Saitama University
Saitama University
Saitama University houses all its academic departments and graduate schools on a single campus, the goal being to expose its 8500 students to multiple fields of study and encourage diverse human networks.
Academic Highlights
Saitama focuses on five main faculties: Liberal Arts, Education, Economics, Science and Engineering. The Liberal Arts faculty is renowned for its research in European, American, Asian and Japanese culture. Saitama graduate Takaaki Kajita won the 2015 Nobel prize in Physics.
Location
Saitama University is located in the city of Saitama, 30 kilometres north of central Tokyo. Its lush green campus has views of Mount Fuji and the Chichibu mountain range.
Did you know?
The city of Saitama is the backdrop to the internationally successful Hayao Miyazaki animated film My Neighbour Totoro.
Language of Instruction | English (limited in some areas), Japanese | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
Minimum Result Required | 2.4 GPA | |||||
Previous Round Cut-off (WAM% or GPA) | 3.4 GPA | |||||
Additional Requirements | Must be studying Japanese language as part of your degree | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 2, 2027 | No places | |||||
Closed | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
Saitama's syllabi catalogue
Saitama's English-taught course catalogue (for further information on courses listed for exchange students, search for them in the syllabi catalogue above)
Academic Restrictions
- Students applying for an exchange in Japan will need to have a WAM of 65% or above.
- You are only eligible to apply for this university if you are studying Japanese Studies at Monash at the point of exchange application. The only exception is if you have been selected as a New Colombo Plan Scholar.
- Due to the popularity of exchange at Saitama, Monash students can only apply for a one-semester exchange period.
One unit (referred to as a ‘course’) at Saitama University is usually worth 1 or 2 credits.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
12 credits | 18 credits |
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
24 credits | 36 credits |
Academic Calendar
Saitama Term 1 & 2 (Monash Semester 1): early April - early August
Saitama Term 3 & 4 (Monash Semester 2): late September - early February
Saitama's Academic Calendar
Anthropology | Biological sciences | Biomedical sciences | Chemistry |
Economics | Education - early childhood | Education - primary schooling | Education - secondary schooling |
Engineering | Engineering - chemical | Engineering - civil | Engineering - electrical and computer systems |
Engineering - mechanical and aerospace history | Japanese languages & culture studies | Law | Management |
Mathematical sciences | Philosophy | Physics and astronomy | Science |
Sociology |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
All exchange students from overseas partner universities are given priority to move into Saitama's on-campus accomodation, International House (I-House), which is located two-minute walking distance from the main buildings.
Saitama provides further information on accommodation here and here.
Visas
Exchange students must obtain a College Student visa to enter Japan. To apply for the College Student visa, you need to submit the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for residence in Japan to your nearest Japanese Consulate. Your host University will issue the COE to you after your exchange application has been accepted.
For more information on visas, please refer to the Consulate-General of Japan here.
Saitama provides some guidance on obtaining a student visa here.
Health and insurance
All exchange students are enrolled in Japan's National Health Insurance scheme. 70% of all regular health care costs, including medical prescriptions and dental care, are covered by this insurance for a small monthly premium.
Find out more about Japanese Government Health Insurance here.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
The Office of International Affairs coordinates the student exchange program, and will help newly arrived exchange students settle in to campus life.
Saitama has a vibrant student life, various sports facilities, and student volunteering. Saitama has more information on student life in their brochure for exchange students.
Cost of living
Saitama offers guidance on the estimated cost of living for exchange students.
Saitama provides further details on living costs in their brochure for exchange students.
Funding
Each year, Japanese universities apply for Japanese government funding for the following scholarships:
- The Japan Student Services Organizations (JASSO) scholarship here.
- The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship here.
If Saitama University is successful in receiving the funding, they will request Monash to nominate students. You do not need to apply for these scholarships directly unless requested to do so.
Students may also be eligible for the New Colombo Plan scholarship, and if they are studying Japanese language courses, the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.
For more information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Due to a lack of availability of exchange places, this program is not currently accepting applications.
Have you been to Saitama University and want to share your experience?
If you'd be willing to write a testimonial, email us at monashabroad.enquiries@monash.edu.