German and Japanese (BA)

The BA German and Japanese is a four-year degree programme. It is structured in such a way that you will acquire over successive years high-level language competencies and the skills to become an independent and critical thinker, equipped for professional employment.

In each year of the programme you will study 120 credits. Your third year will be spent studying or working abroad, one semester in Germany or a German-speaking country and the other semester in Japan or a Japanese-speaking country.

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

You will combine German with Japanese, allowing you to experience more than one field of study.

In year one we run two pathways for students; an advanced pathway for students with an A-level or equivalent competence in German and Japanese and a beginner’s pathway for students with limited or no knowledge of German or Japanese. The first year of this programme provides a thorough foundation in the grammar of the language for those students on the beginner’s pathway, and develops the linguistic skills for post A-level students on the advanced pathway.

You will also study a non-language module which introduces you to the development of Germany and Japan as a nation, exploring what it has symbolised for different groups at different moments in history. It also explores Germany and Japan’s exchanges with the world, enabling you to explore Germany and Japan’s role beyond the national borders. Studies in these areas will enable you to develop a good understanding of intercultural awareness, and the highly-prized ability to mediate between cultures.

Year two

The language elements of year two build on the work undertaken in year one, and prepare you for your year abroad.

In addition to 30 credits German and Japanese language, you will study 30 credits looking at Germany and Japan in a transnational context. This will introduce you to key approaches, methodologies and critical tools which you can apply to an in-depth study of Germany and Japan, looking at a range of topics such as culture, history and politics. You will also have the option of studying Business Language and Specialised Translations.

Outside of your formal studies, you will have the opportunity to take part in our highly-praised Student Mentoring Scheme, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. Pupils in selected secondary schools are mentored by our specially-trained undergraduate students who go into schools to mentor pupils in small groups of two or three over a period of five weeks.

You may also choose to take part in the Student Language Ambassador (SLA) scheme, acting as advocates for language learning. Following specific training, as an SLA you may get the opportunity to speak publicly at events, sharing your personal experience of language learning. You may take part in a range of activities, such as language taster sessions, presenting and promoting the year abroad, supporting School language days and events, or promoting modern languages at career fairs or open days.

Year three: Sandwich year

Your third year will be spent in Germany or another German-speaking country and Japan or another Japanese-speaking country. The year will enable you to develop your language skills, deepen your understanding of German and Japanese culture and develop your independence, resourcefulness and resilience.

Your options for this year include studying at one of our partner universities, working as an English assistant in a school through the British Council Scheme, or working for a German organisation or company. 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.

If you choose the study option, we have established exchange programmes which provide opportunities to study in institutions in cities that have included and Catania, Chuo, Dokkyo, Toyo, Waseda, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne. We also have academic links with Brussels.

Placements for teaching assistants on a scheme run by the British Council can take you to either a major city or a small, rural town. This option provides first-hand teaching experience and allows you to earn a salary sufficient to live on, although you only work on a part-time basis. Prior to the start of your placement, the British Council provides a training weekend in the destination country. In addition, the school you have been assigned to should also guide you in your role as a teacher and help you to find a place to live.

The third option consists of a work placement with an organisation or company in the German-speaking world. The necessary arrangements can be made through personal contacts you may have or by approaching organisations directly. In order to ensure that your work placement affords you plenty of opportunity to speak German and Japanese and provides you with a beneficial experience, such arrangements will require prior approval by the School.

Any student who undertakes a study placement or a traineeship/work placement in Europe is currently eligible to apply for an Erasmus grant.

A visa must be acquired in order to study in Japan. Progression to the Year Abroad in Japan is dependent on the Japanese embassy successfully approving your visa application.

The documents necessary for filing an application for a Certificate of Eligibility to the immigration office is described at the Immigration Bureau of Japan website and

The School of Modern Languages will make an application to the relevant immigration office for a Certificate of Eligibility for Residence Status (“Certificate of Eligibility”) on your behalf. The Certificate of Eligibility provides proof that you conform to the conditions for entry as prescribed in Article 7 Paragraph 1 Item 2 of the Immigration Control Act. Therefore, being in possession of a Certificate of Eligibility will make the procedures for visa issuance at overseas Japanese embassies, as well as the immigration inspection at a Japanese airport go smoothly.

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.

Year four

When we welcome you back to Cardiff in your final year, you will continue to develop your language skills, studying 30 credits of German and 30 credits of Japanese language, in addition to 60 credits of optional modules. You will have the opportunity to build on the broad base of knowledge and skills you have developed to study an area of research expertise in the School, through taught modules and/or a dissertation. You will also have the opportunity to take part in our very popular teaching module, an accredited module where you will build on study and workshops at the University to undertake a teaching placement at one of our partner schools in the area.

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.