Special offer: Kyoto Summer Program 2026
Source: https://international.univie.ac.at/summer-and-winter-schools/special-offer-kyoto-summer-program-2026/ Parent: https://international.univie.ac.at/studierendenmobilitaet/
“Kyoto Summer Program” at Kyoto University
July 23 - August 8, 2026
participation is free-of-charge
Are you interested in Japanese Culture and in understanding the political, cultural, social and ecological issues today’s Japan is facing? And: Do you want to gain some Japanese-skills?
The Kyoto Summer Program 2026 is a short-term study-abroad program and is open to both international students from universities around the world and domestic students enrolled at Kyoto University. Students of the University of Vienna are eligible for the ILAS program (English program).
In the program, participants will benefit from not only the scholarly excellence at Kyoto University, but also close interactions with a range of students from various countries, including local students.
Please read the information on this website carefully:
About the program
The program consists of two sub-programs: in the ILAS program, English is the main instruction language, and in the KUASU program Japanese is the main instruction language.
Both sub-programs share a core curriculum that primarily aims to develop an understanding of the political, cultural, historical, social, and ecological issues facing Japan. Both provide opportunities to learn the Japanese language and to study with local students. The whole program is also designed to highlight Kyoto University’s unique academic culture and cutting-edge research facilities.
Please find detailed information in the program flyer.
Program Schedule
- Arrival: July 23 (Thu)
- Lectures and activities: July 24 (Fri) - August 7 (Fri)
- Departure: August 8 (Sat)
*Before the arrival to Japan, participants need to take the online placement test for the Japanese language classes. Instructions will be given later.
The program will officially begin with a Kick-off Rally on July 23, from 18:00 to 19:00 (JST). Participants must arrange their travel to ensure they arrive on time for this event.
This year’s program consists of an opening ceremony & orientation, campus tour, Kyoto University introduction, academic lectures, Japanese language classes, fieldtrip, cultural experience, discussion session in English, conversation with KU students in Japanese, lab visit, final presentation, completion ceremony, farewell party and student planned activities.
Notes
- Participants are expected to attend the whole program actively.
How to apply
Step 1 – Pre-application at the University of Vienna
Send the following documents to barbara.grodecka-poprawska@univie.ac.at;) by March 31, 2026 at the latest.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Motivation
- Transcript of Records (Sammelzeugnis)
The best suited candidates will be nominated as a participants by the International Office.
Step 2 - Online application to Kyoto University (only nominated students!)
The univie: summer/winter schools team will send you the information and link for the application at Kyoto University via email.
Short Information up-front: \ The online application will need to be completed by May 5, 2026.\ Participants will be required to upload the following files:
- Photo taken within 6 months
- Passport copy
- Official academic transcript of your university
- Certificate of student status or student ID (showing expiration date)
- English test score (optional)
Participation Requirements
Eligibility
- Applicants must be enrolled for at least one semester and remain enrolled at the partner university for the duration of the program.
- Good understanding of lectures taught in English
- Excellent academic performance
- Japanese language proficiency requirements: NONE
Preferable candidates
- Students who have never been to Japan
- Students who have never studied Japanese language
- Students whose major is not Japanese or Japanese studies
Fees & Scholarship
- No tuition fees are required for participation in the program.
- Kyoto University offers a scholarship of ¥ 90,000 per student. The scholarship will be disbursed in cash on the first day of the program.
- No additional funding will be provided by the University of Vienna.
Personal Expenses
- The following personal expenses are to be borne by the participants:
- Visa application fee (if applicable)
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Airfare
- Field trip and cultural experience costs (details will be provided in July)
- Accommodation fees
- Other personal expenses, such as meals (meals are not included in the program)
Designated Accommodation
- Participants are required to stay at the designated accommodation (Oyado Ishicho), located near the Yoshida South Campus, throughout the program. Kyoto University will make the reservations on behalf of the participants. Rooms will be shared with other participants of the same sex, based on passport information (3-5 students per room).\
- Check-in: After 15:00 (JST), July 23, 2026
- Check-out: Before 10:00 (JST), August 8, 2026 (16 nights)
- Fee: approximately ¥ 140,000
- Please note that Kyoto University will not provide accommodation outside these dates. During the program, including weekends, overnight stays in places other than the designated accommodation are not permitted.
Data Use
- Participants must comply with the laws and regulations of the Government of Japan and regulations of Kyoto University.
- All personal information will be handled according to the “Act on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs” and Kyoto University’s regulations. You can review these regulations via the following links:
- Act on the Protection of Personal Information
- Kyoto University Privacy Policy
- The personal information submitted in this application will be used for program administration purposes only.
- Please note that photographs and videos of participants, as well as certain personal information, such as participants’ nick names and faculties of affiliation, etc., may be posted in Kyoto University’s official public relations media, including websites and printed media.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation of participation is allowed with legitimate justification (e.g., attending a lecture/course at the home university) until 23:59 (JST), June 18 (Thu), 2026. A cancellation notice must be submitted to the program office by the deadline.
- No cancellations or withdrawals will be permitted after June 19 (Fri) until the end of the program.
Website and Contact
Detailed Program: https://www.z.k.kyoto-u.ac.jp/summer-spring-program/
Contact at Kyoto University:kyoto_summer@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp;)
Contact at the University of Vienna: barbara.grodecka-poprawska@univie.ac.at;)