Japanese Programmes

Pembroke has been running programmes in collaboration with Japanese universities for many years, and has especially strong ties with Nihon University, Seikei University, Kyushu University, Meiji University and Waseda University. These programmes offer students the opportunity to take specially designed academic courses in English, and may include English language courses. Students are also able to improve their English skills in social and cultural programmes.

Academics

Academic courses are designed to be both appropriately challenging and linguistically accessible. They encourage student participation through debate, discussion and sometimes project work, and therefore provide opportunities for active learning. The subjects offered are chosen for their broad appeal and do not require previous knowledge of the subject. In addition to classroom time, courses often include visits to places of interest in and around Cambridge.

Some programmes are supplemented with English language instruction, which is carried out through ‘content-led teaching’ focusing on the academic material in the course. Sessions consist of skills-based activities, allowing students to practise their language directly, and focus on the creative use of language. Students practise their newly acquired language skills through group discussions, role-plays, conversations in pairs, or language games.

Programme Assistants

Students' learning and social experiences are enhanced by Programme Assistants (PAs). The presence of PAs, usually Cambridge undergraduate students, is one of the unique features of Pembroke programmes. The PAs can provide academic support and therefore students have an additional opportunity to go over material covered in lectures.

Social aspects of the programme

Students are all housed in single rooms in Cambridge College accommodation and most meals are provided on-site during the programme. Dining is an important part of College life, and during the summer students will be able to attend College dinners known as ‘Formal Halls’. These are three-course candlelit meals enjoyed in Pembroke’s beautiful dining hall with fellow students, faculty and PAs, and are a Cambridge tradition dating back hundreds of years.

The PAs ensure that there is a wide variety of activities, catering to all tastes, organised throughout the programme. Every afternoon and evening, and on weekends, PAs arrange activities such as cream teas at the picturesque village of Granchester, visits to pubs and restaurants, days on the coast and in the countryside, literary tours and punting, cinema and theatre trips, and games of football, tennis, cricket and croquet. Students can also take advantage of the city’s many cultural offerings, including the annual Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. A daytrip to London, involving sightseeing, museum and gallery visits, is included in many programmes, and with the weekends free students can organise their own trips to explore Britain.

Enquiries

For any enquiries about these programmes, please contact the International Programmes Department.