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Oxford Demystified - Oriental Studies (Japanese)

Hello dear reader, I hope you are well and are in good spirits. At the request of @Oxford Mum, I bring to you this post for those of you thinking to apply for Oriental Studies. Just as a short disclaimer though, I speak from my experience for applying for Japanese Studies; which should be like Chinese Studies, though, may be a bit different for the Middle Eastern Languages (hopefully someone will make a post for that!).

A bit about me:

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Why did you want to study your subject?

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Why Oxford?

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Did any of your teachers inspire you? Or any other expert (TV presenter etc)?

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Which resources did you use (please name as many as possible) Which books/journals did you read? Which did you like best, and why? What did they teach you?

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Did you attend any lectures, or take part in any competitions? If so, would you recommend them, and why?

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Did you have any work experience? If so, how did you find it?

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Did you have a specialist subject/EPQ? What was it? How did you go about your research?

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What did you mention in your personal statement and why?

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Which techniques did you use for the entrance test?

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How did you choose your college? Did you go to an open day and if so, did it help you to decide?

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How did you find the interview process? (NO INTERVIEW QUESTIONS PLEASE - this is against TSR guidelines)/ Any interview tips?

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How did you feel after the interviews?

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Where were you when you got your offer? How did you react?

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Are you looking forward to coming up to Oxford?

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For those that made it this far:

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Reply 1

Oxford Mum

Yet another absolutely wonderful chapter, thank you idunnwithlife!

When people tell me that Oxford is full of posh, entitled brats, I know it's a load of rubbish. Here is the proof, in this and every Oxford Demystified chapter, that a great number of Oxford students are modest and self-effacing, yet amazing at the same time!

Here you are, apologising for the length of this chapter... in fact it is a treasure trove of priceless little nuggets of information about a subject I know nothing about.

I admire your determination to find out a lot about your chosen subject in as little time as possible (though I would try to research earlier if you can, future candidates). You time management skills are exemplary - watching documentaries whilst eating, reading whilst on bus - it's all good. The sheer amount of what you have done is mind boggling. And here's a first - you actually give marks out of ten for the usefulness of each type of research!

The videos about Japanese life look really interesting. I especially love Japanese style (the way young women in Japan dress) and the cuties as well!

One anime that really sticks out in my mind (30 years later) was one about a young Princess Diana, made in 1986, to mark her visit to Japan (found it last week but can't find it now, unfortunately).

It's amazing how many Oxford offer holders managed to turn hobbies they really enjoy (like watching anime and Japanese documentaries and listening to kpop) into Oxford places. Compare this to Nemisisrider, the engineering offer holder, who went to Alton Towers and fell in love with the nemesis rollercoaster ride. For years he kept drawing designs of rollercoasters until he finally wrote to Alton Towers and they let him behind the scenes with the engineers.

I also love how you say that reading books is the springboard for everything else. Oxbridge loves this "I read a book and loved it so much, I went and read an article about X. It's what I call the "one thing led to another" approach.

Just to inspire us even further, you tell us that you got in, whilst being an SEN student. All the Oxford interviewers are interested in is your mind and how it works. What they see is your keenness, how you deal with the unknown (those two paintings and the OLAT type test) and your willingness to learn and expand your knowledge further.

Here is information about the OLAT paper:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/tests/olat

Sample OLAT paper

https://www.orinst.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/orinst/documents/media/olat_sample.pdf

It is interesting to know that even though you are studying Japanese, you will also have the opportunity to study Chinese, Korean or Tibetan as well. Then there's that year abroad, which I am sure you can't wait to get stuck into!

You say that you are "pretty unremarkable", but on the contrary, this chapter very much belongs in the Oxford Demystified "pantheon of the greats".

@idunnwithlife

Reply 2

Oxford Mum

Further resources:

https://sites.google.com/site/oxbridgeinterviewquestions/oriental-studies

https://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/asian-and-middle-eastern-studies/

https://www.thatoxfordgirl.com/post/2018/11/22/-you-want-to-study-japanese-本当に-%EF%BC%9F%EF%BC%81-my-interview-experiences-and-general-practical-advic

https://www.uniadmissions.co.uk/oxford-oriental-studies-interview/

apply.oxfordsu.org/courses/oriental-studies/

https://carambalache.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/applying-to-oxford-oriental-studies/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-34505485

Info about the course (youtube video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGmJtKt0h60

Interviews - youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a3o44sgVC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f7bHmue4eQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwZucgk-_h8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fckTzWiyq60

Reply 3

OxfordIQ

This was really interesting. Many thanks @idunnwithlife My youngest daughter has just finished Yr11 and has absolutely no idea what she wants to do. I know she is interested in Japanese culture so I will get her to have a look at this. Being an Indian parent I can totally relate to wanting your child to go the science route but know I have three humanities children at heart which they have definitely inherited from me so I cannot complain. All the best with your studies. I should mention my eldest starts Oxford this year too reading history. 😃

Reply 4

Oxford Mum

@OxfordIQ
Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I did, too!
Maybe if your daughter reads this and she is impressed too, it may be the start of something big!

Reply 5

OxfordIQ

Original post by Oxford Mum

@OxfordIQ
Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I did, too!
Maybe if your daughter reads this and she is impressed too, it may be the start of something big!

Hopefully but at the moment she feels a bit intimidated by the whole process especially having seen her big sister go through it but there’s no pressure so let’s see. Like you said great chapter!

Reply 6

sophiefifi

Hi! This was honestly such a motivating piece to read. I am in year 13 now, and I'm studying maths, chemistry, and physics A-Levels.. I thought I wanted to do medicine! During lockdown I came across a SOAS university ad on Instagram which led me to Asian and Middle Eastern studies. My narrow mind did not understand that it was okay to study subjects that aren't related to the sciences! I had made up my mind on studying a BA Arabic and Islamic Studies at SOAS uni as I liked their course structure more. However, yesterday I found out that the course is somewhat discontinued! or I may be confused and they might still be accepting applications in 2021. Because of that I went on to searching for other universities that offer the Arabic + Islamic studies course. I came across Oxford and I really liked their course structure and the fact that you can study a subsidiary language. I am quite interested in studying mandarin/Korean/Japanese but I know I have to choose one which will be quite difficult.

I have a few qs that I can't find the answer to:
- how can you prepare for the olat test?
- do you know of anyone who is taking Arabic/Islamic studies at oxford who I could benefit from?
- what books/ articles am I recommended to read considering I want to study Arabic and Islamic studies? I am interested in this subject but have limitted knowledge/ haven't read up on anything related.. any advice?
- on the requirements page it says that there is written work. is this a must? is it like completing an EPQ?
- my A Level subjects are completely unrelated to the degree I am interested in studying (maths/chem/physics) would there be any lowered requirements/ obstacles?

Thank you so much in advanced!