Exchange Students

1. Partner Universities for Exchange Program

2. Exchange Program

Curriculum

The University of Shiga Prefecture offers Japanese language and Japanese culture courses for exchange students. In addition, exchange students can take specialized courses in their departments with Japanese students according to their interests and Japanese and English level.

However, most courses other than those for exchange students are taught in Japanese. Therefore, if you wish to take these courses, we strongly recommend that you have obtained the JLPT-N1 level.

Our motto is "Our campus is Lake Biwa, and our text is Humanity." We also provide international students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Shiga Prefecture, located in the Kansai region of Japan, through their studies at our university.

Japanese language courses (2-4 classes per week) are compulsory. In addition, international students are required by law to attend more than 7 classes per week in order to maintain their "student" visa status.

Peer Support

For the first three months after starting your study abroad at USP, all exchange students will be assigned a Japanese student tutor whom you can freely talk to about any problems you may have regarding your studies or daily life.
In addition, there are live-in tutors in the international student dormitories, so you can consult with them if you are having trouble living in the dorms.

Exchange Period

Academic Calendar (in Japanese)

Courses Held in English

3. How to Apply

Requirements

- Applicants must be enrolled currently as undergraduate or graduate students at USP's partner university and should be recommended by the home university.
- No language requirements.
- Please choose your preferrable school and department. However, almost all courses are taught in Japanese, excluding the courses for International Students, so we are strongly recommend that you choose School of Human Culture, Department of Intercultural Communications, unless you are a JLPT-N1 holder.
- For details about the schools and departments, please see here (Undergraduate/Graduate School).

Required Documents

1. Application form for exchange student
   *Sample_Application form for Exchange Student
2. Application for Certificate of Eligibiity（for applying for visa）
   *Sample_Certificate of Eligibiity
3. Housing_Request
4. Written Oath
   *Sample Written Oath
5. Medical Certificate
6. Medical History
7. Certificate of Enrollment
   *Sample_Certificate of Enrollment
8. Digital Date of Your ID Photo（for making student ID card and applying for CoE）
   * For photo specifications, please see following webpage.
   Photo submission requirements (Immigration Services Agency)
   Please take a photo without wearing colored contact lens and do not edit the photo using apps, etc.
9. Official Transcript（in English or Japanese）
10. Recommendation Letter（in English or Japanese）
11. A Copy of Your Passport

Deadline and How to Apply

Please submit all application documents by e-mail through the international office at your home university (partner university).
E-mail: iec-staff＠office.usp.ac.jp
The Office of International Programs and Development
The University of Shiga Prefecture

After Application

After receiving your application, USP will review your acceptance. If permission is granted, USP will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the Immigration Bureau. Once the CoE is issued, it will be sent to the applicant's home university. These procedures take approximately 3 to 4 months.
Applicants must apply for a visa on their own.

Placement Test

Exchange students will be placed into Japanese language classes depending on their language proficiency, so be sure to take a placement test.

Airport Pick-up

USP offers a pick-up service at the airport when you arrive in Japan. We will inform you a detailed schedule after your admission is approved.
Pre-Arrival Guide 2024(Spring)

We will contact you by email about various procedures other than those mentioned above, so be sure to check your email.

4. After you arrive - Accommodation, Costs and Insurance

Accommodation

USP offers 4 off-campus dormitories with furnished private rooms.
Please see the below webpage for details.
Accommodation for Exchange Students

Monthly Living Cost

Although the living expenses vary depending on factors such as housing expenditure, food costs, a phone bill and so on, estimated living expenses for exchange students are shown below.
* Please be aware that you will likely incur other expenses (dormitory deposit, insurance, SIM card, daily necessities, etc.) in your first month in Japan, so please prepare accordingly.

Mandatory Insurance

All exchange students are required to purchase the following insurance.

1. National Health Insurance
   Insurance fee: approximately 20,000 yen/year (following reduction)
   International students are fundamentally required to join the National Health Insurance System upon their registration in the city. This insurance covers about 70% of the medical charges in principle.
   
   
2. Gakkensai - Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research
   Insurance fee: 1,000 yen/year
   Please read this pamphlet of Gakkensai carefully.
   This is an accident compensation insurance covering unforeseen disasters and accidents during regular curricular activities, school events, extracurricular (club) activities, and while on the university premises.
   
   
3. Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives coupled with PAS For International Students
   Insurance fee: 8,060 yen/6 months, 11,500 yen/year
   Please read this pamphlet about Comprehensive Insurance carefully.
   This insurance offers comprehensive support in the case of unexpected incidents occurring during student life.
   • Personal Liability Insurance Payment (When the student injures others or damages the possessions of others.)
   • Death, Residual Disability Insurance Payment (When the student suffers death or incurs residual disability as a result of a sudden and unexpected external incident.)
   • Medical Expense Insurance Payment (When the student is hospitalized or visits the hospital as a result of injury or illness.)
   • Insurance for Rescuer Expenses, etc. (When the parent or the guardian of the student comes to the hospital following student hospitalization)
   • Hospitalization Insurance, Surgery Insurance, Hospital Visit Insurance (When the student is hospitalized or visits the hospital as a result of injury)