IESC Frequently Asked Questions
◆FUNDING
Q1 Scholarships for the IESC
Q2 How to find a scholarship
Q3 MEXT Scholarship – Embassy Recommendation
Q4 MEXT Scholarship – University Recommendation
Q5 Financial ability certificate
Q6 Scholarship after enrolment
◆FEES
Q7 Fees
Q8 Admission fee waiver
Q9 Tuition waiver
Q10 Tuition payment
◆IESC APPLICATION
Q11 Application by post
Q12 Documents return
Q13 Original documents
Q14 English certificate
Q15 Application fee
Q16 Prospective supervisor
Q17 Master’s laboratories
Q18 Reference form
Q19 Identification
Q20 AAO Process
Q21 Kenkyusei (non-degree)
Q22 Deferred enrolment?
Q23 Rolling application
Q24 IDP?
Q25 Embassy MEXT
◆LIFE IN KYOTO
Q26 Accommodation
Q27 Course location
Q28 Japanese language
Q29 Living costs
SCHOLARSHIP
Q1. Scholarships for the IESC
I am seeking admission with a full scholarship. Does the IESC have a scholarship scheme for highly competitive applicants?
A1. Currently, the IESC does not. As a non-funded programme, the IESC requires applicants to cover the school fees and all other expenses required to live and study in Kyoto, either privately or by independently securing a scholarship.
Q2. How to find a scholarship
Where can I find scholarship information to enable me do my Master’s in the IESC at Kyoto?
A2. Please see the university’s web site
.
Q3. MEXT Scholarship via Embassy Recommendation
(What’s MEXT? – see the JASSO web site.)
I would like to apply for a MEXT scholarship to do my Master’s in the IESC. Where should I start?
A3. For application information, please contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate-General in your country. Please note that the application deadline and screening timetable vary from country to country.
Q4. MEXT Scholarship via University Recommendation
(What’s MEXT? – see the JASSO web site.)
Are there any possibilities that I can apply for the MEXT through Kyoto University before I am enrolled in the IESC?
A4. If we follow the application guide from last year by the MEXT, those who take the IESC program screening are not eligible to be a candidate for the MEXT University Recommendation scholarship, due to its timeline such as the timing of notification of acceptance decisions.
Q5. Financial ability certificate
How and when do I need to provide proof of my financial ability and/or scholarship award?
A5. If you accept our offer of admission and intend to enroll in the IESC programme, you must complete the financial declaration forms (Form D and E), which must be signed by you and a person who can pay your expenses, as part of our formal admission procedure.
Q6. Scholarship opportunities after enrolment
Are there any scholarship opportunities after enrollment in the IESC?
A6. Yes, privately-funded students will have the opportunities to apply for scholarship/grant programmes organized by various sectors through the GSES. Selection is on a competitive basis. Please note that most scholarships are for students who have already started the course at Kyoto University, and only a few scholarships are open to applications from candidates before enrolment.
FEES
Q7. Fees
What do the fees consist of?
A7. School fees consist of an Admission (Matriculation) fee and Tuition fees. The Admission (Matriculation) fee must be paid by the enrollment procedure deadline. This a one-off, non-refundable fee allows us to issue an official Certificate of Admission. Recipients of MEXT scholarships are exempt from these fees. For more information on KU school fees, please visit the university’s web site.
Q8. Admission fee waiver
Is an admission fee waiver available for applicants?
A8. Yes. There is an admission fee waiver programme for those experiencing a major, unexpected financial hardship. Application becomes available after the announcement of the final admission results and there are a few important notes for international applicants on terms and conditions. Please contact the office for the details. .
Q9. Tuition waiver
Can I apply for a tuition waiver?
A9. Yes. There is a typical half exemption and a full exemption of tuition fees based on the university’s evaluation. Tuition waiver is awarded each, therefore a waiver application must be made each term. Application is open to all Kyoto University students in any year if they are having a financial difficulty with the payment of tuition fee.
Q10, Tuition payment method
How and when do I have to pay a tuition?
A10. Unless you have applied for a tuition waiver programme and are waiting for the result, you will receive an invoice in mid May for Spring Semester (Semester I), and in mid November for Fall Semester (Semester II). You have to deposit the amount by domestic bank transfer using the bank transfer request form enclosed by the payment due date.
IESC APPLICATION
Q11. Application by post
Can I submit my application documents by post instead of using the online application system?
A11. No. We only accept applications via our online application system.
Q12. Application documents after screening
Will application documents be returned after the selection process?
A12. No. None of the application documents will be returned to applicant, regardless of the outcome of the selection process.
Q13. Original documents
Must all academic transcripts/diplomas/EFL test certificates be original? Do you accept photocopies of these?
A13. No. We cannot accept either original documents or officially verified copies (issued and certified by the university or institution), but not straight photocopies. Please consult the GSES office in advance if you have any difficulties with submitting originals or verified copies.
Q14. English language certificate
I have been educated in English at school and university, and I am a competent English user, although it is not my first/native language. I am also not from a majority English-speaking country, such as the US or the UK. Do I have to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score report taken within the last 24 months?
A14. Yes, you must submit it. However, if you are from an English-speaking country and English is your first language, you may be exempt from providing proof of your English language skills. Applicants must first contact to the GSES office and follow their instructions.
Q15. Application fee
Could the application fee (10,000JPY) be waived or refunded due to financial difficulties and/or academic excellence?
A15. Currently, there is no application fee waiver or refund. The only exception is applicants for the MEXT scholarship via Embassy Recommendations who have passed the final screening.
