What is Kyoto Univ. General Exchange Program?
What is Kyoto Univ. General Exchange Program?
Academic Calendar
Spring Semester: April 1 to September 30
Fall Semester: October 1 to March 31
Note: Some courses start in April and end in September or March while others start in October and end in March. No course starts in October and end in September. Therefore, It is preferable to start the General Exchange Program from April along with the Japanese academic calendar. However, it is also possible to study from October. In either case, maximum study period is one year.
Enrollment
No specific limitation
Each faculty/graduate school will screen the applicants for admission.
Eligibility
An applicant must
- be enrolled at a non-Japanese academic institution with which Kyoto University has a student exchange agreement.
- terminate studying at Kyoto University and return to her/his country on the completion of the exchange program.
- have excellent academic and personal records.
- have a concrete purpose for studying in Japan.
Language Requirements
Undergraduate:
In order to enroll regular classes with Kyoto Univ. Japanese students, 1st level Japanese
Language Proficiency Test or the equivalent is desirable.
Graduate:
Special Auditor : Same as undergraduates since most courses are lectured in Japanese
Special Research Student : Depends on the academic advisor in Kyoto University accepting the applicant
See the chart below for further information.
Student Status
| Status at Kyoto Univ. | Possible Faculty / Graduate School to be affiliated | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate level | Special Auditor | Any of 9 faculties listed on the next page |
| Graduate level *1 | Special Auditor *2 | Any of 14 graduate schools listed on the next page |
| Special Research Student *3 |
*1 Students in graduate level are to choose their student status at Kyoto University based on their intention concerning university credits.
*2 “Special Auditor” of Graduate level enrolls classes at her/his graduate school to pursue university credits for them.
*3 “Special Research Student” of Graduate level does research under her/his academic advisor’s supervision without taking classes/seeking credits.
<List of Faculties / Graduate Schools at Kyoto University to which General Exchange Program students could be affiliated>
| Name of Faculty (for undergraduate students) | Name of Graduate Schools (for graduate students) |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Integrated Human Studies | Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies |
| Faculty of Letters | Graduate School of Letters |
| Faculty of Education | Graduate School of Education |
| Faculty of Law | Graduate School of Law |
| Faculty of Economics | Graduate School of Economics |
| Faculty of Science | Graduate School of Science |
| Graduate School of Biostudies | |
| Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science | Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science |
| Faculty of Engineering | Graduate School of Engineering |
| Graduate School of Informatics | |
| Graduate School of Energy Science | |
| Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies | |
| Faculty of Agriculture | Graduate School of Agriculture |
| － | Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies |
You can browse further information on each faculty/graduate school by our website at http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/faculties_and_graduate
Tuition
Based on the student exchange agreement, students will be exempted from all academic fees (examination fee, matriculation fee, and tuition) at Kyoto University.
Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships is available through Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). JASSO is a government-sponsored non-profit organization dedicated to promoting international student exchange. Each applicant for Kyoto University exchange programs can apply for JASSO Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan, however those who 1) will receive any other financial support of more than 80,000 yen per month or 2) will not stay in Japan with “College Student Visa Status” are not eligible for it.
For example, those who have Nationality or Permanent Residency of Japan come under 2).
JASSO Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan contains the following item:
- A monthly stipend of 80,000 yen
Entering Japan
There are certain formalities which must be observed by foreign students intending to pursue studies in Japanese universities. Students must possess a valid passport issued by their home country. They are, inprinciple, also required to have a “College Student Visa Status” to enter Japan. Kyoto University will submit applications for the General Exchange Program students’ “Certificate of Eligibility” to the Kyoto Immigration Bureau for processing. Students, on receiving their “Certificate of Eligibility,” should apply at the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in their country for a “College Student Visa Status”. Further details will be instructed after the official admission. Students with Japanese Nationality can also join General Exchange Program.
Comprehensive Health Insurance
We strongly recommend that students staying in Japan join the Japanese National Health Insurance Program, which costs around 2,000 yen per month. Many students additionally enroll in insurance policies from their countries to be safer, since the coverage and regulations are different.
Attention
As details on application information varies among faculty/graduate school, applicants for GENERAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM must first submit “General Exchange Program Inquiry Form” of the next page through International Office of their home university to get relevant information.
