The University of Osaka
Source: https://employability.uq.edu.au/host/university-osaka Parent: https://employability.uq.edu.au/exchange-funding
Osaka
Japan
The University of Osaka exchange website
Language of instruction
English
Japanese
Since its establishment as an Imperial University in 1931, the University of Osaka has conducted education and research with the aim of establishing itself as a world-leading educational institution. Thanks to its untempered open spirit and eagerness to meet the needs of the times, Osaka University has established pioneering schools, graduate schools, and research institutes in both the sciences and liberal arts.
The city of Osaka is Japan’s second largest metropolitan region. It’s considered to be more laid-back and friendly than Tokyo, and is well-known for its food culture.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Term | April–August |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Term | September–February |
View theUniversity of Osaka academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
OU has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
OU has 2 campuses available to exchange students:
- Suita campus
- Minoh 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
Full-time study load
The University of Osaka, OUSSEP Program: 14 credits per semester at the University of Osaka is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
The Universtiy of Osaka, Maple Program: 30 credits per year is equivalent to 16 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA\ You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.5 to study at the University of Osaka.
Language
- OUSSEP: You are required to demonstrate English proficiency of TOEFL iBT 80 / IELTS 6.0 or higher
- Maple Program: You require Japanese language proficiency of JLPT N4 or higher.
Study Options\ Students must choose either the University of Osaka OUSSEP or Maple Program. Further details are outlined in the Additional Resources section below.
Semester Restrictions
- Maple Program: Available for full-year applicants commencing in UQ semester 2 only.
- For students going to the University of Osaka in the Spring Term (UQ Semester 1), be aware that the exam period may run into UQ Semester 2.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the University of Osaka course catalogue.
Refer to exchange program options under the "Additional academic information" section for detailed program and course info.
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
Japanese
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:
- Sociology
Course Restrictions\ The selection of English-taught regular courses available under the OUSSEP program is limited and difficult to make a full-time study load from one single discipline. These courses could be suited to exchange students with multiple general electives available.
Additional academic information
Study Option Details\ Students must choose either the University of Osaka OUSSEP Program (OUSSEP) or Maple Program.
- OUSSEP Program:
- Offers undergraduate level English-taught lecture courses (called "International Exchange Subjects" or CIEE (Centre for International Education and Exchange) courses), and Japanese language courses are available at Beginner and Intermediate levels.
- The University of Osaka recommends OUSSEP students to undertake 12 credits of CIEE courses plus 2 credits of Japanese language course per semester.
- Designed for 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate students.
- Students enrol in English-taught courses called “International Exchange Subjects”.
- This program promotes friendship with domestic Japanese students as they are encouraged to take these courses as well.
- Demonstration of English proficiency required for non-native speakers.
- You can commence OUSSEP in either semester 1 or 2.\
- Maple Program:
- Year-long program commencing in September (UQ Semester 2) only.
- Offered through the Centre for Japanese Language and Culture (CJLC)
- This program is designed to help students improve their language skills and enhance their knowledge of Japanese culture and society.
- You require Japanese language proficiency of JLPT N4 or higher.
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
The University of Osaka operates several dormitories, however, as their capacity is limited, most international students will need to find private accommodation. Please refer to the University of Osaka Fact Sheet for further information.
Cost of living
Living expenses vary greatly depending on your personal style of living. The University of Osaka recommends that students prepare about ¥100,000–¥120,000 per month to cover living expenses.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Exchange students coming to Osaka University have a chance to apply for a JASSO Scholarship or Financial Aid for Student Exchange Programs.
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 non-Japanese students must enrol in the Japanese Government's National Health Insurance system (NHI or Kokumin Kenko Hoken).
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.
OU provides 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