December 23, 2007

Study in Japan
My daughter is studying in India in Grade 12 at Sophia College, Mumbai. I have some queries about studying in Japan. What are the good universities there? What is the admission process, fees structure?
Fernandes, George

The greatest attraction of studying in Japan is its academic environment and superior technology. Among the national universities, Tokyo University, Kyoto University, Nagoya University, Tsukuba University, Tohuku University, Osaka and Kyushu Universities are more preferred by foreign students.

Among the private universities, Waseda University, Asia-Pacific Josai International, Takushoku and Nihon are frequented more.

In Japan, you can enter any of the following five types of institute depending upon your qualification and need.

Application procedure
In general, higher educational institutions in Japan announce their application procedure from June to August every year for courses beginning in April. Each university has its own application procedure.

A large number of universities are adopting a special process for selecting international students, but in most cases they require applicants to sit for an examination in Japan.

Many universities base their selection on the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJD).

The EJU is a new examination introduced in 2002 and is considered a part of the entrance test for international students who wish to study at universities or other higher educational institutions in Japan.

This exam is conducted twice annually - in June and November. It has replaced the previous test Japanese Language Proficiency Test as a means for admissions.

The examination subjects are Japanese as a Foreign Language, science (choice of two subjects from physics, chemistry and biology), Japan and the world and mathematics.

The medium of the exam is Japanese and English.

Students are expected to enter the country on a visit for appearing in the entrance exams.

The main documents to be submitted during the admissions process are:

Guarantor
A guarantor or contact person is often required when submitting an application for admission to a higher educational institutions such as a Japanese-language institute, specialised training college, university etc.

The reasons are various, such as to provide a financial guarantee for the student's academic expenses or to overcome obstacles concerning any legal procedures on the status of residence after gaining admission.

A recent trend, however, sees an increasing number of schools only asking for a contact person rather than a guarantor at the time of admission.

Scholarships
Most scholarships cover a part of the student's education and living expenses. Only a few cover all the expenses. Thus, students should check the cost of study in Japan carefully and plan their funding, without relying on a scholarship.

Some scholarships for international students can be applied from the student's home country before the student enters Japan, but most scholarships must be applied for in Japan after the student's arrival.

Most scholarships are for university level or above and for researcher-related degrees. There are not many scholarships for students at specialised training colleges or for students studying at Japanese-Language Institutes.

Applicants for scholarships usually have to go through document screening, a written examination to test knowledge in general education, the student's special area of study, language and an interview.

There is other financial assistance available in the form of tuition fee reduction or material assistance.

Part-time work
An international student is allowed to have a part-time job upon receiving permission from the school attended, as well as from the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau.

Living in Japan
Japan is known to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, hence scholarships are your best bet. But even the scholarships cover only a part of a student's education and living expenses.

According to the Lifestyle Survey of privately financed international students by the AIEJ, tuition fee is 48,000 yen (Dh1,600), housing expenses come out to be 30,000 yen (Dh1,000), food expenses 27,000 yen (Dh900), commuting expenses, electricity, gas and water expenses, insurance medical expenses and miscellaneous expenses come out to be 30,000 yen.

Accommodation provided by the government and universities-run residences is limited for international students. Therefore 73 per cent of international students live in private accommodation. When looking for private accommodation one can contact real estate agencies.

Those with the status of residence of a college student may seek accommodation through the Centre for Domestic and Foreign Students. You can also take up part-time jobs if you get permission from your institute.

For more details refer to: www.in32.com/AIEJ/study_j/img/nre2_001_2.pdf
The procedures that need to be taken to enter Japan as a foreign student are as follows:

Please inquire at an overseas Japanese embassy or consular offices (http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html) for details regarding visas. Please note that a "temporary visitor" visa is normally needed to enter Japan in order to take an entrance examination.

Source of information about study in Japan

Japan Embassy in United Arab Emirates
Embassy of Japan,Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
P.O.Box 2430, Dubai.

Consulate-General of Japan
28th Floor, Dubai World Trade Centre Building, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
P.O.Box 9336, Dubai.

Ref: Student Guide to Japan provided by the Embassy of Japan, Abu Dhabi, UAE.