Okayama-Hue International Master's Program
in Sustainability of Rural and Environmental Systems


Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the general question and answer section of Okayama-Hue International's Master Course. We do hope that you will find them helpful and informative.

Please let us know via email: vnoffice@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp if you have any questions or suggestions.

English language Proficiency
Q: Do I need to provide a TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC English test score when applying for the course?
A: Yes, you should submit one of the TOEFL, IELTS and TOEIC English test score when applying for the course.
Q: What are the acceptable English certificates to apply for the course?
A: We accept the English certificates of TOEFL (International or Institutional), IELTS, and TOEIC.

Q: Can I provide an English proficiency test score or certificate that is not TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC?

A: Yes, you can. But, you are strongly recommended to submit one of those TOEFL, IELTS and TOEIC. If you submit other than the above certificates, we do not guarantee that it would be considered as an official English proficiency.  It depends on the case.

Q: What are the acceptable English scores of TOEFL, IELTS and TOEIC?

A: The acceptable score for TOEFL (PBT) is over 480; for IELTS is over 5.5; and for TOEIC is over 530.

Q: If my TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC test score does not meet the minimum requirements for the course, will my application be considered?

A: Your application may be considered, if you can demonstrate with reliable evidences that your English ability has been improved after you took the final test of TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC.

Q: Is it possible or not if I do not have any certificate of English at the moment I submit the application, however, I will supplement it later?

A: Only if you have already taken one of the TOEFL, IELTS and TOEIC test, and your score would submitted within 5 days after the deadline of the application period, your application may be considered.

Foreign language

Q: What is the main language of the course, English or Japanese?

A: English is the main language of the course.  Most of the books for students are in English.  You are taught in English and do your thesis in English.  However, you need to know some Japanese for your staying in Japan on the second year of the master course.  Also, you will be taught Japanese for 7 months at Hue University before you travel to Japan and study at Okayama University as a second year graduate student.

Q: What is the required language of my dissertation, English or Japanese?

A: English.

Q: I do not know any Japanese, is it possible for me to apply for the course?

A: Yes, you are quite eligible to apply for the course.  Japanese is not the required language of the course. However, if you can speak Japanese, it is one of your great advantages when you study at Okayama University on the second year.

Q: What is the minimum requirement of Japanese proficiency when I study in Japan on the second year of the course?

A: No minimum requirement on Japanese language. The Japanese language class is to be offered for your benefits during the course.

Description of the course

Q: How long does the course last?
A: The course lasts two and a half years in which one and a half years at Hue University, Viet Nam and one year at Okayama University, Japan.

Q: Can you give me a brief introduction of the program?

A: Yes. This is the bilateral cooperation program between Hue University and Okayama University called Okayama-Hue International’s Master Program in Sustainability of Rural and Environmental Systems.  We receive application package to apply for the course at our office every year. Please check the deadline from our website. There are two main majors: Rural Environmental Management and Agricultural Development.  The number of students for each year is 8 students.  If you are a Vietnamese with a B.A. degree in the relevant majors such as Environmental Science, Forestry, Soil Science, Hydro Engineering, Animal Science, Crop Science, Biology, Agronomy, Land Management, Geography and Aquacultural Science, you are quite eligible to apply for this International Master course. There is a broad range of permissible majors. The course lasts two and a half years in which one and a half year at Hue University and one year at Okayama University, Japan.

For more information of the program, please refer to the website: http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/hue/page/gi.html

Q: Who will be responsible for the courses, Vietnamese Professors or Japanese Professors?

A: Both, the teaching staffs of Hue University and Okayama University are responsible for the courses.  For the first year at Hue University, students will follow the curriculum co-designed by Okayama University and Hue University.

Q: When will I start doing my dissertation?

A: You will carry out your dissertation on the second year of the Master course at Okayama University.  However, the necessary preparation for the thesis including topic, contents, methodology and so on should be finished at the end of the first year at Hue University.

Proof of academic achievements

Q: My academic transcript is not in English, do I need to certify/ attest its translation in English?

A: No, you don't have to certify or attest its translation in English.

Q: Do I need to submit my academic transcript at university in Vietnamese?

A: Yes, you need to submit your academic transcript at university in Vietnamese.

Q: Do I need to submit the certified/attested copies of academic transcript in Vietnamese?

A: Yes, as for the copies of academic transcript in Vietnamese, you need to submit the certified or attested ones.

Required documentations

Q: What are the required documents to apply for the course?

