Students wishing to study abroad
Students wishing to study abroad from Akita University
Students wishing to study at Akita University
International students
International researchers
Faculty and staff
Students wishing to study abroad International students
Types of study abroad
and exchange programs
Program information for international students
Make your dream come true at Akita University!
Akita University offers a variety of programs for international students. First of all, it is important to have a clear purpose in mind for your study abroad. Then, think about which program is right for you!
What is your purpose in studying abroad?
To obtain a degree
I would like to acquire a degree.
Undergraduate students
4 years
Graduate students
(Master’s Program)
2 years
Graduate students
(Doctoral Program)
3 years
I do not wish to acquire a degree.
I would like to obtain credits for a specific course. I would like to engage in research. I would like to prepare for graduate school.
Non-degree students
6 months to 1 year
Research students
6 months to 1 year
I would like to experience a short-term study abroad.
Exchange students
5 months to 11 months
I would like to take an intensive course on Japanese language and culture.
Japanese studies students
11 months
I would like to take an intensive course to learn about school education in the field in Japan.
Teacher training students
1.5 years
You can choose! You can learn!
Choose from a wide variety of study abroad programs.
Here is an easy-to-understand overview of each program. Take a look at the unique features of each program!
Study abroad program comparison chart
| Study abroad type |
Undergraduate students |
Graduate students (Master’s Program) |
Graduate students (Doctoral Program) |
Exchange students |
Japanese studies students |
Teacher training students |
Non-degree students |
Research students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard years of study |
4 years | 2 years | 3 years (4 years for medical majors) |
5 months or 11 months |
11 months | 1 year and 6 months |
1 year or less | 1 year or less |
| Required education |
High school graduate |
Undergraduate degree |
Master’s degree |
Enrolled in an overseas partner university |
Majored in Japanese language and culture at an overseas partner university or an overseas university |
Current teacher with more than 5 years of experience |
High school graduate or have an undergraduate degree or master’s degree |
Undergraduate degree or master’s degree |
| Affiliation | Faculties | Graduate schools |
Graduate schools |
Faculties | Faculty of Education and Human Studies |
Graduate School of Education |
Faculties and graduate schools |
Faculties and graduate schools |
| Status | Regular students | Non-regular students | ||||||
| Start of study abroad |
April or October |
April or October |
April or October |
April or October |
October | October | April or October |
April or October |
| Eligibility for dormitory residence |
Yes | |||||||
| Japanese language courses | Available（Not available only for Japanese language courses） | |||||||
| Languages the classes are taught in |
Faculty of International Resource Sciences: Japanese for the first year, English for specialized subjects in the second year and above Graduate School of International Resource Sciences: English Other faculties and graduate schools: Japanese (partly in English) |
|||||||
If you are using a smart phone, please click here to view the PDF file.
Study abroad program comparison chartPDF
Types of international students
There are two types of international students: government-sponsored students and privately-financed students.
Government-sponsored international students
Government-sponsored international students are international students who receive a scholarship from the Japanese government (MEXT) to study in Japan. For more information about this program and the application guidelines, please check the MEXT website.
Types of government-sponsored international students accepted by Akita University
Akita University accepts “undergraduate students” and “Japanese studies students” as undergraduate level students, and “research students” and “teacher training students” as graduate level students.
Course guide for Academic Year 2022
Recommendation and selection of Japanese government (MEXT) scholarship students
There are two methods of recommendation and selection for Japanese government (MEXT) scholarship students.
Embassy recommendation
Recruitment and recommendation by an overseas Japanese embassy or consulate general
Please contact the Japanese embassy or consulate general in your country for information on the selection schedule and application procedures for the year you wish to be recommended by the embassy.
University recommendation
Recruitment and recommendation by Akita University based on an inter-university agreement
Priority for university recommendations will be given to students who are enrolled in or graduated from Akita University’s overseas partner universities. If you wish to be recommended by a university, and you are a current or former student of one of our partner universities, please contact Akita University through your academic advisor.
Status at Akita University
（◯ indicates that the university is recruiting and selecting applicants; - indicates that the university is not recruiting or selecting applicants.）
| Category | Recruitment from overseas |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy recommendation |
University recommendation |
||
| Graduate School | Research students | ◯ | ◯ |
| Teacher training students | ◯ | - | |
| Undergraduates | International students | ◯ | - |
| Japanese studies students | ◯ | ◯ | |
Recruitment and selection process
through an embassy recommendation
(Research students)
Before coming to Japan
April
Recruitment
April to June
First round of selections
July to August
Request for informal acceptance to a university
October
Second round of selections
January to February
Acceptance notification
March (September)
Immigration procedures, travel to Japan
While in Japan
April (October)
Non-regular students
October (April)
Professional education
Recruitment and selection process
by university recommendation
(Research Students)
Before coming to Japan
December
Recruitment
February
Application to Akita University
March
Application to the MEXT
June
Acceptance notification
September
Immigration procedures, travel to Japan
While in Japan
October
Non-regular students
April
Professional education
The following is a list of papers written by international students studying Japanese language and culture.
※You can view them as PDF files (Japanese only).
Privately-financed international students
All international students other than government-sponsored students are referred to as privately-financed students.
Types of privately-financed international students accepted by Akita University
The university accepts “undergraduate” and “graduate students” for degree purposes, as well as “exchange students”, “non-degree students”, and “research students” for non-degree purposes.
For information on entrance examinations for degree-seeking students, please refer to the following website.
For information on non-degree students and research students, please contact the following sections.
Faculty of International Resource Sciences
International Resource Sciences Section, General Academic Affairs Division
：(+81)-(0)18-889-2236
Faculty of Education and Human Studies
Education and Human Studies Section, General Academic Affairs Division
：(+81)-(0)18-889-2512
School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
School of Medicine Section, Academic Affairs Division, Faculty of Medicine
：(+81)-(0)18-884-6030, 6232
School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine
School of Health Sciences Section, Academic Affairs Division, Faculty of Medicine
：(+81)-(0)18-884-6505
Faculty of Engineering Science
Engineering Science Section, General Academic Affairs Division
：(+81)-(0)18-889-2312
Student exchange programs
Akita University offers the following three types of programs for exchange students from international exchange partner universities. Exchange students are enrolled at Akita University as “special auditing students”.
Materials on exchange programs
- Akita University Exchange Program 2022PDF
- Time Table and List of Classes: 1st semester of AY2022PDF
- Time Table and List of Classes: 2nd semester of AY2022PDF
- Time Table[1st semester]PDF Time Table[2nd semester]PDF
AUAJ
Program for Academic Japanese Acquisition
This program is for exchange students who are studying Japanese language or Japanese language education and have JLPT N2 or equivalent.
AUSR
Program for Solving Regional Problems
This is a program for exchange students who will participate in local events and exchanges with local people while studying Japanese language and undergraduate studies.
AUGP
International Student Program
This program allows students to take Japanese language and specialized subjects freely.
Application and notification forms download
