Program Overview
BA Politics and Japanese
Overview
The BA Politics and Japanese course will enable you to explore world politics and gain an intercultural perspective that is at a premium in today's context of globalised studies and career paths.
Delivered jointly by the School of Social Sciences and the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, this course offers flexibility through a combination of core and optional politics course units and units in your chosen language and culture.
Language study offers more than just language fluency. You'll explore the culture, society, history, politics and literature of Japan, helping you develop intercultural awareness and communication skills, both highly valued by employers.
You'll benefit from excellent teaching, student support and cutting-edge study facilities, as well as the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Manchester itself, Western Europe's most multilingual city.
Studying abroad at partner universities in Japan gives you an unforgettable and invaluable experience.
Aims
- Develop strong analytical skills and understanding of key areas of global politics, including European/international politics, international relations, global security and international development.
- Develop the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to access and engage fully with political, historical and cultural issues in your chosen language.
- Offer an intercultural perspective on your studies and future career, facilitated by the possibility of studying a second language - either as a beginner or at a more advanced level.
Special Features
- Residence abroad: You can study and/or work for up to a year in a country or countries relevant to your chosen language(s) to improve your communicative language skills in a native-speaker environment.
- Collaborations and partnerships: The University has links with language and cultural institutions across the city, including Instituto Cervantes, HOME, Manchester China Institute, and Alliance Française.
- Societies: The University is home to over 30 international and language-related student societies offering a breadth of cultural activities and experiences.
Teaching and Learning
You will be taught through a mixture of formal lectures, seminars and tutorials.
You will spend approximately 12 hours each week in formal study sessions, and for every hour spent at the University you will be expected to complete a further 2-3 hours of independent study. You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, revising for examinations or working in the University's Language Centre.
We'll provide individual learning support to help you take control of your learning and develop your confidence.
Course Content
Year 1
- Mandatory course units: None
- Optional course units:
- Introduction to Japanese Studies
- Japanese Language 1
- Japanese Language 2
- Japanese Language 3
- Japanese Language 4
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Making Sense of Politics
- British Politics: Power and the State
- Politics of the Global Economy
- Introduction to International Politics
- Introduction to Political Theory
Year 2
- Mandatory course units: None
- Optional course units:
- Bodies, Gender and Sexuality in Modern Japan
- Core Themes in Animated Film and Visual Culture of Postwar Japan
- Race, Class, and Gender in Japan and South Korea
- Japanese Language 3
- Japanese Language 4
- Japanese Language 5
- Politics by Numbers
- Security Studies
- Questions About International Politics
- Politics & Society in Britain Since 1940: From Blitz to Brexit
- Arguing About Politics: Political Theory in the World
- The Politics of Globalisation
- The Politics of Development
- Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective
- The Politics of Policy Making
- Ideals of Social Justice
- How to Conduct Politics Research
- Injustice and Resistance
- Environmental Politics
- Comparative West European Politics
- Asia-Pacific Security
Year 3
- Residence abroad: You will spend a year abroad under approved conditions at a partner university in Japan.
Year 4
- Mandatory course units:
- Japanese Language 6
- Optional course units:
- Advanced Readings in Japanese Studies
- Science and Civilisation in East Asia
- Culture, Gender and Resistance in Contemporary Japan and East Asia
- Dissertation in Modern Languages and Cultures
- The Politics of the European Union
- The Politics and Philosophy of Nationalism
- Gender, Sex and Politics
- Elections and Voters in Britain
- Dimensions of Peace and Conflict: Disciplinary and Regional Approaches
- Political Morality and Dirty Hands
- Chinese Politics
- Public Policy Problems
- Dissertation A
- Dissertation B
- Introduction to International Political Economy
- Gender, War & Militarism
- Africa & Global Politics
- American Politics: Why Do They Do That?
- Global Capitalism, Crisis and Revolt
- Contemporary Parliamentary Studies and the British Political Tradition
- Postcolonial Politics
- Between War and Peace
- The International Political Economy of Trade
- Race, Ethnicity, Migration
- Ukraine Rises: Democracy, Protest, Identity and War in Comparative Perspective
- Capitalism and Sexuality
- Indian Politics in Comparative Perspective
- Decolonising Human Rights
- Feminist Policymaking in Global Politics
- Global Politics of LGBTQ+ Rights
- Development, Conflict, and Democracy in Latin America
Facilities
The University Language Centre is home to language resources, including a new interpreting suite, purpose-built recording rooms, and resources for more than 70 languages.
Careers
A degree in Politics and Modern Languages and Cultures paves the way for a broad range of careers. You'll develop intercultural awareness and enhanced communication skills - both highly valued by employers.
You'll also acquire transferable expertise at the very heart of language learning, including enhanced powers of perception and interpretation and advanced decision-making and multitasking skills.
You'll develop independence and self-confidence during your residence abroad, and your intercultural communication skills will make you a strong contender for media, journalism and PR roles.
Many of our graduates go straight into business services, marketing, advertising, management, banking or communications.
Others pursue postgraduate study or further vocational training to become accountants, lawyers, teachers (both in the UK and overseas) or to enter the Civil Service.
The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability, and we are the second most targeted university by the nation's top employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research).
Our graduates have gone on to work for:
- the BBC
- the United Nations
- Dell
- Berlitz
- The Confucius Institute
- Christian Dior Couture
Entry Requirements
- A-level: ABB including one essay based or humanities subject.
- Contextual A-level offer: BBC including one essay based/humanities subject.
- UK refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC including one essay based or humanities subject.
- International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL.
- GCSE/IGCSE: Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and 4 or C in Mathematics.
- Other entry requirements: Other entry requirements exist for this course. You may view these by selecting from the list below.
Fees and Funding
- Fees: Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.
- Policy on additional costs: All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme.
- Scholarships/sponsorships: We offer dedicated financial support packages of up to £2,000 for residence abroad students, based on household income.
Application and Selection
- How to apply: Apply through UCAS.
- Advice to applicants: Mitigating circumstances may be personal or family illness, other family circumstances, change of teachers during a course, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school or college.
- Home-schooled applicants: If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying.
- Non-standard educational routes: Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences.
- Returning to education: We welcome applicants who are seeking a return to study. We may be able to make alternative offers in light of your experience but it is important that you have studied languages to an advanced level (please see entry requirements for subject specific criteria).
- Deferrals: Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation. Deferred entry is granted on the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only and two years at the maximum.
- Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications: If you have re-sat individual modules to improve your grades, we will consider your application according to the standard selection process. If you are planning to re-sit the final Year 13 examinations, or have already done so, the University will consider your application, but we may require further information in order to make an informed judgment on your application.
- Re-applications: If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course. If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through clearing you are required to meet the clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and clearing the places will be subject to availability.