BA Modern Languages and Film Studies (Japanese)

Programme overview

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

For students who entered the programme in September 2026, you can find the details of your programme: BA Modern Languages and Film Studies (Japanese)

The BA Modern Languages and Film Studies is a Joint Honours programme combining the study of one world language and culture with the study of world cinemas and audio-visual cultures. Studying for a Joint Honours degree allows you to gain an in-depth knowledge of two subjects, through first-class teaching and including a period of residence abroad. This Modern Languages and Film Studies program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly multicultural and visually mediated world where linguistic proficiency and the insight into how cinematic images mediate societies are invaluable assets.

BA Modern Languages and Film Studies provides you with the opportunity to explore the richness of world cinemas and audio-visual cultures, and gain in-depth knowledge of historical, theoretical, and intercultural approaches to the study of film, as well as the essential communication, research and evaluation skills valued by employers. At the same time, you will develop the language skills and cultural competence that will enable you to engage with and understand how different people and audio-visual contents and media interact bridging linguistic and cultural divides within and between countries.

Our BA Film Studies begins with structured study across a number of bespoke compulsory modules that introduce you to the foundations of the discipline and to other forms of audio-visual culture. You will find out more about the history, language and art of film as a global industry and develop a toolbox of analytical methods and skills.

You will acquire good research skills and be able to analyse complex information before drawing your own conclusions. Having begun your studies with anything from beginner to post-A-level competence in your language of choice, you will graduate with the ability to communicate and defend your views clearly in another language, orally and in writing. In addition, you will have strong research and organisational skills and be confident working independently and in a team. You will also have a strong understanding of cultural diversity, allowing you to work effectively with people whose backgrounds differ from your own. You may have additional applied language skills such as translation and business communication.

Cultural fluency is a cornerstone of effective communication and is essential for understanding of world cinemas and audio-visual cultures. In addition to modules about film culture, genre and the power of film to shape the world we live in, you will have the opportunity to draw on the wider expertise of the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies in world cinemas by choosing modules such as French, German, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian and Japanese cinemas.

Across all levels, our BA Modern Languages and Film Studies programme offers research-led teaching from enthusiastic experts in the field. It also offers innovative assessment methods such as sequence analyses, creative logs, and video essays. It finally includes a considerable element of research-based learning that culminates in an independent research project of your choice at Level 3. This may take the form of a dissertation or a podcast.

A Modern Languages and Film Studies degree opens doors to a myriad of exciting career paths across the service and cultural sectors domestically and internationally.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

At Level 1, students must study 120 credits. Students are required to take 60 credits in Film Studies and 60 credits in Japanese.

Compulsory Modules

All students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST1252	Modern Japan	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FILM1700	Introduction to Film Studies I	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM1800	Introduction to Film Studies II	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP
MODL1050	Introduction to Audio-Visual Culture	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Students are required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may study up to 40 credits of the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST1290	Beginners Japanese	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST1295	Post-Beginners Japanese	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Route B

Students with no prior knowledge of Japanese will be required to study the following modules:

Route A
Students with prior knowledge of Japanese will, subject to a placement test, be required to study the following modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST1280	Intermediate Japanese (1)	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST1281	Intermediate Japanese (2)	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Students will be required to study the compulsory module:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL9500	LCS Year Abroad	120	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

At Level 2, students must study 120 credits. Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in Film Studies and a minimum of 60 credits in Japanese. Overall, students must take 100 credits across their two subjects. The remaining 20 credits may be taken as discovery modules or as further options with Film Studies or Japanese.

Compulsory Modules

All students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST2719	Japanese 2: Pre-Advanced Communication Skills 1	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)	PFP
EAST2720	Japanese 2: Pre-Advanced Communication Skills 2	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)	PFP
FILM2055	Critical Approaches to Screen Studies	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Students are required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may study up to 40 credits of the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST2007	Japan's International Relations	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2025	Global Korea in Context: Sociocultural and Political Dynamics	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST2128	Contemporary East Asian Culture	20	Not running in 202627
EAST2714	Death in Japanese Society and Culture	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2715	Japanese Cinema in the World	20	Not running in 202627
EAST2716	Nature and Technology in Japan: Cultural Images	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Students are required to study a minimum of 20 credits and may study up to 40 credits of the following lists of optional modules (Baskets 1-2).

