Costs & Scholarships
Everything you need to know about money matters for studying in Japan.
Tuition Fees
These fees are the average Annual Tuition Fees for Singaporeans across the different typical faculties (excluding specialized fields).
University | City | Annual Tuition Fee (Undergraduate) | Annual Tuition Fee (Graduate) |
|---|---|---|---|
University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | 535,800yen ($6,850) | 535,800yen ($6,850) |
Waseda University | Tokyo, Japan | 1,199,000yen ($15,300) | 824,000yen ($10,500) |
National University of Singapore | Singapore | $8,200 | $9,500 |
University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, USA | US$43,900 ($59,000) | US$32,588 ($44,000) |
University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada | CA$57,020 ($59,000) | CA$43,590 ($45,000) |
Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom | £33,750 ($60,240) | £32,500 ($58,000) |
Yonsei University | Seoul, South Korea | 7,020,000won ($8,400) | 7,020,000won ($8,400) |
Monthly Living Expenses
These costs are to be taken as ballpark figures based on averages from the different University websites. It should be noted that for the Western universities, the accommodation is based off a shared apartment's pricing rather than a single room as with Japan and Singapore. For meals as well, the Western universities calculate purely off their hall's meal plans as compared to eating out for Japan and Singapore.
University | City | Accomodation | Meals | Transport | Others | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Tokyo | Tokyo, Japan | 50,000yen ($640) | 35,000yen ($450) | 12,000yen ($150) | 25,000yen ($320) | 122,000yen ($1,560) |
National University of Singapore | Singapore | $450 | $300 | $100 | $300 | $1,150 |
University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, USA | US$1,200 ($1600) | US$700 ($950) | US$130 ($175) | US$330 ($450) | US$2,360 ($3,175) |
University of Toronto | Toronto, Canada | CA$1,050 ($1,080) | CA$375 ($390) | CA$120 ($125) | CA$500 ($515) | CA$2,045 ($2,110) |
Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom | £740 ($1,320) | £250 ($445) | £120 ($215) | £180 ($320) | £1290 ($2,300) |
Yonsei University | Seoul, South Korea | 555,000won ($665) | 555,000won ($665) | 110,000won ($130) | 430,000won ($530) | 1,650,000won ($1990) |
Scholarships
There are plenty of bond-free scholarships offered by the Japanese government, Japanese universities and private organisations. Many of them cover tuition fee for universities, or offer a monthly living stipend.
Singapore Government Scholarships
All recognized universities in Japan
No fixed cap
Tuition Fee | Return Airfare | Civil Servant Monthly Stipend
5 years for 4-year undergraduate program, 1 year for each year in postgraduate studies
Maintain satisfactory academic performance and uphold integrity of a civil servant
The Public Service Commission (PSC) and various Statutory Boards of the Singapore Government offer a wide range of scholarships to outstanding Singaporean students wishing to pursue higher education in Japan.
The bond requirements & course requirements differ between agencies, but many share the similarity of reduced bond period of 5 years for scholars studying in Japan compared to 6 years for scholars studying in English speaking countries. Most Singapore Government Scholarships will also cover the 1 year language studies if required.
You may wish to check the agency you are interested in applying to directly for the detailed coverage, bond period and course requirements of the scholarship.
MEXT Scholarship
All National Universities
6,840 Scholarships per Year
Tuition Fee | Return Airfare | Monthly Stipend of 120,000yen
Bond-free
Maintain a GPA of 2.30
The MEXT Scholarship is awarded by the Japanese government to students enrolled in full-time Undergraduate and Graduate programmes in Japanese Universities
MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students)
Selected Japanese Educational Institutions (Universities, Specialized Training Colleges, Japanese Language Institutes etc.)
No fixed cap on the number of students
Monthly stipend of 48,000 yen per month at the Graduate/undergraduate level and 30,000 yen per month for Japanese language institutes
Bond-free
Maintain a GPA of 2.30 and meet the required condition of Japanese or English languages at the point of application
The MEXT scholarship (Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students) is a scholarship program for privately-financed international students with excellent academic and character records who are enrolled in undergraduate schools, graduate schools, junior colleges, colleges of technology, specialized course in specialized training colleges, university preparatory courses or Japanese language institutes in Japan (hereinafter "educational institution(s)") and are facing financial difficulties.
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship: Japanese Studies Students
Selected Japanese Universities (1 Year Programme)
No fixed cap on the number of students
Tuition Fee | Return Airfare | Monthly Stipend of 117,000yen
Bond-free
Must be a Japanese Studies student
The Japanese Government gives out a special scholarship for Japanese Studies student to engage in a one year exchange in Japan.
