Master of Japanese

University of Bergen
Japanese
Masters
Arts & Humanities
Public University
Norway

A 2-year (120 ECTS) full-time master’s degree program taught in Norwegian and English (with coursework utilizing Japanese source materials) at Campus Bergen. Hosted by the Department of Foreign Languages under the Faculty of Humanities, the program provides advanced academic specialization in Japanese linguistics, modern or classical literature, and cultural history. Students refine their high-level written and oral proficiency in Japanese while engaging with critical theory, text analysis, and the historical or social contexts of Japanese society.

Course Details

Category	Details
Time	Full Time
Campus	Bergen
Duration	2
Deadline-Date	1-December,
Fee Per Year
Application Fee
Currency	nok
Intake Link	https://www4.uib.no/en/studies/admission-and-application/semester-dates
Deadline Link	https://www4.uib.no/en/studies/admission-and-application/application-process-for-applicants-with-a-citizenship-from
Intakes	August
Program language requirement	IELTS academic - International English Language Testing System or IELTS Online, Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing). Please note that we do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake scores to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based test (iBT), and TOEFL iBT Home Edition Minimum total score: 90. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. PTE Academic - Pearson Test of English Academic, Minimum overall score: 62.

Who can Choose this program?

Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Studies, Japanese Language and Literature, or a very closely related field (e.g., East Asian Studies with major in Japanese, Linguistics with Japanese focus).

Additional Information

Category	Details
Scope of the program	Prepares graduates for specialized professional, educational, and international careers—such as translator, language specialist, cultural coordinator, diplomat, editor, and higher education educator—across international organizations, diplomatic services, cultural institutes, translation agencies, publishing houses, and educational institutions, as well as eligibility to pursue doctoral (PhD) studies in the humanities.
Program entry requirement	Bachelor's degree You must have obtained a bachelor's degree, normally of minimum 4 years' duration. Your degree must be issued by an officially recognised and accredited university. Check the specific requirements for the country where you have studied in the country list. Academic specialisation Your degree must include courses equalling at least 80 ECTS (approximately 1.5 years of full-time studies) in a subject relevant to the programme you apply for. Check the specific requirements for the master's programmes you will apply for in the programme descriptions. Note that there might be additional programme specific requirements that applicants are not exempted from. Minimum average grade You must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C. A Norwegian C is a good grade, comparable to an American B and a Second Class Upper in the British system. All foreign education is individually evaluated during the admission process. Please note that meeting the minimum average grade requirement does not guarantee admission, since admission is highly competitive. Approximately 8 % of international applicants are granted admission. English language requirements You must document your English language proficiency. For IELTS tests, minimum overall band score of 6.5 with at least 6.5 in each component (listening, reading, speaking and writing).  See English requirements for approved tests. Note that it is not possible to be exempted from uploading a valid English test if you apply for a programme that requires higher test results than the general minimum requirements.  If you are exempt from the English language admission requirements, please upload documentation proving this in your application for admission. Documenting sufficient funds  Applicants to any master's programme with a citizenship from outside the EU/EEA and residing outside of Norway, must document sufficient funds to cover living expenses and tuition fees You must document that you have sufficient funds to cover both living expenses and tuition fees.
Required GPA	A recognized 4-year Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum CGPA of 2.7–3.0/4.0 or equivalent. Competitive universities generally prefer 3.0/4.0 or higher.
GRE Required	No – GRE is not required for this program.
GMAT Required	No – GMAT is not required for this program.
Application Process	1. Apply to an accredited Norwegian higher education institution and secure full-time admission. 2. Receive your official unconditional admission letter confirming your study program. 3. Transfer required living expenses and tuition fees to the university's deposit account or an approved Norwegian bank account. 4. Create an account on the UDI Application Portal Norway and complete the online study permit application. 5. Pay the required UDI residence permit application fee online and download your cover letter. 6. Prepare supporting documents: passport, admission letter, deposit receipt, housing documentation, and insurance. 7. Book a submission appointment at the nearest Norwegian Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Global Centre. 8. Attend your appointment to submit your document checklist, give biometric data, and submit your passport. 9. Track your application status on the UDI portal and await the official decision. 10. Travel to Norway after permit approval and register with the local police station to obtain your Residence Card.
Available Scholarships	https://studyabroadupdates.com/scholarships/
Program accreditation	Accredited by NOKUT (Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education) under the Norwegian university system.
Living expenses	Living Expenses: Average living costs range from NOK 12,000–16,000 per month, covering accommodation, food, transportation, study materials, and personal expenses. Students should budget around NOK 150,000–170,000 per year.
Visa Process Details	1. Passport: Valid passport with required validity and blank pages (Mandatory). 2. CNIC / B-Form / FRC: Applicant ID and family relationship documents (Mandatory). 3. Photographs: Recent biometric passport-sized photos (Mandatory). 4. Offer letter: Official unconditional admission letter (Mandatory). 5. Tuition fee receipt: Deposit, tuition payment, or scholarship proof (Mandatory/Conditional). 6. Academic documents: Transcripts, degrees, and required attestations (Mandatory). 7. Language certificate: IELTS, TOEFL, or language test proof (Conditional). 8. CV / resume: Updated resume with education and gap details (Mandatory/Conditional). 9. SOP / motivation letter: Study plan and home ties explanation (Mandatory/Conditional). 10. Financial documents: Bank statements, income proof, and source of funds (Mandatory). 11. Sponsor documents: Sponsor ID, affidavit, and income proof (Conditional). 12. Accommodation proof: Housing booking, contract, or university letter (Mandatory/Conditional). 13. Insurance: Travel and health insurance coverage (Mandatory/Conditional). 14. Police certificate: Character clearance certificate if required (Conditional). 15. Medical certificate: Medical clearance certificate if required (Conditional). 16. Translations / legalization: Certified translations or legalization if required (Conditional). 17. Previous refusals: Visa refusal letters and explanation if applicable (Mandatory if applicable). 18. Travel history: Copies of previous visas and travel stamps (Conditional). 19. Family / home ties: Return proof such as FRC, property, or job ties (Recommended). 20. Country-specific: UDI application portal cover letter (Country-specific). 21. Country-specific: Funds deposit in a Norwegian or student bank account (Country-specific). 22. Country-specific: Housing documentation if required (Country-specific).
Part timework	Part-time Work: International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during official holidays. Many students find part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, customer service, and campus roles.
Post-study work opportunity	Post-Study Work Opportunity: After graduation, eligible students can apply for a 12-month Job Seeker Residence Permit to stay in Norway and search for employment. Once they secure a qualifying job, they can apply for a Skilled Worker Residence Permit, which can lead to long-term residence if eligibility requirements are met.

What are the requirements for applying to the Master's program in Japanese Studies at the University of Bergen?

Applicants must have a recognized bachelor's degree with a minimum of 80 ECTS in a relevant discipline, a minimum average grade comparable to a Norwegian C, and must document their English language proficiency through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.