ADA2011 Japan Design Study Tour
ADA2011 Japan Design Study Tour
Open to students in Art, Design, and Architecture, this program considers contemporary design in Japan through direct engagement with processes, materials, and visual systems. Based at the Midtown Design Hub in Tokyo, with an extended visit to Kanazawa, the study tour examines the histories and social contexts of design, and how Japanese designers negotiate tradition and contemporary conditions.
The program includes a guided visit to the Igarashi Takenobu Archive in Kanazawa, offering insight into one of Japan’s most influential graphic designers. Through site visits, fieldwork, archival research, and studio workshops, students explore connections between craft, typography, and graphic design while developing their own cross-disciplinary responses.
Information Session
Wednesday, April 22
12–1pm
Building G, Monash Caulfield Campus, Room G2.19
Timelines
Application Timeline (Summer A, 2026)
- April 22 – Japan Study Tour Info Session
- April 23 - Applications open / program listing live
- May 15 – Application Deadline
- May 25 – First offers sent out
- June 1 – Deposit due
Study Tour Timeline (2026)
- December 5 – Check-in Accommodation, Tokyo
- December 7 – Orientation / International Design Liaison Centre, Tokyo
- December 7-10 – Part 1 Workshop / International Design Liaison Center, Tokyo
- December 11-14 – Kanazawa
- December 15-18 – Part 2 Workshop / International Design Liaison Center, Tokyo
- December 19 – Check-out Accommodation, Tokyo
- January 22 – Final Assessment
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A (Nov-Dec) | 2026 | 15-May-2026 | 05-Dec-2026 | 19-Dec-2026 |
| Information Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Awarded Credit Points | 06 |
| Program Type | GST - Global Study Tour |
| Program Duration | 15 days |
| Leading Faculty | Monash Art, Design & Architecture |
| Minimum WAM | 60% |
| Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia |
| Minimum Credits Completed (at the time of commencing the program) | 24 |
| Funding Available | Monash Abroad Travel Grant |
Program Costs
Program Cost: AU$3,500 per person (excluding airfare)
Deposit Payment: AU$1000 (due 1 June)
Final Payment: Balance due in July
Payment Timeline ($3500 total - excluding airfares)
- June 1 – Deposit due $1000
- July 20 – Remainder due $2500
- July 27 – Extra due (additional fee for single rooms)
Program costs includes:
- Twin Share Accommodation (Single available on request, if available, additional cost)
- Return Transportation to Kanazawa (Shinkansen – bullet train)
- Museum entry
- Workshop costs
- Shared group meals
- Monash complimentary travel insurance policy
Program costs do not include:
- Monash University fees for 6 credit points of study*
- International airfares and transfers
- Visa costs (if applicable)
- Local travel outside of program activities
- Medical expenses (which may be claimable via the insurance policy)
- Meals and drinks not included in the program
- Personal expenses.
*Monash students will be enrolled in ADA2011 (6 credit points) and charged standard fees according to their verified funding status. This fee will appear on your Monash Fee Statement.
Travel Insurance
If you are an actively enrolled Monash student and participating in an approved international program, you will be provided with complimentary travel insurance. You will automatically be covered once your application has been approved and your enrolment updated to reflect your study overseas.
Under this policy, travellers will also receive access to 24/7 emergency assistance provided by Global 24 Emergency Assistance and limited coverage for personal travel days.
Visas
Monash Abroad cannot provide advice regarding visa requirements. If you require a visa to enter the destination country (e.g. you are an international student), you will need to contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate General in Melbourne for advice.
Monash Abroad will issue you with supporting documentation to lodge your visa application once you have completed all Monash Abroad requirements and are approved for travel. If you require supporting documentation earlier in the process, please contact Monash Abroad.
Centrelink support documents
For the purposes of maintaining your Centrelink benefits during your overseas program, Monash Abroad will provide you with a letter confirming your participation in a study tour. Please note that this will be issued to you once you have completed all Monash Abroad requirements and are approved for travel.
Important Note:
The Monash Abroad Travel Grant and OS-HELP loan (if applicable) will be paid approximately 4 weeks prior to program commencement and only when all requirements are completed by you. Therefore, these funds should not be considered as your primary source of funding to pay program related deposits and balances.
