Japanese is one of the most popular international languages that people learn apart from English. It helps people communicate better, prepares them to take international clients and can even help you land a job in Foreign Ministries. Learning multiple languages provides an advantage to people in terms of employability.
There are many courses, both online and offline, which can help people learn Japanese. Apart from short term courses, universities in India also offer diplomas, degrees and even doctorate courses in Japanese. Here is an overview of the courses offered.
- The duration of each course is different. Masters and Bachelors degree are full time lasting 3 and 2 years respectively.
- Certificate courses in Japanese can be as short as a few hours and can even run up to 1 year.
- Diploma courses are usually a year long.
- There are many free courses also available online on websites like Udemy and Coursera. They help people gain international learning experience while sitting at the comfort of their homes.
After completing graduation, students can get hired in roles like translator, Japanese teacher, international companies and even flight attendants. Moreover, it will give them an opportunity to live in Japan, which is one the most developed countries in the world. The average starting salary of these jobs ranges from INR 5-6 LPA.
Japanese Courses: Highlights
Japanese courses are available at different levels. Here is a brief overview of each of these courses with crucial information about the same.
| Popular Courses | Certificate: Several courses available online as well as offline. They start from basics and are helpful in understanding the language. Diploma & PG Diploma: Offered in translation studies, Japanese society and Kambun. UG: B.A in Japanese, B.A. (Hons) Japanese PG: M.A. Japanese, M.A. Translation studies Doctorate: PhD Japanese, PhD in Japanese literature, PhD in Translation studies |
| Duration | Certificate: 3 months to 2 year (for Offline) Few days to 8 months (for Online) Diploma & PG Diploma: 1-2 years UG: 3-4 years PG: 2 years Doctorate: 2 years |
| Eligibility | Certificate: Pass in XII from a recognized board Diploma: Pass in Class XII from a recognized board. Universities also analyze students through their results in diploma courses. PG Diploma: Graduation from a recognized university. UG: Pass in 10+2 from a recognized board. Must meet the minimum eligibility of the college. Some also take entrance test. PG: Pass in UG from a recognized University with Japanese as a subject. Preferably people who have done graduation in Japanese only. Doctorate: Pass in PG program with Japanese as a major subject. |
| Average Fees | Certificate: INR 5000-40,000 Diploma & PG Diploma: INR 5,000-50,000 UG: INR 3000-50,000 PG: INR 5000-40,000 Doctorate: INR 10,000-1,00,000 |
| Online Courses | Available |
| Types of Online Courses | edx, Coursera, Udemy, etc. (Includes Paid and Unpaid courses) |
| Top Job Prospects | Language translator, Sales executive, PR department executive, International relations officer, Embassy officer, tourist guide, teacher, business advisory. |
| Average Salary | Certificate: INR 3-4 LPA Diploma: INR 4-5 LPA UG: INR 5-8 LPA PG: INR 5-10 LPA Doctorate: INR 9-15 LPA |
After a brief introduction we will further discuss each of the mentioned courses in detail.
Certificate Japanese Courses
Several certificate courses are offered both offline and online. These courses may be offered by established universities or private institutes.
- Certificate programs of Japanese languages can range from a few months to 1 year in duration.
- They are suitable for people who want to start with the basics of the language focusing more on the grammar, rather than studying the entire literature and culture.
- Most of the online courses are easy to complete and can be finished by working people or students pursuing a different degree.
Learning Japanese increases the competitive advantage of people. It reflects highly on their resume and international companies usually hire people who know they are multilingual. Certificate courses can increase the salary by INR 1-2 LPA.
Online Japanese Certificate Courses
The table below shows the best Japanese courses offered online.
| Certificate Name | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese for beginners | Coursera, Saint Petersburg University | 20 hours | Free (with audit) |
| Online Japanese N5 course | Udemy | 22 hours | INR 360 |
| Japanese culture and language | edX | 10 weeks | Free (with audit) |
| Learn the Language and values of Japan | edX | 4 months | INR 17,000 |
| Japanese books: From manuscript to print | edX with Harvard University | 9 weeks | Free (INR 7386 for certificate) |
| Japanese pronunciation and communication | edX with WasedaX | 5 weeks | Free (INR 7300 for certificate) |
Many of these courses are in English, but it is important to look at the medium of instruction before opting for the course. Translated audio is also available for courses not in English.
