Graduate International Research Students (kenkyusei), Graduate School of Science

6 months as standard, renewable in 6-month steps up to a maximum total of 2 years English open

Life as a student on this programme

Other

Residence status - research students hold the 'Student' (ryugaku) visa — Kenkyusei status carries a student visa, with a status-specific two-year ceiling that mirrors the School's own two-year rule: "
Immigration timing — "The immigration process for Japan tends to take a long time", and the University advises completing application procedures "at least six months prior to admission". The Graduate
Part-time work — Permitted only with immigration permission: "Students must apply for and obtain Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Gra
No post-graduation job-hunting visa — A material limitation of the status for anyone thinking of using it as a launchpad into work in Japan. On the Designated Activities status that lets graduates sta
National Health Insurance — Compulsory and applies from arrival: "All those with 'Student' status of residence (more than 3 months) must enroll into the National Health Insurance system." "70% of medi
Japanese language courses - research students are eligible — One of the clearest positives for this status. The Japanese Language Education Division of the Center for Global Education lists as eligibl
International Student Support Room (ISSR) — The University's central support service, run by the Center for Global Education: "Providing information, individual consultations, and counseling to help s
Career support - a real limitation — "The Career Support Office assists all UTokyo students in charting out paths for their careers after graduation", but the handbook heads the section "5-8 Career Su
University accommodation — Research students are eligible for several UTokyo residences but usually capped at one year, which sits awkwardly against a two-year maximum status. Mitaka International Hal
Campus and location — The Graduate School of Science is based at Hongo Campus, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033. Faculty of Science Bldg. 1 houses Physics, Astronomy and Earth & Planetary Scienc
Science Library — "Science Library was opened in the spring of 2018 by integrating several department libraries." "Services are provided in Main Library, the 3rd floor of Faculty of Science Building N
Affiliated research facilities available to the School — The School of Science lists fourteen affiliated facilities that host research activity, several of which are the practical setting for a resear
Student discounts — "Graduate International Research Students are not in general eligible to purchase discount commuter passes or receive other student discounts." The University-wide handbook confirm
Living costs (indicative) — The University's living-expenses guidance for international students: "a small one-room apartment for a single person typically costs around 80,000 to 100,000 yen per month
Student clubs, sports and orientation for research students
Programme sources (39)