Kyushu University

Kyushu University, abbreviated to Kyudai, is located in Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu. It was founded in 1911 as the fourth Imperial University, but boasts a history as a medical school back to 1867.  The University regularly ranks in the top 10 universities in Japan, and is particularly well-regarded in the fields of Engineering and Science.

Academic Highlights

The University has developed an inter-disciplinary program of which 70% is taught in English.  In addition the University has the Japan in Today’s World (JTW) program, a comprehensive program of academic and experiential study and the Japanese Language and Culture Course (JLCC).  You can take classes taught in both Japanese and English, in addition to Japanese language classes, for either a semester or a full academic year.

Location

Kyushu is renowned for its natural beauty and hot springs, due to the volcanic activity on the island. In 2018 after nearly 20 years of consultation, careful planning and building, the University moved to its new Ito Campus to the west of Fukuoka City away from the growing restrictions of the historical campus in the city.  Built on 275 hectares, nearly two thirds of the campus is preserved as green area.

Did you know?

Many scholars argue that Fukuoka is the oldest city in Japan and may have been its prehistoric capital. It is home to Nanzo-in, a reclining bronze Buddha statue, said to be the largest bronze statue in the world.

Handbook/Catalogue

Available units, known as courses, can be found in the course search here. This includes a function to search courses taught in English.

Kyushu offer three programs for incoming exchange students. You will have to choose one program :

1. Undergraduate/Graduate Program - students who want to enrol in Japanese-taught or English-taught units at one of  Kyushu University's schools.
2. Japan in Today's World (JTW) - a mix of Japanese cultural courses, Japanese language, and regular faculty courses, taught in English.
3. Japanese Language and Culture Courses (JLCC) - for students who want to study advanced Japanese language at Kyushu, only available for a full academic year in Japan (October - August). JLPT N2 is acceptable but students are recommended to have JLPT N1.

More information about English-taught units can be found here.

Most courses at Kyushu are worth one or two credits.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Academic Calendar

Kyushu’s Spring Semester (Monash Semester 1): April – September
Kyushu’s Fall Semester (Monash Semester 2): October – March

Kyushu’s Academic Calendar

Note

• The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
• Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

The Kyudai Housing web page has useful information about accommodation options on and off-campus.

Visas

Exchange students must obtain a College Student visa to enter Japan. To apply for the College Student visa, you need to submit the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for residence in Japan to your nearest Japanese Consulate. You will receive your COE once your exchange application has been accepted. For more information on visas, please refer to the Consulate-General of Japan here.

Kyudai also offers some information on immigration.

Health and insurance

All international students staying in Japan for more than three months are required to enrol in the National Health Insurance system (students with a short-stay visa cannot enrol in the system). Subscribers to the system pay 30 percent of the medical expenses at a clinic or hospital for any medical and dental treatment covered by the insurance scheme.

Kyudai provides further information on the National Health Insurance.

Orientation and extra-curricular

Kyudai provides a number of resources for international students on its Global Gateways web pages including their Living Guide. You can find information about daily life in Fukuoka here.

In addition, there is a New International Student Orientation run every year and  a number of clubs, called “circles”, to join covering a wide range of interests.

Cost of living

Fukuoka on the Expatistan site (this is a website external to the University and intended to be indicative only)

Funding

Students participating in semester exchanges to eligible locations will be eligible to receive NCP Mobility Grant funding of up to $7,000. Eligible students are automatically assessed by Monash Abroad, and are not required to submit a separate application. See here for more information.

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to Kyushu University and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!