Japanology (Master)
Source: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/japanology-master/ Parent: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/
© Florian Purkarthofer
The master’s programme in Japanology aims at preparing students for a thorough examination of modern and contemporary Japan from the perspectives of social science and cultural studies. The investigation of current social and cultural issues, tendencies and phenomena in the area of Japanology is based on sound knowledge of Japanese language and scripts. In addition to specialised knowledge of regional studies, the master’s programme also equips students with specialised knowledge of history of science and theoretical-methodological competences. Therefore, graduates are able to communicate these areas of specialisation in a sophisticated manner both orally and in writing, and conduct independent academic research on selected thematic areas.
Master of Arts
Degree Programme Code: 066 843
4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits
Language: German, Japanese & English
NO entrance examination
Facts & Figures
- Students: 66
- Graduates in the last academic year: 9
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): 6,3
Data updated on: 26.11.2025
Information about presentation & calculation
Attention
Instruction Language German
Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on C1 level.
Admission Procedure
Information about the admission procedure
Information on Previous Studies:
In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:
Getting Informed
Department of East Asian Studies - section Japanology
Students' Representatives Japanology
Getting started
Orientation in the first semester
© Liliane Höppe
Study Programme
The master’s programme in Japanology comprises the compulsory module “Japanese”, a group of compulsory modules (“Social Science Research on Japan” or “Cultural Studies Research on Japan”), two modules from the group of elective modules as well as a master’s module. Classes are held in German, English and Japanese.
Five Concepts
which you will deal with during your studies:
- Japanese texts
- Methods in research on Japan
- Further development of Japanese language competences
- Media and popular culture
- Social processes in modern Japan
... and many more.
Overview of the programme structure & topics
Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.
M1 Advanced Japanese (15 ECTS)
Alternative group of compulsory modules: Social Science Research on Japan (30 ECTS)
M2a Theories and Methods in Social Science Research on Japan (15 ECTS)
M3a Social Science in Japanology (15 ECTS)
Alternative group of compulsory modules: Cultural Studies Research on Japan (30 ECTS)
M2b Theories and Methods in Cultural Studies Research on Japan (15 ECTS)
M3b Cultural Studies in Japanology (15 ECTS)
Group of elective modules (2 elective modules for a total of 30 ECTS)
M4 Further Acquisition of Language Proficiency (15 ECTS)
M5 Advanced Research Skills (15 ECTS)
M6 Japanology in an International Context (15 ECTS)
M7 Study and Research in Japan (15 ECTS)
M8 Applied Japanology (15 ECTS)
M9 Colloquium for Master's Students (10 ECTS)
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After Graduation
Graduates have intercultural competence and are able to:
- carry out research on modern and contemporary Japanese culture and society on an advanced level;
- identify relevant issues and deal with exemplary special topics in a systematic and comprehensive way;
- analyse Japanese primary sources and critically and competently understand and analyse academic secondary literature in German, English and Japanese;
- understand, prepare and communicate Japan-related knowledge.
Continuing after Graduation
- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- Alumni of the University of Vienna
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna
Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme
#### Degree programme in retrospect
Graduates ...
- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 1.8 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 4.0 (high)
→ These results are based on feedback from 14 graduates.
*You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of themaster's programme in Japanology (in German).