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I am interested in environmental issues in developing countries. What kinds of areas/themes can I study in this program?
The Nagoya University Global Environmental Leaders Program covers various types of environmental issues including climate change, water resources, biodiversity, natural disasters, and urban environmental problems. The disciplines employed to tackle with the issues are civil engineering, transportation engineering, public economics, and environment systems analysis.
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Who will give lectures and provide academic support to students?
Faculty staff of the main host departments (Department of Environmental Engineering and Architecture of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Graduate School of Engineering) give lectures and provide academic support to program students. Their research orientation extends from civil engineering, environmental systems, urban environmental engineering, urban planning and land use, transportation systems, to biodiversity conservation and management, rural development, and international cooperation.
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May I indicate my preferred academic supervisor?
Yes. In principle, your preference is considered in the selection of a supervisor. Please note, however, that approval of your preference may depend on your academic background, interests, and administrative limitations such as teaching staff capacity. It is recommended that prospective students contact the Program Office before applying for the master's course.
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May I attend lectures and seminars offered by other departments other than those by the Graduate School of Environmental Studies and Graduate School of Engineering?
Yes. Other departments, including the Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences and the Graduate School of International Development, offer a variety of relevant lectures. Program students may take these lectures for additional knowledge. Please check the requirements of the graduate school you belong to regarding credit acquisition and degrees before course registration.
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I am not totally confident about the level of my English ability. Could I complete this program using Japanese only?
Lectures, seminars, and other educational activities are provided in English. Although you as a program student are expected to have a certain level of language skills before joining the program, you do not have to worry too much about this, as your English skills should steadily improve through your studies. Special program for English skills enhancement is also available to students. Please consult with the Program if you want an assessment of your English competency and how you can fit into the program.
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Are there any fundamental requirements for joining the program? How are students screened and then selected?
Under the current framework, students enrolling for this program must be master's course students in either the Department of Environmental Engineering and Architecture of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies or the Department of Civil and Envrionmental Engineering of the Graduate School of Engineering (i.e., students must have passed the regular entrance exam of these departments to join the program). Please check the student enrollment brochure for information regarding the entrance exam, application, and entrance eligibility, etc. Applicants are requested to indicate their intent to join the program in a designated questionnaire form during the examination process. Applicants will be screened by program teaching staff after the entrance exam. Selection is made based on various aspects, including technical knowledge, English skills, and personal motivation. English skills are evaluated based in part on TOEFL and/or TOEIC scores, etc., but note that high scores are not an absolute prerequisite.
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I will (or intend to be) enrolled in a graduate school other than the Graduate School of Environmental Studies and Graduate School of Engineering. May I still join this program?
Under the program's current framework, acceptance is limited to master's course students of the graduate schools mentioned above (i.e., in order to obtain a program certificate upon satisfying the credit requirements). Graduate students of any school within Nagoya University may, of course, attend any program lectures or seminars, as with all lectures.
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I would like to study under this program, but I am unsure whether I have sufficient academic experience or technical knowledge. Do you provide any information on reference knowledge levels required?
Since this program covers a broad range of environmental issues, prospective students will not be eliminated based simply on their undergraduate major degree. The essential requirement is to pass the entrance exam of either the Department of Environmental Engineering or Architecture of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies or the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the Graduate School of Engineering. Please check the study areas offered by the program and research orientations of teaching staff before applying for the exam. You may also consult with the Program about this matter.
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What kind of procedures should I follow to take the entrance exam?
The entrance exam is administered by the respective graduate schools. Please follow the instructions provided by the graduate school you wish to enter. More details are available on the Program's website, or please contact staff at the Program or Admissions Office of the Graduate Schools.
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How should I indicate that I would like to join this program?
Applicants are asked to state their intent to join the program in written form. The interview conducted as part of the entrance exam may also verify intent.
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I have not decided whether I want to enter the Graduate School of Environmental Studies or the Graduate School of Engineering. How should I choose?
You are advised to first read about the program and research orientations of the teaching staff and try to find those whose area of work includes the issues you are interested in. After this, please consult with staff at the Program Office if you still have difficulty making a choice.
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Are English ability certificates such as scores from TOEFL, TOEIC, etc., essential qualifications for acceptance into the program? Is there any reference level?
Although providing us with these scores helps us to assess your English ability, scores from TOEFL, TOEIC, etc., are not prerequisite for selection. There is no particular English standard set for screening or selection.
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What should successful applicants do to join the program after completing the entrance exam and selecting the program?
Successful applicants will be notified of the selection results after completing the entrance exam. Once final confirmation is made between successful applicants and the program, the students will be registered into the program upon their entrance into the master's course.
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I am an international student. What kind of support could I receive as a program student?
The entrance fee and annual tuition are waived for a certain number of international students enrolled in the two-year master's course. The program also assists students with applying for other financial support, including scholarships from the university, funding agencies, or private foundations. In addition, students are able to access financial assistance for travel expenses incurred on overseas research trips and internships. Furthermore, the teaching and coordinating staff of the Program will help program students when they need assistance on issues of university life in general.
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I am from Japan. What kind of support could I receive as a program student?
Japanese students are able to access financial assistance with travel expenses for overseas research trips and internships. They are also able to access information sources of financial assistance, including scholarships from the university, funding agencies, or private foundations.
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How could I win a scholarship?
International students may apply for a scholarship from their home country or after arriving in Japan. In either case, scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, and applicants will be assessed according to a certain set of conditions. Note that eligibility for application varies among scholarships. As for Japanese students, most scholarships are to be applied after they enter graduate school. The Program will provide scholarship information to new students, and more information is also available on the Internet. Please contact the Program for further assistance.
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Do I have to bear the cost of any overseas trips that are necessary for my program studies, such as an internship and/or overseas field survey?
Financial assistance for internships and overseas field surveys is available from the program. The amount and level of assistance provided depends on the nature, purpose, and duration of the trip.
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Where is Nagoya University located?
The university is located in the center of the city of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. Please see the "Access" page for more detailed information and directions.
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Where should I live? Are university accommodations available?
In principle, students are to arrange for their own accommodation. There are many apartment rooms for students available near the campus.
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May I work part-time while studying?
From the university's perspective it is acceptable for students to work part-time, as long as the work does not cause any difficulties for their studies. International students, however, are required to first contact the Immigration Bureau in Japan and obtain "Permission to Engage in an Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Shikakugai-katsudo-kyoka-sho)."
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I am an international student and unsure about how life will be like for me living in Japan. Is there any support provided by the university?
There are about 1,200 international students studying at Nagoya University, and they can access assistance from a wide support system, which includes the Nagoya University Education Center for International Students (ECIS). The Global Environmental Leaders Program also provides support to students with coursework registration and some issues of student life in general, etc. International students may also access support from other international residents in Nagoya and local international communities.
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When do the semesters start and end? When do students take vacations?
There are two semesters per year. The first semester usually starts in April and ends in early August. The second semester starts in October and ends in early February. There are no lectures during vacation periods except for those scheduled for intensive courses. Internships and overseas research trips may sometimes be carried out during summer vacation.
