Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A.    Program related

Q-A1 What programs are offered under the International Graduate Program on Civil and Environmental Engineering at Saitama University?

We offer two graduate degree programs as follows:

  1. Master of Engineering, and,

  2. Doctor of Engineering / Doctor of Philosophy

Details on the conferment requirements are here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/program.

Q-A2   Are the graduate programs offered in English?

Yes. The medium of teaching as well as research supervision is English. Moreover, both the master theses and doctoral dissertations are accepted in English.

Q-A3   What are the different fields of research available?

A wide range of research area is pursued under the International Graduate Program on Civil and Environmental Engineering. Some of the fields, but not limited to, are geo-technology for disaster prevention, earthquake engineering and earthquake disaster mitigation engineering, structures and mechanics, concrete structures, strengthening and rehabilitation of civil infrastructures, planning and design of transportation infrastructures, environmental engineering, and ecological engineering.

Further details on fields or research: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/research. 

Q-A4   What kind of courses are offered under the graduate programs?

Some of our courses are designed specifically for international students, such as Japanese language courses, but most are for both Japanese and international students. List of courses can be referenced from here:https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/list-of-courses. 

B.    Application and admission related

Q-B1   What are the admission requirements for the offered graduate programs?

To qualify, an applicant must fulfil the criteria listed here: https://is.gd/EHcp1u.

Q-B2   When is the application for offered programs starts? When is the deadline for submitting application?

Every year, the call for application starts around the month of June. Summary of all important dates related to application is here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/important-dates. 

Q-B3   What types of English Language Proficiency certificate are accepted?

 Accepted English language proficiency certificates are:

  1. Certificate of English language proficiency test showing equivalent to B2 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - https://is.gd/ouduDE (e.g., TOEFL iBT 80 or above, IELTS 5.5 or above, or other equivalent tests).

  2. Certificate of completion of academic program whose primary language of instruction is English and that satisfies the entrance requirements of the International Graduate Program on Civil and Environmental Engineering at Saitama University.

Q-B4   How do I submit application forms?    

Submission of application forms can be done either through email (by clicking ‘Email to FSO’ link available at the top-right corner of the application form, Form A | 1 of 2 – page #2 here: https://is.gd/sfZ0D0) or through regular postal mail. For the later, simply print the filled-in forms and send by post. The postal address is
 
Foreign Student Office (FSO)
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Saitama University
255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama-shi
Saitama, Japan 338-8570
Tel. / Fax.: +81-48-858-3555

Details on application forms are available here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/application-forms.


Q-B5   How do I submit supporting documents?    

Certified copies of supporting documents for the application forms must be sent via postal mail. (see Q-B4 for details on the postal address). Note that digital scan of documents and/or a simple photocopy will not be accepted.

Q-B6   How do I submit letters of recommendation?

Applicants should not use the form for recommendation letters (Form B – pages #4 and #5 here: https://is.gd/sfZ0D0) available in the application form and leave it as blank when filling the other components. Applicants should send the recommendation letter forms available at the following web-links electronically to the recommenders instead. 

#1 Recommender: https://is.gd/a3QYjy 
#2 Recommender: https://is.gd/wmouwe 

The recommenders, in turn, are required to electronically fill-in the form and send the recommendation directly to the Foreign Student Office (FSO).

Note that the recommenders are required to send the recommendation letters from their official or work email account. Evaluation committee may contact the recommenders directly.

Q-B7   Is it acceptable to contact the prospective supervisor before applying?

Yes, it is acceptable. However, it is not necessary to contact a faculty member before applying. Information on various research groups and faculty members is available here (by clicking respective research group links): https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/research.

Q-B8   When can I know about the outcome of my application?    

Dates when results are announced (varies for master’s and doctoral applicants) can be referred here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/important-dates. 

Q-B9   Are applicants who already have master’s degree eligible for admission with scholarship?

Based on the ABD-JSP scholarship criteria, such applicants are not eligible. However, they are eligible to be considered under World Bank (JJ/WBGSP) scholarship. Details on such requirements are available here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/financial-aid. Additionally, such applicants are eligible to apply as private students.

Q-B10  What are the selection criteria and procedure?

Application evaluations are based on candidate's scholastic ability and research potential assessed from the record of academic achievements, recommendation letters, submitted essays on specific topics, etc. During the evaluation process, candidates may be contacted for internet-based interviews or other appropriate means as deemed necessary by the evaluation committee.
 
