Correct way to study for master program at Japanese University.

Dear all,
I am new to this forum. This is my first post. I have got MEXT scholarship and got admission in a Japanese University for Masters program in Computer Engineering. Can you guys please tell me what is the correct way to study in a Japanese University for Masters program? I have heard that Japanese Universities are "Difficult to enter(get admission) but easy to leave (graduate)"? But I think that Japanese students are also very hard working. My course will start from October, and I want to have a clear cut plan ahead. Actually, my major is in Electronics Engineering. So, doing a masters program in computers is going to be tough I guess. My Japanese language and business-Japanese language skills are good. I have the experience of staying in Japan for one year for Japanese Language studies. But, I am feeling nervous about the structure of Japanese University's master program. What should be the correct way to study at the Japanese University for master program? What should be the do's and dont's there? Any suggestion is heartily welcome.

ravangrid said:

Dear all,
I am new to this forum. This is my first post. I have got MEXT scholarship and got admission in a Japanese University for Masters program in Computer Engineering.

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Congrats!! Did you apply through embassy or university for the scholarship?

Which is your university? Have you already received confirmation for admission as a masters student or will you be joining as a research student first?

ravangrid said:

Can you guys please tell me what is the correct way to study in a Japanese University for Masters program? I have heard that Japanese Universities are "Difficult to enter(get admission) but easy to leave (graduate)"? But I think that Japanese students are also very hard working. My course will start from October, and I want to have a clear cut plan ahead. Actually, my major is in Electronics Engineering. So, doing a masters program in computers is going to be tough I guess.

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Well, the biggest barrier to successfully completing a masters from Japan is the language, which you have scaled already

About students, I think you will always find hardworking students and not so hardworking students every where, however in capitalist countries like US and Japan, masters education comes at a huge cost, hence yes you will find really hardworking students in Japanese universities.

For a plan, as you already have an experience of Japanese lifestyle I think that part you can plan better than anyone else. For your studies, as a post graduate student myself, I can tell one thing for sure that is the most important part of a masters degree is your thesis and your relationship with your advisor, when you reach that stage, make sure you meet your advisor regularly, you may send a weekly status report to him to keep him informed about your work. For coursework, in general, in graduate level courses, the best thing you can do is to attend all the classes of the courses that your register for, even if they are difficult to follow. At graduate level most of the courses have evaluation based to assignments submitted and a course project instead of exams. Though there are exams as well.

Do choose your courses wisely, coming from a electrical background you might want to take (or audit) a few courses in computer 'science' stuff like algo, Object oriented programming / software engineering etc. Rest depends upon your specialization. If you lean toward computer science side I will suggest taking or auditing some early courses in discreet mathematics, data strcutures etc. If you lean towards computer engineering side, well you will already have a base due to your degree in electronics.

ravangrid said:

My Japanese language and business-Japanese language skills are good. I have the experience of staying in Japan for one year for Japanese Language studies. But, I am feeling nervous about the structure of Japanese University's master program. What should be the correct way to study at the Japanese University for master program? What should be the do's and dont's there? Any suggestion is heartily welcome.

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I will leave this part to our sempai who are already doing their masters in Japan

Thanks Ajay,

I applied to university for scholarship (University recommendation). The scholarship is confirmed. I have cleared the entrance exam of master program and will directly enter into master's program. Most of my lectures will be in English and some in Japanese. I feel that language is not a problem.

Yes, you are right. As far as my lifestyle in Japan is concerned, I will surely plan it well ahead.

the most important part of a masters degree is your thesis and your relationship with your advisor, when you reach that stage, make sure you meet your advisor regularly, you may send a weekly status report to him to keep him informed about your work.

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Wakarimashita. I will make it a point. The university has some conversion courses too. I will choose my subjects wisely.

I have some questions still in my mind. Please allow me to ask them to you:

1. Is the final thesis work done individually or can it be done in a group? (I worked in a group for my undergraduate final thesis/project)

2. Is it compulsory to have international publications during the master course's tenure? (I only have some national level publications till now)

(Please feel free to give any suggestion which come to your mind.)

Thanks a lot for your support. It was really helpful.

University recommendation! sughoi desu ne!

Which university? it is alright and understandable if you want to keep it private

ravangrid said:

Thanks Ajay,
I applied to university for scholarship (University recommendation). The scholarship is confirmed. I have cleared the entrance exam of master program and will directly enter into master's program. Most of my lectures will be in English and some in Japanese. I feel that language is not a problem.
Yes, you are right. As far as my lifestyle in Japan is concerned, I will surely plan it well ahead.
Wakarimashita. I will make it a point. The university has some conversion courses too. I will choose my subjects wisely.
I have some questions still in my mind. Please allow me to ask them to you:
1. Is the final thesis work done individually or can it be done in a group? (I worked in a group for my undergraduate final thesis/project)

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Master thesis work is an individual work, done completely by yourself. However, you will be working in a research group under a professor, mostly this means there will be other people working in a related area. Also at times, specially if the professor is a bit busy or a project is a bit large and unexplored, he may ask you to do some exploratory work which may be used as a spring-board for another Phd student. You may also work side-by-side a Phd student. Combined masters thesis is rare and seldom seen in practice, however many master students may be working on same project with different aspects of it.

ravangrid said:

2. Is it compulsory to have international publications during the master course's tenure? (I only have some national level publications till now)
(Please feel free to give any suggestion which come to your mind.)
Thanks a lot for your support. It was really helpful.

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Depends upon your department/university and professor. Mine told me that if I want the highest grade, I need a publication which I did. Place of publication is something that you and your professor decide, generally an international conference is preferred and at times with some additional work it may also go in a reputed journal. However turnaround time for journals is large often a year or more. However, I have seen many masters students without a publication as well.ﾂ In Japan, unlike India, there are many reputed national level conference present.
Anyways, Omedeto sorekara gambatte kudasai!

Congratulations on getting the MEXT!!!