University of Osaka

University of Osaka

University of Osaka (formerly 'Osaka University') is one of the prestigious National Seven universities of Japan and has a long academic tradition reaching back to the 18th century when it was founded as the Osaka Prefectural Medical School. It teaches more than 25 000 students over four campuses in Osaka.

Academic Highlights

There are 11 faculties at University of Osaka and it ranks among the world’s best for dentistry, chemical engineering, physics and astronomy and natural sciences. It has five research institutes, two university hospitals and three national joint-use facilities, including the Research Centre for Nuclear Physics and the Cybermedia Centre.

Location

University of Osaka is located in Japan’s second largest city in the Kansei region, an industrial city that has been called “the Manchester of the Orient”.

Did you know?

Osaka is famous for its varied food, modern architecture, friendly people and vast underground shopping malls. Its main historical monument is the magnificent 16th century shogunate Osaka Castle.

Language of Instruction

English (limited in some areas), Japanese

Program Duration

1 semester

Academic Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Minimum Result Required

65% WAM

Previous Round Cut-off (WAM% or GPA)

75% WAM

Eligibility

Must be studying Japanese language as part of your degree

Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027

No places

Exchange Availability

Closed

Eligible Monash Campus

Monash Australia

Agreement Scope

All Faculties

Handbook/Catalogue

Osaka's OUSSEP syllabus catalogue

Osaka's iExPO requirements

Osaka's Maple Program catalogue

Academic Restrictions

  • Students applying for an exchange in Japan will need to have a WAM of 65% or above.
  • You are only eligible to apply for this university if you are studying Japanese Studies at Monash at the point of exchange application. The only exception is if you have been selected as a New Colombo Plan Scholar.
  • Students participating in the iExPO program must ensure that they meet the specific language requirements for their faculty.
  • Due to the popularity of exchange at Osaka, Monash students can only apply for a one-semester exchange period.

Language requirements

  • If you apply for the OUSSEP program no Japanese proficiency is required. For the Maple program, JLPT N3-N4 is required, and for the iExPO program, N1 is required. More information about JLPT can be found here.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Semester

Min. 18 Monash points

Max. 24 Monash points

12 credits

16 credits

Year

Min. 36 Monash points

Max. 48 Monash points

24 credits

32 credits

Academic Calendar

Osaka Spring and Summer terms (Monash Semester 1): early April - late September
Osaka Fall and Winter terms (Monash Semester 2): early October - late March

Note: Osaka's MAPLE program is only offered as a one year program (two semesters), commencing in Fall (Monash Semester 2).

Osaka's School Calendar

Accounting

Banking and finance

Biological sciences

Business law and taxation

Chemistry

Communications and media studies

Earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences

Econometrics and business statistics

Economics

Engineering

Engineering - chemical

Engineering - electrical and computer systems

Engineering - materials science

Engineering - mechanical and aerospace

History

Japanese languages & culture studies

Linguistics

Literary studies

Management

Mathematical sciences

Music performance and composition

Philosophy

Physics and astronomy

Politics and international relations

Psychological sciences

Science

Sociology

 

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

University of Osaka operates several dormitories. However, since their capacity is limited, most of the international students need to find their housing outside of campus. Students should apply for university accommodation via the online application before enrolment.

University of Osaka’s Support Office for International Students and Scholars will provide a variety of information on housing to assist you in finding a room during your stay.

University of Osaka provides further information on housing here and here.

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. Your host University will issue the COE to you after your exchange application has been accepted.

For more information on visas, please refer to the Consulate-General of Japan here.

University of Osaka offers advice on obtaining a student visa here.

Health and insurance

Exchange students are required to register for Japanese National Health Insurance, which will cover 70% of most medical and dental costs.

University of Osaka provides further information on National Health Insurance.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

University of Osaka organises an orientation for newly arrived international students.

University of Osaka's Centre for International Education and Exchange offers support for incoming international students, including a buddy program and a Japanese speech competition for international students.

Osaka has a vibrant campus life, including student sports and cultural clubs, and an International Student Association.

Cost of living

University of Osaka offers guidance on the cost of living for students.

Funding

Each year, Japanese universities apply for Japanese government funding for the following scholarships:

  • The Japan Student Services Organizations (JASSO) scholarship here.
  • The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship here.

If University of Osaka is successful in receiving the funding, they will request Monash to nominate students. You do not need to apply for these scholarships directly unless requested to do so.

Students may also be eligible for the New Colombo Plan scholarship, and if they are studying Japanese language courses, the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.

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

Due to a lack of availability of exchange places, this program is not currently accepting applications.

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