Overview

The Japanese Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Davis provides an immersive academic experience focused on the language, literature, and traditions of Japan. Students develop high-level competency in communication while exploring the country's significant global economic and cultural influence. This programme is designed to accommodate learners with no prior knowledge of the language.

Why Japanese at the University of California, Davis?

Students benefit from small class sizes that ensure personalised attention and rapid linguistic progress. The University of California, Davis offers a diverse curriculum that bridges the gap between traditional heritage and contemporary popular culture. Learners are encouraged to expand their horizons through dedicated study abroad programmes, allowing for direct engagement with Japanese society and literary history. The department also facilitates direct collaboration between undergraduates and faculty through various research projects and specialised labs.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 53472 per year
National fee: USD 53472 per year
Local fee: USD 14202 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum balances rigorous daily language instruction with the analytical study of Japanese texts and media. Modules may include:

Spoken Japanese
Written Japanese
Literature and Culture
Poetry
Modern Fiction
Contemporary Popular Culture

Careers with Japanese

Graduates are well-prepared for international career paths where linguistic expertise and cross-cultural understanding are essential. Many alumni secure roles in translation, education, and international relations. The programme provides a strong foundation for those seeking employment with global organisations or pursuing further academic study. Common career destinations and industries include:

Localization Specialist
Translator
Teacher
Government Official
Lawyer
Business and Economics
Linguistics and Comparative Literature
East Asian Studies

Notable employers of former students include the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme, Altia, Nitori, and TechFirm. The degree also serves as a gateway to professional graduate studies in medicine, law, and education.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Modern Japanese Literature: War & Revolution

Modern Japanese Literature: Hero & Anti-Hero

Japanese Culture Through Film

Modern Japanese
Autobiographies (in English)

Poetry of China & Japan (in English)

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-02 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Davis, United States

Disciplines

Asian studies View 504 other Bachelors in Asian studies in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

Students who are not residents of California must earn a GPA of 3.40 or higher.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To be competitive for freshman admission to UC Davis, prospective students must be on track to earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and meet all UC freshman admission requirements. Our campus then reviews and assesses all applications as part of our UC Davis freshman application review process.

Freshman 1applicants are required to take the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay no later than December 31 of the year they apply.

International students must meet the same admission requirements and will be included in the same selection process as students from the United States.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

53472 USD / year

≈ 53472 USD / year
Out-of-State

53472 USD / year

≈ 53472 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14202 USD / year

≈ 14202 USD / year

Living costs

Davis

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Japanese.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Davis

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners