Opportunities for Judo at Prof. Kano's University in Japan

Dear All,

My name is Louis Irving, and I am Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Tsukuba in Japan.

I am sure many on this forum know Tsukuba University in its Judo context - we are Jigoro Kano's University (he was president of Tokyo Higher Normal School - a teacher training college which would later become Tokyo University of Education and later still the University of Tsukuba), and one of the top Judo Universities in Japan. In the 2010 world championships in Tokyo, current students and alumni of the university won a total of 10 medals, including 4 gold medals. We have produced numerous world champions and Olympic medalists. We are also one of the top academic universities in Japan - consistently ranked in the top 10.

In 2009, the University was chosen for internationalization through the government's Global 30 program. This program provides seed funding for the university to set up new degree programs, taught entirely in English and aimed at foreign students. Although we have no sports science or Judo degree programs in English currently, students can study degrees in either of our two undergraduate themes, or in one of our Masters and PhD programs, and train at the University Judo club in their spare time. Undergraduate students may expect to be able to train 10 to 12 hours a week.

We offer undergraduate degrees in two overarching themes; Life and Environmental Science (Biology, agricultural science, geoscience, environmental science) and International Social Studies (Economics, Politics, Sociology, Law, International Development, International Relations).

For undergraduate students, we waive both the university entrance fees and first year tuition fees. After which, students pay domestic fees (approx US$6,500 / year [for 3 years]), which may be considerably less than they would expect to pay either at a comparable UK or US university, or at a private university in Japan. 

For academically committed students, we have a range of scholarships available. Our 1st year Tsukuba Scholarship pays a US$1,200 travel / settling in allowance, plus either $700 (60,000 yen) or $1,200 (100,000 yen) per month for the first year (8 months). Our 2nd year Tsukuba Scholarship covers tuition fees and pays $700 per month for the full 12 months. Part time work is also possible, making studying at Tsukuba an even better deal. 

Details of our degree programs can be found on our website, and enquiries can be directed to me at irving.louis.fb@u.tsukuba.ac.jp Clubs or organizations wishing to carry a link on their website are particularly welcomed.

Best wishes,

Louis