Undergraduate Degrees
BA Japanese with International Development Studies ( R9L9 )
- UCAS Course Code:
- R9L9
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- School of Study:
- Language and Communication Studies
- Brochure:
- School of Language and Communication Studies Undergraduate Brochure (PDF)
- Typical A-Level Offer:
- ABB
Students starting this programme will be learning Japanese from scratch or from GCSE level and will have more intensive language study than students starting French or Spanish from A-level prior to the year abroad in year three. This more intensive study reduces slightly the number of optional modules available in year 1.
This four-year programme enables you to devote approximately one third of your time to the study of Japanese Honours language, one third to International Development Studies and one third either to language/translation issues or to International Development Studies-related subjects. The programme includes a year abroad in year three for all students.
Degree Structure
The programme is designed to provide coherence and focus around core elements in relation to your main interests. Progression over four years is ensured by the careful sequencing of modules, from a range of introductory modules in the first year, to greater specialisation, and sophistication of approach in subsequent years. The programme is flexible, and a free choice module is available for the pursuit of individual interests. Japanese language and Development Studies are studied throughout the course. The modules in Development Studies offer you in-depth study of topical and regional modules to complement your language skills. The topical modules will build on the cultural element studied through the language, providing a broader and more politicised perspective on your language studies.
In Year One, core study of the Japanese language may be combined with modules entitled Language, Culture and Interpersonal Communication or Discourse and Power. You also choose one area of specialist study in Development Studies - Social Analysis for Development (sociology, anthropology and politics) OR Economics for Development OR Natural Resources for Development. As most students are new to Development Studies, the first semester provides you with a background to the subject through the module Introduction to Development Studies, following historical and contemporary themes linked to global change: environmental, political, social and economic. In Year Two, continued study of Japanese language is combined with Development Studies, following the same area of specialist study started in Year 1. In Years 2 and 3 you also choose up to about one third of the programme from a range of language and/or development related modules. You also have the option of taking a Subsidiary language in year 2. Our range of Subsidiary languages is currently as follows: British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, German, Modern Greek, Italian, Russian, and Spanish. Many of these can be studied for a second year (to intermediate level, i.e. A level equivalent); there are also one-year and two-year post-A level subsidiary courses in some languages. In the area of Development Studies the options usually include, for example, Human Rights, Gender and Development, Public Policy and Welfare, Health, Education and Development, Globalisation and Economic Development – Resource Development and Conservation, Regional Courses on Development in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia. In the area of language and translation issues, the options usually include, for example, Language and Politics, Language and Society, Language and Gender, Language in Action, Translation Issues in the Media, Subtitling and Dubbing, Translation Work Experience, Translation and Adaptation, Interpreting, and Intercultural Communication in Practice.
Language Work
A typical semester will include four hours per week of Japanese language study, but you are also expected to spend a significant proportion of your time working independently on the language. The seminars are varied, involving grammar, translation or interpreting into and out of Japanese, reading and listening comprehension, précis and paraphrase work, the study of different styles and registers, comparison between texts in different languages, and oral work, including formal individual and group presentations. The material for study includes such items as subject-oriented dossiers, DVDs, on-line resources, as well as a wide range of selected texts covering topics from current affairs and cultural issues. The four hours per week of language work in years one and two at post-A level are followed by the year abroad, after which the Final Year consolidates and builds on improved competence acquired on the year abroad. Language work for beginners/post-GCSE entry students is more intensive and will cover all major grammatical areas as well as provide students with a level of speaking and understanding which will enable the year abroad to be taken with confidence.
Language Resources
The James Platt Language Centre houses a digital language laboratory, a viewing and editing room, a digitised interpreting suite for advanced language training, live satellite television broadcasts, a large, multi-media self-access resources room with a wide range of DVDs and reference books, up-to-date computers linked to the internet, and translation software.
Year Abroad
All students study at university in Japan in year three. For further information, click on the Study Abroad tab above.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used in different modules, ranging from 100% coursework to 100% examination. Coursework assessment includes written essays and translations, oral production and aural comprehension, lexical and comprehension exercises, oral presentations (individual and in groups), translations, annotated translations, summaries and paraphrases. Examinations test the same range of skills, including oral proficiency. Assessment in the international development courses is through essays, seminar presentations, teamwork and examination
Ms. Hazel Marsh
The School of Language and Communication Studies is a small, lively School where we offer flexible undergraduate degree programmes with an emphasis on language competence and on issues relating to contemporary language and translation. Our graduates are highly employable and enter an extremely wide range of professions using their well-developed language and communication skills, and intercultural sensitivity.
