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Japanese and Linguistics at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Open days

2Jun
The University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh College of Art - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
20Jun
The University of Edinburgh - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Over the past 150 years, Japan has experienced change at a rapid pace but has nevertheless retained its fascinating cultural heritage. Study with us and you will develop the linguistic, intercultural and analytical skills to engage with this dynamic society in an interdisciplinary way. Japanese and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

  • a modern language in its cultural context
  • the expression and creation of meaning
You will benefit from the same Japanese language training as our MA (Hons) Japanese students, but will be able to focus your studies on the social scientific understanding of language. On our programme, Linguistics options of particular relevance to language students cover:
  • sociolinguistics - the relationship between language and society
  • variation in the languages of the world
  • first and second languages acquisition
  • Global Englishes
Japanese Edinburgh is the only university in Scotland to offer undergraduate honours degrees in Japanese. Our programme has been carefully designed to enable you to become an expert on Japan. You will also learn about the country's place in East Asia, one of the world's most important and influential regions. Our language courses will develop your skills in speaking, listening to, reading and writing Modern Japanese. You can start the language as a complete beginner, or at a more advanced level - we will place you in the right course for you. Our programme is not for native speakers, but we welcome heritage language learners. A highlight of the programme is spending Year 3 in Japan, studying abroad and experiencing Japanese culture firsthand. Linguistics Linguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning. You will also study different aspects of language, including:
  • its uses in everyday life
  • how its use varies across society and evolves over time
  • how it is mastered by children
As you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to plan and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills. Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in the Japanese language and in the study of Japan and of linguistics. In addition to your core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses from a range of disciplines. This gives you the chance to build your intercultural awareness in other areas of the arts, humanities, social sciences and beyond. Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 studying abroad, gaining lived experience of Japanese and East Asian culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Japanese studies and linguistics. You will also further develop your Japanese language and translation skills. Programme benefits
  • Take the only programme of its kind in Scotland.
  • Study over four years, including one abroad.
  • Combine practical language learning with language science.
  • Try out different subjects in your first two years.
  • Join societies related to what you are studying.
  • Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
TQ21
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

This degree programme has a subject requirement of a language other than English. You may not use your own native language to meet this requirement. English or an alternative language other than native will be acceptable.  Japanese degrees involve beginners language study and are not suitable for native or near-native speakers. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/295-japanese-and-linguistics

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/295-japanese-and-linguistics

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL (iBT)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Japanese and Linguistics at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS