Introduction

We would like to accept as many foreign students as possible from foreign countries. In order to deepen the mutual understanding between Japan and Myanmar, and also to have more Myanmar people to understand Japan, we wish to have as many Myanmar people to study in Japan.However, we hear that many of them do not know where to acquire information regarding study in Japan. Therefore, we would like to provide you with information related to studying in Japan such as various scholarships, entrance examination and application procedure. For more detailed information, please refer to the following contact points that will provide you with more information about studying in Japan.

Before going to Japan to study

When considering studying in Japan, it is necessary to think thoroughly what to study, and how long you intend to study. Please form a study plan in Japan by referring to the following information, visualize your own future image, decide what kind of job you would like to take up in future.

(1) Purpose of study in Japan

Purposes of studying in Japan can roughly be divided into the following;

  • Linguistic Study：
    To learn Japanese language at Japanese language schools or a universities aimed at Japanese language acquisition.(From summer course up to university entrance preparation courses. Duration varies from one month up to two years.)
  • Long-term Study：
    To pursue an academic degree, such as university graduate, master or doctor degree, or to gain technical knowledge and skill. Regular course of graduate school and university (4 - 6 years) Junior college (usually 2 years), specialty, or vocational school, etc. (1 year for college/faculty, and for the specialized courses, it will take several years)

(2) Financing your study in Japan

It is necessary to prepare appropriate funding to cover tuition and living expenses when considering to study in Japan. There are various ways and means of funding as follows.

  1. Japanese Government Scholarship
    The Government of Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) offers scholarships to foreign students who wish to study in Japan.
    • Research Student (Under 35 years old. Length of study is 2 years including Japanese Language training. Study at specialized field at post graduate level.Entrance into the regular Master degree course or Doctoral course is also possible after examination.)
    • In-Service Teachers Training (Under 35. Length of stay is 1.5 years including Japanese language training.Study at special course on teachers training.)
    • Undergraduate Student (Over 17 and under 22.Length of stay is 5 years including Japanese language training.In cases of medicine, dentistry or veterinary, the length of study is 6 years)
    • Technical College Student (Over 17 and under 22.Length of stay is 4 years including Japanese language training.Study in the technical field.)
    • Special Training College Student (Over 17 and under 22.Length of stay is 3 years including Japanese language training.Study in the specialize field)
    • Japanese Studies Student (The length of study is 1 year. Special course on Japanese and Japanese affairs.It is available for undergraduate Japanese language or Japanese studies students at the 3rd or 4th year.)
    • Young Leaders Program (YLP) (Aimed for young future leaders, mainly government officials in Asian countries.)

  2. Private Scholarships/Self-Financed Students
    A student finances a whole expense by him/herself or tries to obtain a scholarship from Japanese private institutions. There are several organizations supporting students from Myanmar. So, please refer to contact points shown in this HP.
(3) Differences between the Education System of Japan and Myanmar

For those who consider studying at a university or graduate school in Japan, firstly, you need to find out whether you are qualified for admission to the university in Japan. Since there are some differences in the education system between Japan and Myanmar, you have to pay full attention to your academic background and your qualification. In order to be admitted to university in Japan, you must have at least 12 years of basic education, or to have a University Entrance Qualification Examination or pass other tests equivalent to e.g., International Baccalaureate.

In Japan, the elementary school is for six years, and it is from 6 years old. After the elementary school, there is a compulsory education of three years junior high school. A non-compulsory high school education lasts three years. After receiving a total 12 years of education, you can matriculate into a university.

However, education system of Myanmar is different from that of Japan. Since only 11 years of education is completed when you graduate from a Myanmar high school, it is still under the 12 years requirement for admission into Japanese universities. Therefore, those who wish to enter a Japanese university, or already being enrolled in a university in Myanmar or in another country, it is necessary to finish the preparatory course for one or two years (University Entrance Preparatory Course) in Japan in order to reach the requirements for admission.

