|
|
Scholarships for Study in Japan
There are many scholarships available for study in Japan, although the present economic climate has reduced the number on offer from a peak in the 1990s. Most are for study at university and not for language school, but there are some exceptions. Education Japan plans to develop a database of scholarship-awarding bodies in the future, but this is a long term project and we cannot be sure when this will be completed (probably late 2002). Watch this space.
For the present, below is a summary of the major government and private schemes that should be of help to those who are looking for financial assistance to fund their studies in Japan. Note: Education Japan cannot help you with applications for financial assistance. Without exception, this has to be made directly by the applicant, or in many cases for university study, by the university. Applications through a third party are not possible.
National Scholarships
Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships
These scholarships are fairly generous and cover all your expenses for university study in Japan if you can get one. Application is through the Japanese Embassy in your own country or through a Japanese University, and competition is quite fierce. It is conceivable that places may be reduced in the future as part of efforts to reduce state expenditure, although there have been no indications to this effect so far.
Application from inside Japan: Graduate Students
How to apply:
Through a university. You cannot apply directly to the Monbukagakusho.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- Privately financed foreign students (i.e. all those foreign students in Japan who are not already receiving a scholarship from the Monbukagakusho) who have been accepted as or are enrolled as general students on a Master's or Doctoral course at a Japanese university. (Research students, trainees, auditors, and postgraduate students are not eligible.)
- Students must be from a country recognised by Japan as of April 1st of the year of application (this is most countries; check with the immigration office or the nearest Japanese Embassy if in doubt).
- Be less than 35 years old as of April 1st of the year of application.
Applicants must not:
- have received a Monbukagakusho scholarship in the last 3 years (unless the applicant is a Japanese language student or Japanese studies student).
- be married to recipients of a scholarship from the Japanese Government (if a couple applies at the same time, only one will be accepted).
- be receiving any other scholarships.
- be a short-term exchange student on a scholarship organised by the AIEJ.
- be repeating a year.
Stipend:
- 185,500 Yen per month.
- 40,000 Yen travel allowance per year for research.
- Tuition is waived for students enrolled in national universities, and is paid by the Monbukagakusho for those in other universities.
- Air ticket for those who return to their home country within a certain period after the end of the course.
- The AIEJ may also subsidise some of the student's housing expenses.
Duration:
Minimum number of years required to complete the graduate program. You will not be supported for any years that you have to repeat.
Applications:
The deadline for applications is usually in January of each year, for studies commencing in April. However, this is set by the universities and may vary. About 250 scholarships were awarded in 1997.
Application from inside Japan: Undergraduate Students
How to apply:
Through a university. You cannot apply directly to the Monbukagakusho.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- Privately financed foreign students (i.e. all those foreign students in Japan who are already enrolled in university and are not already receiving a scholarship from the Monbukagakusho) who will be enrolled as students in the fourth (final) year of an undergraduate course at a Japanese university (sixth year of a medical or dental course). You will also need to have a very good academic record. (Research students, trainees, auditors, and postgraduate students are not eligible.)
- Students must be from a country recognised by Japan as of April 1st of the year of application (this is most countries; check with the immigration office or the nearest Japanese Embassy if in doubt).
- Be less than 26 years old as of April 1st of the year of application (28 years old for Medical and Dental course students).
Applicants must not:
- have received a Monbukagakusho scholarship before.
- be married to recipients of a scholarship from the Japanese Government (if a couple applies at the same time, only one will be accepted).
- be receiving any other scholarships.
- be a short-term exchange student on a scholarship organised by the AIEJ.
Stipend:
- 142,500 Yen per month.
- 40,000 Yen travel allowance per year for research.
- Tuition is waived for students enrolled in national universities, and is paid by the Monbukagakusho for those in other universities.
- Air ticket for those who return to their home country within a certain period after the end of the course.
- The AIEJ may also subsidise some of the student's housing expenses.
Duration:
From the time the Monbukagakusho accepts your scholarship cover to start until March of the year the Monbukagakusho decides you no longer require support. You may be able to extend your cover after the end of the undergraduate program under the following circumstances:
- if you continue on to a graduate program (extend for up to 2 years).
- if you graduate in engineering or science and wish to become a government-subsidised trainee with a manufacturer in Japan.
- if you graduate with a degree in medicine and want to become a government-subsidised intern.
Applications:
The deadline for applications is usually in early February of each year, for studies commencing in April. However, this is set by the universities and may vary. About 100 scholarships were awarded in 1997.
Application from outside Japan: through the Japanese Embassy
All applicants (undergraduate, graduate, Japanese studies, teacher trainees, technical college, special training school students) can apply through the Japanese Embassy in their home country. The applicant should be resident in the home country at the time of application or able to attend interviews and examinations at the embassy. There will be an initial screening through application forms and documentation, followed by a written examination and interview at the Embassy. Those who pass this first stage will be referred to the Monbukagakusho for final screening and selection. The final selection is decided between the Monbukagakusho and the institution where the applicant would study.
Note: You can greatly increase your chances of being successful in the later stages of screening by finding a university/university professor that is interested in accepting your application. If you can make contact with a university in Japan, and provide this information with your application, then you are more likely to be selected by the Monbukagakusho should you pass the initial screening at the Embassy.