Our MA graduates are equally successful professionally. Courses at this level enable flexible planning in the combination of core and optional modules and in the range of possible dissertation topics, while the Faculty of Arts and Humanities provides a rich interdisciplinary environment designed to encourage dialogue and the cross-fertilisation of ideas.
New for 2012-13
We’re always working to build on our strengths here in LCS, improving your student experience – and your prospects. Here are some new Key Features for 2012-13 that you won’t yet find in our brochure:
- Smaller groups in language classes – as few as 10 – mean even better quality learning.
- New high-spec professional interpreter training facilities – helping to keep you ahead of the game.
- Employability boost – extra timetabled sessions to develop your skills and employability profile for a range of professions using language skills right from the start of your degree course.
Find out what our undergraduate students say or check out our Facebook page for 2013 applicants where you can ask our current students questions about studying and living here:
www.facebook.com/groups/UEALCSapps2013
UniStats Information
Compulsory Study (40 credits)
Students must study the following modules for 40 credits:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO DEVELOPMENT STUDIES | DEV-1A21 | 40 |
Option A Study (60 credits)
Students will select 60 credits from the following modules:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DISCOURSE AND POWER | LCS-1L20 | 20 |
| INTRODUCTION TO JAPANESE POPULAR CULTURE | LCS-1J02 | 20 |
| JAPANESE AB-INITIO HONOURS I | LCS-1J5Y | 60 |
| JAPANESE POST-GCSE I | LCS-1J7Y | 40 |
| LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | LCS-1L22 | 20 |
| POST A-LEVEL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 1/I | LCSU1J21 | 20 |
| POST A-LEVEL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 1/II | LCSU1J22 | 20 |
Option B Study (20 credits)
Students will select 20 credits from the following modules:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT | DEV-1B22 | 20 |
| INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT: PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS | DEV-1B24 | 20 |
| SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1 | DEV-1B28 | 20 |
Option A Study (40 credits)
Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JAPANESE AB INITIO HONOURS II | LCS-2J6Y | 40 |
| JAPANESE POST GCSE II | LCS-2J7Y | 40 |
| MODERN JAPANESE LANGUAGE HONOURS 2/I | LCSU2J01 | 20 |
| MODERN JAPANESE LANGUAGE HONOURS 2/II | LCSU2J02 | 20 |
Option B Study (40 credits)
Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:
Option C Study (40 credits)
Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT | DEV-2D64 | 20 |
| ECONOMICS FOR DEVELOPMENT 2: Microeconomics | DEV-2C51 | 20 |
| EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | DEV-2C29 | 20 |
| GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT | DEV-2C25 | 20 |
| MACROECONOMICS OF DEVELOPMENT | DEV-2D52 | 20 |
| POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | DEV-2D78 | 20 |
| RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY | DEV-2D80 | 20 |
| SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2 | DEV-2C77 | 20 |
| SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE USE AND LIVELIHOODS | DEV-2C63 | 20 |
Compulsory Study (120 credits)
Students must study the following modules for 120 credits:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| YEAR ABROAD | LCS-2X0Y | 120 |
Students will take the following 20 credit compulsory modules: LCS-3J11 - JAPANESE HONOURS LANGUAGE 3/1 - READINGS ON MODERN JAPAN. LCS-3J12 - JAPANESE HONOURS LANGUAGE 3/11. Compulsory Modules = 40 credits
Option A Study (40 credits)
Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DISSERTATION IN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (AUTUMN) | LCS-3C05 | 20 |
| DISSERTATION IN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (SPRING) | LCS-3C06 | 20 |
| INTRODUCTION TO CONFERENCE INTERPRETING | LCS-3T51 | 20 |
| INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE INTERPRETING | LCS-3T58 | 20 |
| JAPANESE FILM ADAPTATION: LITERATURE, MANGA AND NOVELIZATION | LCS-3J01 | 20 |
| SUBTITLING AND DUBBING (LEVEL 3) | LCS-3T17 | 20 |
| TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS FOR SUBTITLING AND DUBBING (LEVEL 3) | LCS-3T56 | 20 |
| TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS FOR TRANSLATING AND REAL-WORLD TRANSLATION (LEVEL 3) | LCS-3T54 | 20 |
| TRANSLATION STUDIES IN JAPAN | LCS-3J02 | 20 |
| TRANSLATION THEORY AND PRACTICE | LCS-3T07 | 20 |
| TRANSLATION WORK EXPERIENCE (LEVEL 3) | LCS-3T15 | 20 |
Option B Study (40 credits)
Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT & CONSERVATION | DEV-3D12 | 20 |
| DEVELOPMENT IN PRACTICE | DEV-3D40 | 20 |
| GLOBALISATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | DEV-3D22 | 20 |
| PUBLIC POLICY AND WELFARE | DEV-3D38 | 20 |
| WARS, HUMANITARIAN CRISES AND AID | DEV-3C29 | 20 |
Disclaimer
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.
