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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. I would like to apply to the graduate student course in the Department of Physics at Osaka University. Could you give me information on the application procedures?
Q2. What is the difference between the International Physics Course (IPC) and the ordinary graduate student course? Are they related?
Q3. Where can I get general information for international students?
Q4-1. Who are the staff members of the Physics Department and what are their research fields?  Q4-2. I’m looking for professors working in the field of _________. Where can I find information on the research fields of the staff members in the Physics Department?
Q5. Does the Physics Department offer any educational programs in English for graduate students from overseas?
Q6. Are there any scholarships available for students without support from the Japanese government?
Q7-1. What kind of background is required to enroll in the Department of Physics? Can I enroll with a background in Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or any other field?  Q7-2. Are TOEIC/TOEFL or Japanese language qualifications required to enroll in the Department of Physics?
Q1:
I would like to apply to the graduate student course in the Department of Physics at Osaka University. Could you give me information on the application procedures?
A1-1:
First of all, we suggest that you consult your supervisor at your college. The support of your college supervisor is essential for completing the application procedures.

If you have an opportunity to meet with visitors from our department at your college or visit our department in Japan, please don't hesitate to ask our staff members any questions about the application process. If you don't have such an opportunity, it might be useful to contact researchers at your college in research fields that you might want to study in our department.

For general questions about the application procedures, please e-mail the Students Affairs Division, Department of International Affairs of Osaka University (kenkyou-r@star.jim.osaka-u.ac.jp) or the admissions office of the Physics Department (admissions_phys@phys.sci.#

※ Please replace "#" with "osaka-u.ac.jp"

).
A1-2:
From the viewpoint of school and living expenses, there are actually two separate application procedures: the procedure for students who wish to obtain a scholarship from the Japanese government and the procedure for other students. The forms, schedules and steps necessary depend on the type of application procedure you select. We strongly encourage you to apply for the Japanese government scholarship. More than 40% of the international students in the Graduate School of Science at Osaka University are supported by this scholarship. You can find a brief description on the application procedure on this website. For further information, please see the Information about Entrance Examinations for International Students page on the Osaka University website, the flowcharts of the application process for government scholarships, and the Information for Students from Overseas page on the website of the Graduate School of Science.
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Q2:
What is the difference between the International Physics Course (IPC) and the ordinary graduate student course? Are they related?
A2:
IPC is a new graduate student course offered by the department in addition to the ordinary student course. IPC differs from the ordinary course in that all educational programs are provided in English, fees of entrance examination, enrollment and tuition are sometimes waived, and different scholarships are available.

Students enrolled in the ordinary course may also take IPC programs as a part of the classwork necessary to complete the graduate course. However, the English educational programs in IPC represent only a part of the research fields currently offered by the department (list of IPC educational programs). The ordinary student course usually begins in spring (April), while IPC begins in autumn (October).

For more details about the ordinary graduate student course, please e-mail the admissions office of the Physics Department (admissions_phys@phys.sci.#

※ Please replace "#" with "osaka-u.ac.jp"

). You can visit the IPC website to obtain detailed information about IPC. Please direct any questions about IPC to the IPC office (IPCoffice@ile.osaka-u.ac.jp).
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Q3:
Where can I get general information for international students?
A3:
Please visit the Useful Links for International Students page on the Osaka University website. The Guidebook for International Students is also useful for prospective and admitted international students. You can also find Information for Students from Overseas on the website of the Graduate School of Science.
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Q4-1:
Who are the staff members of the Physics Department and what are their research fields?
Q4-2:
I’m looking for professors working in the field of _________.
Where can I find information on the research fields of the staff members in the Physics Department?
A4:
Many staff members in the Department of Physics conduct research covering wide areas of physics-related fields: condensed matter physics, elementary particle and nuclear physics, and interdisciplinary research based on physics. Information on Staff and Research Groups is available on this website.

A keyword search on researchers in Osaka University is also available.
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Q5:
Does the Physics Department offer any educational programs in English for graduate students from overseas?
A5:
IPC (International Physics Course) provides all educational programs in English. Graduate students in the ordinary course also may take IPC educational programs if they wish.
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Q6:
Are there any scholarships available for students without support from the Japanese government?
A6-1:
Students without support from the Japanese government can apply for scholarships either directly or through Osaka University. About half of all scholarships used by students at Osaka University are applied for through the University, and more than half of the international students enrolled in the Graduate School of Science are supported by these scholarships. However, many international students also apply for scholarships directly. Since the amount of support differs from scholarship to scholarship, a support program within the Graduate School of Science, managed by donations from staff members, aims to balance these differences after screening scholarship applicants. This program also supports international students without scholarships. You can find a list of scholarships for international students in Japan at the JASSO (Japan Students Services Organization) website.
A6-2:
IPC (International Physics Course) offers a one-year scholarship for the IPC students. For more details, please visit the IPC website.
A6-3:
In addition to scholarships, graduate students can also apply for TA (Teaching Assistant) positions. Similarly, doctoral course students can apply for RA (Research Assistant) positions
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Q7-1:
What kind of background is required to enroll in the Department of Physics? Can I enroll with a background in Chemistry, Materials Engineering, or any other field?
Q7-2:
Are TOEIC/TOEFL or Japanese language qualifications required to enroll in the Department of Physics?
A7:
You must have a graduation certificate (or certificate of expected graduation) to apply for the entrance examination. However, students from any department or faculty can apply. Some Japanese students in the department are from the Faculty of Engineering, and some of our department staff members have backgrounds in Engineering rather than Physics.

Currently, TOEIC/TOEFL or Japanese language qualifications are not required for admission except for IPC. However, the entrance examinations include English reading and writing. TOEIC/TOEFL qualification and a Japanese language education of at least 6 months are required for some Japanese government scholarships.

The International Student Center of Osaka University offers Japanese language classes for all admitted students.
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