Colleges & Institutes Offering Japanese Certificate Courses
There are many universities and private institutes that provide certificate courses in Japanese too. Here is a list of the most popular courses.
| Certificate Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Course Certificate | Lovely Professional University (LPU) Amity University Sister Nivedita University Manipal University |
INR 10,000 – INR 20,000 |
| Japanese Language Certification | Indian Institute of Foreign Languages | INR 13,000 |
| Japanese N5, N4, N3 Language Course | MKSSS's Sumati Deshmukh Institute of Languages, Pune | INR 7,000 – INR 25,000 |
Most colleges provide certificate courses to their students only, especially in universities like DU and JNU. Students can opt for certificate courses alongside their degree with minimum cost. Apart from private universities, private coaching centers also provide certificates in Japanese.
How are Admissions in Certificate Programs for Japanese Courses Done?
- Enrolment in online certificate programs is done by applying through the website and filling in the necessary details.
- Colleges like Amity and LPU take people of all ages regardless of their educational background.
- Universities like IIFL take students as low as 14 years of age in their Foreign language courses.
- Government universities like DU and JNU offer certificate courses to their students only.
- Even then, it may be based on merit if seats are not available.
College offering Online Certificate Japanese Courses
| Times Higher Education Global Ranking | College Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Harvard University | USA |
| 600 | Waseda University | Japan |
| 601-800 | Saint Petersburg University | Russian Federation |
Diploma and PG Diploma Japanese Courses
There are many educational institutes in India that offer both Diploma and PG Diploma courses in India.
- Diploma courses are pursued just after high school and PG Diploma courses are pursued after graduation.
- The diploma courses are 1-year long, PG Diploma courses can be of both 1 and 2 years duration.
- Diploma courses can also be pursued along with degree courses.
- Diploma courses help people specialize in Japanese language and can provide great opportunities in the future.
People who have a zeal of learning Japanese should opt for these courses. The average salary after completion of diploma courses is INR 4-5 LPA.
Top Diploma Japanese Courses
Here is a list of top diploma courses and their colleges.
| Diploma Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma course in Japanese | Amity University Delhi University Savitribai Phule Pune Technology |
INR 5,000-30,000 |
| Diploma in translation studies | Savitribai Phule Pune Technology, | INR 10,000 |
Mostly a basic Japanese diploma is offered by Universities. It provides relevant knowledge about other fields like culture, history and literature as well.
Top PG Diploma Japanese Courses
PG Diploma courses are pursued after the graduation. For pursuing PG Diploma in Japanese, students should have a prior knowledge of the language for better understanding.
Here are the top PG Diploma courses chosen.
| PG Diploma Name | Colleges Offering | Average Fees | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Diploma in Japanese | Delhi University Banaras Hindu University Varanasi Amity school of languages |
INR 5000-20,000 | Offline |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Communicative Japanese | SOAS University of London |
£8450 (INR 7,00,000) | Online |
How are Admissions in Diploma and PG Diploma Japanese Courses Done?
Usually for a diploma course, the minimum eligibility is passing high school without any prior knowledge of the language.
- In the case of PG Diploma a prior knowledge of Japanese language is needed, and universities may take entrance tests for the same.
- Since very few people apply for these courses, the admission process is not complicated and can easily be done.
Colleges offering Diploma and PG Diploma Japanese Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| University of Delhi | Delhi |
| Amity School of languages | Noida |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi |
| Savitribai Phule Pune Technology | Pune |
Bachelor Japanese Courses
People looking to gain more knowledge of the Japanese language should opt for this course. This course provides a full time degree in Japanese.
- The duration of these courses is 3 years long.
- Admissions are done on the basis of merit and entrance exam.
- These courses provide a more in-depth knowledge of Japanese language along with the history, culture and literature
Students looking to spend 3 years learning Japanese should opt for this course. People who are merely looking to learn the language should not, since it is a full time 3 years course.
The average starting salary after Bachelors in Japanese is INR 7-8 LPA.
Top Undergraduate (UG) Japanese Courses
Not many graduate courses are available in Japanese, especially in India. The most opted for option is B.A. (Hons) Japanese.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Japanese | JNU Visva Bharati University EFLU Hyderabad |
INR 10,000-50,000 |
| BA Japanese | Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth | INR 50,000 |
| Integrated BA+MA Japanese | Doon University | INR 34,000 |
Check Out: BA Foreign Language Course
How are Admissions in Bachelor Japanese Courses Done?
The admission in undergraduate courses is done both by merit as well as entrance exams.
- Since it is a less opted course, the seats are also less.
- Colleges may take admissions on the basis of both entrance as well as merit basis.
