Daiwa Scholarship: General information

The Daiwa Scholarship is a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan, following a month of Japanese language tuition in the UK. Daiwa Scholarships offer outstanding British citizens with strong leadership potential, the opportunity to acquire Japanese language skills, and to access expertise and knowledge relevant to their career goals. Daiwa Scholarships are provided by the Foundation to encourage better understanding between both countries.

The Foundation covers travel to Japan, accommodation in Tokyo whilst the Scholar is seeking a flat, all tuition and examination costs, a living allowance for the duration of the Scholarship which is to cover accommodation and living costs for a single person: Yen 260,000 per month (rent is around Yen 80,000 per month), private medical insurance, and support from the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation’s Liaison Office in Tokyo.

191 Daiwa Scholars – including scientists, artists, academics, lawyers, and architects – have completed the Daiwa Scholarship programme.

No previous experience of Japan or Japanese is necessary.

The deadline for the 2025  Daiwa Scholarship programme  is 5 December 2024.

The Foundation is also happy to provide advice about possible applications – please contact scholarships@dajf.org.uk.

Blog posts written by Scholars while on the Scholarship can be found here.

A Daiwa Scholarship flyer can be found here.

A duty of care document can be found here.

The online application form will be uploaded onto the Application Procedure page by summer 2024.

5-Minute Interview with a 2018 Alumnus!

To give a sense of the Scholarship itself and the experiences involved, Enzo DeGregorio, 2018 Daiwa Scholar, speaks to Maddie Baker, History and Japanese finalist at the University of Exeter. Their discussion explains the benefits of the Scholarship, highlights that Scholars of various disciplines are eligible to complete the programme, and gives an insight into what it is like to live in Japan. Watch it here.

Talk and Q&A with two former Scholars

In this talk about the Daiwa Scholarships, two former Scholars discuss the Scholarship and their experiences on it, before addressing some FAQs about the programme and hosting a Q&A with potential applicants. Francesca Le Lohé was one of the Daiwa Scholars 2015, and since completing the Scholarship has become an award-winning composer and musician, continuing to be inspired by Japanese culture; Aileen Cooney, Daiwa Scholar 2018, is currently undertaking a PhD at Imperial College London. Watch it here.

Interview with a 2014 Alumna

Here you can listen to an interview between 2014 Daiwa Scholar, Freyja Sewell, and the BBC’s Dan Damon on the World Service’s World Update via the link below:

Freyja Sewell interview with Dan Damon on World Update, BBC World Service, MP3 file

Programme

DURATION
Daiwa Scholarships last approximately 20 months, starting in summer (late July/early August) and finishing at the end of March.

ORIENTATION
The selected Daiwa Scholars undertake a  Japanese language course in the UK and then move to Japan for the rest of the Scholarship. There is also a short orientation on arrival in Tokyo.

LANGUAGE STUDY (Months 1-12)

Language Training in the UK prior to departure for Japan

The selected Daiwa Scholars will undertake a period of Japanese language study in the UK for most of August before moving to Japan in mid-September for the remainder of the Scholarship.

The period of language study in the UK tends to take place over a month. Details for the 2023 month of study are to be confirmed.

Following this initial period of study in the UK, Daiwa Scholars will then undertake intensive Japanese language study in Japan. After 15 months, they are expected to reach an upper-intermediate level of language ability and are encouraged to sit Level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

Level N2 is the second most advanced stage in the JLPT and is a challenging but achievable objective. To attain Level N2, candidates must demonstrate an understanding of a high level of grammar, kanji (Chinese characters), vocabulary and the ability to converse, read and write about matters of a general nature.

JLPT (external link)

 Homestay (Month 14/15)

Daiwa Scholars spend one month with a family outside Tokyo at the end of the first year to improve their language ability and to enhance their understanding of Japan.

Work placements (Months 15-20)

The Foundation arranges individual work placements appropriate to each Daiwa Scholar’s career goals. Previous Daiwa Scholars have been based at organisations including government ministries, NGOs, universities, think-tanks, media companies, architecture practices and law firms. A high standard of Japanese is essential to benefit from a successful work placement.

Graduation

Completion of the programme is marked by a graduation ceremony in Tokyo at which each graduating Scholar gives a short speech in Japanese. Scholars then automatically become members of the Daiwa Scholars Alumni Association.

Eligibility

Candidates for the Daiwa Scholarships must be:

  • British citizens

Candidates should be:

  • graduates or due to graduate by the time of departure
  • equipped with a strong degree in any subject* or with a strong record of achievement in their field
  • in possession of clear career objectives and a commitment to furthering UK-Japan links.

*Graduates in Japanese language studies are not eligible to apply for Daiwa Scholarships but may wish to apply for support through the Daiwa Scholarships in Japanese Studies or the Foundation’s grant schemes.

Emoluments

Tuition

The Foundation meets all tuition and examination fees associated with the Scholarship.*

Maintenance grant

Daiwa Scholars receive a maintenance grant for the duration of the Scholarship which is to cover accommodation and living costs for a single person. While on the programme, Scholars may not undertake remunerated work

Travel

The Foundation meets the cost of economy-class travel to and from Japan at the beginning and end of the Scholarship.

Accommodation

For their first weeks in Japan, Daiwa Scholars are accommodated in a hotel in central Tokyo. During this period, they will look for rented apartments in which they will live for the remainder of the Scholarship.

Medical insurance

All Daiwa Scholars contribute to the compulsory Japanese Government Health Scheme from their maintenance. In addition, the Foundation provides standard medical insurance for Daiwa Scholars while they are in Japan on the programme.

The Japan-British Society Award

In a ceremony held in Tokyo on 28 November 2019, the Foundation was delighted to receive the Japan-British Society Award for its contributions to furthering UK-Japanese relations.  The Daiwa Scholarships programme in particular was highlighted for its success in this regard.

*Please note that Daiwa Foundation Scholarship programmes limit contributions to overheads or general administration charges to a maximum of 10% of the total sum disbursed.

University visits

We aim to take part in university careers fairs and talks in autumn 2024.

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