Business Studies and Japanese (BSc)
- Subject areas: Business management, Modern languages and translation
- UCAS code: NT12
- Next intake: September 2024
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Spend a year abroad
Adventure into a new culture; open your mind to new ideas and experiences while applying and developing your language skills.
Learn from the best
Benefit from expertise and support of research-active staff in a school with the highest possible score for research environment.
Placement opportunities
Develop the skills, confidence and connections to accelerate your career.
Business through a cultural lens
Explore business behaviour, protocols and challenges from a Japanese social and cultural viewpoint.
Extra-curricular activities
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture via conversation classes with exchange students and the Japanese society.
The School of Modern Languages and Cardiff Business School aim to educate our students to become ‘global citizens’. By combining Business Studies with Japanese, a major world language, you will gain a variety of transferable skills and knowledge beneficial to the world of employment, making you competitive and attractive in an increasingly global workforce and opening the doors to a variety of career paths.
As a joint honours student, you will find that there are often complementary issues and perspectives as well as skills that link subjects, such as critical analysis, historical contexts or recent research. You will spend a similar amount of time on each subject, benefiting from developing your understanding of Business and acquiring a high level of proficiency in your chosen language.
Japan is one of the most powerful economies in the world, with Japanese businesses and organisations continuing to need English-speaking graduates who can understand Japanese and who are knowledgeable of Japanese culture and society.
In terms of language acquisition, this course will enable you to develop your writing, oral and aural skills through a range of learning activities, and using a variety of audio-visual materials. In your first year, in addition to your language tuition, an introduction to history and culture seeks to provide a solid foundation for more specialised studies as you progress through your course.
Your understanding of the language will be further developed and refined during your year abroad, when you will experience life in Japan, providing you with the opportunity to truly immerse yourself into the Japanese way of life.
In the final year, you have the opportunity to write a dissertation, which stimulates initiative, and can serve as a useful preparation for postgraduate study.
It is important to remember that studying languages is not just about the language itself. It involves exploring many aspects of a country, and at Cardiff we aspire to offer a genuinely broad course that offers challenging and stimulating modules.
On completion of this four-year programme, you will have a high level of proficiency in the Japanese language, as well as a critical understanding of key aspects of modern and contemporary Japanese, culture, politics and society.
Subject area: Business management
Subject area: Modern languages and translation
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
AAB-ABB. If you have grade B in Japanese at A-level you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application.
- Eligible students will be given an offer at the lower end of the advertised grade range.
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional points in the selection process or be guaranteed interview/consideration.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
34-32 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. If you have grade 6 in HL Japanese you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade B/6 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DDD-DDM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Business.
If you have grade B in Japanese at A-level in addition to or in combination with a BTEC you will have access to the languages advanced pathways.
T level
D in a T Level in any subject.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2024 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,000 | None |
| Year two | £9,000 | None |
| Year three (sandwich year) | £1,350 | None |
| Year four | £9,000 | None |
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2024/25 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £22,700 | None |
| Year two | £22,700 | None |
| Year three (sandwich year) | £3,405 | None |
| Year four | £22,700 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
This is a four-year full-time degree, consisting of 120 credits a year. The third year is spent in Japan.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2024/2025 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.
Year one
In the first year you will take 60 credits in Japanese and 60 credits in Business Studies.
Modules in Japanese are designed to introduce you to the language and its writing system. You will also study key points from Japanese history, so you can pursue further study of the modern country in later years. In year one, around twice as much class contact time is spent studying Japanese as is spent on the Business Studies modules.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Accounting | BS1503 | 20 credits |
| Management: Theory and Evidence | BS1511 | 20 credits |
| Technology and the Digital Age | BS1532 | 10 credits |
| Principles of Marketing and Strategy | BS1630 | 10 credits |
| Japan in Context | ML1580 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese for Post-A Level Learners | ML1548 | 40 credits |
| Elementary Japanese | ML1549 | 40 credits |
Year two
In year two you will take 60 credits of Japanese modules and 60 credits of Business Studies modules.
The Japanese modules are designed to increase the ease with which you can understand and use more advanced Japanese. At the same time, your knowledge of Japan and Japanese society is increased through lectures and seminars on modern Japanese society. As in year one, around twice as much class contact time is spent studying Japanese as is spent on the Business Studies modules.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Excellence in Managing Operations | BS2003 | 20 credits |
| Marketing and Strategy | BS2540 | 20 credits |
| Managing People | BS2542 | 20 credits |
| Japanese Culture and Society | ML5282 | 30 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Japanese | ML5280 | 30 credits |
| Ex- Advanced Language Year 2 Japanese | ML5284 | 30 credits |
Year three: Sandwich year
Your third year will be spent in Japan studying at a Japanese university with which we have an exchange agreement. By this stage you will have a sufficient command of the spoken language to operate comfortably in Japan and gain the maximum benefit from your period of study there.
While you are away from Cardiff, you will be assigned a Year Abroad coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress. You may also get a visit from one of your Lecturers who will be keen to find out how you are getting on.
Final Year students are usually happy to help with our regular year abroad briefings and have contributed to our extensive ‘year abroad module’ on Learning Central which provides you with student-centred advice throughout your year abroad.
No matter what you choose, the year abroad is a great opportunity for you to improve your understanding of the language, immerse yourself in another culture, and gain international study or work experience.
