FAQs

In 2010 the old 4-level JLPT changed into a new 5-level JLPT: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5.  A middle level (N3) has been added to bridge the gap between the former Level 3 and Level 2.

For details of this change see on the official website of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services.  That page is in Japanese.

The MSc in Modern Japanese Studies is the overall responsibility of the Course Director who looks after the day-to-day running of the course and is the person you should contact in the first instance with any queries.  Professor Takehiko Kariya is the Course Director of the MSc in Modern Japanese Studies.

There is a compulsory series of induction meetings at the beginning of 0th Week in Michaelmas Term (the week before the start of your first term) and all students are expected to attend.  This is where you will receive information on the general rules of the department and of Oxford University and how to use the department/University computer systems and the University libraries.  Staff from the MSc in Modern Japanese Studies will then lead induction sessions in which you will learn more about the course content, timetables, examinations and facilities.  The induction will also include a social event where you will have the opportunity to meet your classmates and other MSc students and to also meet members of staff.  You will also receive a college induction during this week.

Each of the courses about Japan is taught as a two hour unit over one term eight weeks.  Exactly how this teaching is structured varies between courses and sometimes from week to week even within the same course.  Practice can range between a one hour lecture followed by one hour of discussion, a full two hour session discussing a book or article, presentations from a student or students, debates, or other teaching styles.  It is a fundamental component of the Oxford educational system that students engage in individual reading and study in order to broaden their knowledge.  You will certainly need to spend more time on the course than just in the term it is taught.  Students sometimes form their own groups to explore further the topics discussed on the taught part of the course.

There is limited one-to-one teaching on MSc courses, however staff members will be available to advise you on reading, literature and topics and you will be assigned a supervisor who will also be available to assist in these matters. Students often arrange small group meetings between themselves to discuss reading lists before their lectures.

The Course Director has overall responsibility for your progress.  Your supervisor will complete the joint progress report form each term.  If you have any queries you should speak with your supervisor in the first instance, followed by the course director.

You will have the use of a shared common room with desk space.  Wireless facilities are available. Students will be able to connect to the wireless network as long as they have registered with OUCS for a wireless account.  Information on IT access will be sent to students as part of the induction material.  The Oxford University Computer Services (OUCS) run courses on various computer programmes and can offer help and guidance. Oxford University has an extensive library system.  The Bodleian Japanese Library and the Social Studies Library are the main read-only and lending services respectively, for the material you will require.  A tutorial on using the library and IT facilities will be provided.

A range of Japan related seminars takes place at the University in term time.  Of special interest to you will be the Nissan Seminar which is held every Friday evening in the Nissan Institute.  In Michaelmas and Trinity terms it takes place on Fridays 5.00 p.m. - 6.30 p.m. and in Hilary term on Thursdays 2.00 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.  In addition the seminar series in the department of Politics, Anthropology, Sociology, and Oriental Studies regularly feature seminars about Japan.  You are encouraged to attend as many of these as you can and in particular to regard attendance at the Nissan Institute Seminar as an integral part of your programme. 

The Nissan Research Seminar provides an arena for graduate students working on Japan to meet weekly during Michaelmas and Trinity terms to exchange ideas about their work in progress. Master’s students are welcomed into this graduate research community.  It usually meets on Thursdays between 2.00 p.m. - 3.30 p.m. and is organised by members of the teaching staff of the Institute.

The Research Methods course taught in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms will provide you with an introduction to a range of methodological and theoretical approaches.  This will prepare you for your dissertation as well as developing your understanding of the research process.  The course covers such topics as research theory, sociological and anthropological approaches, social and economic survey techniques, discourse and narrative analysis, data analysis and elementary statistical techniques.

If you have any concerns about your writing skills there are Essay Writing Skills workshops both at the University and in some Colleges which will help you to develop these skills.

Concerns regarding your own individual academic welfare should be directed to your supervisor, who is drawn from the institute’s academic staff.  Your supervisor can assist you with many aspects of academic life at Oxford.  Practical concerns related to your MSc programme may be directed to the Course Director and administrative concerns can be directed to the MSc Administrator.  There will be termly group meetings of the JCC (Joint Consultative Committee) where students are encouraged to feed back on the course to the academic staff.  The Oxford University Student Union also has considerable expertise in the area of academic welfare and offers several publications and services that may be of use to you.  These include the provision of study skills sessions with an expert in this area. Information can be found on their web site at http://www.ousu.org.  You will be encouraged to hold your own student meetings each term.

Many of the colleges are able to provide students with accommodation.  Generally speaking your college will provide meals throughout the year, but provision will vary from college to college, especially during vacations, and you will need to familiarise yourself with your colleges detailed arrangements.  In addition there are usually self-catering facilities available in graduate accommodation.  You will be a member of the Middle Common Room, or equivalent, of your college, which is the main social centre for graduates.  The MCR provides a common room and usually organises a programme of social events throughout the year.  The college will also provide a bar, some computing facilities and a library, and may often have dedicated funds for research (conference and field grants).  It also represents the interests of its members to the college through an elected Committee or through elected representatives to College Committees.  Again, details will vary from college to college. Graduates are also welcome to participate in all other social and sporting activities of the college.  Please see individual college websites for further details about all aspects of college provision.

There is an extensive framework of support for graduates within each college.  Your college will allocate to you a College Advisor from among its Senior Members, usually in a cognate subject, who will arrange to see you from time to time and who you may contact for additional advice and support on academic and other matters.  In college you may also approach the Tutor for Graduates and/or the Senior Tutor for advice.  The Tutor for Graduates is a fellow of the college with particular responsibility for the interests and welfare of graduate students.  In some colleges, the Senior Tutor will also have the role of Tutor for Graduates. Each college will also have other named individuals who can offer individual advice.  The student union can also offer help and advice.

Oxford's library services are outstanding.  The Bodleian library receives all works published in the UK and these can be referenced in its many reading rooms.  The Bodleian Libraries Japan Library has one of the largest collections of books on Japan in Europe.  In addition, the Social Science library and a number of departmental libraries - Modern History, the Geography holdings in the Radcliffe Science Library and Anthropology - have good holdings on Japan.