Student Exchange

1) Chiba University Students Studying Overseas

Except for privately funded students, in recent years the number of students from our university studying overseas has increased markedly. The number of these students studying overseas has continued to increase since 1996. Students have undertaken exchanges with universities with which our university has no formal exchange agreements, but, the majority of our students have undertaken exchanges with overseas universities with which we have formal exchange agreements. Most of our students doing exchanges overseas receive scholarships from the ''Japan Student Service Organizaion'' (JASSO). Cases of students doing exchanges funded by other scholarships have also begun to appear. Recently, the English ability of Chiba University's students has improved and the number of students wishing to go on exchange programs has begun to increase, but due to difficulties with the funding framework the number of students actually doing exchanges are few.

2) Acceptance of International Students

The number of foreign exchange students attending Chiba University showed a steady increase until 2008. In 1986 the number was 187, but in 1989 it had increased to 363, and again by 1993 it increased to 518, finally reaching a peak of 878 people in 2008.
If we examine the present number of students by region, we see that China (496), Korea (111), Mongolia(31), Viet Nam(29), Indonesia (24), top the list. It can be noted that the students are overwhelming from Asian countries. There are also students from the U.S.A., Brazil, and Australia.
Looking at the makeup of types of students attending Chiba University, we can observe the following. Postgraduate students account for half the total number of foreign students (486). There are also a sizeable number of students studying as undergraduates (211). There are also a sizeable number of research students, specially registerd non-degree students and so on (181). In addition to this, amongst the total number of students (878), 175 received government scholarships.
Still, we would like to mention that there has been a recent increase in the type and number of short-term exchange students. These students do not come with the purpose of attaining a degree; they include students for 1 year within various faculties and those involved in the postgraduate program that spans two years.
From 1998, based on ''The Basic Policy for Exchange Students- Curriculum Reform'', Chiba University has started to make efforts to establish a consistent and systematic curriculum targetting at foreign students. From the standpoint that there is a need for university education incorporating mutual exchange between overseas and Japanese students, the curriculum, called ''International Exchange Subjects'', was established. Alongside Japanese language education from the beginning to the intermediate level, students will also take classes in Japanese affairs. In order to prepare students for specialized education, after completion of the Japanese courses, ''Pre-Specialized Subjects'' will be provided.

3) Studying at Chiba University

1. The courses available for overseas students are listed below:

1) Regular courses for students who wish to receive academic degrees at the respective faculties and graduate schools.
2) Short-term undergraduate programs (up to one year).
3) The postgraduate research student program.

2. Academic Calendar
The academic year is from April till March the following year. The first semester begins on April 1 and ends on September 30, and the second semester begins on October 1 and ends on March 31.

3. Time of Admission
Admission for regular undergraduate and postgraduate students is in April and for other students in April or October.

4. How to Apply
Prerequisites, time of application and selection criteria vary according to student status. For details, contact the relevant faculty office.

5. Classes
Most classes at Chiba University are offered in Japanese, but the short-term exchange program called Japan Program at Chiba (J-PAC) classes are offered in English. Undergraduate overseas students are required to obtain a number of credits in Japanese language and Japanese culture. Other international students, except short-term exchange students, may choose to take supplementary Japanese language courses. However, they will not be granted any credit for these courses.

6. Short-term Student Exchange
The short-term student exchange program is a non-degree program for international students who are enrolled at an institution of higher education that has a student exchange agreement with Chiba University. It is designed for those who wish to study in order to learn Japanese and to experience Japanese culture.
Students may obtain credits from course work, or by having their research progress supervised for one semester (half-year program), or for two semesters (full-year program).
Those students whose Japanese language proficiency is relatively high may be directly admitted to a faculty or graduate school and enroll in regular university courses.
In October 1996, Chiba University launched a new short-term international student exchange program, J-PAC (Japan Program at Chiba). Those students who wish to apply for one of our short-term student exchange programs should submit an application to Chiba University's International Student Division. If they wish to apply for Japan Student Service Organizaition scholarship, they should also submit that application. Both applications should be submitted at their home university.

(1) Japanese Government (Mombukagakusho) Scholarship

1) Recommendation by the Japanese Embassy in the student's home country (study begins in April or October)
The Japanese Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) requests its overseas diplomatic establishments to advertise study in Japan on a Japanese government scholarship and to conduct the preliminary selection of candidates. This preliminary selection consists of (1) selection based on submitted academic records and personal history, (2) a written examination and (3) an interview. The Japanese diplomatic establishment then recommend candidates for scholarships based on the results of the above selection process to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology which makes the final decision. Contact the nearest Japanese diplomatic establishment for further information
2) Recommendation by Chiba University (study begins in October or January)
Pursuant to exchange agreements or similar agreements concluded between Chiba University and foreign universities/colleges, Chiba University may recommend to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology the provision of a Japanese government scholarship to those foreign students admitted to postgraduate courses who show exceptional academic ability and who are considered in need of financial assistance. The final decision is made by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
3) Scholarships
A monthly stipend of 134,000 yen at undergraduate level(126,000 yen from the 25th month after arrival in Japan) or 170,000 yen at graduate level(160,000 yen from the 13th month after arrival in Japan), a round-trip air fare from the student's home country to Japan, are provided. Mombukagakusho scholarship students do not have to pay an entrance examination fee, admission fee, or tuition fees.

(2)Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Honors Scholarships for privately financed international students

JASSO offers Honors Scholarships for privately financed international students who display excellence in their academic work and character and who are recognized to be in need of economic assistance during their stay in Japan. These scholarships are provided for enrolled students and the number of scholarships is limited.

(3)JASSO Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program (inbound)Scholarship

This is a scholarship provided for exchange students who are enrolled in an overseas sister university, sent from it under a student exchange agreement and study at a sister university in Japan for six to twelve months. Chiba University sends application forms together with application materials for Chiba University short-term student exchange and J-PAC to its sister universities. Check with your home institution for details.