A: Required documents for application:

  1. Application form (You can download it from our website at http://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/hue/page/ia.html  or http://okayama.hueuni.vn/page/ia.html or you can get it from our office at 04 Le Loi Street, Hue City.  You can type or write in pen on the form)
  2. Official academic records issued by the Institution from which the applicant graduated or is expected to graduate (both in English and in Vietnamese)
  3. English certificate of TOEFL(International or Institutional), TOEIC or IELTS
  4. Summary of one of the following topics: graduation thesis, research or occupation now.  The summary is in English and does not exceed one A4 page.  Figures and tables can be included. (The summary has its own form.  Please have a look at our website for this form)
  5. Summary of ambition in this program or after this program (about 300 words in English and is written at the end of the application form called Statement of purpose during and after this program)
  6. A copy of certificate of graduation or expected graduation (both in Vietnamese and in English)
  7. Health certificate (can be in English or in Vietnamese)

Q: Please help me to clarify some required filling information on the application form including name of Institution, current mailing address, permanent mailing address.

A:

  • Name of Institution: is the name of the university you graduated or other institutes, universities which you are studying.
  • Current mailing address: is the address of the place you are living, or you are working.  We use this address to contact with you by mails during the screening process. Therefore, please state it clearly and exactly including number of your house or office or company, name of the street, home phone, cell phone.
  • Permanent mailing address: is the address of your permanent residence.  It can be the place where you are living or not.  Usually, it is the address of your residential house. 
Age limitation

Q: I graduated from university more than 10 years, am I eligible to apply for this course?

A: Yes, you are. We have no limitation in terms of age.

Q: I have just graduated from university and don't have much hand-on experience in my field, should I apply for this course?

A: Yes, you should. We highly appreciate the eagerness of newly-graduated students.

Q: Is young age one of the advantages for candidates?

A: We do not evaluate the applicants’ capabilities based on their age.
Educational qualifications

Q: My major is Economy. Can I apply for this course?

A: Yes, you can, if you have been majoring in environmental economics or agricultural economics. In other word, so far your major is closely related to environment science and/or agricultural science, you are eligible to apply for this course.

Q: I already have a Master degree from a Vietnamese university. Can I still apply for this course?

A: Yes, you can.

Q: Could you tell me the eligible fields of the course?

A: They are Environmental Science, Forestry, Soil Science, Hydro Engineering, Animal Science, Crop Science, Biology, Agronomy, Land Management and Aqua cultural Science.

Q: I am a university graduate. I am really interested in this master course. However, I have no prior academic background in the eligible fields stated above. Can I still apply for a course?

A: If your major or working experience is closely related to environment science and/or agricultural science, you are eligible to apply for this course.
Selection procedures

Q: What are the selection procedures of the course?

A: It can be seen as including two rounds: One round of the screening applicants’ documents and the second round of interview.  Applicants who passed the first round of screening documents will be informed in writing to attend the second round of interview.  After that, the successful candidates will receive letter of Hue University, Certificate of Okayama University and other necessary documents to finish the admission for the course.

Scholarships

  • All students attend this Master course on the first year at Hue University will be awarded the scholarships by Okayama University during one-year-staying in Japan, which can cover the living cost in Japan.
  • Okayama University tuition is waived for all students in this course during their period of study at Okayama University.
  • Okayama University also pays travel expenses from Hue to Okayama for all students. Students who complete the course successfully will be also given travel expenses for their return trip by Okayama University.
Financial matters

Q: How much does it cost for the course at Hue University?

A: During the time of one year and a half at Hue University, the total amount of tuition is 1,500 USD for three semesters.  You need to pay 1,000 USD at the beginning of the course when you finish the procedures for the enrollment of the course.  The rest of 500 USD should be paid at the early of the second semester at Hue University. 

Q: Can I pay the tuition one time instead of two times?

A: Yes, you can

How to apply

Q: Can I send my application documents via post?

A: Yes, you can.

Q: Can I submit my application documents directly to your office?

A: Yes, you can.

Q: Can I send my application documents by email?

A: No. you can't. The e-documents are ineligible.

General questions

Q:I applied for the Master course of your program. I passed the screening round of required documents but I failed on the interview. Should I still apply for the course next year?

A: Yes, you should. We highly appreciate your great efforts on the first try. Please keep your interest next time.

Q: Can I live in the dormitory of Hue University as a post-graduate student during the time I study there?

A: No, you can't. You have to find your accommodation by yourself during the time you study at Hue University.

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Okayama Univesity Office in Hue,
Address: 01 Dien Bien Phu Hue City, Vietnam TEL. & FAX. + (84) (0) 234 3834480
Email: Email: vnoffice.okayama@hueuni.edu.vn
Center for Global Partnerships and Education, Okayama University
Address: 2-1-1 Tsushima-naka Kita-ku Okayama 700-8530 JAPAN TEL. (+81-86) 251-7047 FAX. (+81-86) 252-5022
Email address: kokusai@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp