Exchange program with partner universities in Japan
Doshisha University (Kyoto)
, one of the oldest private institutions of higher learning in Japan, is said to be one of the most prestigious universities in Japan today. Students of Goethe University can apply to study at Doshisha University for the (Nichibun) or the (GME) at the Center of Global Education and Japanese Studies for one semester (which will integrate the former two centers, the Center of Global Education and the Center of Japanese Language and Culture after April 2024):
Students of Japanese Studies and other majors related
to Japan with good knowledge of Japanese may apply to the (Nichibun) which offers a variety of attractive subjects
for international students studying at Doshisha University, including Japanese language classes, lecture courses in Japanese Studies and International Studies as well as classes on economy, world history and
journalism. Classes are held in Japanese and English. Only undergraduate classes are offered which may also be taken by graduate students (transfer of credits must be confirmed by home institute/department).
Exchange students enrolled for the Japanese Language and Culture module may also take classes of the Global Education Module (see below).
Students of other majors interested in Japan with no
or little knowledge of Japanese may apply for the (GME) which offers liberal arts
courses taught solely in English to international students and Japanese
students to study together and foster a better understanding of Japan in a
global context. This Module's curriculum is designed to provide in-depth
learning opportunities in a wide range of academic fields ranging from the
humanities and social sciences to the natural and human sciences with all
assignments and discussions. Additionally, exchange students may take Japanese
language classes.
Exchange students enrolled for the Global Education Module may also take classes
at the Institute of the Liberal Arts.
Osaka University
offers international exchange students a variety of study abroad options:
iExPO (Immersion Exchange Program Osaka): Undergraduate and
graduate exchange students can choose classes from various courses and departments at Osaka University or conduct
research under the guidance of teachers. In this program, international
students are required to have a high level of fluency in Japanese (JLPT N1 or N2) or English (Toefl 80; if applicable) depeding on the classes they would like to take. JLPT N1 or N2 is required with application ();
Toefl can be submitted after successful application.
Language proficiency: Toefl 80 / JLPT N1 or N2
More information about the program, available classes and corresponding required language proficiency
OUSSEP (Osaka University Short-Term Student Exchange Program), is a full- or half-year program
designed for students in the 3rd or 4th year of an overseas university. In this program, exchange students whose Japanese language skill is not high and those who have never learned Japanese take special academic lectures taught in English called "International Exchange
Subjects." Credits earned at Osaka University may be transferred to the home institution.
Language proficiency: equivalent to Toefl 80 or IELTS 6.0*
More information about the program
The Maple Program (two semesters) is designed to help students from overseas
improve their Japanese language skills,
enhance their knowledge of Japanese culture and society, and assist them in
advancing towards their respective academic goals. Applicants should be
Japanese Studies majors or have an explicit academic connection to Japan.
Language proficiency: equivalent to JLPT-N4*
More information about the program
FrontierLab@OsakaU accepts international students into their laboratories of sciences;
participants study mainly research themes provided by the laboratory. They can
also take international exchange subjects and Japanese language courses and other
related subjects if they wish. This program was created for international
students to conduct advanced thematic studies and achieve results under the
guidance of teachers and acquire skills necessary for continuing research.
Undergraduate students may apply for one or two semesters, graduate students
may apply for three to twelve months (starting date in April or September).
Language proficiency: equivalent to Toefl 80 / IELTS 6.0 (English) or
JLPT-N2 (Japanese)*
More information about the program und (pdf).
*It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (Toefl / IELTS / JLPT), the given language requirements only serve as an orientation (except for iExpo: JLPT N1/N2 is required);
Dokkyo University
At Dokkyo University, exchange students must enroll in the university's Japanese language program (This comprehensive program is divided into six levels, from upper elementary to advanced). In addition to the Japanese language courses, students of all Japanese levels are allowed to take regular undergraduate courses with the approval of the course instructors. Basic Japanese (A2 / JLPT N5*) is a prerequisite to join the program; absolute beginners may not apply.
Exchange students are required to live in off-campus university housing. They share 3 bedroom apartment with two other students.
*It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (JLPT), the language certificate issued by the department of Japanese Studies is sufficient.
Yokohama City University
Exchange students may take classes taught in Japanese and/or English. Japanese language classes are available on all levels.
Language requirement: Japanese and/or English (B1; language certificate issued by a lecturer is sufficient)
Dokkyo University
At Dokkyo University, exchange students must enroll in the university's Japanese language program (This comprehensive program is divided into six levels, from upper elementary to advanced). In addition to the Japanese language courses, students of all Japanese levels are allowed to take regular undergraduate courses with the approval of the course instructors. Basic Japanese (A2 / JLPT N5*) is a prerequisite to join the program; absolute beginners may not apply.
Exchange students are required to live in off-campus university housing. They share 3 bedroom apartment with two other students.
*It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (JLPT), the language certificate issued by the department of Japanese Studies is sufficient.
Hitotsubashi University
Hitotsubashi University was founded in 1875 as the first business school in Japan, with the mission of nurturing the 鈥淐aptains of Industry" essential for the nation's rapid modernization and development. Over the years, it has gradually expanded the scope of its research and teaching to cover all fields of the social sciences, and today enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the top research universities in Japan. In 2019, it was accredited as one of the few outstanding Designated National Universities 鈥� the only one specializing in the social sciences.
Hitotsubashi has long placed seminars at the core of its curricula. While lectures feature prominently in Japanese tertiary education, all Hitotsubashi students are required to participate in small-group seminars as well. Such a system not only cultivates their individual abilities and personalities, but also provides them with the opportunity to develop close and often lifelong relationships with their fellow students and supervising professors. The seminars also facilitate a high level of study and research and underpin the creative and liberal character for which the University is famous.
