Tuition, scholarships, visas, and places to live

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  1. How much are the application, admission, and tuition fees?
  2. What kinds of scholarships are available?
  3. Are there other financial aid opportunities aside from scholarships?
  4. Can I stay in University dormitories?
  5. Does the University help students find apartments?
  6. My apartment lease agreement says I need a guarantor. Can the University be my guarantor?
  7. Can I work part time?
  8. Who should I consult with about studying at Kyoto University?
  9. After entering the University, can I consult with someone about studies, research, and daily life?
  10. Please tell me about the tutor system for international students.
  11. Does the University have any student clubs?
  12. I have already passed the entrance examination and intend to attend the University. How do I obtain the required visa?
  13. I need a Certificate of Eligibility to get a student visa. Can I expect the University to apply for one for me?
  14. Can international students participate in outbound exchange programs?
  15. I would like to work in Japan after graduation. What kind of support is available from the University?

1. How much are the application, admission, and tuition fees?

Examination fees, which are required when submitting university entrance applications, are JPY17,000 for undergraduates and JPY30,000 for graduate students. Admission fees, to be paid as part of entrance formalities, amount to JPY282,000. Tuition is JPY535,800 per year (JPY804,000 per year for Law School students). For research students, entrance fees amount to JPY84,600, and monthly tuition is JPY29,700.

Examination fees for graduate students may be reduced to JPY10,000 for those who are screened based on submitted materials etc with no written examination. Please visit the following page for details.

2. What kinds of scholarships are available?

Available scholarships include the Japanese Government (Monbukagaskusho: MEXT) Scholarship, the Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students, the Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan), and those offered by foreign governments and private foundations. Please note, however, that the selection processes are highly competitive, and in most cases applications are accepted only after entrance to the University. It is therefore generally necessary to have sufficient financial resources prior to matriculation. Please visit the following page for further information.

3. Are there other financial aid opportunities aside from scholarships?

Regular (degree-seeking) undergraduate and graduate students with excellent academic records experiencing financial difficulty may be eligible for a full or half tuition waiver. The waiver is granted to only a limited number of students, however, so the selection process is very competitive. Please ensure that you have sufficient financial resources before coming to Kyoto University. Visit the following page for details.

4. Can I stay in University dormitories?

Kyoto University has seven residential facilities for international students and researchers: Kyoto University International Houses, located in Shugakuin, Yoshida, Uji, Ohbaku, Misasagi, Hyakumanben, and Okazaki. For international students to be eligible for residency, they must be expecting to enroll within a year of their arrival in Japan. The tenancy period is either one year or six months (non-extendable in either case). Move-in periods are in April and October, and applications are accepted through faculty/graduate school offices in January and July (three months prior to move-in) following admission to the University.

In addition, near Yoshida Campus there are three general student dormitories, which are open to both domestic and international students. The application periods and procedures vary by facility. Visit the following pages for details.

5. Does the University help students find apartments?

Kyoto University recommends that international students go to the Kyoto University CO-OP or real estate agencies after arriving in Japan. Apartment hunting is also possible online, such as via the following pages.

6. My apartment lease agreement says I need a guarantor. Can the University be my guarantor?

Effective 1 February 2017, Kyoto University is no longer available to act as a joint guarantor for housing lease agreements. Those having difficulty finding a joint guarantor are advised to ask a real estate agency whether it can help them find a private guaranty company. Listed below are companies offering discounted guarantor services to KyotoU international students regardless of their visa status.

  • Global Trust Networks Co, Ltd
  • Flat Agency
  • "Green Guarantee Company" (for properties managed by Choei Co, Ltd)
  • Zenhoren Co, Ltd (no English-speaking staff available)

Further details are available on the following page.

7. Can I work part time?

International students are allowed to have a part-time job, provided that they obtain a Work Permit in advance from the immigration bureau. The terms are as follows.

  1. The part-time job must not interfere with academic work.
  2. The maximum hours of work for Student Visa holders is 28 hours per week (this may be extended during summers and other long vacations to allow up to 8 hours of work per day, within the confines of the legal 40-hour work week).
  3. The job must not affect public order and morals (for example, sex-related industry employment is forbidden).

Working without permission will incur a penalty.

8. Who should I consult with about studying at Kyoto University?

Questions regarding application qualifications and entrance exams should be directed to the faculty or graduate school concerned. For other questions, please contact the International Education and Student Mobility Division.

Questions regarding scholarships: 

  • International Student Division
    Email: intlstudent*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)

Questions regarding student exchange programs: 

  • International Education and Student Mobility Division
    Email: inbound.exchange*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)

If you are not sure about which office to contact for your question about studying at Kyoto University, please email:

  • Study@Kyoto University Team
    Email: studyku*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)

9. After entering the University, can I consult with someone about studies, research, and daily life?

In certain cases, international students can receive tutoring from graduate student advisors (tutoring system). The University also offers consultation via the International Student Advising Office. There are off-campus consultation services as well. Visit the following pages and websites for details.

10. Please tell me about the tutor system for international students.

The tutor system offers assistance to regular (degree-seeking) and certain categories of non-regular (non-degree seeking) international students, based on recommendations from their supervisors. Tutors are generally graduate students working in the same field of study as the international students requiring help. For details, please inquire at the relevant administrative office after matriculation.

11. Does the University have any student clubs?

There are nearly 200 active cultural and athletic student clubs and circles on and off campus, covering practically every conceivable sport, hobby, and field of interest. International students may join clubs that suit their interests, but exchange and other non-regular (non-degree seeking) students, who attend Kyoto University for only a limited time, may not be able to join some of the activities. Please refer to the following page to learn about university-recognized clubs and circles.

12. I have already passed the entrance examination and intend to attend the University. How do I obtain the required visa?

Successful candidates must obtain a Student Visa (Ryugaku) through a Japanese diplomatic mission in their country by presenting a certificate or notification of acceptance from Kyoto University, a valid passport, and other required documents. You may also need to submit evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Japan.

Those already in Japan with a resident status other than Student (Ryugaku) must change their status (for example, from Temporary Visitor [Tankitaizai]) to Student.

A Student status is required for applying for scholarships and for participating in international student events. Those without the status are advised to consult with their faculty/graduate school offices.

13. I need a Certificate of Eligibility to get a student visa. Can I expect the University to apply for one for me?

Kyoto University will apply for Certificates of Eligibility for international students and their family members upon request from the faculty/graduate school offices concerned, provided that the students have already passed the entrance examination and intend to attend the University. For further information, please inquire at the appropriate administrative office.

14. Can international students participate in outbound exchange programs?

It is possible for international students to participate in an exchange program, subject to approval from the partner university. Caution is advised for scholarship recipients, however, as they may lose their eligibility during the exchange period or be required to withdraw from the scholarship program.

15. I would like to work in Japan after graduation. What kind of support is available from the University?

Students seeking employment in Japan may learn the Japanese language and business etiquette through classes offered by the Education Center for Japanese Language and Culture of the Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS).

Assistance is also available at the Career Support Center, which offers a wide variety of related information, including on opportunities of interest to international students, as well as job and career counseling by dedicated staff.

Please visit the following pages for details.