- Is it possible to conduct research under the guidance of KyotoU faculty without taking courses?
- I would like to know about research students. What I should do to become one?
- Would the University recommend an academic advisor for me?
- How do I contact a prospective academic advisor?
- Can international students become credited auditors or auditing students?
- Which courses are open to credited auditors and auditing students?
1. Is it possible to conduct research under the guidance of KyotoU faculty without taking courses?
You may do so as a non-degree-seeking research student. For details, refer to "2. I would like to know about research students. What I should do to become one?".
2. I would like to know about research students. What I should do to become one?
Research students conduct research under KyotoU faculty without taking courses for credit. They are not eligible for a degree.
To gain admission as a research student, applicants must first find a prospective academic advisor at the faculty, graduate school, institute, or center of their choice, such as by searching the University websites, and then contact and request approval from that researcher. Graduates of non-Japanese universities are required to make contact via the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO). Those who have obtained approval must then prepare and submit application documents.
Intake periods, procedures, and other details vary among graduate schools, institutes, and centers. Contact an appropriate administrative office for further information.
- Research Students
- Faculties, Graduate Schools, Research Institutes, and other centers
- Activity Database on Education and Research
- Short-term international students
3. Would the University recommend an academic advisor for me?
You are the best person to know who are working in the same field as yours and seem suitable to guide your research. Please look for prospective academic advisors via the following pages.
- Faculties, Graduate Schools, Research Institutes, and other centers
- Activity Database on Education and Research
4. How do I contact a prospective academic advisor?
Locate a researcher that you would like to be your academic advisor, such as by searching the University's faculty/graduate school websites and the Activity Database on Education and Research, and submit your application for the research student program to the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO). After gaining approval from AAO, contact your prospective academic advisor to obtain admission.
Faculty members daily receive a large volume of email, and may therefore be slow to respond to your inquiries. Please allow a reasonable period for response before sending a reminder.
Emails sent from free accounts may be handled as spam. As such, it is recommend that you send emails from your school account.
- Faculties, Graduate Schools, Research Institutes, and other centers
- Activity Database on Education and Research
- Research Students
5. Can international students become credited auditors or auditing students?
6. Which courses are open to credited auditors and auditing students?
Not many courses are open to credited auditors and auditing students. As such, some faculties and graduate schools do not accept international students as credited auditors or auditing students, who might not be able to satisfy class hour requirements for student visa.
Information on available courses is provided on the website of each faculty and graduate school. Visit the website of the faculty or graduate school related to your area of study, and look for courses you would like to take. Except in English-taught degree programs, classes are generally taught in Japanese, unless specified otherwise. If anything is unclear, contact the administrative office of the faculty/graduate school concerned.
Kyoto University also offers online classes that can be audited free of charge. Those interested are advised to visit the KYOTO-U OpenCourseWare and edX websites.