Doshisha University (Kyoto)
, one of the oldest private institutions of higher learning in Japan, is said to be one of the most prestigious universities in Japan today. Students of Goethe University can apply to study at Doshisha University for the (Nichibun) or the (GME) at the Center of Global Education and Japanese Studies for one semester (which will integrate the former two centers, the Center of Global Education and the Center of Japanese Language and Culture after April 2024):
Students of Japanese Studies and other majors related
to Japan with good knowledge of Japanese may apply to the (Nichibun) which offers a variety of attractive subjects
for international students studying at Doshisha University, including Japanese language classes, lecture courses in Japanese Studies and International Studies as well as classes on economy, world history and
journalism. Classes are held in Japanese and English. Only undergraduate classes are offered which may also be taken by graduate students (transfer of credits must be confirmed by home institute/department).
Exchange students enrolled for the Japanese Language and Culture module may also take classes of the Global Education Module (see below).
Students of other majors interested in Japan with no
or little knowledge of Japanese may apply for the (GME) which offers liberal arts
courses taught solely in English to international students and Japanese
students to study together and foster a better understanding of Japan in a
global context. This Module's curriculum is designed to provide in-depth
learning opportunities in a wide range of academic fields ranging from the
humanities and social sciences to the natural and human sciences with all
assignments and discussions. Additionally, exchange students may take Japanese
language classes.
Exchange students enrolled for the Global Education Module may also take classes
at the Institute of the Liberal Arts.
Osaka University
offers international exchange students a variety of study abroad options:
iExPO (Immersion Exchange Program Osaka): Undergraduate and
graduate exchange students can choose classes from various courses and departments at Osaka University or conduct
research under the guidance of teachers. In this program, international
students are required to have a high level of fluency in Japanese (JLPT N1 or N2) or English (Toefl 80; if applicable) depeding on the classes they would like to take. JLPT N1 or N2 is required with application ();
Toefl can be submitted after successful application.
Language proficiency: Toefl 80 / JLPT N1 or N2
More information about the program, available classes and corresponding required language proficiency
OUSSEP (Osaka University Short-Term Student Exchange Program), is a full- or half-year program
designed for students in the 3rd or 4th year of an overseas university. In this program, exchange students whose Japanese language skill is not high and those who have never learned Japanese take special academic lectures taught in English called "International Exchange
Subjects." Credits earned at Osaka University may be transferred to the home institution.
Language proficiency: equivalent to Toefl 80 or IELTS 6.0*
More information about the program
The Maple Program (two semesters) is designed to help students from overseas
improve their Japanese language skills,
enhance their knowledge of Japanese culture and society, and assist them in
advancing towards their respective academic goals. Applicants should be
Japanese Studies majors or have an explicit academic connection to Japan.
Language proficiency: equivalent to JLPT-N4*
More information about the program
FrontierLab@OsakaU accepts international students into their laboratories of sciences;
participants study mainly research themes provided by the laboratory. They can
also take international exchange subjects and Japanese language courses and other
related subjects if they wish. This program was created for international
students to conduct advanced thematic studies and achieve results under the
guidance of teachers and acquire skills necessary for continuing research.
Undergraduate students may apply for one or two semesters, graduate students
may apply for three to twelve months (starting date in April or September).
Language proficiency: equivalent to Toefl 80 / IELTS 6.0 (English) or
JLPT-N2 (Japanese)*
More information about the program und (pdf).
*It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (Toefl / IELTS / JLPT), the given language requirements only serve as an orientation (except for iExpo: JLPT N1/N2 is required);
Dokkyo University
At Dokkyo University, exchange students must enroll in the university's Japanese language program (This comprehensive program is divided into six levels, from upper elementary to advanced). In addition to the Japanese language courses, students of all Japanese levels are allowed to take regular undergraduate courses with the approval of the course instructors. Basic Japanese (A2 / JLPT N5*) is a prerequisite to join the program; absolute beginners may not apply.
Exchange students are required to live in off-campus university housing. They share 3 bedroom apartment with two other students.
*It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (JLPT), the language certificate issued by the department of Japanese Studies is sufficient.
Yokohama City University
Exchange students may take classes taught in Japanese and/or English. Japanese language classes are available on all levels.
Language requirement: Japanese and/or English (B1; language certificate issued by a lecturer is sufficient)
Dokkyo University
At Dokkyo University, exchange students must enroll in the university's Japanese language program (This comprehensive program is divided into six levels, from upper elementary to advanced). In addition to the Japanese language courses, students of all Japanese levels are allowed to take regular undergraduate courses with the approval of the course instructors. Basic Japanese (A2 / JLPT N5*) is a prerequisite to join the program; absolute beginners may not apply.
Exchange students are required to live in off-campus university housing. They share 3 bedroom apartment with two other students.
*It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (JLPT), the language certificate issued by the department of Japanese Studies is sufficient.
Hitotsubashi University
Hitotsubashi University was founded in 1875 as the first business school in Japan, with the mission of nurturing the 鈥淐aptains of Industry" essential for the nation's rapid modernization and development. Over the years, it has gradually expanded the scope of its research and teaching to cover all fields of the social sciences, and today enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the top research universities in Japan. In 2019, it was accredited as one of the few outstanding Designated National Universities 鈥� the only one specializing in the social sciences.
Hitotsubashi has long placed seminars at the core of its curricula. While lectures feature prominently in Japanese tertiary education, all Hitotsubashi students are required to participate in small-group seminars as well. Such a system not only cultivates their individual abilities and personalities, but also provides them with the opportunity to develop close and often lifelong relationships with their fellow students and supervising professors. The seminars also facilitate a high level of study and research and underpin the creative and liberal character for which the University is famous.