Course details

Summary

Japan is one of the most influential nations in the Asia-Pacific region — culturally, diplomatically and economically. It is a key player in New Zealand's import and export, tourism and education markets and continues to be an attractive destination for graduates.

Aspects of Japanese culture have become popular in much of Asia, Australasia and America. These include animation, computer games, fashion, art, sport and spirituality.

Learning the Japanese language helps you to do business with Japanese people and multinational companies, equips you for a job in Japan and opens up an understanding of a proud people with a long history and fascinating culture.

The Certificate in Arts (CertArts) is designed for you if you want to study at university level without having to commit to several years of study. It is also an option if you want to take a few courses for interest or study part-time.

Why study Japanese at UC?

The Japanese programme at UC offers a wide range of courses in Japanese language and related subjects up to PhD level.

It is supported by a strong team of staff specializing in linguistics, literature, theatre, society, tradition and modern culture.

In language classes, equal emphasis is placed on the four key language skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Communicative and cultural competency in Japanese is developed through regular interaction with native speakers and practice communicating in a range of real-life situations.

Courses in the programme are complemented by a number of specialized courses on Japanese history, art, political science and music offered through various Schools in the College of Arts.

Qualification structure and duration

The Certificate in Arts is made up of five courses (a minimum of 75 points) at 100 and/or 200-level.

It can be completed full-time, or over one to two years of part-time study.

You can transfer the credits you gain during the Certificate in Arts to the Bachelor of Arts (and some other degrees), as long as you have not graduated with the certificate.

Further study

The Certificate in Arts can be used as a stepping stone to a Bachelor of Arts.

Career opportunities

Some graduates have been awarded prestigious Monbukagakusho (Japanese Ministry of Education) Scholarships for study and research in Japan. Many have joined the Japanese Government's Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. Others have been employed by the Japanese Embassy or Consular Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Government Communications and Security Bureau in Wellington.

There is a demand for teachers of Japanese in secondary schools and some graduates have joined the teaching staff of Japanese departments at tertiary institutions.

Other graduates enter banking, import/export and legal industries or find jobs in multinational companies that have links with Japan. Some become freelance translators or enter the tourism and travel industry.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.