Tokyo Gakugei University International Student Exchange Center


study abroad at TGU


Study Abroad at TGU

About TGU

Tokyo Gakugei University (TGU) was established in May 1949, integrating four normal schools operating in Tokyo at that time. The predecessors to these normal schools were the Tokyo School of Training Elementary School Teachers, established in 1873, the Tokyo Women’s Normal School, established in 1900, and others. Since its founding, TGU has sent many graduates out into the field of education nationwide, and has a long history of achievement in training educators.

Types of International Students

TGU has both government-sponsored and privately funded international students. Government-sponsored international students receive scholarships from the Japanese government; all other students are considered privately funded. International students can also be divided into the following classifications depending on their enrollment status at the university:

Regular Students

(1)Undergraduate Students

 Students who enroll in the university for four or more years and earn the prescribed number of credits are awarded a degree. Students in a teacher preparation program earn a bachelor’s degree in education, while students in a liberal arts program earn a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. Students who earn the credits stipulated by the School Teacher’s License Act based on their curriculum are also awarded the appropriate teaching license.

(2)Graduate Students (Master’s Program)

 Students who enroll in TGU’s graduate school (master’s program) for two or more years, earn the prescribed number of credits, pass a review of their master’s thesis, and pass their final exam will be awarded either a master’s degree in education or a master’s degree in arts, depending on the program and seminars they participated in.

(3)Graduate Students (Doctoral Program)

 Students who enroll in the graduate school (doctoral program) for three or more years, earn the prescribed number of credits, pass a review of their doctoral dissertation, and pass their final exam will be awarded a doctoral degree.

Non-Regular Students


(1)Research Students
These are students who conduct research on a specific topic under the guidance of an academic advisor. Their term of enrollment is usually six months or one year. Once the research period has ended, they are not awarded any special certification. Those who would like to extend their term of enrollment as a research student must follow the prescribed procedures. Extensions may be approved for up to one year.

MEXT Research Student (Undergraduate, Graduate) Application ProcessLinkIcon

(2)Special Auditing Students (Exchange Students)
These are international students (at either the undergraduate or graduate levels) at universities with which TGU has sister institution agreements who take classes for a short-term period (up to one year) at TGU. A transcript will be issued for the courses taken.

Special auditing students participating in the International Student Education Program (ISEP), in which Japanese studies classes are conducted in English, will follow a different curriculum from that of ordinary exchange students.

LinkIcon International Student Education Program (ISEP) Details

(3)Nonmatriculated Students
Non-TGU students that take one or more classes at TGU are referred to as nonmatriculated students. Nonmatriculated students that pass a test on the subject the course they are taking covers earn the prescribed credits for that course. Upon request, a credit completion certificate will be issued for the approved credits.

Non-matriculated Students (Undergraduate) DetailsLinkIcon

Non-matriculated Students (Graduate) Details (Graduate School website) LinkIcon

(4)Teacher Training Program Students
This program enables elementary school and junior high school educators and specialized staff at educational institutions all over the world to study in Japan. The program is designed to cultivate key personnel who will play a role in improving the level of education around the world. The students in the program are referred to as teacher training program students. They are generally accepted for an 18-month term of enrollment (including the period of Japanese-language education).

LinkIcon Teacher Training Program Details

(5)MEXT Japanese Studies Students
TGU has a system that enables individuals studying Japan’s language and culture at universities around the world to study in Japan. These students are referred to as MEXT Japanese studies students. MEXT Japanese studies students strive to improve their Japanese-language skills and undertake training in Japanese current affairs and Japanese culture.

LinkIconJapanese Studies Program Details

University Life (Annual Calendar)

Annual Calendar

(1)School Year

 The school year starts on April 1 and ends the following March 31.

