Study in Japan

The greatest allure for international students to study in Japan is its excellent academic environment. Every international applicant gets an opportunity to the learn state-of-the- art technology and imbibe knowledge. On an average, more than 100,000 international students apply for various courses at Japanese universities, junior colleges, professional schools each year. Adding to the staggering figure of international applicants numerous funding mediums (scholarships mainly) are made available through Japanese government, local government (provided by indigenous government), the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and private organizations, foundations and companies in Japan and abroad. Moreover, there are many organizations including government and private and various institutional bodies located inside and outside Japan that are actively running student exchange programs to pursue post secondary education in Japan.

Mostly, every university in Japan is well equipped with fine research methodology, modern age computer and other peripherals, and library facilities. These facilities ensure foreign students to pursue their research in an excellent environment. As a promising result, a resent survey shows, Japan has a highest number of applicants in world, who attend university and junior college (a research conducted by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) “Statistical Abstract 2010 edition”). You can also be a lucky next to obtain degree from Japan. Please go through below mentioned to liven up your dream.

Admission Procedure

There is a common entrance examination to seek out international admission. The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is a standardized test. Almost all national universities and two thirds of the public universities and roughly half of the private universities in Japan use the EJU as admission criteria for international students, while the others apply their own entrance exams. The exam can be taken in English as well as Japanese language. EJU is in effect since 2002, and covers vast range of courses including, science, mathematics, and many more subjects. The test is conducted twice a year in and outside of Japan. Please visit EJU website in above mentioned website for more details.

Tuition fee and Scholarship

Subject tuition fees vary university to university. Nevertheless, Municipal and National universities are cheaper as compared to private Japanese universities. On an average graduate and undergraduate course can cost you around 802,000 yen (excluding living cost). You can visit your desired university’s website for exact tuition fee for your favorite course. As for as living cost is concerned, on an average an international student is expected to spend 1,00,000 yen, however, north- east area is cheaper compared to rest of  Japan.

There is colossal number of scholarships open to international applicants. Mostly these scholarships are announced by Japan Student Service Organization. However, there are various other organizations as well which offer financial assistance to international applicants. Let see some of these scholarships:

The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Graduate Studies for International Students

This scholarship is offered at graduate level. The Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Applicants Residing Abroad, or “Overseas Application Scholarship” for short, is carried out as special program to support overseas students in the most-difficult first years of their enrollment in Japanese universities and graduate schools. The application for following should be sent by post on or before 31 October 2011.

Japanese Scholarships Asian Students – 2012 Japan-IMF Scholarship Program

 

The Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA) was first introduced in 1993. It is funded by the Government of Japan, administered by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and conducted at various graduate schools in Japan. This scholarship is open to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Island Countries, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The deadline for above mentioned is December10, 2011.

Honjo International Foundation Scholarship for International Students, Japan

This scholarship is open for any subject at graduate level of education. The scholarship is open to all international applicants who are registered to attend a graduate school in Japan and does not possess Japanese citizenship. His or her academic achievement as well as moral character is supposed to be exemplary. He or she must be considered in need of financial aid due to extenuating financial circumstances. The deadline for same is 30 November 2011.

2012 Japanese Urological Association (JUA) International Foundation, Japan

The Japanese Urological Association International Foundation provides young urologists in Asian countries with support to observe surgeries/procedures, as well as attend clinics and staff activities in Japan for 2 to 3 months. This program supports both urological and endourological training. Scholars with no previous or current training in Japanese institutions are eligible. This is a rolling scholarship and dead line is 25 December each year.

Scholarships to Study in Japan

This scholarship contains various scholarships, covering vast steams of study at various levels. Many prestigious scholarships are mention in given link. Please go through the link thoroughly for full details.

(PLEASE READ ALL THE DETAILS OF SCHOLARSHIP CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING)

Eligibility Check

Following is a general criterion for international applicants to pursue a course at Japan. These guidelines are pertaining to different levels of study. These are not specific to any scholarship:

Research Programs

To pursue research program applicant must be under 35 years of age. Applicant must possess graduate degree; those who are in their final year of education can also apply for research program in Japan.

Teacher Training Student
Candidate with under the age group of 35, with a graduate degree, at least 5 years of experience primary, secondary or teacher training college in your home country are eligible to pursue this program. Please do bear in mind when you apply for the course you should not be active as teacher at any university or college.

Undergraduate University Student

Applicant must be at least 17 and maximum 22 years of age. Applicant must have completed 12 years of schooling in their home county.

College of technology students

All the criteria are same as undergraduate university student.

Japanese studies students

This is considered under short term course. For this course applicant must be between the age group of 18 to 30 years. To enroll in this course applicant must have enrolled as undergraduate students in faculties or schools which major in Japanese language or Japanese culture in a university outside Japan at the time when they come to Japan and must be enrolled in the home institution at the time when they return to their home countries.

Mind these

Atop of all above along with your regular program you can become fluent in Japanese language during your stay. This will certainly give you an edge over others in your active professional life. However, this can cost few extra bugs. So plan your study reasonably. Having said that also apply discretion while selecting funding options. Seek help from friends who have previous experience of studying in Japan. Never apply to college/ university just because you can make out the deadlines. Always implement thorough search and compare intuitions then only firm your decision. Never make haste. Internet is a very useful tool to gather information pertaining to universities. But, don’t give up on traditional mode of communication like letters and emails. Do bear in mind internet can provide you only general information but for specific details you have to communicate through phone or email.

Also keep in mind it is very difficult for you to change your course between your regular program. However, transfer option is available, but that too is not so easy. Do thorough analysis before you decide whether you wish to do short term course or middle term (2 to 3 years) or long term (exceeding 3 years cores) to make out best from your investment.

Working options during course

All the international applicants are allowed to pick up part-time job. Foreign students at Japanese school can work four hours a day, while university students are not allowed to pick up work no more than 28 hours a week .( During the summer vacation, eight hours a day is permitted.)

But do bear in mind, language could be a barrier in seeking out employment opportunity. No employer will like to hire an employee who can not speak his/her mother tongue. So finding a job is not so easy for an international applicant who can not speak Japanese. Moreover, you need to be ready to quit your job any day because of long thesis writing and so on. So choose your funding option through which you can meet out your tuition and living expense.

I hope that the above mentioned information will be immensely helpful for you. Do share your views with us right under this blog.

Shipra Srivastava