Basket 1: Themes and Issues in Film Studies

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CLAS2450	Screening Antiquity	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM2850	Cinematic Themes	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM2015	Women’s Authorship in World Cinema	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2040	The Video Essay: Theory and Practice	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM2115	Film Programming and Exhibition: Curating for Cinemas and Festivals	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2230	Questioning Genre in World Cinemas	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 2: Regional and National Cinemas

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST2360	Chinese Cinema	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST2715	Japanese Cinema in the World	20	Not running in 202627
FILM2020	From Brazil to Africa: World Cinemas in Portuguese	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FILM2030	Introduction to German Cinema	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2110	Cinema in France: The Seventh Art	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM2202	Screening Italy: Neorealist cinema to Netflix	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
FILM2515	Issues in Hispanic Cinema	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Students may study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MODL2003	Global Queer Politics and Cultures	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL2006	Social Class across Cultures	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2015	Black Europe	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2070	Reception, Transmission and Translation: The Global Circulation of Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2075	Global Environmental Humanities	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL2090	Languages in Action: from Theory to Practice	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL2250	Digital Communications Across Cultures	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

All students may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

All students may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Year 4

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

At Level 3, students must study 120 credits. Students are required to take a minimum of 40 credits in Japanese and a minimum of 40 credits in Film Studies. Overall, students must take 100 credits across their two subjects. The remaining 20 credits may be taken as discovery modules or as further options with Film Studies or Japanese.

All students must take 40 credits as a Final Year Project (FYP) module, which can be taken in - and count towards - either of their two subjects (EITHER Film Studies OR Japanese). 

Compulsory Modules

All students will be required to study the following compulsory modules: 

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST3285	Japanese 3: Advanced Communication Skills	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP
FILM3055	Current Enquiries into Film Studies	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)	PFP
MODL3050	Final Year Project	40	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)	PFP

Optional Modules

Students who take their FYP in Film Studies are required to take a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following lists of optional modules (from Basket 1 AND Basket 2). Students can take only ONE module per Basket.

Students who take their FYP in Japanese may take up to 20 credits from the following lists of optional modules (from EITHER Basket 1 OR Basket 2).

Basket 1

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST3018	Death in Japanese Society and Culture	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST3156	Nature and Technology in Japan: Cultural Images	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST3271	East Asia's Regional Political Economy	20	Not running in 202627
EAST3525	Globalising China and the Developing World	20	Not running in 202627

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Basket 2

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
EAST3016	East Asian Performing Arts	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
EAST3017	Japan-Korea Relations in the Shadow of Empire	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST3200	Specialised Japanese Readings in Context	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
EAST3201	Modern Japanese History	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
EAST3350	Japanese Cinema in the World	20	Not running in 202627
EAST3707	Buddhism: A Lived Tradition	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Students who take their FYP in Japanese are required to take a minimum of 20 credits and may take up to 40 credits from the following lists of optional modules.

Students who take their FYP in Film Studies may take up to 20 credits from the following list of optional modules.

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
CLAS3450	Screening Antiquity	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM3120	Film Theory and Aesthetics	20	Not running in 202627
EAST3350	Japanese Cinema in the World	20	Not running in 202627
FILM3026	Contemporary German Cinema	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
FILM3027	Post-War European Cinema: History, Politics and Aesthetics	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM3040	Hollywood and its Others	20
FILM3050	Queer Films on Global Screens	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
FILM3230	Cinema in the Digital Era	20	Not running in 202627

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

All students may study up to 20 credits from the following list of optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
FOAH3230	Transnational Feminism and Creative Practice	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL3200	Representing the Holocaust: Transgression and the Taboo	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3410	Contemporary World Literature	20	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MODL3620	Decolonial Approaches	20	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MODL3630	Social Movements across Cultures	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MODL3650	Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present	20	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Discovery Modules

All students may take up to 20 credits of discovery modules.

Last updated: 08/05/2026 16:51:27

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