How to Study on Free Tuition in Japan for International Students

Presently, Japan is one of the most advanced nations in the world. Because of its cutting-edge technology and constant desire for innovation, Japan is a fantastic destination for taking up your tertiary studies. Additionally, the country’s traditional cultural values offer a contrast that makes studying in Japan a very rewarding experience.In fact, Japanese culture highly esteems education and excellence, therefore, they have some of the best educational institutions. But how can you study on Free Tuition in Japan?

One option that readily comes to mind is to apply for a scholarship. But which scholarship should you apply to? We encourage you to apply to as many as possible. However, inorder to make things a lot easier, we have put together some of the most notable scholarships available. This way you can better see your options for achieving your dream of studying on free tuition in Japan.

How to Study in Japan for Free

The best way to study in Japan for free is to receive scholarships at Japanese universities. These are often the highest amount, and some cover the full tuition, room, and board. Other ways include getting local scholarships and working a part-time job. However, first method of studying in Japan for free is much preferred.

1. Get University and Government Scholarships

MEXT scholarship

This is one of the first scholarships you should try out. The Japanese government awards the MEXT scholarship. One of the many benefits of this very scholarship is that it can be used to study a degree in any university in Japan. This implies that you will be able to select an institution that’s located in an affordable city if you decide to do so. This way, you’ll be able to save a lot of money on living expenses. In addition, this scholarship covers your full tuition and living expenses, which is an added benefit. We would encoruage you to definitely look at this scholarship if you intend to study in Japan on Free tuition. This scholarship is specifically for international students as an effort from the government to encourage foreign exchange.

Doshisha University

This university awards many scholarships, which can be partial or total. Scholarships from Doshisha University would range from 20 to 100% of the total tuition for roughly 90% of international students. This means that there are high chances for international students to receive some sort of financial aid at this university.Note that it’s only students l that have already been admitted to the university that are eligible. However, if you already have received a MEXT scholarship, you’re not eligible for an additional scholarship provided by the university. At Doshisha, there are several scholarships offered to specific populations. As an example, there’s one specifically for non-Japanese women only.

Sophia University

This private institution is located in Tokyo, and awards various scholarships to international students. These scholarships in Sophia University can take care of the entire tuition or just a portion of it, as low as one-third of the total amount. On top of that, there are numerous scholarships available for students who are already enrolled in the institution. Possessing a good academic background is of great benefit for accessing any of these funding opportunities. Similar to Doshisha University, Sophia University awards certain scholarships that are directed at specific populations. An example of these would be a scholarship that’s specifically offered to students pursuing a major in British studies. Therefore, if you want to study in Japan for free, take a look at Sophia University scholarships!

JASSO International Student Scholarship Program

This is yet another scholarship awarded by the Japanese government. However, while the MEXT scholarship can cover a year or less of your tuition, JASSO scholarships usually cover shorter periods of study. However, based on the situation, they can consider covering up to one year. Among the requirements, they expect students to possess an excellent academic background. In addition, if the student already has scholarships providing the same amount or a higher sum than the one provided by JASSO, they will be ineligible.

University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo is one of the most coveted universities in Japan. They award scholarships to students that are already enrolled and it’s for those who intend to do research related to their major. The University of Tokyo began offering this opportunity sometime in 2004. This scholarship is targeted at international students. The goal is to provide much needed opportunities for them to pursue research during their time at the university.

2. Local scholarships

The scholarships discussed above are some of the main ones available. However, it’s important to consider that local governments equally offer financial aid directed at international students. Therefore, you may want to choose the city in which you study because of its scholarship opportunities. Some of these are Hokkaido, where the prestigious Hokkaido University is found and Kawasaki. There are more than 20 available options throughout the nation for international students.

There are equally private scholarships available for studying on low or free tuition in Japan. Some of these are The Bridging Project and the Boren Scholarships as well as a specific Fulbright Japan scholarship.

Find a part-time job

If you intend to study in Japan for free, another option you might want to consider is securing a part-time job according to your study schedule. This way, you will be able to work and study and this will help in offsetting your expenses. While a student visa does not allow for work hours. However, you can apply for a permit, which is not difficult to apply for and obtain . Once you have the requisite permit, you will be able to work up to 28 hours a week. Make sure that your academics don’t suffer. Remember, education and excellence are really valued in Japan and you will want to give your best during your time at in their school.

If you choose to go with this option, you have to exercise caution . A number of jobs are restricted to international students. These go from working at a video game arcade to working as a bartender. Interestingly, jobs that may be considered normal for students in other countries are not allowed in Japan. It is important that you find out all the pertinent information before starting to work so you don’t get into trouble with the law.

These are only a few options you can consider if you want to pursue your tertiary studies in Japan. The wide number of scholarships make for a very attractive option for international students. Remember, there’s no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for and this is one of the cases in which the more you apply, the greater your chances are for getting the financial aid you need. Take into account your living expenses as well and try to shoot for a full scholarship. That way you will be able to completely focus on succeeding academically.

Source: http://uscollegeinternational.com