Please do not contact this university directly.
For all enquiries please contact the Exchange Office at exchange@otago.ac.nz.
Last updated April, 2023
Academic Information
Language of Instruction
- Japanese/ English
Course Information
- Kyoto is a good destination for students willing to take courses in English in Japan, but it will not suit Japanese language students who need to take only Japanese language and culture courses while on exchange.
- Students attending Kyoto must take at least six KUINEP courses offered in English per semester. Japanese language courses must be taken in addition to these six.
- KUINEP courses
- Japanese language studies
Semester Dates
Academic Year: October - August
Fall semester: October - February
Spring semester: April - August
Course Load and Minimum Unit Requirements
- Undergraduate exchange students are asked to take at least 6 courses in a semester.
- Postgraduate exchange students are asked to take 4 courses in a semester.
- Typical courses consist of a 90 minute lecture once a week for 15 weeks. 15 weeks is a semester.
Accommodation & the Cost of Living
Accommodation
Kyoto University has five International Houses, which provide accommodation for international students and researchers. However, the number of rooms available and length of tenancy of the Houses is limited. International students are also eligible to apply for accommodation in public housing and Kyoto University's Student Dormitories (open to domestic and international students). Many international students choose to live in private housing such as private apartments.
Estimated Cost of Living
Please budget for JPY134,000 per month (2018)
Scholarships available for students going to Japan
Additional Information
Student Visa & Insurance
Information on Student Visas & Insurance for students going on exchange can be found elsewhere on this website.
Exchange Experiences
2019 S1 BA EDUC XF (1755K PDF format)
2018 S1 BSc ZOOL SJN (751K PDF format)
The University, City & Region
Kyoto University is the second oldest Japanese university, one of Asia's highest ranked universities and one of Japan's National Seven Universities. One of Asia's leading research-oriented institutions, Kyoto University is famed for producing world-class researchers, including ten Nobel Prize laureates, two Fields medalists and one Gauss Prize winner. The university has about 22,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs and promotes itself as an academic institution fostering a "spirit of freedom."The City and Region
Kyoto is a culturally rich city with a history that stretches back for over 1,200 years. Among Japanese people it is generally regarded as being the heartland of Japanese culture and the spiritual wellspring of the Japanese people. Many of the city's historic locations, including several of its approximately 2,000 shrines and temples, have been classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city's ancient cultural legacy coexists side by side with technological innovation and entrepreneurship. The city is home to several major technology companies, including Nintendo, Kyocera, and Omron, and also boasts a broad range of modern cultural facilities, such as the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
Enclosed on three sides by mountains, Kyoto's unique climate offers residents an opportunity to enjoy the passing of the seasons in a rich natural setting. For example, the autumn foliage at certain of Kyoto's scenic cultural heritage sites draws an enormous number of visitors each year from around the country and from overseas. Compared to cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, the city is not overwhelmingly large and its population density is moderate, making it easily understandable to new residents.
Further Information
For further information about Otago Global Student Exchange please email exchange@otago.ac.nz