Application FAQ
- If your question wasn't answered in the following FAQs, please also check the FAQs for the “e3 Special Selection” and “MEXT Scholarship (University Recommendation)”.
- We kindly ask you to contact the e3 office by email if your question is still unanswered after reviewing all the FAQs and the website.
[1] Types of Courses of the e3 Program
1-1) I would like to apply for a bachelor's degree program. Does the School of Engineering have any bachelor's programs conducted in English?
No, the School of Engineering doesn’t have an English-taught undergraduate program. To study at the School of Engineering as an undergraduate student, you need a high level of Japanese language ability.
For information on undergraduate courses at Hokkaido University, please refer to the following website.
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/admissions/undergraduate-admissions-overview
1-2) Can I become a research student in the e3 program?
No, it is not possible to enroll in the e3 program as a research student because “e3” is a graduate program and offers master’s and doctoral courses in English.
For information on research student applications, please refer to the following website.
https://www.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/graduate/examinfo/#innerb
1-3) Is there post-doc position available in the e3 program?
No, the e3 program office only manages student positions. We don’t manage post-doctoral positions or other paid positions.
1-4) What degree will I receive upon completion of the e3 program?
Upon completion, you will receive the degree of Master of Engineering/Doctor of Philosophy in the field of … at the Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University.
1-5) Is the e3 program a course-based degree or a research-based degree?
It is a course-based degree.
[2] Choosing and Contacting Laboratories
2-1) How can I find a supervisor who matches my desired field of research? Any advice?
Please refer to the Hokkaido University database or the e3 website to find on your own a suitable supervisor in your desired research field. Unfortunately, the e3 program staff cannot recommend suitable supervisors for applicants.
[Hokkaido University Researchers Directory]
https://researchers.general.hokudai.ac.jp/search/index.html?lang=en
[Divisions and laboratory search]
https://eprogram.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/e3/e3study/divisions
2-2) Is it allowed to contact professors directly? Will you tell me the contact information?
If the professor's contact information is listed on the laboratory's website, you can contact them directly. However, the e3 office will not forward emails from applicants to professors whose contact information is not open to the public.
Please understand that professors are busy and often do not respond to direct inquiries from applicants, especially such emails sent to multiple institutions simultaneously.
2-3) Can I apply for a different division than my degree?
If you meet the "Qualifications for Applicants" listed in the application guidelines, you may apply for the e3 Special Selection. There is no restriction on the field of your degree, but you must have sufficient knowledge to complete the coursework and conduct the research you propose.
2-4) I would like to apply for “Electrical Engineering”, but I cannot find it in the Division’s list.
The e3 program doesn’t offer master’s/doctoral degrees in the field of Electrical Engineering. Please see the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology (IST) website: https://www.ist.hokudai.ac.jp/eng/
IST also offers the fields of “Information Engineering” and “Computer Science and Engineering”. If you have any questions about IST, please contact the IST admissions office directly.
2-5) Do I need to obtain an informal acceptance letter from my prospective supervisor before applying for the e3 Special Selection or MEXT Scholarship (university recommendation)?
No, it is not necessary to obtain a letter of informal consent from the prospective supervisor before applying for the e3 Special Selection or MEXT Scholarship (university recommendation).
[3] Others
3-1) Will the e3 program office handle CoE applications for not only me but also my family members who will come to Japan with me?
The e3 program office will take care of CoE applications only for students who have passed the e3 Special Selection.
3-2) Does Hokkaido University have a dormitory for international students?
Yes, Hokkaido University has dormitories for international students, with rooms for singles, couples, and families. After passing the e3 Special Selection, the e3 staff will send you information about the dormitory application via email.
3-3) I will come to Japan alone at first, but my spouse and children will join me later. Can I apply for a family room from the beginning?
No, in this case, please apply for a single room first, and then apply for a family room when your family arrives. If there is a vacant family room, you can move into it with your family.