More information can be found here: Academic calendar | KYOTO UNIVERSITY
After your nomination is confirmed, students will receive a link to apply to Kyoto University by email.
Application deadline: Mid-February
Kyoto University offers two different types of student exchange programs - KUINEP and GE program - under the university-wide student exchange agreement. Students are expected to choose which program they belong to with advice from their Department Exchange Coordinator.
1. Kyoto University International Education Program (KUINEP)
This programme is only available for undergraduate students and provides undergraduate-level lectures in English to international exchange students as well as Kyoto University students.
2. Kyoto University General Exchange (GE) Program (enrollment status: GEA or GESR)
In this program, undergraduate and graduate students either take Japanese-taught courses from the Kyoto University Faculties or Graduate Schools to which they are affiliated (as "General Exchange Special Auditors", or GEAs), or conduct research under academic supervisors without attending classroom lectures (as "General Exchange Special Research Students", or GESRs).
Please visit the programme website for further details of KUINEP and the GEAP or GESR.
KUINEP courses are mainly designed for 1st and 2nd year of the undergraduate students of the Japanese educational standards. Approximately 65% of the courses are targeted at 1st and 2nd year students and the rest are targeted at every student (1st to 4th).
Students on this programme are required to take a minimum of seven (7) courses per semester, that is, 14 courses per year. Courses may be selected from KUINEP courses offered by the Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS) taught in English and additionally from courses offered by Faculties with the lecturer’s permission. This may include up to two Japanese language classes (credited).
Each course usually comprises two hours of lecture time per week, and carries two credits.
Undergraduate GEA is required to take a minimum of seven (7) courses each semester while graduate GEA is required to take a minimum of four (4) courses. GESR students do not need Japanese proficiency if their Kyoto supervisor can guide the student in any other language. GESR is available only for graduate students.
For more information, please visit Courses available to KUINEP students | KYOTO UNIVERSITY (kyoto-u.ac.jp)
With the exception of English-taught degree courses, classes are generally conducted in Japanese unless specified otherwise.
There is the option to enrol in the Kyoto University International Education Program (KUINEP) which is taught mostly in English, and applicants must show proficiency in English.
Applicants must demonstrate an English language level minimally equivalent to TOEFL iBT 72* or 4**, or IELTS 6.5 or Form 5.
GEA and GESR applicants who take classes offered in Japanese should submit a JLPT score with grade “N1”. Native Japanese speakers can submit the language proficiency statement (Form 5) instead of JLPT N1.
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Applications should be submitted to Kyoto University through the home institution's international office; direct applications from students will not be accepted.
An exchange applicant should have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent.
Kyoto-U has implemented student support measures to create a better living environment for students and improve their learning outcomes. International Student Counseling Office, offers advising and counseling services to international students who have concerns about their studies or life in Japan.
There are one on-campus and five off-campus International Houses of Kyoto University and other dormitories offered for international students. However, they are not guaranteed and are subject to availability due to limited housing capacity. As of Fall 2025, 50% of the exchange students were allocated a dorm room on a lottery-basis. Non-university-affiliated housing is also an option.
The average cost of living for international students in Kyoto and Osaka is 134,000 Yen (£885) per month.
The Japanese law specifies that international students staying in Japan for more than three months must join the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) Program, which costs around 2,000 yen (£13) per month.
In addition, when entering Kyoto University, students must join the University CO-OP Personal Liability Insurance for Students (Gakubai). Yearly premium for Gakubai is around 2,000 yen (£13) plus initial CO-OP membership fee of 4,000 yen (£26). The membership fee will be fully refunded upon deregistration.
There are Summer School opportunities at Kyoto University.
Built in A.D. 794, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century. As the centre of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years it has a number of stunning UNESCO heritage sites.
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