Japanese Studies

Degree: Master of Arts in Japanese Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: September
Language of instruction: English
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The two-year MA programme Japanese studies is unique in the Netherlands. With a world-class teaching and research portfolio that covers East Asia and looks at the region from a multi-disciplinary standpoint, the programme provides you with unique insights into a comprehensive range of cutting-edge topics in modern and pre-modern Japan.
The MA programme in Leiden is an international and cosmopolitan one, drawing students from around the world. This gives the programme an outward-looking and creative tone that seeks to foster ‘world citizens’ as well as first-class scholars.
Building on the uniquely long and intimate relations between The Netherlands and Japan, Leiden University has one of the oldest and most established centres of Japanese Studies in the Western world.

The information about this programme is available in the following languages:

Career

As a graduate from the MA programme in Japanese Studies, you will be qualified to follow a range of careers that directly require a high level of Japanese language skills as well as highly developed analytical and information-handling skills. Alumni can be found working within Japanese multinationals—such as banks, insurance companies, ministries and other governmental bodies. Others have followed paths into consultancy, management, journalism, PR and marketing, or work at libraries, in tourism, or in the education sector. If you want to continue within the academic establishment, you will be qualified to apply for PhD research programmes.

Some figures about graduates of Japanese Studies

How succesfull are they in finding a job?

  • 82,3% found a job within six months.
  • 53,8% found their first job at academic or HBO (higher professional) level.
  • 83,3% held a position at academic or HBO level when the study was carried out.

In which sector do they find jobs?

  • Government / semi-government: 385
  • Business services: 154
  • Health and welfare: 77
  • Communication: 77
  • Industry: 77
  • Consultancy: 77
  • Other: 154

What are their main tasks and responsibilities? (%)

  • Providing advice: 42
  • Counselling / coaching: 42
  • Policy-making / preparation: 42
  • Archiving / classifying / administration: 25
  • Co-ordination of work: 25

Source: Employment Market Study among Leiden Graduates of Japanese studies (2009, Student Career Service Humanities )