listening, speaking, reading and writing, including romanised script, hiragana, katakana, approximately 60 kanji, basic sentence structures and everyday vocabulary. Japanese 1B builds on this foundation.

Year 2 / intermediate level:

• 242201 Japanese 2A – 15 credits
• 242202 Japanese 2B – 15 credits
• 242204 Japanese History: Turning Points and Social Change – 15 credits

Japanese 2A develops pre-intermediate reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, including new grammar, vocabulary and approximately 80 kanji. Japanese 2B continues this development and introduces approximately 100 additional kanji.

Year 3 / advanced level:

• 242301 Japanese 3A – 15 credits
• 242302 Japanese 3B – 15 credits
• 242304 Reading and Writing about Current Japan – 15 credits
• 242305 Readings in Modern Japanese Literature – 15 credits
• 242205 Japanese Cinema – 15 credits, subject to the applicable course-selection requirements.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Japanese is a major within the Bachelor of Arts.

The BA currently offers a broad range of majors, including:

• Chinese
• Classical Studies
• Creative Writing
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Environmental Studies
• Geography
• History
• Japanese
• Linguistics
• Maori Studies
• Mathematics
• Media Studies
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Relations
• Psychology
• Security Studies
• Social Anthropology
• Social Policy
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Statistics
• Te Reo Maori
• Other BA majors listed in the current regulations.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 7 Bachelor of Arts.
• 360 credits.
• 3 years full-time.
• Distance and online delivery.
• February, July and November starts listed for 2026.
• Japanese major worth 120 credits.
• No previous Japanese study required.
• Students with existing Japanese knowledge can potentially enter at a higher level following an online placement assessment.
• Expected Japanese proficiency is approximately JLPT Level 3 and above.
• Combination of Japanese language and Japanese cultural studies.
• Live online language tutorials for distance students.
• Option to add a second major.
• Optional minor.
• Opportunities to combine Japanese with areas such as international relations, history, linguistics, business or other BA disciplines

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies career prospects for Japanese graduates in areas including:

• Business
• Trade and commerce
• Education
• Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme
• Foreign affairs
• Military and strategic affairs
• Border security
• Tourism
• Disaster management
• Creative arts
• Website localisation.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme information confirms:

• Japanese remains an active Bachelor of Arts major.
• The major is currently offered through distance and online study.
• International students can study the programme online from outside New Zealand.
• No prior Japanese language study is required.
• Students with previous Japanese knowledge should complete the online placement process and contact the qualification coordinator before choosing their starting language course.
• The BA requires five 300-level courses overall; three are required for the Japanese major and one is the compulsory BA core course, with the remaining requirement normally met through another 300-level course if the student is not taking a second major or minor.

International Student Visa Requirements

Because Massey currently offers the Japanese BA through distance and online study and states that international students can study online from outside New Zealand, an international student who remains outside New Zealand does not need a New Zealand student visa solely to complete this online programme.

If a student intends to physically study in New Zealand under an approved on-campus arrangement, the applicable visa requirements would need to be checked with Immigration New Zealand and Massey before travel.

For a Fee Paying Student Visa, current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition funds or an appropriate scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the authorised stay.
• Full-time study in the approved course.