1. Eligibility

Q1. I am a prospective student of the graduate school belonging to the Nagasaki University (NU) WISE Prorgamme.
How can I apply to the WISE Programme?

A: Prospective students of the graduate schools belonging to the NU WISE programme (hereafter “the programme”) can apply for the programme after they pass the respective school’s entrance examination. The programme’s application guidance will be released around in June. Please follow the guidance for how to apply for the programme. Please note that applicants who have passed the preliminary screening of the NU-LSHTM Joint PhD programme will be informed how to apply for the programme together with the Joint PhD interview details.

Graduate schools belonging to the NU WISE Programme:
Graduate School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering (5-year Doctoral Program), Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Graduate School of Economics, Interfaculty Initiative in Planetary Health

Q2. How the selection results are announced?

A: The successful applicants’ student or application number will be announced on the NU WISE programme’s website. An offer letter will also be sent to successful applicants by email.

Q3. I am a PhD student belonging to the graduate school eligible for the NU WISE Programme.
Can I apply for the NU WISE Programme Year 4 and 5?

A: PhD students who are in the 1st year of a 3 year doctoral programme, or 2nd year of a 4 year doctoral programme who belong to the eligible graduate schools can apply for the NU WISE Programme Year 3. Only those students who were selected for the Year 3 are eligible to proceed for Year 4 and 5. Master students belonging to the eligible graduate schools can apply for the NU WISE Programme Year 1 or 2.

2. Financial Support Scheme

Q1. How can I apply for the WISE Stipend and research grant?

A: There is a separate application required for the Nagasaki University WISE Programme. Applicants who pass the entrance examination of the respective graduate schools should refer to the WISE Programme application guidelines which will be released around in June (TBC). Applicants of the NU-LSHTM Joint PhD programme who passed the preliminary screening and procced for the interview will be provided application information when we notify them about the Joint PhD interview details. The selection results will be announced at the same time as the selection results of the Joint PhD programme.

Q2. Can I apply and receive another scholarship while being funded by the WISE programme?

A: In principle, students who receive a scholarship which includes payment of stipend cannot receive the WISE stipend as duplicate receipt of stipend is not permitted. However, they can apply for a scholarship if the purpose of the scholarship is to cover tuition fees only as the WISE stipend cannot be used to pay tuition fees. If students decide to take up another scholarship that provides stipend, they should inform the administrative office of the Nagasaki University WISE Progamme immediately.

Q3. Can I work whilst receiving the WISE Stipend?

A: In principle, WISE Programme students who receive the Nagasaki University WISE Progamme stipend cannot engage in a paid job unless it is approved by the WISE Programme Coordinator. Work that is relevant and complementary to the research may be approved. Please note that international students who hold a Student Visa in the UK are only allowed to work 20 hours a week at the maximum. International students who hold a student visa in Japan can work up to 28 hours a week at the maximum. But you will not have time to work as much as that while doing a full-time PhD. The maximum we recommend is 6 hours per week.

Students are responsible to pay tuition fees during the designated payment periods to both institutions every year. Costs incurred for visa applications and travel for registration with the Lead Institute are also not included.

Q4. What does WISE financial support cover?

A: The Nagasaki University WISE Progamme provides selected students a monthly stipend and a research grant of two million Japanese yen per year (TBC) which will be allocated to the student’s supervisory team in order to support the research project. Since the WISE budget is administered by Nagasaki University, the research budget will be managed and authorized by the student’s supervisor at Nagasaki University. Please note that this research grant cannot be used for tuition or admission fees.
Students selected for the WISE programme will receive the monthly stipend directly from Nagasaki University and the stipend is taxable for residents in Japan.

Q5. Does WISE programme financial support cover tuition and admission fee?

A: The WISE Programme does not cover tuitions or admission fees. Students are responsible to pay these fees by themselves during the designated payment period. For NU-LSHTM Joint PhD students, costs incurred for visa applications and travel for registration with the Lead institute are also not included.

Q6. How can I access to the WISE research grant?

A: In principle, the WISE research grant will be allocated to student’s supervisory team in Nagasaki as the WISE programme is managed by Nagasaki University (NU). If students wish to use the research grant for their research, they will need to contact their NU supervisor to obtain prior approval.
The details of the WISE Programme and WISE financial scheme can be found on the WISE Programme website: http://www.wise.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/wise_wp/?lang=en. If you have any questions about the funding, please contact the Administrative Office for the WISE Programme: tmgh_jimu@ml.nagasaki-u.ac.jp

Q7. I am selected for the WISE Programme student.
Do I need to register for any modules and what are the programme requirements?

A: Course up to Year 2 are based on the TMGH modules which are built on the foundation of LSHTM teaching materials and lectures. WISE Programme candidates are eligible to register on those modules to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in global health.

From Year 3, WISE Research Module for Global Health will be provided to Programme students and candidates. The module will focus on research work that offers students an environment to engage in research activities of their own. At the end of Year 3 and 4, students will need to take a Qualifying Examination (“QE”) to procced for the following year.