Kyoto University
Source: https://employability.uq.edu.au/host/kyoto-university Parent: https://employability.uq.edu.au/exchange-funding
Kyoto
Japan
Kyoto University exchange website
Language of instruction
English
Japanese
Founded in 1897, Kyoto University has a long history and enduring traditions. Since its founding, the University has been dedicated to furthering higher education and fostering an atmosphere of free academic exchange. Graduates of the University play important roles in both national and international affairs, as key players in politics, industry, and society.
Ranked 37th in the QS World University Ranking 2016-17, Kyoto University has 9 Nobel Prize laureates, mainly in physics, chemistry and physiology or medicine.
The main campus is located in the historic city of Kyoto, a centre of traditional Japanese culture. Kyoto was the Imperial of Japan for over 1000 years until 1868 and currently boasts 17 World Heritage sites.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Semester 1 (Spring) | April–Early August |
| Semester 2 | Semester 2 (Fall) | Late September–Early February |
View the Kyoto University academic calendar, or view the KUINEP academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
Kyoto University has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
Kyoto University has 3 campuses located around the city:
- Yoshida Campus
- Uji Campus
- Katsura Campus
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange
Book your Global Experiences Appointment
Report any problems with this web page
Student testimonials
B Advanced Science (Honours) / Diploma of Languages
Semester 2, 2022
Walking through the university after a snow storm was a truly magical experience. - Louis - Kyoto University
B Science & Dip Languages
Semester 1, 2019
Japan is the only place where it’s okay to get naked with a bunch of old men, but not to walk in the street while you’re eating. It’s one of the most unique cultures in the world, and I love it. - Lauren - Kyoto University
B Science/Arts
Semester 1, 2019
Kyoto is the most beautiful, most culturally rich, and most friendly city I have ever been to.
Full-time study load
12 tani per semester at Kyoto University is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
- You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at Kyoto University.
- All students: You must not have failed a course in your current or past degree.
Language
- English: You still have to demonstrate English proficiency of TOEFL iBT 79 or or IELTS 6.5 or higher.
- Japanese: Students wishing to take courses taught in Japanese (mainstream courses) with Kyoto domestic students will require Japanese proficiency of JLPT N1 or higher.
Study Options\ You must choose either the Kyoto University International Exchange Program (KUINEP) or the General Exchange Program (GE Program). Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Please see "Additional academic information" for program options and specific course offerings.
Crosscheck the courses you found in the host course catalogue with the Credit Precedent Database to see if UQ credit has previously been granted. The database should be used as a general guide only. Few courses from each host will be in the database and many course precedents in the database may have expired. Note, the credit precedent database does not replace the host course catalogue. If a course is not listed in the CPD, you can still ask for it to be assessed on your study plan.
Study areas taught in English
Undergraduate
Anthropology
Biological sciences
Chemistry and biochemistry
Earth and Geographical Sciences
Economics
Environmental studies
History and ancient history
Japanese
Mathematics and statistics
Nutrition science
Philosophy
Physics
Political science
Psychology
Sociology
Academic restrictions
Study Load Restrictions\ Students are unable to enrol in a full-time study load in the following disciplines, however, enrolment in one or two courses may be possible:
- Economics
- Architectural Design
- Chemistry and biochemistry / Earth and Geographical Sciences / Environmental Studies / Mathematics and statistics /
- Nutrition Science / Psychology
- Anthropology / History and ancient history / Philosophy / Sociology / Political Science
- Japanese
Course Restrictions\ Some seminars and courses involving practical training or experiments may not allow exchange students to enrol.
Additional academic information
Study Option Details\ You must choose either the Kyoto University International Exchange Program (KUINEP) or the General Exchange Program (GE Program). Each KUINEP and GE Program student will be affiliated to one of the faculties or graduate schools at Kyoto University based on the major field of study at the home institution.
Important: It is not possible to change the faculty once you have been affiliated (applying), so please choose the first and second choices carefully when applying to Kyoto University.
- Kyoto University International Exchange Program (KUINEP)
- Undergraduate students only
- You will be affiliated with the Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS)
- You must take a minimum of 7 courses each semester- courses from ILAS and 'Faculty Courses' (Faculty courses for Spring 2024 linked) regardless of the number of credits.
- 2 of the 7 courses can be Japanese language
- KUINEP students will take mainly from liberal arts and sciences offered in English regardless of your major/year and the course catalog is available through the 'Liberal Arts and Sciences English Course Catalog' (2024 edition).
- Although KUINEP students in principle can choose from every KUINEP course regardless of your year level at UQ , these courses are mainly designed for 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students of the Japanese educational standards. Approximately 65% of the courses are targeted at 1st and 2nd year students and the rest are targeted at every student (1st to 4th).
- Some courses may implement enrollment restrictions and courses are subject to change.
- You may choose to take the Japanese Language Courses detailed below\
- General Exchange Program (GE program) - Not recommended
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students
- You are required to take most courses from your affiliated faculty or graduate school
- A limited number of courses are taught in English
- Kyoto provides a list of available Faculties and Graduate School
- Course syllabus and a list of available courses at each faculty/school will only be available on/after the student's arrival at Kyoto University.
- UG: You are required to take a minimum of 7 courses (2 of the 7 courses can be Japanese language)
- PG: You are required to take a minimum of 4 courses (not including any Japanese Language Courses
Japanese Language Courses\ Both KUINEP and General Exchange Program (GE Program) students are eligible to take Japanese language classes offered by the Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS). These consist of Credited Courses and Non-credited Courses.
- Credited Japanese Language Classes
- KUINEP and GEA students can take a maximum of seven Japanese language classes each semester (six Japanese language classes and one kanji class).
- Students will be required to take an online placement test before coming to Kyoto University to determine their level of Japanese language proficiency.\
- Non-Credited Japanese Language Classes
- Non-credited courses are available for all students, including GESR.
- No evaluation will be made, i.e. no scores nor credits will be available.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange
Book your Global Experiences Appointment
Report any problems with this web page
Accommodation
Kyoto University has five International Houses, which provide accommodation for international students, however, the number of rooms available 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).
Cost of living
Although the cost of living varies depending on factors such as housing expenditure and food budget, the average living expenses for international students in the Kyoto and Osaka area can be quite affordable.
Study Kyoto has developed student expenditure comparisons to help you plan your budget accordingly.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
A wide variety of scholarship programs are available for international students wishing to study at Kyoto University. Students are encouraged to explore the scholarships available to determine their eligibility.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All foreign nationals residing in Japan for the over 3 months are required to be covered by one of the Japanese public medical insurance programs. For students, the most common and highly recommended option is to join the National Health Insurance (NHI).
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange
Book your Global Experiences Appointment
Report any problems with this web page
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Kyoto University has visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Consulate General of Japan for more visa information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:\ Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)\ Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:\ Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)\ Last Chance Apps Close: 31 January 2026 for Sem 2, 2026 exchange