Kyoto University

Kyoto University comprises of three campuses: Yoshida, Uji, and Katsura, as well as a number of facilities located throughout Japan.

Yoshida Campus

Yoshida Campus has been at the core of the university's activities since its founding. In particular, the main campus is home to structures of varying architectural styles, ranging from brick buildings dating back to the time of the institution's establishment—such as the Clock Tower Centennial Hall that has become the symbol of the university—to modern laboratory buildings. It can be said that Yoshida Campus truly represents the history of Kyoto University in tangible form.

Uji Campus

Formerly owned by the Imperial Japanese Army, the site of the Uji Campus came into the possession of Kyoto University in 1949. The campus is now home to a collection of research institutes, centers, and large-scale testing facilities devoted to natural science and energy related fields. Although the campus hosts many state-of-the-art laboratories engaged in the development of cutting-edge science and technology, it is rich in greenery and enjoys a tranquil suburban setting.

Katsura Campus

Kyoto University's third campus, Katsura Campus, consists of four Clusters. Conceived as a "Techno-science Hill", Katsura Campus is a locus where technology and science merge in exciting new ways. This innovative base for exploring new areas of knowledge opened in October 2003. It is a place where technology and nature blend and interact in sophisticated ways, and where research in engineering and informatics is pursued based on a new paradigm for the 21st century.

The extensive network of over 6,700,000 holdings throughout 50 libraries maintained at Kyoto University is the third largest collection in Japan. The library network’s activities include the organization of public lectures and rare material exhibits, preservation and restoration of resources, staff development and other forms of support, and research into overseas libraries among a wide variety of other initiatives.

Holders of Kyoto University student identification cards are allowed free entry to the regular exhibitions at the Kyoto National Museum, Nara National Museum, and the National Museum of Modern Art, and regular and special exhibitions at the Chado (tea ceremony) Research Center Gallery. Details are given on the Kyoto University website.

Student Lounge "KI-ZU-NA" opened in the spring of 2002. The name "KI-ZU-NA" means "bonds" in Japanese. The lounge was named as such because it is meant to be a space for students to create bounds of friendship beyond borders. At "KI-ZU-NA", international and Japanese students, university staff, professors, researchers, and others can get together to join or organize cross-cultural activities. "KI-ZU-NA" has a salon where students can chat and relax. There is also a reading room (lending library), which provides books for Japanese language learning, books in English, and so on. The reading room is equippied with two computers for internet access.

Also, "KI-ZU-NA" promotes cultural exchange through monthly events in which students can participate.

Kyoto University has five International Houses, which provide accommodation for international students and researchers. However, the number of rooms available and length of tenancy of the Houses are limited. International students are also eligible to apply for accommodation in public housing and Kyoto Universityʼs Student Dormitories (open to domestic and international students). Many international students choose to live in private housing, such as private apartments.

Each faculty has separate admission requirements. The following is a general overview of the eligibility requirements for bachelor degree programs. In addition, preliminary eligibility screening may be conducted prior to the submission of application forms. For full details, please contact the relevant faculty.

• Completion of 12 yearsʼ schooling abroad, or equivalent as specified by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• Equivalents recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology such as the International Baccalaureate.

Applicants must take both the examination by the National Center for University Entrance Examinations and the examination given by the Faculty. The application period for the examination given by the faculty is generally in late January, with the exam held in late February.

Special Selection for Privately Financed International Applicants

The Faculties of Economics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, and Agriculture have special selection processes for privately financed international applicants. In order to qualify for the special selection process, the applicants must take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) administered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), in addition to the screening procedures administered by each faculty. In addition, preliminary eligibility screening may be required prior to the submission of application forms. Applicants for the special selection process are generally accepted at the beginning of January. The exam is given between mid January and late February.

Third Year Admission

The Faculties of Education, Economics, and Medicine accept international applicants in the third year of their undergraduate programs. Contact the relevant admissions office for details.

Admission of a Person with a Bachelorʼs Degree

The Faculty of Letters accepts international applicants from graduates of overseas bachelorʼs degree programs, while the Faculties of Integrated Human Studies, Science, and Engineering administer entrance examinations only for those international applicants with Kyoto Universityʼs bachelorʼs degrees.

Undergraduate Annual Tuition

¥ 535,800

Postgraduate Annual Tuition

¥ 535,800

Law School Annual Tuition

¥ 804,000

There are a variety of scholarships available for international students wishing to study at Kyoto University, however, the selection processes are very competitive, and in most cases applications are only accepted after entrance to the university. It is generally necessary, therefore, to have sufficient financial resources prior to entering Kyoto University.

Since its foundation in 1897, Kyoto University has worked to cultivate academic freedom under a spirit of self-reliance and self-respect, and to open up new horizons in creative scholarly endeavor. The university has also sought to contribute to peaceful coexistence across the global community.

The three core missions of a university are education, research, and social contribution. In line with its commitment to independent learning, Kyoto University must maintain its position as a bastion of academic freedom, slightly detached from general society and unconstrained by convention.

In order to cultivate students with abundant inventive capabilities, all faculty and administrative staff members are committed to pursuing research and social contribution initiatives that attract international attention. Kyoto University has 10 faculties, 18 graduate schools, 14 research institutes (more than any other university in Japan), and many other education and research facilities. I will be doing my utmost to ensure that our goals are advanced across all these different branches of the university community.

Kyoto Imperial University was founded by imperial ordinance on 18 June 1897, the second university to be established in Japan. In the early period of the University, presidents were chosen by the Ministry of Education. However, faculty members increasingly desired more autonomy. In 1915, opinions from the faculties were considered in the selection of the new president for the first time, and eventually, in 1919, a system for the election of presidents by the faculty members themselves was introduced.

Graduates of Kyoto University include Nobel laureates in Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine, Japanese politicians, philosophers, economists, and scientists. Kyoto University is also one of the top universities in the world.