Masters in Japan: funding?

[Seiun]

Hi,

I'm just coming to the end of a summer project I've been doing in Japan, and decided I would like to stay at the university and enter the Masters course. My Supervisor thinks this will be ok, and I should be able to enter for the next year. Although, I need to look for funding.

The only funding body I'm aware of at the moment is the mombusho scholarship. I came from the UK, but the UK embassy recommendations are already over. Though I heard you can apply through a Japanese University as well.

The subject I'll be studying is Physics, since sometimes organisations are subject specific with their funding.

Preferably, I'd like to find funding that covers some time learning Japanese as well. (say up until april/october next year).

I'd be grateful for any advice! Thanks!

[YokohamaYamate]

If you were from a developing country there would have been a reasonable argument for an international aid agency to pick you up. Is your aspect of physics linked with the Japanese private sector in some way? Training a Brit on Japanese equipment might be an attractive proposition for the relevant Japanese manufacturer. Or have you thought about whether you could work part-time and support yourself that way?

[kurogane]

Hey,

Unfortunately, you are way behind the application cycle for the next academic year (April 2008).

Here's a general database link:
http://www.internationalscholarships.com/browse.php

Hopefully, you can browse through that and hopefully get some ideas and possibilities.

I would recommend you seriously consider postponing your plans until you can get a Monbusho (probably for April 2009). That will give you extra time to study Japanese, which, as you've probably noticed, proves useful in a country where English is not spoken widely. It would be a very wise career move.

Okay, good luck with it.

[Seiun]

Thanks for the link. I put in Japan and Sciences though, and one result came up. ><

Monbusho looks very attractive. Do you think it's completely too late to apply for one for April 2008? Other methods of application for the Monbusho are Japanese University Recommendation and Domestic Selection. I don't really know how these work yet, but possibly a monbusho is still feasible.

Starting in April would still give me around 6 months to study Japanese, and my main reason for starting next year is that I'd like to stay in Japan and wouldn't like to delay my career by another year.

In the UK, I could start my PhD from now. In Japan, I have to do 2 years Masters first. Add another year for Scholarship application and that's delaying progress by 3 years.

YokohamaYamate, I doubt working part-time could cover all the expenses, but I'll probably do English Tutoring for a little extra cash anyway.

I think there's quite a few funding options, and I'll need to look into them more. There's quite a bit of useful information on the JASSO website:

http://www.jasso.go.jp/index_e.html

Problem is I'd like to receive funding soon, since originally I was supposed to fly back on 11th of September.

But somehow, I feel like there is a way.

Gambarimasu!

[kurogane]

I hate to sound like a certain Dutchman we all know, but son, you are about a half year too late, and the power of hope probably won't help.

The applications were due in early summer, then there is interviews, and yada yada yada...........

It all takes a very long time. Your enthusiasm won't help speed that process, but it sure makes you more charming.

But good luck with it.

[Seiun]

Ok, thanks!

I'll see what I can do. ^^