This time, I would like to share my experience on how I managed to pursue my dream of continuing my master’s degree (M.Eng) in Japan. This article will focus on the process of pursuing a master’s at the University of Tsukuba, supported by funding from the National Institute for Materials Science – Graduate Research Assistantship (NIMS-GRA). The NIMS-GRA program is a special program from NIMS that offers students the opportunity to conduct research at a national research institution equipped with advanced facilities while earning an academic degree from the university.
Important Steps Before Starting Your Master’s
Taking the English proficiency test
English proficiency is a crucial requirement for studying abroad, including in Japan. Before applying, it is highly recommended to have an adequate level of English proficiency. Although the NIMS-GRA program does not set a minimum score for English tests such as TOEFL iBT, TOEIC L&R, or IELTS, achieving a high score is still important. A good score will leave a positive impression on your prospective supervisor and strengthen your application. I will explain other reasons in the next post.
Finding a prospective supervisor
The next step is finding a supervisor whose research aligns with your topic of interest. Information about supervisors and their research topics can be accessed through this link. After finding a potential supervisor, contact them via email, introducing yourself, stating your goals, the research topic you’re interested in, and asking whether they are accepting new students. Below, I will share my initial email as an example that you can refer to. After that, you just need to wait for the supervisor’s response.
Applying to the NIMS-GRA Program
- April – May: NIMS-GRA Application
- June: NIMS-GRA Screening Results Announcement
- July: University of Tsukuba Application
- August: Entrance Exams (written and interview)
- September: Entrance Exam Results Announcement
- End of February (following year): NIMS-GRA Results Announcement
- April (following year): Start of Contract
Make sure you have your English certificate ready before April and have contacted your prospective supervisor no later than April. It’s recommended to apply to the NIMS-GRA program as soon as possible.
Required Documents for Application
- Application form
- CV
- Academic transcript
- English proficiency certificate (TOEFL iBT, TOEIC L&R, or IELTS)
In the application form, one key point is to fill in the Travel Grant section. Make sure you apply for this part and select “not attend” if you do not receive the travel grant. Of course, you can choose “On my own budget, I will attend,” but if funds are tight, it’s better not to apply. The Travel Grant refers to a round-trip ticket between Your country and Japan, hotel accommodation, and round-trip airport-to-Tsukuba transportation, while food expenses are self-covered. If paying on your own, accommodation might cost around 200,000 yen.
After applying, there will be an informal interview to verify the information you’ve submitted. This interview will be conducted by your prospective supervisor. From my experience, the focus of the interview was the Travel Grant. At the time, I emphasized that I would not take the exam if I did not receive the Travel Grant. After the interview, perhaps by the end of July, once the university application is complete, the Travel Grant results will also be announced. After that, NIMS will send documents to be used for applying for a visa to Japan.
Experience in Japan for the Entrance Exams
During this time, I stayed in Japan for five days (Monday-Friday). I arrived in Japan on Monday morning and went straight to Tsukuba. I spent the first day resting at the hotel. On the second day, I visited the campus to confirm the exam location and handled reimbursement at NIMS. The third day was the written exam held in the morning, and the fourth day was the interview exam. I will explain the exam details in my next post. On the fifth day, I spent my free time exploring around Tokyo before heading to the airport. After that, I just had to wait for the exam results, which were announced in early September. If you pass the entrance exam, you only need to wait for the NIMS-GRA results and start your studies and research in April.
That wraps up my experience of pursuing a master’s in Japan through the NIMS-GRA program. The process is long and full of challenges but very rewarding. I hope this information helps those of you with similar dreams.