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Faculty of PhilosophyJapanese Studies – Master

Japanese studies in Heidelberg focuses on past and current Japanese culture and society.

Facts & Formalities

DegreeMaster of Arts
Type of programmeConsecutive
Start of programmeWinter and summer semester
Standard period of study4 semesters
Language(s) of instructionGerman, occasionally English and Japanese
Fees and contributions151.05 € / Semester
Application procedureConsecutive master’s programmes with access restriction
Application deadlinesInformation about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
Part-time optionYes
May be studied as a minor subjectYes

Course Content

The Master’s degree programme in Japanese Studies  provides comprehensive insights into the manifold topics associated with Japanese Studies and places special emphasis on acquisition of scientific methods and their application. The research focus is on Japanese culture and history in the context of its embeddedness in historical and current development in East Asia. The degree programme takes the East Asian context into consideration as well as the diverse relationships with the West. The focus of this Master’s degree programme is therefore the examination of specific Japan-related topics on the basis of knowledge of the entire region. The scientific questions that the students address are derived from cultural and literary studies as well as social sciences and history but are specifically formulated for Japanese Studies.  

The aim of the degree programme is to turn the graduates into specialists for Japan and to provide them with an understanding of Japanese culture that takes holistic, transcultural comparisons into account and simultaneously help them achieve the status of specialist in useful areas of application.

It is mandatory to choose a minor in combination with this Master programme. For further information please refer to the Examination Rules and Regulations.

Course Structure

The Master's degree programme in Japanese Studies is a consecutive Master's programme that students can enrol in after completion of a Bachelor’s degree programme. The academic programme culminates in the written Master's thesis that students must submit in their fourth semester.

Additional degrees

Bachelor 25%

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