Quote:
Originally Posted by knibby
Hmm, shall have to look into places that offer some sort of Certificate at the end of it then, if there is such a thing.
And at the moment im just finishing off a BTEC Music Performance course, i have one choice left, and thats Newcastle university, one application there is for Japanese B.A and another is for Combined studies with Music and Media.
Its kind of a weird one because my Music is still worth A levels, but its just done as BTEC Points.
I did apply to Oxford Brookes, and Sheffield aswell, but both have said no so far.
And London SOAS was another choice, but i haven't heard anything back from them.
At my Brookes open day, they did say if you have any knowledge of the country language before hand its a huge plus which is why im leaning towards the idea more, and assuming the rest of the places will say no.
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SOAS are pretty popular, unfortunately, and they tend to have pretty strict entrance requirements. Newcastle is quite good; I know some people who got in to do the combined course and did quite well. I've never come across BTEC, so I can't advise on that easily, but definitely Newcastle offers a much wider array as a combined course than any other university.
Brookes is easier to get into than some others, and it's the one I know most about, so I can say that if you are thinking of applying there, you better get good at self-motivating and self-study. Class hours are limited, and the teachers are vastly busy and have no time or support for slackers. Considering that Japanese is a slow, difficult language at the best of times, you really need to put aside study time on that course and then DO IT, or you won't get anything out of it.
I'm sure you already know that they offer a new Japanese single studies option and a combined studies option; The new course is better, but comes with a lot of anthropology modules and no more language class options than the combine hons. So you might as well try and combine with music if you reapply next year, and then
stick to the language module options above everything else. Seriously; you do not need to study manga- take business japanese instead. From what i know of the department there though, they operate around a strong japanese work ethic so actually, showing you're sincere and willing to work hard no matter how tough it gets, show up to class on time, every time, manage your homework and hand it in etc, counts more than having amazing grades.
Definitely they'd hear your case if you could show you have a real dedication to the subject, so I agree, showing you've taken yourself off to Japan to learn is a good way of demonstrating it.
It's not the only way though; have you tried scouting around your local area in schools and other colleges? Try putting an ad in the paper advertising for a tutor. You never know what might come up and it might work out cheaper. I live in a tiny village and surprisingly the local junior school has an after-school Japan club. Start self-learning while you wait. This forum and the internet hosts dozens of resources, and then you can start getting a feel for it all before you go.
I'm afraid I don't know much about japanese schools IN Japan that aren't at university level though; everywhere I know and the people I know who went there had mostly studied either japanese before, or were in university. Maybe check out Kansai Gaikokugo Daigaku though; it may take independent students.