[CLOSED] KOKUGAKUIN SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM (K-STEP) 2026/2027

KOKUGAKUIN SHORT-TERM EXCHANGE PROGRAM (K-STEP) 2026/2027

The Kokugakuin Short-Term Exchange Program (K-STEP) 2026/2027 intake is now open for application. The information on the program can be found below.

1. What is Kokugakuin Short-Term Exchange Program (K-STEP) 2026/2027 Program?

Kokugakuin Short-term Exchange Program (K-STEP) is pre-packaged program with a duration of 6-Months / One Year Special Program in Japanese Language and Culture/Society.

2. Grant Target Candidate:

Undergraduate UPM Students

3. Scholarship Information:

There are two possible scholarship offered in this program which are the Kokugakuin Scholarship and the JASSO Scholarship. The Kokugakuin scholarship is provided by the Kokugakuin University while the JASSO Scholarship is provided by the Japanese Government. However, it can't be guaranteed that the JASSO Scholarship can be provided for the program.

If the selected candidates were unable to receive the JASSO Scholarship, they could be considered to receive the Kokugakuin Scholarship

1. JASSO Scholarship : 80,000 JPY / Month
2. Kokugakuin Scholarship : 20,000 JPY / Month, Accommodation, and Meals on weekdays.

4. Program Duration :

1 Semester : Fall Semester 2026 (September 2026 - February 2027)
2 Semester : Fall Semester 2026 - Spring Semester 2027 (September 2026-August 2027)

5. Field of Study Offered:

Japanese Language Studies 

6.  Application Period: 

 Application Deadline to i-PUTRA                        : 27/02/2026 (Friday)

 Internal Evaluation by PTJ (UPM)                      : 02/03/2026 – 06/03/2026

 Application Deadline to Kokugakuin University : 27/03/2026 (Friday)

7. Eligibility Requirement for student mobility:

1. Minimum CGPA requirement is 3.00/4.00. 
2. Candidates must have completed at least one year Studies in UPM and are not in their final semester. 
3. Candidates must be studying full-time in UPM in order to be considered.
4. Candidates must have completed at least one year of Formal Japanese Language Studies. Students who have completed at least LPJ2102 - Basic Japanese Language 2 offered by CALC UPM can be considered to satisfy this requirement
5. Candidates must have English Language Certificate (TOEFL iBT 55 or equivalent) - No scoresheet submission necessary

8. Application Procedure for Student Mobility:

1. Complete the following forms (Downloadable here):

Curriculum Vitae

Language Proficiency Self Assessment Sheet

1. Submit your application to i-PUTRA via Google Form. Please upload the following documents into the google form by the deadline set.

1. Latest Academic Transcript (in English) - (Provide at least a full academic year record)
2. Passport Detail Page
3. Proof of English Language Proficiency
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Language Proficiency Self Assessment Sheet

3. Candidates will be evaluated accordingly. The successful candidate will be informed
        through email regarding online application for the program.
4. 
   Should you require assistance in filling in the forms, feel free to contact Ms, Syafinaz
       our officer via email at nursyafinaz@upm.edu.my

9. Disclaimer:

 Candidates nominated to Kokugakuin University will be evaluated by the host university upon application submission. Please take note that a nomination does not guarantee scholarship to be granted to the candidates.

10. References and other information:

         K-STEP 2025-2026 Program Information : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hqeGqZT2oqKeLw7IAnHmVeds67-Nf84D?usp=drive_link

Updated:: 01/04/2026 [mohd_ismail]