PhD Studentship: Sasakawa

Full time or part time MPhil/PhD Studentship:

Eligibility: UK Students, EU Students & International Students

Fees: Applicants will be responsible for paying their own fees

Annual Bursary: £15,000 towards living expenses for a maximum of 1 year.  PhD students who make expected progress will be re-nominated each year, up to the maximum of 3-years of continuous funding.  (pending renewal of the scheme). £7.5 p.a. up to a maximum of 6 years for Part time, of continuous funding (pending renewal of the scheme)

Interview date: Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the deadline for applications.

Start date: September 2025 

Deadline: The closing date for applications is 3 March 2025

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University invites applications for the Sasakawa Postgraduate Studentship in Japanese Studies. The award is £15,000 (max) for the 2025/26 academic year. Full time PhD students who make expected progress may be re-nominated each year, up to the maximum of 3-years of continuous funding. Part time PhD students will be awarded £7,500 a year up to a maximum of 6 years, of continuous funding (pending renewal of the scheme)

OBU offers a broad range of expertise on Japanese culture and language, we are particularly interested in candidates researching ageing and care, marginalised groups, contemporary religious practice, film, literature, song, or popular culture. AHSS is home to the Europe Japan Research Centre, (see site for information on research and links to staff members’ profiles).

Please note that although you may use your studentship to help towards the cost of your fees, you are responsible for paying your fees. International applicants will need to fund their fees at the international rate. Applicants may be of any nationality. 

Eligibility:

A good first degree (a good 2:1 or above) or be predicted to obtain one.
Masters - merit/distinction. 
The research proposal must focus on Japan.
It is important that you and your referees comment on your skill in Japanese in the areas of reading, composition and speaking as relevant to the proposed research.
Interviews may partly be conducted in conversational Japanese if relevant to your project. Proposals that seek to bridge or expand the disciplinary strengths in the Faculty are especially welcome.

Bursary p.a.: Funders: The Nippon Foundation and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

How to apply: To request an application pack please contact hss-researchdegrees@brookes.ac.uk via the above ‘Apply’ button with “Sasakawa MPhil/PhD studentship” clearly labelled in the subject line.

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