Kyoto University

City: Kyoto
Language of instruction: EnglishJapanese
  • Second university established in Japan
  • In October 1947, Kyoto Imperial University was renamed to today's Kyoto University
  • Three campuses (Yoshida, Uji, Katsura) and multiple research facilities located around Japan
  • 10 Faculties, 16 Graduate Schools, 14 Research Institutes, and 21 Research and Educational Centers
  • 26th in Academic Ranking of World Universities 2013, 23rd in World Reputation Rankings 2013, 25th in QS World University Rankings 2012, 54th in World University Rakings 2012-2013 (By Times Higher Education)
  • Home to 8 Nobel Prize laureates, 2 Fields Medalists and 1 recipient of Gauss Prize

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Partner university’s areas of study

  • Arts
  • Forestry
  • Land and Food Systems
  • English courses offered through Kyoto University International Education Program  (KUINEP)
  • Japanese courses offered through Kyoto University General Exchange Program - it is desirable that students have Level 1 Japanese Language Proficiency or equivalent

Eligibility and Timing

Terms Offered

  • Term 1
  • Term 2
  • Full year Term 1 + 2 (UBC Term 1 start)
  • Split year Term 2 +1 (UBC Term 2 start)

Who can go?

  • Open to ARTS and Forestry (UBC-V) students only
  • UBC exchange students may participate in the Kyoto University International Education Program (KUINEP) or Kyoto University General Exchange Program (Please see "Additional note for language of instruction")

Term Dates

  • Fall Semester: Beginning of October to Mid-February
  • Spring Semester: Beginning of April to End of July

Credits

Summer programs

Course equivalency formula

  • 18 KUINEP Credits = 15 UBC Credits

Credit transfer process

The transfer credit process takes approximately 16 weeks following each submission deadline. You should allow sufficient time to meet important deadlines that may affect you (e.g. application for graduation, registration in courses that require prerequisites that you took on exchange, entry to a major/honours program, etc.)

For more information about Go Global transfer credit

Grading scheme

  • A = 100-80
  • B = 79-70
  • C= 69-60
  • Failed = 59 - 0

Passing grade

60

Course Information

* Students who have special requirements or require academic accommodation should contact a Go Global advisor regarding their needs at least six weeks prior to the application deadline.

Type of Go Global Experiences

  • Exchange (pay UBC tuition)

Course information and restrictions

  • Kyoto University International Education Program (KUINEP) provides undergraduate-level lectures in English in diverse subjects such as life science, environmental studies, agriculture, statistics, physics, economics, politics, and social studies
  • KUINEP students permitted to take maximum of 6 Japanese language classes and one optional Kanji class (for a maximum of 7 classes) each semester in addition to their KUINEP lecture courses offered in English
  • KUINEP students wishing to take Japanese classes at the International Center required to take a placement test at beginning of each semester before registration

Partner Course Information


Transfer Credits And Equivalent Courses At This University

Check out the courses that previous students have transferred back to UBC in the last 5 years using our Course Search Tool. If you don't see a particular course you listed, it simply means you need to submit it as a new course request through the Transfer Credit Portal while on your Go Global experience. For more information, please visit the Go Global Transfer Credit webpage.

*Areas of study at partner universities are subject to change. The tool is for reference only - research the partners' websites for additional course information.

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Exchange Tuition

  • 15 credits or equivalent full-time program fee per term, paid to UBC
  • Some exceptions may apply

Scholarships and awards

The Go Global Award $1000

All students accepted to Go Global for Exchange, Research Abroad, or Study Abroad travel programs are automatically considered for this award. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll be notified of your award after you're accepted to Go Global and after you get nominated to apply to the partner university.

Additional awards

Students who are eligible for awards may receive one UBC or UBC-affiliated international learning award. If you're eligible, you are always offered the highest-value award. Unless stated otherwise, you need to meet eligibility criteria set out by the University Senate regarding awards.

Check out international learning awards and eligibility.

Scholarships and Awards Information: 
  • Students attending Japanese institutions may be nominated for the JASSO scholarship

Information for US students: 

If you are a student from the United States, please check the US Department of Education Lookup Tool to ensure that any partner institution you wish to attend on Exchange is Title IV ‘eligible’ for Federal Student Aid for the year in which you intend to study there. For institutions outside of the US, select “Foreign Country” from the “State” dropdown menu.

If you attend an eligible institution, then you may receive Title IV federal student loans while on Exchange.

If you attend an ineligible institution:

  • You will not be eligible for US federal student loans,
  • You may invalidate any US student aid you have previously received for your studies at UBC,
  • You may be required to immediately begin repaying your US student loans, and
  • You may not be eligible for any future US student aid for the remainder of your studies at UBC.

Types of accommodation available

  • Off-campus
  • On-campus