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    MJRU-JAPAN

    Japanese

    Undergraduate major

    Gain a high level of literacy in Japanese and an advanced understanding of Japanese culture.

    Course outline
    • Qualification
      Japanese Major (BA)
    • Credit

      Credit

      200
    Course outline

    You can study this course as part of the following degrees

    Visit your preferred degree page for information on admission criteria, course fees and study locations.

    Course outline
    Japanese

    Overview

    Overview

    Japanese is a fascinating language that comprises several written systems and is spoken by 135 million people worldwide.

    Japan is one of Australia’s top three trade partners and a gateway to Asian nations that are rapidly changing and rich with career opportunities.

    In this major you will gain a high level of literacy in Japanese and an advanced understanding of Japanese culture.

    Prior study of Japanese is not required for this course classes range from beginners who have no prior study of Japanese, to advanced classes for students who have studied the language previously.

    The teaching methods that are applied to both spoken and written language use the latest technology and cultural awareness activities.

    You'll graduate ready to explore career opportunities in Japan and bilingual roles in Australia and internationally.

    Japanese is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can enhance your studies with a second major or choose from a range of elective units that support your career goals.

    You can also study this major as part of a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce double degree.

    What jobs can the Japanese course lead to?

    Careers

    • Interpreter / translator
    • Trade measurement officer
    • Hotel / motel manager
    • Tourism officer
    • Flight attendant

    Industries

    • International trade
    • Diplomacy
    • Banking and finance
    • Foreign affairs and trade
    • Mining and minerals production
    • Government / public service
    • International relations
    • International media
    • Education
    • Tourism and hospitality

    What you'll learn

    • communicate in Japanese and apply knowledge of applied linguistics and intercultural communication in a professional context
    • critically analyse issues in the context of cultural and linguistic differences
    • locate, evaluate and synthesise information from various sources using Japanese and English
    • function in both Japanese and English with an ability to communicate in an appropriate register in a range of situations and for a range of purposes
    • use technology effectively to collect information and communicate in both Japanese and English
    • take responsibility for own learning and professional development in an international context
    • evaluate and analyse issues arising in the region with in-depth knowledge of Japanese language and culture
    • interact with people from a range of cultures and backgrounds with an understanding of cultural differences
    • work independently and in teams with an intercultural understanding

    Why study Japanese at Curtin?

    Transferable skills

    Humanities courses teach transferable skills for international careers. 

    Get the Curtin edge

    Our staff have extensive experience teaching Japanese in educational settings in Australia and have contributed to several international academic research levels.

    Global Education

    You can study abroad and experience Japan for three weeks or a semester through an exchange program with one of our partner universities.

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    Select an option that best suits you:

    You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

    • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
    • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

    ATAR pathway

    • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

      There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

    Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp Entry

    Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

    Alternative pathways

    • Indigenous applicant

      If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    How others gained admission

    View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

    To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

    You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

    You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

    How we define ‘experience’

    ‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

    Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

    Pathways

    • TAFE entry

      • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
      • AQF Diploma; or
      • AQF Advanced Diploma.

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

    Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Unsure what option suits you?

    We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool
    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Fees and scholarships

    Please view the Bachelor of Arts degree for indicative fees.

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    How to apply

    Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

    Apply now
    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

      View courses information disclaimer.

    • Curtin course code: MJRU-JAPAN
    • Last updated on: 11 March 2026

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