Why Pembroke?

The BA in Japanese is a four year course with the second year spent at Kobe University in Japan. Pembroke has built up a tradition of Japanese Studies at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and is one of only three Oxford Colleges that has a Fellow in Japanese. We have a lively undergraduate and graduate population which you will instantly be welcomed into and furthermore Pembroke’s library is one of the best College libraries for books relating to Japanese studies.

Our lead tutor in the subject is Professor Linda Flores. Her research interests examine the ethics and aesthetics of representing trauma in contemporary writing, and much of her current work focuses on writing produced after the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns at Fukshima nuclear power plant.  In addition to Professor Flores, we have a Tanaka Junior Research Fellow and a Retained Lecturer, making a total of three tutors in Japanese, all of whom contribute to the scholarly life of the students studying the subject.

Students reading Japanese at Pembroke have access to the facilities at the Oriental Institute in Pusey Lane, with its lending library and language laboratory and to the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies in Winchester Road, which houses the Bodleian Japanese Library. Most undergraduate lectures and classes are held in the Oriental Institute, the China Centre at St Hugh’s College, or the Nissan Institute.

What Extra Activities are on Offer?

We play host to a series of events including the annual Tanaka Memorial Symposium in Japanese Studies which brings together scholars from around the world. In addition, the College organises careers-orientated events with talks from graduate students who have undertaken internships. The College usually awards the TEPCo Prize for good performance in the Preliminary Examination (first year exams) which is funded by a gift to Pembroke from the Tokyo Electric Power Company.

Could you become a Japanese student at Pembroke?

Admissions to read Japanese Studies as an undergraduate at Pembroke is through the regular procedures. No special preparation is necessary for Japanese. A background in language work can be helpful, though it is not essential. Prospective applicants for Japanese Studies are advised to offer their strongest subjects whatever they may be. Candidates are normally interviewed concerning their interest and motivation in choosing Japanese Studies. Anyone interested in finding out more about Japanese Studies at Pembroke is advised to contact Prof Flores.

Daily practice and revision are very important. With Japanese, students who are consistent in their practice are the most successful learners.