Considering A-Level Japanese? This guide will help you figure out if studying the language of anime, manga, and Japanese culture is right for you.
A Level
Japanese
Quick Summary
Four skills assessed – You'll learn hiragana, katakana, AND around 500 kanji characters
Three writing systems – You'll learn hiragana, katakana, AND around 500 kanji characters
Grammar – Japanese grammar is very different from English but follows clear patterns
What's it actually like?
IN A NUTSHELL
A-Level Japanese is assessed through exams testing listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You'll study Japanese culture, society, film or literature, and contemporary issues whilst developing your language skills.You'll explore topics like Japanese youth culture, technology, education, traditional vs modern Japan, environmental issues, and Japan's role in Asia. Lessons include learning kanji characters, understanding Japanese grammar structures, and discussing cultural topics.The jump from GCSE is significant – you'll move from basic conversations to discussing social issues, analysing Japanese culture and media, and writing using kanji characters.
Many students start Japanese because they love anime or manga – that's a perfectly valid reason! But you need to be interested in the broader culture and language too.
Three writing systems is demanding: You'll learn hiragana (46 characters), katakana (46 characters), and around 500 kanji for A-Level. This requires daily practice and significant time investment.
About the course
Is this for you?
Topics and themes
You'll study Japanese society and culture through topics like family, technology, education, social issues, and modern Japan. This helps you build vocabulary and learn how the language is used in real-life situations.
Film and literature
You'll study at least one Japanese film and one Japanese book, analysing the story, characters, and themes, then writing about them in Japanese in the exam.
Speaking practice
You'll have regular speaking practice and take a speaking exam that includes a presentation and a discussion.
Language skills
Overall, the course is about becoming more confident, accurate, and fluent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese – including understanding spoken Japanese and reading and writing scripts.
Assessment
A-Level Japanese is assessed through exams testing listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Japense is a good choice if you:
Are genuinely passionate about Japanese language and culture
Are willing to invest serious time learning kanji characters
Are interested in Japan beyond just anime and manga (though those are fine starting points!)
Enjoy the challenge of learning something very different from English
Are fascinated by Japanese culture, history, or society
Have patience for learning complex writing systems
Are self-motivated (Japanese is rarely taught in schools, so independent study is crucial)
Want a language skill that makes me stand out
Communicate in Japanese - You'll develop competence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Japanese.
Character recognition and writing - Learning three writing systems (hiragana, katakana, ~500 kanji) develops exceptional visual memory and discipline.
Cultural understanding - Understanding Japanese culture, etiquette, and society develops sophisticated cross-cultural awareness.
Pattern recognition - Japanese grammar follows logical patterns; learning them strengthens analytical thinking.
Dedication and discipline - Japanese requires consistent daily effort, building genuine work ethic and resilience.
Cultural appreciation - Deep understanding of one of the world's most unique and influential cultures.
Kanji take time: Unlike hiragana and katakana which you can learn in weeks, kanji require sustained effort. Each character has multiple readings and meanings.
Grammar is very different: Japanese sentence structure is completely different from English (subject-object-verb instead of subject-verb-object). It takes time to think in Japanese patterns.
You'll need apps and resources: Apps like WaniKani (kanji), Anki (flashcards), Japanese dictionary apps, and learning platforms are almost essential.
Immersion is crucial: Watching Japanese TV, anime (in Japanese, not English dub!), dramas, films, listening to Japanese music, following Japanese creators – all essential for progress.
It's very rarely offered in schools: Most students study Japanese through online providers, language schools, or self-study with tutoring. Check how you'd access teaching.
Progress takes time: Japanese is categorised as one of the hardest languages for English speakers. Be patient with yourself – improvement is incremental.
Universities are impressed: Japanese A-Level is rare and demonstrates serious commitment, intellectual curiosity, and cultural interest.
Japanese + History + Politics = For Asian studies or international relations
Japanese + Computer Science + Maths = For tech/gaming industry
Japanese + Art + English = For cultural and creative focus
Japanese + Business + Economics = For international business with JapanJapanese rewards consistent daily practice and cultural engagement. Here's how to succeed:
Practice writing systems daily – Use apps like WaniKani for kanji, write characters by hand (not just type), use spaced repetition. Consistency is everything.
Watch Japanese content constantly – Watch anime, Japanese dramas, films, variety shows. Start with English subtitles, progress to Japanese subtitles.
Listen to Japanese daily – Japanese music, podcasts, YouTube channels, audiobooks. Even passive listening builds your ear for the language.
Read graded readers – Start with simple Japanese graded readers, progress to manga (great for learning conversational Japanese), then more complex texts.
Japanese speakers are valuable in:
International business (especially automotive, technology, gaming, animation)
Diplomacy
Translation and interpretation
Teaching
Tourism
Gaming industry
Anime/manga localisation
and companies working with Japan.
Japanese is highly respected by universities. Universities value the dedication and cultural awareness it demonstrates.
Japanese A-Level opens doors to degrees in:
Modern Languages (Japanese)
East Asian Studies
Translation and Interpreting
International Relations
Business with Languages
Linguistics
Animation and Game Design
Top tip: Japan's influence in technology, gaming and business makes Japanese valuable for creative industries and international careers.
Ask yourself:
Am I genuinely passionate about Japanese language and culture (beyond just anime)?
Am I willing to spend significant daily time learning characters?
Can I handle a language and writing system completely different from English?
Am I patient with slow, incremental progress?
Do I want to understand Japanese culture deeply?
Am I self-motivated enough to study largely independently?
Am I prepared for the challenge of one of the hardest languages for English speakers?
Japanese speakers are relatively rare in the UK, making you distinctive and valuable to employers with Japanese connections.
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Common A Level combinations
This A Level pairs well with:
Popular A Level combinations
Japanese + History + Politics = For Asian studies or international relations
Japanese + Computer Science + Maths = For tech/gaming industry
Japanese + Art + English = For cultural and creative focus
Japanese + Business + Economics = For international business with Japan