Studying or working abroad is excellent preparation for your final year and gives you a level of self-confidence and maturity that has proven popular with employers. .
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Study Programme in Japan (Semester - Autumn) | ML4008 | 60 credits |
| Study Programme in Japan (Semester - Spring) | ML4009 | 60 credits |
Year four
In the final year, you will return to Cardiff. You will continue with your Business Studies, further augment your knowledge of the Japanese language and study a key aspect of modern Japan.
Our final year dissertation module gives you the option to write a dissertation and engage more deeply with a chosen topic area, as well as extending your research and analytical skills.
The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Management | BS3543 | 20 credits |
| High-Level Proficiency in Japanese Language | ML5366 | 30 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Management Systems | BS3002 | 20 credits |
| Critical Perspectives for Contemporary Managers | BS3004 | 20 credits |
| Ethics and Morality of Business | BS3728 | 20 credits |
| International Human Resource Management | BS3740 | 20 credits |
| International Business | BS3744 | 20 credits |
| Cultural Marketing | BS3747 | 10 credits |
| Business Design | BS3748 | 10 credits |
| Global Narratives of Colonialism, Slavery & Their Legacies | ML1365 | 30 credits |
| Final Year Dissertation - Japanese (in English/Welsh) | ML5363 | 30 credits |
| Memory & Symbols in Japan | ML5364 | 30 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Most of our modules consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars and language classes that enable you to develop communication and analytical skills, and to develop critical thinking in a supportive environment.
Lectures provide an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop your own ideas.
Seminars provide an opportunity for you to engage critically with key ideas and explore the ideas outlined in lectures in a small group environment, usually consisting of around 15 students and the seminar leader (a member of the teaching team). Seminars may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations.
Language classes are taught in groups to enhance confidence and active learning. A varied timetable includes oral expression, aural comprehension and writing skills, which are taught in small groups to enhance confidence and active learning. These vital communication skills are practiced and developed through regular classwork exercises and written work. Our teaching methods allow you to engage with a range of language-learning technologies. Materials including textbooks, videos, films, novels, audio files and websites are supported by online resources that compliment classroom activities and promote and enable independent learning. Class materials include a range from literary and historical to contemporary journalistic texts, providing a broad insight into language and culture.
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a personal tutor when you arrive. Personal tutors are members of the academic staff who will be on hand to provide advice, guidance, help and feedback.
A reading week each semester allows for guided study and a chance to catch up on assessed work, reading and revision. These weeks are also used by staff to visit students on their year abroad.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
Our undergraduate Professional Services Team provides academic and student support for all programmes. The team are located in a dedicated ‘student hub’ within the school and provide information and guidance in response to any queries you may have. We also have a dedicated Student Support Administrative Officer within the School, who can provide you with the necessary advice and guidance in a supportive, caring and confidential environment.
We pride ourselves on the level of engagement we have with our student body, giving you the opportunity to express your opinions and be partners in School decision-making where possible. We survey students regularly to make sure we are always working in your best interests.
Beyond the School, the University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, the Academic Skills Development Centre and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Feedback
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback, personalised feedback on written work and general feedback in relation to examinations. You will also be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor.
How will I be assessed?
In the Japanese element of your degree, forms of assessment will vary within modules. Essays, written examinations and oral presentations are used not only for assessment purposes but also as a means of developing your capability to gather, organise, evaluate and communicate relevant information and ideas from a variety of sources in reasoned arguments.
Dedicated essay workshops and individual advice sessions enable you to produce your best work for submission, while written feedback on submitted work feeds forward into future work, enabling you to develop your strengths and address any weaker areas. You may also be provided with additional oral feedback.
The optional final-year dissertation provides you with the opportunity to investigate a specific topic in depth and to acquire detailed knowledge about a particular field of study. You will develop your research skills by collecting and presenting material, and your evaluative skills by formulating a clear, cogent argument and drawing appropriate conclusions.
What skills will I practise and develop?
You will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’, such as:
- linguistic skills, as well as a broad appreciation of the culture, society, and history of Japan
- communicating and presenting information, ideas and debates (orally and in writing) individually and as part of a team
- analytical thinking and critical skills (reasoning, evaluating evidence, problem-solving, relating theory to practice)
- creativity and innovative thinking
- using information technology (linguistic software, word processing, databases, the internet)
- developing practical research skills
- identifying, recording and communicating your relevant career attainments
- working independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management
- showing a commitment to continuous learning and development
In addition, the year abroad should have positive impact on your personal development, maturity and self-confidence.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
School of Modern Languages
Many graduates enjoy their year overseas so much that they take time out for more travel, or go abroad on graduation in search of employment.
Of those who choose to remain in the UK, many pursue postgraduate studies such as one of the School’s MA Translation degrees or a PGCE. Others start work immediately following their studies, and our graduates go on to secure excellent careers in international diplomacy, the Civil Service, teaching, business and journalism. Other employment options include roles as translators, language assistants, export assistants and proof-readers.
There is still a significant shortage of graduates with competence in the Japanese language and an understanding of the intricacies of Japanese culture and working practices. As a result, there is a considerable range of career opportunities open to graduates, particularly in the commercial sector.
Placements
Year three is spent studying in Japan.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
