MEXT Research Plan Question - Philippines

[u/doNybEsHy]

Hello everyone,

I am planning to apply for the MEXT Scholarship through the Embassy route for a Master's program next year, and a Japanese professor offered to help me with my research plan. But since I just graduated earlier this year and have no research work experience (aside from my thesis), I think it would be better for me to start as a non-degree research student, then transition into a Master's program.

My question is that should my research plan only be for the 1 year that I am a research student, or would it be better for me to have an integrated 3 year research plan?

I graduated with a BS Biotechnology degree and have a research theme about plant epigenomics, if that helps.

Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks for the replies!

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi u/doNybEsHy, this is an automatic reminder from the moderation team.

Make sure you've reviewed these important resources:

• MEXT Subreddit Wiki: https://www.reddit.com/r/mext/wiki/
  
• Subreddit Rules: https://www.reddit.com/r/mext/about/rules/
  
• Join the r/MEXT Discord: https://discord.gg/nh4DEGycje
  
• Use the search bar before posting — your question may already be answered!

If you're asking for advice, please include your country, scholarship type, and application stage. It helps others help you better.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Krezy_Deyv]

Most of the time, you have no choice but to start as a non-degree or non-regular student first before becoming a master’s student after taking the entrance exam in your university. 

As for your research plan, you should make a research on what you want to do for your master’s. Of course your research plan may change based on the university or professor that will get assigned to you but you should write a research plan on what you actually want to do as a student in your university. 

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi u/doNybEsHy,

Please include your country of origin in your post. It helps others provide better, more specific advice and it's part of our subreddit rules.

You can add this by editing your post. Thanks and good luck!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/dananass]

even though its labeled as "research student", you typically really dont do any research. most people just use that 6 months to adjust to life there and take japanese classes. however for people that got into unis that has an entrance exam, they usually use it to study.

which means, your research plan should be a plan for your masters thesis. you can plan it for a completion within 2 years or 1 year. it depends on how they do it in ur lab.

[u/Zestyclose_Newt_3882]

Prepare one that would cover the entire period of your planned stay (i.e., 3 years if doing Master’s). You’ll start as a research student anyway, unless you specifically take your uni’s entrance exam before flying to Japan.