FrontierLab@OsakaU ---Scientific Empowerment Program for International Students---

Section2: How to Apply to FrontierLab@OsakaU

1. Application Deadline

March 20, for enrollment commencing between October and March

2. Application Form

E-Apply : Please obtain a password from your home university's international office.

3. Eligibility

1. Both undergraduate and graduate students in science, engineering, information technology or other relevant fields who are registered at universities that share a student exchange agreement with Osaka University.
2. Undergraduate students are required to have completed at least two years of study before participating in the FrontierLab@OsakaU program.
3. FrontierLab@OsakaU requires adequate language proficiency in either English or Japanese. Proficiency equivalent to TOEFL 550 or Level 2 of JLPT is recommended, respectively.

4. Tuition Fees

1. Students from institutions that have concluded a mutual tuition waiver contract with Osaka University will not be required to pay tuition fees.
2. All Others must pay the following tuition fees.
1. Plan 1: 14,400 JPY per credit
2. Plan 2: 28,900 JPY per month

PLEASE NOTE: Tuition fees for Plan 2 are accrued not based on the total number of days, but according to each month of enrollment. In addition, the tuition fees are liable to change without notice.

5.Scholarship
Students of FrontierLab@OsakaU from institutions that share a student exchange agreement with Osaka University are eligible to apply for the following scholarships.

1. JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) Scholarship
1. Provides 80,000 yen for travel expense as well as a monthly stipend of 80,000 yen
2. Those who receive financial aid exceeding 80,000 yen per month from ANY other funding body are NOT eligible
3. Application forms for the JASSO scholarship scheme is included with the application form of FrontierLab@OsakaU
4. For more information, please consult the JASSO website
   (http://www.jasso.go.jp/scholarship/short_term_e.html)
   

6. Life in Osaka


1. Accommodation
1. JICA: A limited number of rooms will be made available at JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Osaka International Center (see right). The monthly fee is around 40,000 yen with a daily breakfast. The daily rate is 1,330 yen for stays in excess of 14 nights but 2,681 yen for stays up to 14 nights. Both of these rates include a daily breakfast.
2. Students who are unsuccessful in finding accommodation at the JICA International Center must find housing/accommodation with the assistance of Osaka University's Support Office for International Students and Scholars.
2. Living Expenses
   Those who wish to stay in a private apartment house in the Osaka area should expect their average monthly living expenses (food, accommodation, and transportation, etc.) to be no less than 100,000 JPY.
3. Health and Liability Insurance
   Students of FrontierLab@OsakaU are eligible and, in fact, are required to join "the Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursing Education and Research" scheme arranged by the University.
4. Student's Manual
   Downloadable here

7. Visa Information
Before coming to Japan, accepted students need to obtain a "college student (Ryugaku) visa, issued by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. The Support Office for International Students and Scholars of Osaka University will assist with the visa application process.

8. How to Calculate JASSO GPA

	Grade
Pattern 1		Excellent	Good	Sufficient	Fail
Pattern 2		A	B	C	F
Pattern 3		100-80	79-70	69-60	59 and below
Pattern 4	100-90	89-80	79-70	69-60	59 and below
Pattern 5	S	A	B	C	F
Pattern 6	A	B	C	D	F
Grade Point (GP)	3	3	2	1	0

Use the formula below to calculate GPA (Round to two decimal places).


9. Grades, Credits, and Transfer of Credits
Students will be graded on the basis of laboratory work, participation in seminars, oral presentations and reports. Participants in courses FrontierLab@OsakaU A, B, C and D will be awarded credits by the School/Faculty at which the student is enrolled upon successful completion of each course. Osaka University will issue a Notification of Results to each student and an Academic Transcript to the student's home university. For students enrolled in non-credited FrontierLab program, a Certificate of Completion, signed by the Supervisor and Chief Coordinator will be issued. The Certificate will include information on contact time and other study hours as well as evaluation of overall performance.

FrontierLab@OsakaU Program Module

Course Name		FrontierLab A	FrontierLab B	FrontierLab C	FrontierLab D
Credits at Osaka University		6	8	10	14
FrontierLab@OsakaU Study Hours	1. Contact Hours (Laboratory time)	180	240	300	420
	2. Preparation Hours for Presentations	30	30	30	40
	3. Supervised Study (Meeting with a faculty supervisor)	15	15	15	20
	4. Tutorial (Supplementary advice from senior students)	10	20	30	30
	5. Participation in Seminar	15	15	15	20
	6. Independent Study Hours	90	120	150	210
	7. Other Laboratory Activities	10	10	10	10
Total Student Workload		350	450	550	750
Student Workload ECTS Equivalent (25 hrs = 1ECTS)		14	18	22	30


Regarding other classes and course selection options
In addition to the courses provided as part of the FrontierLab@OsakaU Program students will also be eligible to participate the following course options.
(1) International Exchange Subjects (lectures in English): 2 credits per class/semester
(2) Japanese language classes (within International Exchange Subjects): 3 credits per course/semester (1 course = 3 classes per week)

Score assessment

S	90 points and above
A	80 points to 89 points
B	70 points to 79 points
C	60 points to 69 points
F	59 points or less

* Credit will be given only for score S, A, B, C.


(Please read our FAQ section if you have further questions)