Colleges offering Bachelor Japanese Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| JNU | Delhi |
| EFLU | Hyderabad |
| Doon University | Mumbai |
| Visva Bharati University | West Bengal |
| Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth | Pune |
Masters Japanese Courses
Masters in Japanese is only pursued by those students who want a more in depth knowledge of the language. Students pursuing this course should already have a good knowledge of Japanese language.
- It is a full time 2years course.
- Admissions are done on the basis of merit and some colleges also take entrance tests. .
- As mentioned, students should already know fluent Japanese to pursue this course.
- A prior degree in Japanese is also required with a minimum percentage of 45%.
People looking to create a career in research or a teacher field should do this course. The average salary after Masters in Japanese is INR 4-12 LPA.
Top Postgraduate (PG) Japanese Courses
Only the basic M.A. Japanese is available in India. The list shows the colleges that provide the course.
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| MA Japanese | DU JNU Doon University |
INR 733-40,000 |
How are Admissions in Master Japanese Courses Done?
Admissions are done both by merit and entrance tests.
- Candidates need to have completed their bachelors in Japanese with a minimum mark of 45%.
- Certain colleges also conduct entrance tests as well as consider the merit.
Colleges offering Master Japanese Courses
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| JNU | Delhi |
| EFLU | Hyderabad |
| Doon University | Dehradun |
| DU | Delhi |
| Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University | Bihar |
Doctorate Japanese Courses
Doctorate courses are only pursued by people looking to become a professor or researcher.
- The duration is 2 years but can also be extended based on the research being conducted.
- After PhD, people get open up career opportunities as a professor or lecturer in universities.
- The average salary after Doctorate is INR 10-20 LPA.
Top PhD Japanese Courses
Only a basic PhD in Japanese if offered in India. However people can take up translation studies as their major and apply that knowledge in their Japanese language.
Here is a list of all the colleges that offer PhD in Japanese
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Fees |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Japanese | Nava Nalanda Mahavihara JNU |
INR 700-10,000 |
How are Admissions in Doctorate Japanese Courses Done?
The admissions are done mainly on the basis of merit.
- A Masters degree in Japanese is needed.
- The admissions are mainly done on the basis of merit.
- Exams like JRF, UGC NET are also conducted to hire professors in government colleges.
Colleges offering Doctorate Japanese Courses
| Colleges | Location |
|---|---|
| Nava Nalanda Mahavihara | Nalanda |
| JNU | New Delhi |
What are the Top Job Options after Japanese Courses?
Being multilingual certainly increases the job prospects of the individual. MNCs hire people who can communicate with international clients. Since Japanese is considered a difficult language, people who learn it are very less. It creates a demand for such people in the market.
Translator
The biggest advantage of learning a different language is that you can become a translator. That is, you can translate the Japanese texts into English or even your native language. It is one of the best career options and translators are no less than authors themselves. Translators either work independently or even for private companies.
Starting Salary: INR 6-8 LPA
Skills Required
- Japanese language
- Writing skills
- Research skills
- Cultural knowledge
- Patience
- Microsoft word
Tourist Guide/Hospitality
Learning Japanese can open up international doors for a person. They can travel as a tourist guide with people and get paid for it too! People also join the hospitality sector and work in international hotels. They can also work for travel companies.
Starting Salary: INR 5-6 LPA
Skills Required
- Oratory skills
- Enthusiasm
- Deep knowledge of the area
- Management skills
Teacher/Professor
Since the demand for learning Japanese is increasing day by day, the demand of teachers is also increasing. People can complete their education and can teach either in schools, private institutes or even prestigious colleges. they can also take up this job internationally.
Starting Salary: INR 8-9 LPA
Skills Required
- Communication skills
- Writing skills
- Research
- MS Office
Working at MNCs
There are many Japanese companies working in India as well as internationally. These include Toshiba, Casio, Honda and even Sony. Japan is also considered as an epitome of technological developments and their companies are bound to pay higher. Learning Japanese will put people way ahead of their competition and provide them a good position in the company instantly.
Starting Salary: INR 9-11 LPA
Skills Required
- Oratory skills
- Microsoft word /excel/powerpoint
- Report writing
- Research
- Hard work
- Dedication

What Skills are Required for Japanese Courses?
Apart from learning Japanese, it is also important to develop certain skills to become more employable. These skills will not only look good on the resume but will also improve the quality of the work.
Here are a few of those skills.
Oratory Skills
It is very important to develop oratory skills despite the area of employment. Oratory skills also help in general life, apart from work. Simply learning Japanese is not enough, people should also know the right way of speaking. It will boost the confidence and working capacity of the individual.
Top Oratory Courses
This table shows the best oratory courses offered.