(4) Examination

  1. Entrance Examination
    In order to enter to a Japanese school/university, it is necessary to take an entrance examination. There are written examination, oral examination, documents screening etc. As for subjects of the examination, they are Japanese, English, mathematics, science, etc. But they differ from school to school; also required subjects depend on your specialization. Please check with the examination section of the school where you wish to study.Although an entrance examination is usually to be taken in Japan, today, many universities are using the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) instead of their own examinations in Japan.

  2. Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
    "The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)” started in 2004 for Myanmar students as an examination for those who wish to study in Japan. The subjects are Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Mathematics, and Japan and the World. EJU is a test to measure students’ Japanese language and basic academic level.Today, there are many public and private universities which use this system. The list of universities using EJU and other detailed information can be found at the home page of Japan Student Services Association (JASSO).JASSO also provides scholarships for students with excellent results in the EJU, who will be admitted into Japanese Universities.You will need to apply for reservation for this program by indicating your intention in EJU application forms.

(5) Student Life in Japan

The entrance examination to the Japanese schools/universities and the living environment are in many cases as follows.

  1. Residence
    Although there are comparatively cheap accommodations available such as General Students Dormitories and International Students Dormitories, they are often fully occupied. Compared with a student dormitory, a house rent of a private apartment or condominium is usually very costly. It is recommended that you consult with your university or JASSO.

  2. Part-time Job
    After obtaining prior permission from an school/university and the immigration office, a foreign student can take up a part-time job within a fixed amount of time in order to cover his/her living expenses. Although your school can provide you with information on some part-time job, it is not easy to manage both your study and part-time job. It is also difficult to cover the living expenses only from a part-time job. So, before studying abroad, it is important to prepare your living funds without sacrificing your study that is your original purpose.

(6) How to gather information on Study in Japan

There are various government/private scholarships as well as other forms of assistance for foreign students to study in Japan. A large number of private institutions, local governments and universities in Japan support foreign students with various scholarship programs.

The Embassy of Japan holds Study in Japan seminars with the cooperation of Japanese universities and Japanese language schools in Yangon and other cities. The Embassy also holds “Ryugaku Advisory”, free of charge, once a month, which provide an opportunity for people to ask questions and receive advice about studying in Japan. Please follow our Facebook page for the latest information.

Furthermore, Okayama University has set up OJEIC (Okayama University Japan Educational Information Center) in Yangon and Mandalay. This center is supported by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and aims at helping talented Myanmar students explore opportunities to study in Japan. You can consult the staff of OJEIC about studying in Japan in the Myanmar language!

(Yangon office)
Tel：092-6184-1054
Address：Japan Foundation Yangon, 1st Floor,No.70, Nat Mauk Lane(1), Near Phoe Sein Hotel,Bahan Township, Yangon

(Mandalay office)
Tel :　09-459-3433-40
Address: MABA office,1stF,Room No.3,Block-1,Unit#6,Water Street, Mingalar Mandalay, Chan Mya Thar Si Township, Mandalay.

Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA)

Myanmar Association of Japan Alumni (MAJA) was established in Myanmar in 2001. Now, MAJA boasts more than 2400 members. Myanmar citizens who have studied in Japan can apply for a membership. MAJA works regularly with the Japanese Embassy,Japan Foundation Yangon, and universities in Myanmar, etc. It also conducts EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) in Myanmar in cooperation with JASSO, and provides consultations on studying in Japan for those who is considering this path.

For further information about MAJA or membership inquiries, please contact MAJA directly.

address：No.2B(4), Snow Garden Housing, Thumingalar Road, Hnin Si Gone(KA) Ward, Thingangyun Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel：+95(9)428612151, +95(9)262602121
e-mail：maja.ygn@gmail.com
homepage：https://ascoja-maja.org.mm/ 、https://www.facebook.com/MyanmarAssociationOfJapanAlumniMAJA/