Prospective Student

Student Exchange (Inbound)

The Graduate and undergraduate Schools of Economics and Business welcome Special Auditors (Special Research Students) as exchange students from Inter-Faculty and Inter-University partner institutions, in addition to two exchange programs arranged by the Office of International Affairs (International Student Center).

For details, please contact your home institution.

Special Auditor (Special Research Student) in Economics and Business

Japanese-speaking graduate and undergraduate program (Spring and/or Fall semesters)

Condition: Japanese-speaking undergraduate students in economics and business, who have completed at least two years of study at their home university before they begin the exchange program.

Japanese-speaking graduate students, who have completed at least one year of study at their home university before they begin the exchange program.

Programs offered in English: Supervision of thesis, Japanese Economy and International Exchange Courses (liberal arts courses mainly for undergraduates).

Programs offered in Japanese: Supervisor’s seminar, student tutorship and more than 50 courses in economics and business. cf. Business Japanese course is offered by the International Student Center.

Language requirement: Equivalent to JLPT Level N2 or higher.

Syllabus in Japanese

Special Auditor (Special Research Student) in Economics

English-speaking graduate program (Spring and/or Fall semesters)

Condition: English-speaking Master’s and Doctoral students in theoretical economics and applied economics, who have a bachelor degree in economics and have completed at least one year of study at the home university before they begin the exchange.

Programs offered in English: Supervision of thesis, student tutorship, selected courses in theoretical economics and applied economics.

Instructions offered in Japanese (option): Supervisor’s seminar, student tutorship and Business Japanese course.

Language requirement: TOEFL-iBT80 / TOEIC730 / IELTS6.0 or higher (for non-native English speakers)

Syllabus: Please contact the Section of Academic Affairs of the Graduate School of Economics and Business.

*Application deadline: Late December for the Spring semester (from early April to early August) and late May for the Fall semester (from early October to early February)

Nomination from the home institute is required in advance.

*Required Documents: An application form, a certificate of enrollment from home university, recommendation letters, a transcript of academic records, a certificate of language test, a photocopy of passport, 2 pieces of photo (3×4cm).

Please look into the web page of the Office of International Affairs

Steps to Enter Graduate School

Guide of graduate studies at Hokkaido University

Case 1．Governmental scholarship student (1 year as a research student and 2 years as a Master’s student)

March-May	Apply to the MEXT scholarship at the Japanese Embassy of your home country
July-August	Receive a provisory certificate of the MEXT scholarship from the Japanese Embassy
August	Apply to the Graduate School and receive a letter of acceptance
February (2nd year)	Receive the final certificate of the MEXT scholarship
April	Arrive in Hokkaido
April-Augus	Attend the Intensive Japanese Course at the International Student Center (6 months)
October-February	Enroll in the School of Economics as a research student and prepare the entrance examination (6 months)
February (3rd year)	Take the entrance examination for international students
March	Pass the exam
April-	Enroll in a Master’s course

Case 2．Governmental scholarship Student (2 years as a Master’s student)

March-May	Apply to the MEXT scholarship at the Japanese Embassy of your home country
July-August	Receive a provisory certificate of the MEXT scholarship from the Japanese Embassy
August	Apply to the Graduate School and receive a letter of acceptance
February	Take the Special Bracket for International Students Overseas
March	Pass the exam
October	Enroll in a Master’s course

Case 3．Non-scholarship student (6-12 months as a research student and 2 years as a Master’s student)

By May/November	Get in contact with a future supervisor and get a letter of acceptance
June/Decembe	Apply to the School of Economics as a research student
October/April	Arrive in Hokkaido
October/April	Enroll in the School of Economics as a research student, attend Business Japanese course and prepare for the entrance examination (6-12 months)
February (2nd year)	Take the entrance examination for international students
March	Pass the exam
April	Enroll in a Master’s course

Case 4．Non-scholarship student (2 years as a Master’s student)

February	Arrive in Hokkaido
February	Take the entrance examination for international students
March	Pass the exam
April	Enroll in a Master’s course

*You can complete the main requirements such as the entrance examination and the graduation thesis in English. However, the majority of courses, especially in business administration are offered in Japanese and particular courses in theoretical economics and applied economics are offered in English. Therefore it is highly recommended to get JLPT N2 before your courses begin. The International Student Center offers Business Japanese courses.

Inquiries

Scholarships

Inbound

• International student scholarships at Hokkaido University
• Tuition waiver
• Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant

International student scholarships and tuition waivers are very competitive. In the screening process, emphasis is placed on academic achievements, GPA, numbers of research papers, and active participation in academic conferences. Positions of teaching assistants may be offered to the best students recommended by their supervisor

The Graduate School of Economics and Business, Hokkaido University, welcomes MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship candidates screened by the Japanese diplomatic mission. To get a Letter of Acceptance, please send us the following documents by email, after you pass the Primary Screening of the Japanese diplomatic mission. Any contacts before the Primary Screening will be not valid. Entry Sheet for Government Scholarship Students （Grad. School of Economics and Business, HOKKAIDO University） → Word | PDF Passing Certificate of the Primary Screening issued by the Japanese diplomatic mission A set of the same documents as submitted to the Japanese diplomatic mission (application, academic transcript of the university attended and research program, all with a confirmation seal of the Japanese diplomatic mission affixed, and linguistic certificates) Contact: Committee of International Affairs, Graduate School of Economics, Hokkaido University Kita 9, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0809 Tel: + 81-11-706-3163 Fax: + 81-11-706-4947 Email: ecokyomu(at)jimu.hokudai.ac.jp

Supportive System for International Students

The Graduate and undergraduate Schools of Economics and Business offer a unique and diverse environment for international students, in addition to the supports offered by the Office of International Affairs

Both international and Japanese students have opportunities to get to know each other at welcome parties and student orientations.

Upon graduation, students become eligible for membership of the Alumni of the Graduate and Undergraduate Schools of Economics and Business, the Alumni of Hokkaido University and the Gakushi-kai (the united alumni of seven ex-imperial universities, which offers a directory, journals, and a hall in Tokyo) regardless of nationality.

All international students are supported by their seminar supervisors and student tutors, and Student Accident & Injury Insurance (PAS).

There are two types of student tutors: Type 1 tutors are in charge of educational support for international students (30 hours), and Type 2 tutors provide a linguistic correction of thesis (30 – 60 hours). The graduate school highly encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities.

Case of Supports for an International Student