The Hokkaido University Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies has students from all over the world. Many of our international students have passed the entrance examination and enrolled directly in a master's or doctoral program, but others have joined as Research Faculty of Media and Communication "research students," who study and receive research guidance from faculty for six months to a year while they get used to living in Japan and speaking the language, and prepare to take the graduate school entrance examination. You can learn more about the details of our research student system here.
(1) Starting as a Research Student before Enrolling in Our Graduate School
Research student life can begin in one of two terms, from April or from October. In contrast, matriculating in the Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies master's program is only possible from the April term. The Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies entrance examination is held twice a year, in August and in February. Thus, starting as a research student from the October term means the next opportunity to take the exam comes in February. If you feel sufficiently prepared to take the exam, you can come to Japan on a Temporary Visitor's Visa to take it in August before coming as a research student in October. That would allow two chances to take the exam before the April term. Research students beginning from April will naturally have two chances at the exam before the following spring term.
(2) What Research Students Learn
The primary goal for research students is to prepare for their own eventual graduate research under guidance from a supervisor. In addition to research guidance, they can take Japanese language courses from the Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education's International Education faculty, as well as study under the Research Faculty of Media and Communication's research student program. The program's details vary by semester, but it is designed to provide basic education and introductions to specializations for those wishing to enroll in graduate school.
Unlike degree-seeking graduate students, research students do not earn credits or write a master's thesis.
Note: You must apply in advance (September/March) to take Japanese language courses from the Advancement of Higher Education's International Education faculty. Deadlines are strictly enforced. Please check this website for the latest information.
(3)Becoming a research student with the Research Faculty of Media and Communication
Students interested in studying with the Research Faculty of Media and Communication or the Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies should study their respective websites. Our research work here is unique among all of Japan's graduate schools, so you should consider carefully whether our work aligns with what you would like to learn. Also, make sure that the work our faculty is doing matches your own intended research topic. Having done that, if you are still sure you want to apply for a research student position, then prepare a research plan and the necessary documents for Application Screening.
(4) Applying for Application Screening
International students who wish to become research students with the Research Faculty of Media and Communication are given the opportunity for application screening to decide acceptance twice a year (application periods are May and November). Those international students who plan to eventually enroll in the Graduate School of International Media, Communication, and Tourism Studies are eligible for application screening.
International students applying for scholarships, such as the Monbukagakusho Scholarship, are eligible for application screening outside of the usual period, so they should contact the academic affairs office.
(5) For Those Hoping to Enroll in Our Doctoral Program
If you have completed a master's program and wish to enroll in the doctoral program after your research student term, you should contact the faculty member you wish to study under in advance to get informal consent for research guidance, and then go through the research student application screening process. Contact the academic affairs office for details
(6) Supervisor Preference
International student guidance is done in teams within the Research Faculty of Media and Communication, and each faculty member is assigned a maximum of two supervised international students/research students each academic year. If you successfully pass application screening and receive permission for admission, the Research Faculty of Media and Communication will take responsibility for selecting your academic advisor, taking into consideration any indicated preferences (you may indicate a preferred advisor and a second choice at the time of application). Research students who go on to enroll as degree-seeking students will be able to select the supervisor they feel most suited to their research.
You are free to contact your preferred supervisor in advance for advice or guidance, but it is not necessary to get their permission or informal consent in advance, as the application screening will be done in committee. All application documents must be submitted directly to the academic affairs office.
(7) Required Documents
The application screening process begins with registering at the online application website, and then submitting an admittance application, a curriculum vitae, a statement of reasons (explaining your motivations for applying to study at our school, and for your research topic), a research plan, proof of (expected) graduation (diploma or certificate of degree), transcript, and documentary proof of non-Japanese citizenship. All documents should be submitted to the academic affairs office (be certain to check our graduate school's or the research facility's website for the latest Research Student (international students) Application Guidelines).
In order to best determine if you possess the necessary abilities to pursue research at our graduate school during the application screening process, we strongly recommend submitting letters of recommendation, proof of Japanese language ability (JLPT scores) as well as a certificate of English language ability (TOEFL-ITP, TOEFL-iBT, TOEIC public test). Such materials are extremely valuable in screening your application.
Please make sure to include official institutionally issued copies of your proof of (ex-pected) graduation (diploma or certificate of degree) and transcripts. Also, and recommendation letters should be on official letterhead printed with the name of the recommender's institution.