Application from outside Japan: through the Japanese University
Graduate students can apply to a Japanese university directly under exchange agreements with their home university. The university will then refer needy and deserving students to the Monbukagakusho for consideration. The final decision rests with the Monbukagakusho. Undergraduates who are taking part in Japanese studies exchange programs can also be considered under this scheme.
Summary table:
| Type |
Research (Graduate) Student |
In-Service training for Teachers |
Undergraduate Student |
Technical College Student |
Special Training School Student |
Japanese Studies |
| Level |
Postgraduate |
Postgraduate |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
Undergraduate |
| Qualification |
University Graduates |
University or Teacher Training College Graduates |
Secondary School Graduates |
Secondary School Graduates |
Secondary School Graduates |
University Undergraduates |
| Age |
Under 35 |
Under 35 |
17-22 |
17-22 |
18-22 |
18-30 |
| Duration |
Up to 2 years (1) |
Up to 1.5 years (1) |
5 years (1, 2) |
4 years (1, 3) |
3 years (1) |
1 year |
| Preparatory Language Training |
6 months (4) |
6 months (4) |
1 year (5) |
1 year (6) |
1 year (7) |
none |
| Courses of Study |
Major in a particular field of study |
Special training in a faculty of teacher's training |
Undergraduate courses |
Transfer into 3rd year of Technical College |
Take courses in special training schools |
Special training in Japanese Language or Japanese Studies |
| Country Requirements |
Any country |
Developing countries |
Developing countries |
Developing countries |
Developing countries |
Any country |
| Awards made |
3,395 |
155 |
395 |
85 |
85 |
310 |
| Monthly Allowance |
185,000 Yen |
185,000 Yen |
142,500 Yen |
142,500 Yen |
142,500 Yen |
142,500 Yen |
| Yearly Research Allowance |
40,000 Yen |
40,000 Yen |
40,000 Yen (8) |
none |
none |
40,000 Yen |
| Other |
- Tuition fees
- Transportation
- Housing subsidy
- Arrival allowance
- Medical fee reimbursement
|
Notes:
- Includes the period spent studying Japanese.
- 7 years for Medical and Dental degrees.
- 4.5 years for Marine Engineering degrees.
- 27 universities. Those with sufficient Japanese language ability are exempt.
- Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Osaka University of Foreign Studies.
- Kokusai Gakuyu Kai.
- Bunka Institute of Language, Kansai Kokusai Gakuyu Kai.
- Available during fourth year of studies only.
Honours Scholarships
Formerly administered by the AIEJ (Association of International Education, Japan), these scholarships are now administered by the Monbukagakusho. Since April 2000, pre-college student visa holders have also been eligible to apply for these scholarships.
| Eligibility
| Stipend
|
| College of technology student |
49,000 Yen |
| Special training college student |
49,000 Yen |
| University Japanese program student |
49,000 Yen |
| Junior college student |
49,000 Yen |
| Undergraduate student |
49,000 Yen |
| Research student |
70,000 Yen |
| Master's program student |
70,000 Yen |
| Doctoral program student |
70,000 Yen |
The AIEJ has other scholarships available, but you have to apply for these through your university. All universities in Japan will provide you with assistance in this matter. Language schools will almost never do so, and there are very few that have a scholarship program.
| Scholarship
| Eligibility
| Stipend
| Grantees
|
| Sponsored International Scholarships Program
|
(1) Jinnai International Student Scholarship Program
(for Graduate Students) |
Master's program student |
100,000 Yen |
7 |
| Doctoral program student |
100,000 Yen |
5 |
(2) Jinnai International Student Scholarship Program
(for Undergraduate Students) |
Undergraduate student |
150,000 Yen |
20 |
| (3) Kansai Paint Scholarship |
Master's program student |
120,000 Yen |
5 |
| AIEJ Scholarships
|
Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program
(Inbound) Scholarship |
Undergraduate student
Research student
Master's program student
Doctoral program student
|
80,000 Yen |
1,800 |
| |
|
Total |
1,837 |
Local Government Scholarships and International Associations
Local governments around Japan also make awards to students at universities (and occasionally language schools) in their areas. Contact the nearest City Hall and ask if there are any schemes available. Generally, you need to be able to show proof of residence in a specific area and enrolment at a particular university or universities to be eligible.
Regional International Associations (these exist in most cities in Japan) will also sometimes offer assistance to foreign students in their area. Any such assistance is usually quite limited, and you will probably be expected to take part in activities with the association in return. The local government office or City Hall should be able to offer information.
Tuition fee waiving arrangements
If you are paying your own way through university, the Monbukagakusho may pay up to 30% of your tuition fees. This used to be offered to all foreign students irrespective of circumstance, but is now awarded on application. Criteria for making the award are not yet clear, but you have to complete an application form from your university (in Japanese) explaining why you think you should be given this assistance. You may have to pay the full tuition fees and then be given a refund by the university when the award is determined. Contact your university for details.
Private Schemes
Many private companies and foundations have also set up scholarships for foreign students in Japan. Ask your university if they are aware of any for which you might be eligible. Again, these are generally awarded on a regional basis.
|