Degree program B.A. East Asian Studies – Japanese Studies

The B.A. East Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese Studies is divided into three main areas: 1. Language skills, 2. Subject-specific skills, and 3. Region-specific skills. 

The first four semesters focus on intensive language training with an average of 15 hours per week. This lays a solid foundation for later studying content-related topics not only in a second language (German or English), but also in the target language, Japanese. In addition, interdisciplinary lectures and practical courses convey region-specific knowledge about the countries and cultures of East Asia.

In higher semesters, students then have the opportunity to choose different seminars and put their focus on literary and cultural studies on the one hand, or historical and social science topics on the other.

The program has a modular structure and comprises a major and a minor subject as well as interdisciplinary skills and an internship. The B.A. East Asian Studies with a focus on Japanese Studies is offered as a major subject with 75% or 50% and as a minor subject with 25%. In the minor subject, students can also choose between a language and a content option. The minor B.A. Japanese Studies was designed specifically for students of Chinese Studies and East Asian Art History.

Important information about the program:

• As a general rule subjects in the bachelor's programs can be combined freely, provided that the desired programs are offered.
• The standard length of the program is six semesters.
• The program concludes with the professionally qualifying degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).
• The program can only be started in the winter semester.
• The first language of instruction is German, with certain courses and course materials in Japanese or English.

Students of Japanese Studies have the opportunity to further develop and consolidate their language skills and intercultural competencies during a semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Japan. Experience Japanese culture firsthand, learn more about the country's history, improve your Japanese language skills, and immerse yourself in life at a Japanese university—a stay abroad in Japan offers you all this and much more.