Q16a. Prospective supervisor for Master’s candidates
Do I need to find a prospective supervisor/academic advisor for my Master’s programme at Kyoto University? Do I need to contact a faculty member before I apply?
A16a. Applicants for the IESC do not have to find a prospective supervisor themselves, but they must specify their preferred field of study/research group on an application form.
Q16b. Prospective supervisor for doctoral candidates
How can I contact the faculty members of the laboratory of my interest?
A16b. Please find the contact emails of the laboratories involved in the IESC in the document ‘Preferred backgrounds and existing knowledge)’ .
Q17. Three laboratories for Master’s applicants
I understand that I can choose a maximum of three laboratories that interest me on Form A. What if I only write my first choice? I am very keen to be assigned to a specific laboratory or supervisor with whom I have already made contact.
A17. Due to the capacity of each laboratory, applicants would simply have a better chance of being admitted to the degree programme if they nominate three laboratories rather than leaving the second and third choices blank.
Q18a. Reference form (Form C) – format
Should I ask my referees to use the designated form, Form C? Can they provide a reference in a letter format?
A18a. Please ask them to use the designated form.
Q18b. Reference form (Form C) – sealed and signed?
How should I submit the reference forms? What does ‘sealed and signed’ mean?
A18b. At the enrollment stage, successful applicants must submit the original Form C in a sealed envelope, signed across the envelope seal. Please see the picture below.
Q19. Identification confirmation procedure
What is “identification confirmation procedure”?
A19. The Admissions Committee may ask the applicants who will be interviewed on telephone or internet for their online/video identification confirmation before the interview. Applicants themselves must attend this session. Overseas applicants, therefore, are requested to secure the environment with excellent internet connection and a PC/Mac with a web camera.
Q20. Admissions Assistance Office (AAO)
“Admissions Assistance Office” Should I apply to the AAO first, or submit my application documents via the online system?
A20. BEFORE submitting your application documents online, please read carefully the site below and complete the AAO process. Admissions Assistance Office (AAO)
Q21. Kenkyusei (non-degree student) application
Can a “Kenkyusei” student (i.e. a ‘research’ student with non-degree status at Kyoto University) apply for the IESC?
A21. Prospective students are NOT required to be a “Kenkyusei” prior to enrolment in order to be admitted to the IESC. Current “Kenkyusei” students can apply for the IESC; however, being a “Kenkyusei” student at the GSES or another graduate school at Kyoto University does not give applicants an advantage in the IESC admissions process or when choosing laboratories.
Q22. Deferred enrolment
Can I apply for a deferred enrolment for my national service at home or other reasons?
A22. Unfortunately we are currently not ready for accepting the deferment of enrolment.
Q23. Rolling application
Do you process applications on a rolling basis?
A23. No, we have a fixed application deadline and application must be made by no later than the deadline specified in each course and enrolment cycle.
Q.24. International Doctoral Program*?
According to the GSES web site, you have “International Doctoral Program (IDP)” with MEXT scholarship. What are the differences between the IESC doctoral program and the IDP? Which should I apply for?
A24. The “International Doctoral Program” is one of the MEXT’s Priority Graduate Programs (PGP) , in which a full MEXT scholarship is offered to successful candidates if they satisfy the MEXT eligibility. The IESC is NOT a PGP. Please also see Q1.
*There is no further recruitment from AY2013 intake onwards. Should there be another PGP programme at the GSES after AY2015, an announcement will be made on our web site immediately. Individual notification or personal reminder will not be sent. (Updated on 10 February 2014)
Q25. Application for the IESC and MEXT via embassy
I am applying for a MEXT scholarship via Embassy’s recommendation (postgraduate) and interested in enrolling in the IESC Master’s program as a MEXT student. How and when should I apply for the IESC?
A25. You have to organize two different applications yourself, scholarship (MEXT) and postgraduate degree program (IESC) . MEXT and IESC application processes are independent from each other. An informal consent and/or support from a prospective supervisor are not required and will neither advantage nor bias the application in IESC admissions.
LIFE IN KYOTO
Q26. Accommodation
Do you have any halls of residence for international students at Kyoto?
A26. Yes, we do. We have four university international houses- Shugakuin, Yoshida, Hyakumanben, Okazaki, Misasagi, Uji and Ohbaku for newly arrived international students. Application must be made via your prospective supervisor after you officially accept our admission offer. There will be a random selection draw and stay period restrictions (typically 6 months) due to the limited number of rooms available. Overseas students who already have lived in Japan for one year or more cannot apply for this accommodation..
Q27. Course location
Where does the IESC take place?
A27. IESC’s coursework takes place mainly at the Yoshida Main Campus, Kyoto. The GSES’s laboratories/ faculty members’ offices are located across the Yoshida Main Campus, Uji Campus and Kumatori RRI (Reactor Research Institute), where laboratory seminars, thesis tutorials, and experiments (if relevant) happen.
KU campus locations and directions
Q28. Japanese language
As a degree course taught in English, do I need no Japanese language to enroll in the IESC at Kyoto?
A28. Yes and no. The IESC students will be taught in English, receive academic supervision and write their thesis in English, therefore, no knowledge of Japanese language is required for this course. However, we recommend that students learn some basic Japanese, as this is essential for anyone who lives in Japan to communicate with people both on and off campus. The university provides international students free in-session Japanese language courses at the Education Center for different levels of experience.
Q29. Costs of living
What is the living costs for an international student at Kyoto?
A29. Living expenses vary depending on the length of the course and students’ lifestyles. For the average living costs, please refer the JASSO’s web sites.
Last updated: April 2023
