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 280,000 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.
219 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 applications for the 2027 Daiwa Scholarship programme is 3 December 2026.
The first round interviews will be held in February (most likely in the week of 8 February). Those who pass this first stage will be asked to take the Modern Language Aptitude Test online in the week following the first round interviews. They will also be asked to attend the final interview on either 15 or 16 March 2027.
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.
Please read the application notes before proceeding with the online application form.
The notes can be found below:
A link to the application form for Daiwa Scholarships 2027 can be found on our website here.
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 four weeks from late July/early August onwards.
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 15/16 to 20)
The Foundation helps arrange individual work placements appropriate to each Daiwa Scholar’s career goals. Previous Daiwa Scholars have been based at organisations including museums, galleries, 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.
Each year the Tokyo Office welcomes a new cohort with new and different career aims, so we also encourage the Scholars to be proactive and to think about potential work placement hosts.
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 2026.