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking | edX with Harvard University | 28 weeks | Free (INR12,462 for certificate) |
| The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course | Udemy | 16 hours | INR 455 |
| Presentation Skills: Speechwriting, Slides and Delivery Specialization | Coursera | 5 months (Approx.) | Free (with audit) |
| Framing Your Communication to Inspire and Convince | Edx with Delft University | 5 weeks | Free INR 9233 for certificate) |
Microsoft Word/Excel
It is very important for every individual to have some basic knowledge of Microsoft Word. It is one of the most widely used software and is used in every job. People can also learn the basics of Microsoft Word through online platforms like YouTube.
Microsoft Excel is also important since most companies want their employees to have basic knowledge of it too. It is used regularly, despite your position of employment.
Top Microsoft Word/Excel Courses
Here are a few of the courses available.
| Course | Provider | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2013 Training Bundle | Udemy | 70 hours | INR 455 |
| Data processing and analysis with Excel | edX | 4 weeks | INR 18,354 |
| Microsoft Excel- Excel from beginners to advance | Udemy | 18 hours | INR 8500 |
Japanese Courses Online Fees and Rating Comparison
| Course | Provider | Duration | Ratings | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation Skills: Speechwriting, Slides and Delivery Specialization | Coursera | 5 months (Approx.) | 4.7 | Free (with audit) |
| Microsoft Excel- Excel from beginners to advance | Udemy | 18 hours | 4.6 | INR 8500 |
| The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course | Udemy | 16 hours | 4.4 | INR 455 |
| The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2013 Training Bundle | Udemy | 70 hours | 4.3 | INR 455 |
| Framing Your Communication to Inspire and Convince | Edx with Delft University | 5 weeks | - | Free INR 9233 for certificate) |
| Data processing and analysis with Excel | edX | 4 weeks | - | INR 18,354 |
| The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking | edX with Harvard University | 28 weeks | - | Free (INR12,462 for certificate) |
Comparison of Online Platforms Offering Japanese Courses
Oratory Skills offered by Edx and Udemy are compared below on different parameters.
| Parameters | Edx | Udemy |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | INR12,462 | INR 455 |
| Student Rating | - | 4.4 |
| Enrollment | 345,158 | 163,817 |
| Duration | 28 weeks | 16 hours |
| Created By | Harvard University | Chris Haroun |
Japanese Courses: FAQs
Ques. Can I join Indian embassy in Japan after learning Japanese?
Ans. Being a government job, it will require you to qualify the UPSC examinations. Learning Japanese will definitely put you one step ahead of the competition.
Ques. Is Japanese really tough to learn?
Ans. Japanese is certainly a complicated language, but with effort it can easily be understood. Many people don’t even try since they assume it is very hard to learn. Learning Japanese will provide a competitive advantage to people.
Ques. Which Asian language should I learn? Japanese, Korean or Chinese?
Ans. The preference depends on person to person. In terms of employment opportunities, especially in India, Japanese language will provide an advantage. With the recent clash of China and India, Chinese companies have a dark future ahead in India.
Ques. Should I focus on speaking or writing while learning Japanese?
Ans. It is extremely important to understand both the speech and text of the language you are learning. Both are important.
Ques. What are the cons of learning Japanese?
Ans. There are no negative points to learning anything. It helps the person one way or the other. One downside that people often experience is the dedication and hard work that is required to learn Japanese. It is not an easy language and certainly demands time and attention from people.
Ques. Should I pursue B.A. Japanese if I just want to learn Japanese?
Ans. A bachelors is a full time degree lasting upto 3 years. If you simply want to learn Japanese then you should opt for certificate courses or diploma courses. A bachelor's degree is more suitable for people who want an in-depth analysis of Japanese culture and literature.
Ques. Will it be easy to move to Japan if I learn Japanese?
Ans. The migration laws differ from country to country, but learning Japanese will certainly help your cause.
Ques. I want to get a job in an Japanese company? Should I pursue B.A. Japanese for it?
Ans. You need not spend 3 years on B.A. Japanese to land a job in an MNC. It would be better if you pursue a commerce degree like BBA along with a diploma in Japanese language.
Ques. I could not get admission in JNU according to merit basis? Is there any other way?
Ans. JNU takes admissions both on the basis of merit as well as entrance test. You can appear for JNUEE and if you qualify you will get an admission.
Ques. How can I pursue a diploma in Japanese in DU?
Ans. Opting for a diploma course is available to each and every student of DU. You can ask the admin office to issue you the application form for the same. The classes would take place in the evening after your regular college. You will also have to appear for exams to get the diploma or certificate.







Comments