Year Abroad
You spend a year abroad in your third year on all our four-year language degrees or alternatively a semester abroad in the second year on our three-year fast-track degrees. The year/semester abroad is a fantastic chance for a student to explore one or more countries where your Honours language(s) are spoken and the opportunities they offer, while at the same time having the support of the School’s staff.
You either take up a teaching assistantship, a work placement, voluntary work or attend a foreign university, usually on an Erasmus/Socrates exchange in France or Spain. Students on the Erasmus scheme receive a small grant from the EU which funds the scheme, and students teaching or working also receive the Erasmus grant in addition to their salary. Students going to Japan will attend university.
If you are taking two languages from A level, you will normally split the year between two countries where those languages are spoken.
The main option available to you is attending a university, normally as part of an exchange programme, one semester in each country. Students of French can, for instance, attend the prestigious Ecole de Traduction et d'Interprétation in Geneva. We have Erasmus exchange schemes and well-established links with a range of universities in France and Spain: (France) Clermont Ferrand, Corsica, Montpellier III, Nancy II, Nice, Paris, and Tours; (Spain) Alicante, Alcalá de Henares, Castilla La Mancha, Madrid (Antonio de Nebrija, Autónoma and Complutense), Granada, Salamanca, Toledo and Zaragoza, as well as the Universidad de Guadalajara and the Universidad de las Américas in Mexico. We are currently establishing our year abroad university partners for the first cohort of students who will go to Japan in 2013-14.
If you are taking two languages from A level it is also possible to take up a work placement in France or Spain in combination with a university place if a short enough work placement can be found. The final option of working as a language assistant is not open to you because you will need to split your year abroad and contracts for assistants are for more than six months.
If you are taking one of French, Spanish or Japanese from below A level, you will normally spend your year in a country where the weaker language is spoken and the summer in a country where your stronger language is spoken. If you are taking French, Spanish or Japanese from below A level in combination with another Honours language, you will spend the year abroad in the country of the weaker language and, for France and Spain, follow courses in the stronger language. It is recommended that such students spend the summer before the final year in the country of their stronger language.
If you are a highly proficient native or near-native speaker of French or Spanish, then you are normally exempted from the compulsory year abroad for that language and spend your first year studying a completely different language from our wide range of subsidiary languages. In your following two years your compulsory language strand consists of final year level modules in your native language. If you are studying two languages to Honours level and one of these is your native language, then you will spend a year abroad in a country where your non-native language is spoken.
Entry Requirements
- A Level:
- ABB
- International Baccalaureate:
- 32
- Scottish Advanced Highers:
- ABB
- Irish Leaving Certificate:
- AABBBB
- Access Course:
- Please contact the University for further information.
- HND:
- Please contact the University for further information.
- European Baccalaureate:
- 75%
Students for whom English is a Foreign language
We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components)
- TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 18 in the Listening and Writing components; 19 in the Reading component; and 21 in the Speaking component)
- PTE: 62 overall with minimum 55 in all components
If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
Interviews
The School does not currently interview all applicants for undergraduate entry as standard, however we do offer the opportunity to meet with an academic individually on a Visit Day in order to gain a deeper insight into the course(s) you have applied for.
Gap Year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.
Deferred Entry
We also welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.
Special Entry Requirements
It is generally expected that you should have at least a Grade B at A Level, or its equivalent, in the language or languages that you intend to take at honours level.
In the case of Spanish or Japanese studied from Beginners' or Spanish, French or Japanese from post-GCSE level, we require evidence of foreign language learning ability, such as a good grade in a foreign language at GCSE.
If two honours languages are studied, only one can be taken from below A Level.
Intakes
The School's annual intake is in September of each year.
Alternative Qualifications
If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact the University directly for further information.
GCSE Offer
Students are required to have Mathematics and English at Grade C or above at GCSE level.
Assessment
For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference. We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.
Fees and Funding
University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students
Further information on fees and funding for 2012 can be found here
University Fees and Financial Support: International Students
The University will be charging International students £11,700.00 for all full time School of Language and Communication Studies undergraduate programmes which start in 2012.
Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students.
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The system allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it must be sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The UCAS code name and number for the University of East Anglia is EANGL E14.
Further Information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please do contact us:
Undergraduate Admissions Office (Language and Communication Studies)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
Please click here to register your details online via our Online Enquiry Form.
International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.


