Study abroad: undergraduate exchanges to Japan

About Japan

Key facts

Population: 126.4 million
Currency: Yen
Cost of living: around 33% higher than the UK
Main language: Japanese

Japan operates on a different academic calendar to the UK, with two semesters. The first normally runs April to July, and the second September to February. If you plan to study in Japan for the academic year or the autumn term, you’ll start in September.

Host universities for your exchange

Kansai University
Kansai University
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Campus type: town campus
Getting there and getting around: The nearest train station to the campus is Kandai-mae station, allowing students easy access to the rest of Osaka and other famous cities such as Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
Population: Osaka 8,819,226
Climate: Averages range from 5°C in January to 23°C in June
Welcome activities: Welcome party and global buddy programme
Kansai University website - English language
Kansai University’s history dates back to 1886. The university has various class modules known as KUGF (Kansai University Global Frontier), where courses are taught in English, including Japanese Studies classes.
KUGF offer Japanese as a second language course, which enables students to learn about Japan and the Japanese language.
The main aim at Kansai University is the immersion of international exchange students and Japanese students to develop their global education. International students have a strong presence at the University. There are over 30,000 students enrolled at the university including more than 1,000 international students.
Exchange courses and subjects available
Business and languages
Discover Kansai University
Watch this short film to find out what this historic Japanese university has to offer international students.
Nagasaki University
Nagasaki
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Campus type: city campus
Getting there and getting around: Airport welcome is offered if you land at Fukuoka International Airport. Within the city itself, trams are a convenient and cheap way to get around.
Population: Nagasaki 413,878
Climate: Averages range from 7°C in January to 23°C in June
Welcome activities: Welcome party
Nagasaki University website - English language
Nagasaki University was developed from Japan’s first western medical school, which was founded by a Dutch surgeon in 1857.
It is a multi-faculty university, located in one of the oldest cities in Japan. It has nine faculties and six graduate schools, across three campuses in Bunkyo, Sakamoto and Katafuchi.
Nagasaki University offers two exchange programmes:
Japanese language and culture, which is aimed at undergraduates who have N3 or higher level in the Japanese proficiency test or equivalent
student exchange, in which units are available in English in some faculties/schools.
Exchange courses and subjects available
Humanities
Languages
Discover Nagasaki University
Watch this short film to find out about the options available to international students.
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
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Campus type: city campus
Getting there and getting around: The campus is quite compact and all facilities are close by. To get to downtown Nagoya, students can take a 5 minute bus ride to Kamiyashiro Station on Nagoya’s main subway line.
Population: Nagoya 2.2million
Climate: Averages range from 4°C in January to 23°C in June
Welcome activities: orientation programme
Nagoya University website - English language
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS) is the only university specialising in foreign languages in the Chubu region of Japan.
It aims to develop students with genuine international perspectives through a distinctive education system. Teaching takes place in groups of three students with a native teacher for all major language courses.
NUFS has more than 300 foreign teachers and students from around the world. The university arranges weekly excursions to places of cultural and historic interest, such as an overnight study tour to the Hokuriku area or Kyoto/Nara.
NUFS offers intensive Japanese language classes from beginner to advanced level plus Japanese Studies classes in English and an English teaching programme. It also has a scholarship programme that Manchester Met students can apply for.
Exchange courses and subjects available
You can study any course you meet the entry requirements for.
Soka University
Soka University
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Campus type: city campus
Getting there and getting around: Airport welcome is usually included as part of the programme. The university is in Hachioji, about 20 minutes by bus from JR Hachioji station or 40 minutes by train from JR Shinjuku station in central Tokyo.
Population: Tokyo 13 million
Climate: Averages range from 5°C in January to 22°C in June
Welcome activities: Orientation activities include a general introduction, campus tour and welcome party
Soka University website - English language
Established in 1971, Soka University was designated as one of Japan’s top global universities by the Japanese government in 2014.
It combines academic studies, dormitory life and club activities to give international students a well-rounded experience.
Students can take Japanese language classes from beginner to advanced level, and can also enrol on undergraduate courses delivered in English and Japanese (if they have Japanese level N2).
There are various courses taught in English in the faculties of Economics, Business Administration, Law, Languages and International Liberal Arts. Exchange students are guaranteed housing close to campus, with accommodation costs covered by Soka University.
Exchange courses and subjects available
You can study any course you meet the entry requirements for.
Discover Soka University
Find out about the university's humanistic approach to developing and educating its students.