Following the evaluation, for applicants seeking admission with scholarship, the list of candidates nominated by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is sent to the respective scholarship awarding agencies (for which scholarship application is made), for their approval.


Q-B11  Is there any application fee?

There is no application fee for those applying for admission with scholarship. Moreover, if scholarship is awarded, entrance and tuition fees will be waived for the entire scholarship duration.

For successful private students, on the other hand, application fee applies. Additionally, information on admission and tuition fees is available under 'Cost of Study' here (at the bottom of the page): https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/financial-aid.

Q-B12  When will I get to know the outcome of my application?

We thank all the applicants for their interest in joining our international graduate program. However only the shortlisted and/or successful applicants will be contacted. Applicants are advised to check the dates under 'Important Dates' of the FSO website on when such notifications are expected.

Q-B13  Can you let me know if my postal package (containing application forms and supporting documents) arrived at your office?

It is difficult for us to respond to your inquiries on the arrival of postal package(s). Please send us your postal mail by registered mail/courier services and use their services to track the package.

C.    Scholarship related

Q-C1   What is the cost of study for self-funded students?

Information regarding general expenses for a self-funded single student is available under the section ‘Cost of Study’ available here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/financial-aid. 

Q-C2   What types of scholarship are available and what aspects they financially cover?

Following scholarships are available:

  1. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) / Monbukagakusho scholarship (for doctoral degree only). Details regarding this scholarship are here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/mext_uni_recomm. For those who wish to apply for the MEXT scholarship through embassy recommendation (both for master’s and doctoral degrees), information can be obtained from this webpage:  https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/mext_embassy_recomm. 

  2. Asian Development Bank-Japan (ADB-JSP) scholarship (for master’s degree only)

  3. World Bank (JJ/WBGSP) scholarship (for master’s degree only)

Further information regarding available scholarships and their financial coverage can be referred from here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/financial-aid. 

Q-C3   How many master’s students can be enrolled each year with scholarship?

In general, 10 to 15 outstanding candidates are enrolled each year with scholarship (ADB-JSP scholarship administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and JJ/WBGSP Scholarship administered by the World Bank (WB)).

Q-C4   How many doctoral students can be enrolled each year with scholarships? 

In general, 8 candidates are enrolled each year with scholarship (The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) / Monbukagakusho scholarship).

D.    Accommodation related

Q-D1   What kind of accommodation is provided by the university?

Details on university accommodation are available here: https://is.gd/XSmxdL.

Q-D2   How long a student can stay at the university accommodation?

In principle, the maximum allowed residence period is one year. Following the stay at university dormitory for one year, students are required to rent a private apartment outside university campus. Details on living in private apartment are here: https://is.gd/XSmxdL. Additional details on housing are also available here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/daily-life. 

Q-D3   Are the utilities expenses covered by the university?

No. Residents of the university dormitory are required to pay utilities expenses every month. Details are available here: https://is.gd/XSmxdL. 

Q-D4   How do I apply for the university accommodation?  

The application procedure for university accommodation will be provided to successful applicants.

E.    Post admission related

Q-E1   I have been admitted with scholarship for this year’s April intake. Can I postpone my enrollment with scholarship to the October intake or next year intake?

No. If you have been admitted with scholarship to a certain intake, you cannot postpone your enrollment to another intake or next year intake.

Q-E2   After my arrival at Saitama University, when will I receive my first bursary from my scholarship?

You will receive your bursary from the scholarship, normally around 1-1.5 months after your arrival. Therefore, it is crucial for you to bring enough money to support your life and expenditure before the first disbursement of the bursary.

Q-E3   How much money should I bring to support my life during the first 1 or 1.5 months before the disbursement of the bursary?

The approximate living cost for one month is around 120,000-140,000 yen depending on your life style. However, at the initial stage, you will need to spend more money to buy many things for your life here and additionally you may receive your bursary even after a month, so it is recommended to have around 100,000 yen with you for your initial living cost.

Q-E4   Is it possible to bring my family under the dependent visa when I come to Japan?

It would be difficult to bring your family straightaway under the dependent visa. You will need to apply for the certificate of eligibility for them to be eligible to get the dependent visa. The process will take at least a month. Details are available under section 'Inviting family members' here: https://intl.civil.saitama-u.ac.jp/arrival-and-immigration.