Monash Abroad Travel Grant
Monash students studying in Australia who are enrolled into a credit bearing unit for this program will receive a Monash Abroad travel grant if they are not otherwise receiving any other scholarship that is intended to cover most or all of your travel/tuition costs for your program (e.g., Global Immersion Guarantee ). You do not need to apply separately for this grant as your eligibility for this grant will be assessed as part of your application.
OS-HELP Loan
OS-HELP is a Commonwealth Government loan program that provides financial assistance to eligible Commonwealth Supported Place students, to undertake some of their study overseas.
If you are eligible for the loan and wish to apply, please submit your application as per the relevant OS-HELP loan term deadline, even if you have not been accepted into your overseas program by that deadline.
Student Loans
If you need help with study-related expenses, please refer to the student loans website and talk to a student adviser at Monash Connect.
Travel Scholarships
Please refer to the travel and placements scholarship website for more information.
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A (Nov-Dec) | 2026 | 15-May-2026 | 05-Dec-2026 | 19-Dec-2026 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- preferably a WAM of 60% or above
- completed at least 24 credit points (at the time of commencing the program)
- Personal statement - As part of your application, please write a personal statement (250-300 words) responding to the following: Why do you want to participate in the Japan Study Tour, and how do you believe this experience aligns with your creative practice?
Open to students of Art, Design and Architecture. Along with a personal statement, students are asked to submit a folio featuring 2 pieces of work. The work should be captioned and the PDF file shared as a link (e.g. Google Drive link). Please ensure Monash University staff have General Access to the file when sharing.
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED.
Step 2: Selection
Assessment will be undertaken by the relevant faculty by reviewing your year of commencement, WAM and that you meet the enrolment requirements.
Step 3: Enrolment and travel approval
If you are accepted into the program, you will be issued with an outcome email and you will be enrolled into the associated unit. You will also receive an email alert with another two forms for you to complete:
1. Passport and medical details and,
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
3. Pre-departure module
Once you have actioned both of those forms, Monash Abroad will approve you for travel. You will then have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.
Program Related Contacts
Warren Taylor,
ADA2011 Japan Program coordinator, Monash Design
| Dates / Deadlines: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| Summer A (Nov-Dec) | 2023 | 23-June-2024 | 22-Nov-2024 | 05-Dec-2024 |
Eligibility
Places are limited and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To apply for this program, you must have:
- preferably a WAM of 60% or above
- completed at least 24 credit points.
- Personal statement - Please provide in the Personal Statement field a written statement (up to 250 words) explaining your interest in studying in Japan. Include details about what aspects of this opportunity attract you and how it aligns with your creative practice. Additionally, please share a link to a Google Drive Folder containing a PDF file showcasing two of your projects.
At all times Monash University embraces and celebrates true diversity. We strongly welcome applications from our students living with disabilities, who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, students with caring and/or parenting responsibilities, who identify as LGBTIQA+, people of colour, and those whose identities intersect with more than one of the above.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit an application for this program
Click here - Select "Monash led programs" as the program type and then "GST | ADA2011 Japan Design Study Tour" from the program list. It is important that you apply for the correct program to avoid missing out on a place in your preferred program.
Please ensure you submit the required documents in the Personal Statement field. The Faculty will not assess your application without this.
Step 2: Selection
Assessment will be undertaken by the relevant faculty by reviewing your year of commencement, WAM and that you meet the enrolment requirements.
Step 3: Enrolment and travel approval
If you are accepted into the program, you will be issued with an outcome email and you will be enrolled into the associated unit. You will also receive an email alert with another two forms for you to complete:
1. Passport and medical details and,
2. Travel Approval Request Form.
3. Pre-departure module
Once you have actioned both of those forms, Monash Abroad will approve you for travel. You will then have access to the travel insurance coverage and be issued with any relevant grants and scholarships.
New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility grants
There will be separate requirements for those who are awarded an NCP mobility grant. These will be communicated to eligible students in an NCP Letter of Offer.
Important note: you must have a valid passport that does not expire until at least six months after the program end date.
Program Related Contacts
Program Lead: Warren Taylor, warren.taylor@monash.edu