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Study at KNCT

Studying in another country can be challenging, but it is also fulfilling in many ways. Kure National College of Technology (KNCT) has been accepting international students since 1992.  At present there are 5 students from Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Gabon. If you are interested in Japan, think about studying at KNCT in Kure city surrounded by the greenery mountains and the beautiful inland sea.

Do you know the Japanese educational system?

In Japan, its higher education starts upon the completion of 12 years of education: elementary education (6 years of elementary school) and secondary education (3 years of lower secondary school and 3 years of upper secondary school).  There are 5 types of higher educational institutions where international students can be admitted to, which are ①Colleges of technology, ②Specialized training colleges (postsecondary course) = professional training colleges, ③Junior colleges, ④Universities and ⑤Graduate schools.  These higher educational institutions are largely categorized as either national, local public or private.

Most of the higher educational institutions in Japan set its academic year to begin from April to March of the following year.  Every academic year has 2 semesters, namely the first semester (April - September) and second semester (October - March).  The 3 holiday seasons are usually in summer (end of July - early September), winter (end of December - early January) and spring (February - March).

What is "College of Technology"?

Colleges of technology are colleges for students that have completed their lower secondary schools.  These colleges run a 5-year comprehensive education program to provide students with practical and specialized know-how and skills in their selected profession.  Students graduating from colleges of technology are awarded the “associate degree” title.

International students can enter into colleges of technology only from third year course onward.  At present, all the international students are sponsored by the Japanese government (the Japanese Government Scholarship Program) or their own local governments.

What are the admission requirements for the Scholoarship Program?

Scholarship awards will be tenable for four years including one-year preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects due to be provided upon arrival in Japan. The qualifications are as follows:

1.      Nationality:
Applicant must have the nationality of a country, which has diplomatic relations with the Japanese government.  Applicant screening will be made at the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General in the country of Applicant’s nationality.

2.      Academic Background:
Applicant must have completed a school curriculum equivalent to an upper secondary school (a 11-year or longer curriculum starting at elementary school).

3.      Japanese Language:
Applicant must be willing to learn the Japanese language and receive college of technology education in it.

4.      Visa Requirement:
If selected, applicant will be required to acquire a “College Student” visa prior to coming to Japan. (Applicant who comes to Japan with a visa or resident status other than that of “College Student” will not qualify for a Japanese government’s scholarship.)

5.      Applicant will not be selected if he/she

a) is a service member or a civilian employee registered on the active military list.
b) is a grantee of a scholarship from an organization(including a governmental organization of his/her own country) other than the Japanese government.
c) was a grantee of a Japanese government scholarship in the past, provided, however, that less than three years shall have elapsed counted from the first day of the month that followed the last-payment month of such scholarship?
d) is currently enrolled in a Japanese university with the resident status of “College Student,” or will be enrolled in a Japanese university as an other source or self financed international student between the time of application for this scholarship in his/her country and the time the scholarship period is due to begin.

How are the applicants selected?

1.      In cooperation with the governments of the applicants’ countries the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General will perform primary screening of applicants by means of submitted application documents, interviews and academic examinations.  During the primary screening, applicants will be put to a paper test (Examination for Japanese University admission for International Students) in the Japanese and English languages to obtain data for Japanese-language teaching after their arrival in Japan.

2.      Results of primary screening will be notified to applicants on the date designated by the Japanese/Consulate General.

3.      Applicants who have been selected by this primary screening will be recommended to Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

4.      MEXT will perform final selection of the recommended applicants and select scholarship grantees.

What is Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)?

Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is one of the exams conducted by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese universities, and affiliated institutions in Japan and overseas.

1.      Date of exam : 2 sessions a year; June(1st Session) and November (2nd Session)

2.      Venues of exam: 15 cities in Japan

Overseas 
India (New Delhi)
Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya)
Korea (Seoul, Busan)
Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Singapore
Thailand (Bangkok)
Taiwan (Taipei)
The Philippines (Manila)
Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City)
Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Myanmar (Yangon)
Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar)
Russia (Vladivostok).

3.      Subjects:

Subjects

Descriptions

Japanese
as a Foreign Language

Japanese language proficiency level to cope with study in Japanese schools

Science

Physics and either chemistry or biology

Mathematics

Course 2 (Departments requiring high use of mathematics)

4.      Language of exam: The exam can be taken in Japanese or English.

For more information, go to http://www.jasso.go.jp/eju/index_e.html

How much Japanese proficiency is required?

Normally, lectures in College of Technology are conducted in Japanese and your Japanese language ability is expected to be at Level 1 or Level 2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test in order to keep up.  These levels are equivalent to 600-900 or more hours of Japanese language study.  If intensive study were done in Japan, it would take about 1 or 2 years.

What is JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)?

Go to http://www.jees.or.jp/jlpt/

Schedule from planning to enrollment

February - March Japanese government offers program announcements
May - July 1st screening (documentary, EJU written test, interview)
October 2nd screening (final documentary screening)
February Application approved
March Immigration and admission procedures
April Arrival in Japan
Study at a Japanese language institution
*Each grantee will be enrolled at a preparatory school designated by MEXT for a one-year intensive course in the Japanese language and other subjects necessary for preparation for proceeding to college of technology.  The preparatory course lasts for one year mainly consisting of education in the Japanese language as well as in Japanese Affairs, mathematics, etc.  Please keep in mind that a grantee will not be allowed to proceed to college of technology if he/she is determined incapable of completing the prescribed course at the preparatory school.
Next April  Entrance into College of Technology

*A grantee who has completed the prescribed course at the preparatory school will go on to a college of technology designated by MEXT.
*All classes will be given in the Japanese language.
*A grantee will not be permitted in principle to change his/ her major field of study.
*After entering, a grantee will be able to live in the dormitory established by the college.

What do you need for the application?

1.      Application form

2.      Photographs taken within the past 6 months

3.      Academic transcript for the past 3 years

4.      Recommendation from the principal or the adviser of the last school attended

5.      Graduation certificate of the last school attended

6.      Certificate of enrollment (for an applicant currently enrolled in a university)

7.      Medical certificate