Center for International EducationWaseda University

Those who are not of Japanese nationality and have no status of residence are required to obtain a COE before coming to Japan. Since Waseda University will apply for your COE by proxy, you are required to prepare the necessary application documents, and make sure they are complete and error-free. Once you obtain your COE, you must submit it along with the other necessary documents to the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to have a visa stamped in your passport. When you arrive in Japan, you must present your visa and COE to the immigration officer to obtain permission to enter Japan with “student” resident status.

Important points to be noted for students who will be participating in internship programs, or who plan to study at schools such as Japanese language schools before starting as a study abroad exchange student:

If you plan to participate in internship programs or plan to study at schools such as Japanese language schools before starting as a study abroad exchange student, you must temporarily go back to your home country once you have finished your internship program or have finished studying at a school such as a Japanese language school, and go to the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate to apply for a study abroad visa.

Please further take note that Waseda University does not apply for your COE by proxy early for the purpose of your participation in an internship program or studies at Japanese language schools, etc. before starting as a study abroad exchange student.

MEXT Scholarship

Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is accepting applications for government sponsored scholarships for foreign students studying Japanese language and culture in Japanese universities. Students planning to enter Waseda’s Japanese Language Program (JLP) are eligible applicants for this grant, but the recommendation of their home university is required.

• Scholarship: 117,000 yen per month (tentative) and travel expenses one round trip
• Period of scholarship: 11 months, from September to July of the following year
• Application period will be announced via email.
• Eligibility and conditions: Exchange students who plan to enter Waseda’s Japanese Language Program for one year. This scholarship is only available to undergraduate students. For more details, please download the application requirements in a PDF.

Information on admission for 2018

• Application Documents: Please download the application requirements below.
  1. 2018 MEXT Scholarships (JLP) Guide (Japanese)
  2. 2018 MEXT Scholarships (JLP) Guide (English)
  3. Application Form
• How to apply: All necessary documents must be sent by post by the partner university to Waseda’s Center for International Education.
• Internal recommendation results announcement: Mid to late March (tentative)
• Selection result announcement: June (tentative)

JASSO Student Exchange Support Program -Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan-

This scholarship will be granted to exchange students (undergraduate and graduate students) whose academic performance meets the standard designated by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and who intend to return to their home university after this exchange program to continue their studies or to obtain a degree at their home university. Waseda University will recommend candidates to JASSO and the final selection will be done by JASSO. FAQ about JASSO

• Scholarship: 80,000 yen per month (tentative)
• Period of the grant: maximum 11 months
• Eligibility and conditions

1. Those who are not of Japanese nationality (status of residence must be “student”)
2. Those who have demonstrated a history of academic excellence at their home university
3. For those receiving an exchange program scholarship from another organization, the monthly amount of the grant may not exceed 80,000 yen. Some scholarship organizations do not allow receipt of more than one scholarship, so applicants must take responsibility for confirming such details with the relevant organizations.

• Number of selections: Varies by year
• Application method: State your intention to apply in an Online Application form
• Announcement of results:  Waseda’s Center for International Education will let partner universities know which of their students who applied for the JASSO scholarship were recommended by Waseda and which were not.  Final decision will be made by JASSO. When we learn the final results (usually at the end of September for autumn admission and at the end of April for spring admission), we will inform the partner universities of who were selected and who were not.

Notes

• The JASSO scholarship is highly competitive, therefore even those students who fulfill the above requirements are not guaranteed to receive a scholarship. Please be aware that we cannot answer any inquiries related to the results of the selection process.
• Please do not plan your budget based on the assumption that you will receive a scholarship. This scholarship cannot serve as proof of ability to pay expenses in the application for a certificate of eligibility.
• JASSO scholarship recipients are required to complete and submit the JASSO questionnaire, a report regarding the benefits of the student exchange program and academic transcript documents.

Waseda University provides dormitories exclusively for students on the exchange program: the Waseda University International Student House, Waseda Hoshien, and Nishi-Waseda International Student House, which are within walking distance of Waseda, Toyama and Nishi-Waseda campus, respectively. Some students choose to stay in private apartments or with home stay families. The information on housing can be found at housing

Regarding the dormitories for exchange students, the Residence Life Center assigns rooms based on students’ applications. Please note that assignment is on a first come, first served basis and the number of rooms is limited. Also, it is not permissible to apply after the application deadline. The procedure for application for these dormitories will be announced later.

Living costs differ depending on individual life styles, but the average monthly cost is 80,000 yen for housing, and 80,000 yen for living expenses (food, transportation and daily necessities).

It is essential to take out travel insurance in your home country before coming to Japan.

In addition it is compulsory to join Japan’s national health insurance.
The amount of the premium you must pay varies by city or ward; it is, however, usually about 1,500 yen per month.

Furthermore, taking out optional vehicle liability insurance is recommended, in case of accidents. More information will be provided at the general orientation. Please consider taking out this insurance.

W-Mentor team supports Waseda University life for exchange students. This team is organized by Sempai volunteers which consists of Japanese and International Waseda students, and it is starting from Fall 2017.

In order to relieve some concerns about Waseda life, W-mentor created FAQ paper for exchange students! If you still have any concerns that are not listed here, please feel free to ask us from our facebook page!

ICC organizes various events and programs to enable students enjoy extra-curricular activities beyond consideration of nationality, undergraduate or graduate school, or year of study. Please use these opportunities to participate in exchanges with international students and Japanese students.