Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies 2025 Entry

Type of award

Scholarship

Managing department

School of Arts, Languages and Cultures

Value

  • Tuition fees
  • A maintenance grant of 拢1,400 per month for periods spent in the UK and 楼280,000 per month for periods spent in Japan to cover accommodation and living costs while on the programme.
  • The Foundation will contribute 拢1,000 towards the cost of one economy class return air fare between the UK and Japan in the case of Scholars who will be flying out to Japan to begin their course of study.
  • The Foundation will contribute 拢1,000 towards the cost of one economy class return air fare per annum between the UK and Japan in the case of relevant travel being undertaken.

Specified use

The Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies is a postgraduate programme to support the study of Japanese Studies in either Japan or the UK.

In the first seven years of this new programme, Scholarships have been awarded to 23 individuals, focussing on Japan in a variety of areas such as archaeology, art, history and Japanese literature both in the UK and Japan.

The intention is to support postgraduate studies related to Japan at a university in Japan or the UK.

Tenable period

Scholarships will be awarded to cover the period required to attain the degree in question. In cases where the applicant has already begun his or her studies, the Scholarship will fund the whole remaining period required.

Continuation of award

Continuation of the award is subject to satisfactory progress.

Number available

To be confirmed by the

Funding provider

Level(s) of study

This funding is available to students undertaking the following types of study:

  • Postgraduate research

Allowed study options

This funding is available to students undertaking the following modes of study:

  • Full-time

Subject restrictions

This funding is available to students undertaking study in:

  • Japanese Studies

Academic requirements

Candidates for the Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies must be:
  • British citizens
  • Holders of (or currently completing) a degree in Japanese Studies, defined as a course focusing primarily on the study of Japan, and containing a substantial Japanese language component. Applicants who hold (or are completing) combined honours courses where Japanese accounts for at least 50% of the course are also eligible to apply.
  • Holding an offer for PhD Japanese Studies, or enrolled on the programme.
聽The academic requirements for PhD Japanese Studies are:
  • Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
  • Master's degree in a relevant subject - with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent).

Nationality restrictions

This funding is available to students from:

  • United Kingdom

Other eligibility criteria

This award is available to existing postgraduate students.

Application procedure

  1. You should submit a programme application to PhD Japanese Studies before applying for a Daiwa Scholarship in Japanese Studies.
  2. You must then begin your funding application directly with the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation. You will need to create an account, complete the application form and upload copies of your Bachelor's and Master's degree certificates and transcripts; evidence of Japanese language proficiency; and a photograph (headshot). You will also need to arrange for 2 academic referees to provide references to scholarships@dajf.org.uk. The deadline for applications is Thursday, 30 January 2025.
  3. If you are shortlisted for interview, these will take place on Friday 7 March 2025 at Daiwa Foundation Japan House in London.

Application form

Additional documentation

Your PhD Japanese Studies application should contain:

  • A 1,500 word
  • A copy of your Bachelor's academic transcript and certificate.
  • A copy of your Master's academic transcript and certificate. If your Master's degree is pending, please provide an interim transcript.
  • An up-to-date academic CV summarising your academic record, employment history, publications and highlighting experience demonstrating your research potential.
  • The names of two academic referees, including one from your most recent institution.
  • A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.

Selection criteria

  • Strong Japanese language ability will be a key selection criterion.
  • Of those applicants seeking funding for courses at UK universities, preference will generally be given to students who will undertake part of their studies in Japan. You do not need to be affiliated to a Japanese university, and there is no restriction on the length of the stay in Japan, but this has to comprise a valid part of the Scholar's course in some sense.
  • Scholarships will not be awarded to former recipients of Daiwa Scholarships, or to the same individual more than once.

Selection body

Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Closing date

30 Jan 2025

The Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies application must be submitted to theDaiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation by Thursday 30 January 2025.

In advance of this, you should submit a programme application for PhD Japanese Studies.

Decision date

In February 2025, applicants will be notified whether or not they have been shortlisted for interview.

Interviews will take place on Friday 7 March 2025. Applicants will be notified of the final outcome soon after the interview.

Contact details for enquiries

Useful links