The history of Kyushu University dates back to 1903 when Fukuoka Medical College was established as the foundation of Kyushu Imperial University. (The college was legally attached to Kyoto Imperial University at that time).　In 1911, Kyushu Imperial University, along with the Colleges of Medicine and Engineering, were established.

Since then various reforms have been made to the higher education system in Japan, such as the introduction of a new educational format after World War II and the reorganization of national universities to University Corporations in 2004.

 The total number of students currently amounts to 18,393, while the faculty members number 2,331. International exchange programs are also greatly encouraged at Kyushu University. With this in mind, the university accepts many overseas students each year. At present there are more than 1,100 international students from about seventy countries studying here.

Student Exchange Program of Kyushu University 

You can study in here within one year when your home university has a student exchange agreement with Kyushu University. Exchange students will be waived the tuition fee and offered to stay in University Dormitory. School credits earned in Kyushu University can be forwarded to your home university with the appropriate authorization.
Applicants should submit the necessary documents to Kyushu University through home universities.

l       Japan in Today's World (JTW)

Short-term program for undergraduate students and all the classes conducted in English Language skill required: TOEFL550 or higher
・Application deadlines: Feb.10th for Oct. enrollment, Nov.10th for April enrollment

l       JLCC: Japanese Language and Culture Courses (JLCC）

One-year program and all the classes conducted in Japanese Language skill required: Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), 1st Grade
・Application deadline: Dec.31st

l       Exchange Student to Undergraduate, Graduate Schools

Since Kyushu University provides various undergraduate, graduate schools, you can take classes and can receive guidance for research together with the Japanese university students for one semester or year.
Language skill required: Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), 1st Grade for
the School of
                Letters, Graduate School of Humanities
                JLPT 1st Grade preferred for the other Undergraduate, Graduate Schools
・Application deadlines: Nov.10th for April enrollment, March 10th for Oct. enrollment

l       Asian Student Exchange Program (ASEP)

Kyushu University promotes student exchange between various Asian universities.Currently we have ASEP agreements with seven universities as follows;

(Korea) Seoul National University, Pusan National University
(China) University of Hong Kong, Fudan University, Nanjing University
(Thailand) Mahidol University, Thammasat University

ASEP students from the above universities are entitled to the following privileges.
     ・Monthly stipend: JPY100,000 per month (offered by Kyushu University)
        ・Relocation allowance: Return trip air fares between the city of home university and Fukuoka           (Some universities excluded)
       ・ Credit transfer: Both of the home universities and Kyushu University to support in order to
          credit transfer done smoothly

Predeparture Student Visa Application 

Upon formal admission to an academic course or program atKyushuUniversity , you will be sent an official admission letter, issued by the University, and a study permit, issued by the Fukuoka Immigration Bureau and referred to as a “Certificate of Eligibility.” Both documents--the letter and the certificate--must be presented to the Japanese consulate serving your area of residence when you apply for a visa; together they establish your “college student” status and eligibility to receive a “student visa.”

National Health Insurance 

Foreigners who will reside in Japan longer than one year can join the National Health Insurance Plan. With this insurance, the insured can receive benefits for medical charges:

  ·70% of the total charge is borne by the city.
  ·If the amount of the charge to be paid for one hospital in one month (30% of the total medical
   charge) exceeds ￥35,400, the exceeded is borne by the city.

Although you need to pay monthly premium, this plan is so beneficial for you especially in case of serious illness or hospitalization, and you can also take advantage of the joint use of National Health Insurance and JASSO Medical Fee Reimbursement (mentioned later).

Affiliation for the National Health Insurance Plan is to be carried out at the municipal office of the city or ward after the completion of Alien Registration. Consult with them about your monthly premiums as those are differing to the earnings in the last year. Payment of the premium can be made at a bank, post office or by bank account transfer. Automatically payment by bank or post office account is convenient. For details, Please ask at the municipal office of the city or ward.

University Location 

Kyushu University is located within Fukuoka City, a thriving, dynamic metropolis of 1.3 million people and a major political, economic, and cultural hub serving Kyushu island and, more broadly, western Japan.Tokyo, ’s capital, is 5 hours away by bullet train (known as Shinkansen) and 1.5 hours by airplane.

Kyushu’s mild climate, panoramic sea and mountain vistas, pleasing skyline, and friendly people make it an attractive, comfortable place to live. The University itself is distributed over five older and one very new campus, to which most University divisions are expected to move in the coming years. A small number of University facilities and properties are situated in other areas or prefectures, including forested areas maintained by the School of Agricultural Science in the northern island of Hokkaido.