At the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences and the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, it is possible for students who would like to study specific fields in order to either further their studies or prepare for the entrance examination into a degree-seeking graduate program to enroll as ”Research Students.” However, enrollment as a research student is not a pre-requisite for taking the examination for entrance into graduate programs. Research students can study their own field of interest while also attending Japanese language courses offered by the International Education and Research Division. Research Students can enroll in April or October. While this is a one-year course, it is possible to extend one’s time as a research student by filing a “Request for an Extension of Research Period.”
Research students conduct research under the guidance of a supervisor. When given approval from their supervisor, research students may attend regular classes (subject to the dean’s approval).
The research student system is a program which allows for students to concentrate on their research work for a set period of time without earning credits.
Application
Applicants must be university graduates or graduate school graduates. (Including prospective graduates.) For the updated information on the program and submission deadline, please see Application Form.
Language Proficiency
International applicants must be proficient in the Japanese language as most classes are conducted in Japanese.
Admission Procedure
Applicants should submit the pre-inquiry documents below to the Pre-Admission Support System within the application period. The Pre-Admission Support System is an online system for applying for informal acceptance. Pre-inquiry documents submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Please do not contact any professors directly. The Pre-Admission Support System will confirm by email that the pre-inquiry documents have been received.
Prospective applicants who are of foreign nationality are advised to refer to the “Admission of International Students (Research Students)” (update June 24, 2024), before lodging their applications.
The procedure of the following three steps is required for application.
- Pre-inquiry
Research plan, Certificate of graduation or certificate of expected graduation, Transcript, A certificate of Japanese language proficiency, A letter of recommendation
→ Download Research Plan
Upload the PDF file to the “Research Plan” section of the Pre-Admission System.
For other documents to be submitted, please refer to “Admission of International Students (Research Students) .” - Online Application
Online Application site - Submission of application form
Enrollment
April and October
Admission Calendar
| Research Student (Enrolled in April) | Research Student (Enrolled in October) | |
| August | Pre-inquiry | |
| October | Internet Application & Required Documents Submission | |
| November | ||
| January | Pre-inquiry | |
| April | Enrollment | Internet Application & Required Documents Submission |
| May | ||
| October | Enrollment |
Financial Status
There are two statuses for international students to study in Japanese universities, regarding a tuition fee waiver and exemptions of other expenses.
Kokuhi-Ryugakusei (MEXT Students by Embassy Recommendation)
A Japanese government (Monbukagakusho) scholarship student. A Kokuhi-Ryugakusei usually starts his/her career in Japan as a Kenkyusei.
To apply for a “Letter of Acceptance” for the MEXT Scholarship
In order to obtain a “Letter of Acceptance” from our Faculty, please send us the following documents BY EMAIL, after you pass the primary selection by the Japanese embassy in your country.
- Application Form for a Letter of Acceptance on MEXT Scholarship Program
(Downloadable from here)（June 24, 2024 update）） - Certificate of the primary selection issued by the Japanese embassy
- The same documents as those submitted to the Japanese embassy upon application
【NOTES】
*MEXT students by Embassy Recommendation will enter the university as research students. In order to become regular degree students, MEXT students are required to take entrance examinations and be accepted to the graduate school during their period as research students.
*Document screening for issuing a Letter of Acceptance usually takes around four weeks.
*We will not accept your application after the deadline on Friday, August 9, 2024.
*We will inform you of the result of screening by email. If you pass the screening, we will send your Letter of Acceptance by email to the email address listed on the “Application form for a Letter of Acceptance on MEXT Scholarship Program.” Please let us know if you would like us to send your Letter of Acceptance by postal mail in addition to sending it by email.
< Where to send application documents>
ryugaku-sup@let.hokudai.ac.jp
Please write “MEXT Scholarship Application” in the subject line and attach all the documents in PDF format.
< Deadline >
Friday, August 9, 2024. 5:00PM (Japan Standard Time)
Shihi-Ryugakusei
Students who financially support themselves.
Contact Information
Students Affairs Section
Email: ryugaku-sup@let.hokudai.ac.jp
(Open 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-17:00 from Monday to Friday. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays)