A "kenkyusei" in Japan isn't a master's student! Do you have to be a research student before grad school in Japan? 🇯🇵

"If I want to go to grad school in Japan, do I have to become a research student (kenkyusei) first?"

This is one of the questions I get asked most when advising international students preparing for grad school in Japan.

For Taiwanese students especially, the word "研究生" is really easy to mix up.

In Taiwan, "研究生" usually means someone currently doing a master's or PhD.

But in Japan it means something completely different. First, remember the most important point:

A Japanese "kenkyusei" (研究生) ≠ a master's student!

And wanting to do a master's in Japan doesn't mean you have to be a research student first.

So what exactly is a research student in Japan?

Who is it a good fit for?

Can you apply to a Japanese master's program directly from Taiwan?

This post covers it all.

① What exactly is a "kenkyusei" in Japan?

At Japanese universities, a "kenkyusei" (研究生, けんきゅうせい) generally means a non-degree student who does specific research at a university or graduate school without aiming to earn a degree.

Put simply: research student ≠ shushi (master's student) Even if you become a research student at the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University or another university, it doesn't mean you've been admitted to that university's master's program.

If you later want to formally enter the master's program, you usually still need to take the entrance exam or go through selection under the graduate school's rules.

As research students, some people do research with a professor, read papers and take part in lab activities while preparing for the master's exam.

But every university, every graduate school and even individual professors may do things differently.

So when you see "研究生募集" (research students wanted), don't take it to mean:

"This is the path every foreign student must take to get into a Japanese master's program."

It isn't!

② Do you have to be a research student before a master's in Japan?

The answer is simple:

Not necessarily.

Basically, think of it as two routes:

A | University abroad → apply directly to a Japanese master's program

B | University abroad → research student in Japan → apply to a Japanese master's program

People take both.

So the real question isn't:

"Do all foreigners have to be research students first?"

It's:

"Which route suits me better?"

You can start by checking:

・Whether your research topic is already clear

・How far along your research proposal is

・Whether your Japanese/English meets the requirements

・Whether your target graduate school accepts applications directly from abroad

・Whether you need to contact a professor before applying

・Whether the professor takes research students

・Which subject exams the entrance exam requires

Pay special attention to this:

Even within the same university, different graduate schools can have completely different rules.

So don't see someone online say:

"I was a research student for a year before I got in."

and assume you have to take the same path.

Earlier students' experiences are worth referring to, but in the end it depends on your own target school and graduate school.

③ Who is better off being a research student first?

So when is the research-student route worth considering?

📚 Your research topic isn't fully worked out yet

For example, you know you want to study "education," "sociology" or "Japanese culture,"

but when a professor asks:

"So what's your Research Question?"

you can't answer yet.

In that case, extra time to read prior research and work out your research question may help.

🇯🇵 You want to get used to Japan's research environment first

Passing N1 doesn't mean your first Japanese seminar (ゼミ) will go smoothly.

You may understand the papers. You may understand the professor's Japanese too.

But when the professor suddenly asks:

"What do you think of this paper?"

you may suddenly not know how to answer.

Because "knowing Japanese" and "knowing how to do research in Japanese" are actually two different things.

👨‍🏫 You want to get to know the professor and the lab first

A master's usually takes about two years.

If the professor's research direction, supervision style or lab culture doesn't suit you, it'll be hard going later.

So for some students, getting into the research environment first to see what it's really like can be an option.

④ But! Being a research student is not a "guaranteed master's track"

This is very important.

Becoming a research student doesn't mean you'll definitely get into the master's program later.

In the end, you may still need to:

・Submit a research proposal

・Take the entrance exam

・Be interviewed by professors

・Pass the graduate school's formal selection

So before you decide to become a research student, I'd like you to ask yourself:

"Why do I need this half year or year?"

For example:

"I'll use these six months to finish my research proposal."

"I want to get better at reading academic papers in my field."

"I need to prepare for the written subject exam."

"I want to strengthen my academic Japanese."

"I want to understand the professor's research methods better."

These are all concrete goals.

But if your only reason is:

"Everyone says foreigners have to be research students first."

then I'd suggest thinking it over again.

Being a research student is an option, not the goal.

⑤ Don't start by deciding "research student or direct application"

This may be a different order from what many people expect.

I don't recommend deciding right at the start:

"I'm going to be a research student!" or "I'm going to apply straight to a master's!"

I'd rather you first ask:

What do I actually want to research?

Then look for:

Who can supervise my research?

Because grad school in Japan is quite different from undergrad.

You're not simply "getting into a university."

You enter a research field and complete your own research under your supervisor's guidance.

So I'd recommend this order:

Research interest → research question → find a professor → look at the lab → check the university and its entrance exam system → decide: research student or direct application

Instead of:

Look at rankings → pick a university → look for a professor last.

That's also why there's one concept I've always cared about:

Research Fit

University rankings are of course worth a look.

But for grad school, whether your research actually fits the professor may matter more.

⑥ Found a professor? Don't rush to send that email

Say you've found a professor.

The university website says:

"Research area: sociology of education"

And it so happens you want to study sociology of education too.

You might think:

"This is the one!" Wait.

I'd ask you first:

"Have you read this professor's recent papers?"

If the answer is:

"Not yet…"

then I don't recommend emailing right away.

Because "sociology of education" is actually very broad.

Among professors who all work in sociology of education, some may research:

・Educational inequality

・Foreign children

・School culture

・Teachers

・Progression to higher education

・Family background

・Youth and employment

Their subjects and methods may be completely different.

And the topic a professor researched 10 years ago isn't necessarily what they care most about now.

So:

Finding a professor's name ≠ finding the right professor for you

What you really need to check is:

What is this professor researching now?

Is there a link between my research and theirs?

Why should I do research with this professor?

These questions are more worth your time than

"Where is this university ranked?"

⑦ Research student or direct application? Answer these 3 questions first

If you're currently deciding whether to become a research student first, try answering:

① What do I want to research?

② Which professor do I want to do research with?

③ Why is this professor a good fit for my research?

If all three are still fuzzy, what you really need to do may not be deciding "research student or direct application" right now.

It may be getting your research direction clear first.

On the other hand, if your research topic is already clear, you've found a suitable professor, and your research proposal and exam prep are done, then you should look harder at:

Do I really need to spend an extra half year or year as a research student?

The answer is different for everyone.

So don't choose your study-abroad path just because "that's what everyone does" 💪

🌸 About Risa

I'm Risa, from Japan 🇯🇵

I hold two master's degrees in education, from Tokyo Gakugei University and Beijing Normal University.

4 years advising international students on graduate admissions, mainly helping them prepare research proposals, contact professors and get ready for Japanese grad school interviews.

Students I've advised have been admitted to graduate schools at Japanese national universities including the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University and the University of Tsukuba.

I want to share grad school information that only Japanese people and those inside Japanese education know, in a simple, easy-to-understand way, with everyone who wants to come to Japan for grad school 📚🇯🇵

Threads: @risa.jp.daigakuin⁠