(2)Semesters

 Spring semester: April to September  Autumn semester: October to March

(3)Class Hours

  • Period 1: 08 : 50-10 : 20
  • Period 2: 10 : 30-12 : 00
  • Lunch break
  • Period 3: 12 : 50-14 : 20
  • Period 4: 14 : 30-16 : 00
  • Period 5: 16 : 10-17 : 40

(4)Class Calendar (Undergraduate)

  • Admission Ceremony: Early April
  • Spring semester:
    • Classes start: Early April
    • University Founding Day: May 31
    • Classes end: Late July
  • Autumn semester :
    • Classes start: Mid-October
    • Winter break: Late December to early January
    • Classes end: Mid-February
  • Graduation Ceremony: Mid-March

Tuition and Scholarships

Scholarship Applications and Payments

[Japanese government scholarships (paid to Japanese government-sponsored international students only) ]

Government-sponsored international students receive scholarships directly from the Japanese government. For details on how government-sponsored international students studying at TGU can apply for extensions and how privately funded international students studying at TGU can apply for the scholarship program, please contact the International Division.
Note: The application period is during the fall.


[Scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), Private Organizations, Local Governments, Etc.]

Recipients of JASSO’s Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students are selected in April. Information on the application and selection process will be posted on the international student bulletin board. The application processes for scholarships from private organizations and local governments differ by organization. Notices TGU receives indicating that applications are being accepted will be posted on the bulletin board as well.
There are two types of scholarships: those pursued through individual application and those requiring a university recommendation. For details, please contact the International Division. Some scholarship-granting organizations do not notify TGU that they are accepting applications, so you must apply for those directly with the organization offering the scholarship.

 [Enrollment Confirmation (for government-sponsored international students and JASSO Honors Scholarship recipients) ]

Be sure to sign in with the International Division at the beginning of every month to confirm your enrollment. If you are going to be out of Japan for an entire calendar month, you will receive no scholarship payment for that month. In general, you will also not receive scholarship payments during leaves of absence from the university. Remember to complete any necessary procedures, such as requesting your scholarship funds and registering address changes.


Scholarship information:http://www.u-gakugei.ac.jp/05gakusei/ryugakusei.htmlLinkIcon

Housing


TGU has several housing facilities for international students and researchers, including the International House, the Higashikurume International Student Dormitory, and Hitotsubashi University International Student House. Information on residency applications will be posted once a year near the end of December.

Other Information

Provision of Housing Information

 TGU provides referrals on apartments and rooms for rent. Please contact the University Student Union Administration Office for more information.
Tokyo Gakugei University Student UnionLinkIcon

Supplemental Compensation for International Student Housing

International students looking for an apartment that are having problems finding a guarantor to vouch for them should know that the International Section manager at TGU is available to serve as guarantor if the student subscribes to Supplemental Compensation for International Student Housing (¥4,000 for one year, ¥8,000 for two years). Applications for supplemental compensation for international student housing can be obtained from the International Division.

Courses and Activities

International Student Education Program (ISEP)


In this program, TGU professors teach classes in English in their respective fields of specialization related to Japanese culture and society. Students that understand English can take classes in a wide range of non-language subjects. Study-abroad periods are either one semester or one year.

LinkIconProgram Descriptions

Japanese Studies Program

This program is designed to help undergraduate students majoring in Japanese or Japanese culture in their home countries improve their Japanese-language skills and enhance their understanding of Japanese culture and society. The program period is from October to the following August.

LinkIconProgram Descriptions

Teacher Training Program

The teacher training program enables people involved in education or education administration in other countries to spend 18 months undergoing training at a Japanese university in the hopes that they will use what they learn in Japan upon returning to their home country.

The specialized research these international educators conduct is overseen by the research lab they are assigned to; those who come to Japan without some level of proficiency in the Japanese language will also spend 17 weeks during the first semester taking 18 classes per week in an intensive Japanese-language training course conducted by the International Student Exchange Center.

LinkIconProgram Descriptions

Entrance Exam Information (Entrance Exam Section)

News from International Student Alumni