JASSO Scholarship
Short-Term Exchange Programmes to All Japanese Universities
No cap, given to almost all applicants
Monthly Stipend of 80,000yen
Bond-free
-
The JASSO Scholarship is awarded to any student on a short-term exchange programme to any Japanese university. These are generally not based on any sort of academic merit, and given as long as the student is on exchange in Japan.
JUGAS-Nagoya University Scholarship
Nagoya University, G30 Programme
No fixed cap on the number of Singaporeans.
Tuition Fee | Yearly Stipend of Up to 500,000yen | Return Airfare from Singapore to Nagoya
Bond-free
-
An initiative jointly funded by JUGAS through the JUGAS Education and Cultural Exchange Fund and Nagoya University, this scholarship offers high potential Singaporeans an opportunity to study at Nagoya University under the Global 30 Undergraduate International Programs.
Hokkaido University Integrated Science Programme Scholarship
Hokkaido University, Integrated Science Programme (Bachelors and Masters)
50% of Programme Intake
Tuition Fee Exemption | Monthly Stipend of 50,000yen
Bond-free
-
Hokkaido University offers two scholarships for students: Fully-Supported and Partially-Supported. Fully-Supported scholarship holders will have 3.5 years of tuition fee waived as well as a 50,000yen stipend each month. Partially-Supported scholarship holders will have the same benefits, but only for the first year.
JCCI Singapore Foundation Scholarship
1 Year Exchange at Waseda University or International Christian University
Up to 2 Singaporeans per Year
Full Scholarship of up to $50,000 including two-way air ticket, tuition fees, daily expenses, accommodation and transportation allowances
Bond-free
Second or Third Year Undergraduate
The JCCI Singapore Foundation Scholarship allows two Singaporeans to experience a year in Waseda University or International Christian University. The scholarship is provided in hopes of improving bilateral relations between the two countries, and is bond-free. Credit transfer back depends on your home institution.
Keio University Scholarship
Keio University
Around 310 Undergraduate Scholarships, and 220 Graduate Scholarships per Year
Yearly Stipend of Up to 500,000yen
Bond-free
-
Keio University's Internal Scholarship provides a yearly stipend to cover living expenses and tuition fee. Additionally there are a number of donor scholarships, such as Goldman Sachs, that are also available to students.
Various Waseda University Scholarships
Waseda University
Around 400 Scholarships per Year
Tuition Fee Reduction or Yearly Stipend up to 500,000yen
Bond-free
-
Waseda University offers a wide variety of different scholarships from different institutions to its students. Please see more details at the link below.
University of Tokyo Fellowship; The University of Tokyo Special Scholarship for International Students
University of Tokyo, Graduate Programmes
Up to 50 Scholarships per Year
Monthly Stipend of 200,000yen
Bond-free
-
The University of Tokyo Fellowship Scholarship is awarded to "high-achieving, postgraduate international students who are privately-funded to assist their academic pursuits at the University and at promoting a greater acceptance of excellent students from overseas".
The University of Tokyo-JUGAS Supplementary Scholarship for Singaporean Nationals
University of Tokyo, PEAK Programme
Up to 3 Singaporean Scholarships per Year
Return Airfare from Singapore to Tokyo
Bond-free
-
The University of Tokyo-JUGAS Supplementary Scholarship for Singaporean Nationals covers return airfare for Singaporean students enrolled in the PEAK programme at the University of Tokyo.
Sato Yo International Scholarship
Selected Japanese Universities
No fixed cap on the number of students
Monthly Stipend of 120,000 yen
Bond-free
Interested applicants should achieve a GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 (or equivalent) at their home institutions. Successful applicants are expected to participate
in bimonthly networking events in Tokyo hosted by the Foundation (events will be
held in Japanese).
The Sato Yo International scholarship is given to students embarking on a 8-12 months exchange programme with selected Japanese Universities. Candidates should show 'dedication in promoting cross-cultural understanding and international exchange
with Japan and other countries'.
The Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Scholarship Foundation Scholarship
Selected Japanese Universities
No fixed cap on the number of students
Monthly stipend - International undergraduate students: 70,000 yen/month, International graduate students: 100,000 yen/month
Bond-free
As of April in the year of application, the applicant should be a sophomore or older of undergraduate school, or, in a master's or doctoral course of a nominated university. Applicants have to apply for this scholarship through host university (Japanese University). Applicants are not able to apply for this scholarship directly through the organization as nomination by the host university (Japanese University) is needed.
The Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships through nominated universities throughout Japan in order to contribute to the development of industries and the improvement and progress of society and culture in Japan.