Japanese Studies

Career opportunities

Japanese Studies qualifies you for positions that require in-depth language, cultural and area knowledge in this region. It may be within public administration, international businesses or humanitarian organizations. For example in the ministries, within diplomacy, foreign affairs, other countries' embassies and consulates, or with teaching, cultural and consultancy services.

Former students at work

  • Adviser for East-Asian languages and language options

    Humanities specialists have some of the most varied and interesting careers – because our studies enable us to work in practically all fields, says ?ystein.

  • Information Adviser

    “Language skills are important, but it’s even more important to have something to say”. Henrik studied Japanese, and says that versatility is the best asset of the area studies at UiO.

Where to find a job?

The 2023 UiO Graduate Survey has mapped where former students work and what type of jobs they have. This shows the results for graduates with a Master’s Degree in Asia and Middle East Studies:

Main areas of work

  • Higher education/research/development
  • Education and schooling
  • Public administration
  • Judiciary/police/defence
  • Cultural sector

Key work tasks

  • Administration/Case management
  • Advisory services/Guidance

  • Customer care/Frontline/Support 

  • Teaching/Pedagogical work 

  • International work 

  • Communication/Information 

The results from the 2023 Graduate Survey also show that

  • four out of five graduates are satisfied with the educational programme they studied 
  • nine out of ten graduates are employed or taking a PhD after completing their master’s degree 
  • completed education is perceived as relevant already in the first job
  • work tasks have a clearer professional profile compared to graduates with a bachelor’s degree  
  • graduates score highly in academic skills; specialist expertise, theory, methodology, ethical reflection and critical thinking 
  • contact with working life during studies is perceived as useful or very useful 

Start developing your career

In the third semester you can choose to have an intership in a relevant organisation or company as part of your degree. You can also write your master's thesis in cooperation with an external partner. Through this you can get valuable contacts and network that can be useful when you apply for a job after graduation. You can also prepare for working life along the way by participating in career fairs, job search and interview workshops, and career counseling offered to students.

Plan your career

Enhance your degree with an interdisciplinary certificate

Gain unique interdisciplinary competencies for your degree, together with students from across UiO. The certificate provides students with knowledge and skills sought after in the job market. 

The honours certificates consists of 20 ECTS, which may be taken as a supplement to your program. It is available for all students enrolled in a master's or professional degree program.

Honours certificates

Further studies

Read more about reserarch training at the Faculty of Humanities