The 'Japan and the World at Cambridge' page is the former 'East Asian Studies at University of Cambridge' page. In October 2016 the Japanese Studies subject group launched the 'Japan and the World' campaign in an effort to bring more of Japan to Cambridge and vice versa (see www.japanandtheworld.org). 'Japan and the World' is also concerned with Japan's place in the world and in numerous
sectors of the professional world, such as business, finance, engineering, science, medicine, sports, and more.
'Japan and the World' remains especially concerned with East Asia, which consists of China, Japan and Korea and is one of the most culturally and economically vibrant regions of the world. But East Asia as a geopolitical and cultural region is a relatively recent invention in the Western imagination (it used to be called 'the Far East', as opposed to 'the Near East' or 'the Middle East'; or 'the (Extreme) Orient'). With the rise in influence of East Asia in global affairs and the increasingly recognised importance of East Asian civilisations the demand for expertise on East Asia is on the rise. We encourage talented students wishing to specialise in Japanese studies to apply to one of our renowned graduate programs.
-PhD in Japanese Studies -
Cambridge has superb resources for research in Japanese Studies, from unrivalled collections in the University Library and the Fitzwilliam Museum to research staff with global reputations. Over the decades since Japanese Studies started at Cambridge in 1947 there has been a growing number of PhD students, many of whom have gone on to publish their dissertations and to secure academic posts. Current students are conducting research on topics that range from post-war immigration and discrimination in Japan to the role of charisma in shaping new Japanese religions, from the role of sumo in the Heian court to Japan's post-war envoy diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Applying
As a minimum requirement, if you are hoping to do PhD work at Cambridge you will need to satisfy the Faculty that you have a strong foundation in the Japanese language and a clear idea of the research you propose to undertake. The doctorate is not a taught course. The topic should be in a subject area which a member of staff can realistically supervise, but all enquiries are welcome and students are advised to write to a potential supervisor in the first instance to discuss their research proposal (a list of potential supervisors can be found at: https://www.ames.cam.ac.uk/postgraduates). As a graduate student you are allocated a supervisor, who will meet regularly with you and monitor your progress. At the end of your first year of research you are required to submit a PhD Progress Examination. This usually consists of two long essays, one of a bibliographical nature and the other a substantial piece of work based on the first year's research. Once you have passed the PhD Progress Examination you are formally registered for the PhD degree. The second and third years are spent in research and writing. It is expected that the dissertation will be completed by the end of your third year. It should be emphasised that there is no course work at any stage: you are expected to devote your time to research in your chosen field. It is for this reason that the period of time spent acquiring a PhD at Cambridge is comparatively short. In addition to your supervisor, the various members of staff are available for conversation, exchanging ideas, and advice.
- MPhil in Japanese Studies -
This MPhil in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies provides initial research training and opportunities to learn more in depth about topics within the region. In most cases, it also aims to develop students' linguistic skills as well as methodological sophistication. There are two kinds of MPhil in Japanese Studies:
The Advanced Studies MPhil in Japanese Studies is a specially designed one-year research course with substantial taught elements for students who want to deepen their undergraduate education and/or prepare for a PhD in Japanese Studies. The aim is to equip students to carry out independent academic work, including training in how to use primary sources for research purposes, which lies at the heart of the programme. Our guiding principle is to ensure that each student receives the best possible education, providing a coherent course but with the flexibility to cater for individual needs. The Research MPhil in Japanese Studies allows students who already have strong research skills to focus mainly on a thesis but there is also one required researcher development seminar. For the thesis the Degree Committee, after considering the candidate's experience, qualifications and proposed subject, grants permission for the student to offer a thesis. More information on the Japanese Studies MPhil programme can be found here: https://www.ames.cam.ac.uk/study-us/masters-degrees/masters-east-asian-studies/japanese-studies
Where possible, we would encourage you to discuss your particular interests with potential supervisors before applying. A summary of the research interests of the Japanese teaching staff can be found at: https://www.ames.cam.ac.uk/postgraduates
