Inbound Student Exchange Programs at Niigata University

Based on inter-university agreements or inter-department agreements with its partners, Niigata University hosts their students for up to two semesters as exchange students.

The point of contact for most exchange programs based on inter-university agreements is our International Office. In case where a faculty or graduate school is responsible for student exchange based on an inter-university agreement, the liaison for inter-university partners will be the faculty or graduate school that hosts their exchange students.

For student exchange based on inter-department agreements, each department (faculty or graduate school) is responsible for the admission of exchange students and will be the liaison for their respective inter-department partners. Inquiries for student exchange based on an inter-department agreement should be made to the relevant faculty or graduate school.

"Program for Incoming Exchange Students at the Center for International Education, Niigata University" (Inbound)

The Program for Incoming Exchange Students at the Center for International Education, Niigata University is an inbound program that welcomes exchange students mainly from our inter-university partners and is managed by International Office. The Program aims to provide exchange students opportunities to deepen understanding and enhance knowledge about Japan, and to strengthen collaborative ties with our partners.

For coordinators in charge of student exchange:
If your liaison for student exchange is not the Center for International Education (International Office),  please inquire your liaison regarding their inbound programs which are managed independently by a faculty or a graduate school. If your contact is the Center for International Education (International Office), please have your prospective exchange students prepare the application documents, and mail to the International Office by the due date shown in the application guideline.  

【 Program for Spring Semester of 2022 (Starting April 2022) 】
   Submission Deadline: November 12, 2021　
   Please read the application guideline carefully and apply through the coordinator in charge of student exchange.

• Application Guideline　English / Japanese
• Application Form　PDF / Word
• Letter of Recommendation (Form 1)　PDF / Excel
  *A responsible person of the university must submit only one Letter of Recommendation, listing all of the applicants.
• Certificate of Health　PDF
• Financial Support Statement　PDF
• Certificate of Eligibility Application Form　Excel
• Application Check List　PDF / Word

（Information）
    Course offerings for the first (spring) semester of 2021
    Course offerings for the second (fall) semester of 2021 (Updated Sep. 29, 2021)
    For other courses please search for syllabus.
　Japanese Language Program
    Academic Calendar  English/ Japanese (Academic Year 2021)

Important Information for Exchange Students

Japanese Visa Requirements

Please prepare your Notification of Admission, Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status, and passport, along with any other necessary documents, and apply for a visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your own country. We recommend that you contact the diplomatic mission in advance and ask what documents must be submitted.
Read Visa page for further information.

Accommodation

Exchange students may apply for an apartment room (single room) near Ikarashi campus before arriving in Japan. Students will be responsible for paying initial fees, monthly rent, and utility fees. Details will be announced after students are admitted to NU.

Items to prepare and bring

• If you plan to bring electric appliances from your home country, be sure to also bring an electric transformer adapter by yourself. Power outlets in Niigata provide 100 volt of power 50 Hz and its plug type is A.
• If you already have a personal seal (inkan, hanko), please bring it with you. You might find it convenient to have one during your stay since a personal seal is used on various occasions in Japan.

Coming to Japan

After exchange students are accepted to the program, Niigata University will provide detailed information regarding mandatory pre-departure and post- arrival procedures. International students arriving in Japan must comply with rules and procedures enforced by the government of Japan under its border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Schedule after Arrival in Japan

Orientation Program takes place after suggested dates of arrival during the week before classes start.  Orientation might be conducted remotely via Internet due to the impact of COVID-19.  Japanese students will provide assistance to help exchange students in post-arrival procedures including registration at a city office, registration for courses, and shopping for daily necessities.

• Orientation for Newly-Enrolled Students
• Japanese Language Learning Subjects Guidance
• Orientation for Life in Niigata

Exchange students at Niigata University fall into the following categories:

Status at Home University	Purpose of Study	Status at Niigata University	Admission fees	Examination fees	Tuition (Free for fee-exempt students)
Undergraduate	Lecture auditing (credits offered)	"Special Auditing Student"	Free	Free	14,800yen/credit
Postgraduate	Lecture auditing (credits offered)	Postgraduate "Special Auditing Student"	Free	Free	14,800yen/credit
	Research (Students are able to attend lectures with a permission of the lecturer; credits offered)	Postgraduate "Special Research Student"	Free	Free	29,700yen/month

What subjects can I choose?

Exchange students can select classes from the following options:

1. Classes taught in either English or Chinese
   Course offerings for the first (spring) semester of 2021
   Course offerings for the second (fall) semester of 2021 (Updated Sep. 29, 2021)
2. Japanese Language Classes
3. General Subjects
   Exchange students are also able to choose classes taught in Japanese which are offered to degree-seeking students of Niigata University.
   Click here to search for syllabus.

Are there any compulsory subjects?

There are no compulsory subjects. However, the Japanese Immigration Bureau's rules stipulate that international students must take taught classes or conduct research for more than 10 hours (600 minutes) per week. Since each class is 90 minutes long, students who are not undertaking research will need to take at least 7 taught classes per week.

Will the credits I get at Niigata University be transferred to my home university?

This is a decision for your home university to make. Please be sure to consult your university about credit transfer rules before you study abroad. Niigata University confers 2 credits to students for each subject they pass (90 min x 15 times, a total of 1,350 min.) and 1 credit for each foreign language class of the same length (1,350 min.) including Japanese language classes.

How much money will I initially need when I arrive at Japan?

• Accommodation entry expense: 30,000 - 70,000 yen
• Rent for the first month: Ranges roughly 30,000 to 50,000 yen.
• Bedding items (comforter, futon mattress, pillow, sheet, comforter-cover, pillow case): 13,000 yen
• Tableware, kitchen tools and utensils: approx. 4,000 yen
• Textbooks: Prices of textbooks and study materials vary.
• Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (compulsory for all Niigata University students): 1,340 yen
• Fee-paying students will need to pay their tuition by the end of the first month (April or October).

How much are monthly living expenses?

• Rent: Varies depending on the room students select.  Ranges roughly 30,000 to 50,000 yen.
• Utilities (electricity, water and gas): approx. 15,000 yen
• National health insurance: approx. 2,000 yen
• Food: approximately 25,000 yen if you cook yourself (meals at the university cafeteria range from 400 - 600 yen)
• In addition, you will need to pay for the phone and other daily necessities.

When do I need to pay the tuition (for tuition-paying students)?

• Special Auditing Students will receive an invoice from Niigata University at the start of each semester (April and October) for the tuition（14,800 yen per credit). Please bring the invoice to a bank to make a payment by the end of the month.
• Special Research Students will receive an invoice every 3 months for the tuition for the respective period of 3 months (April to June, July to September, etc.) Monthly tuition is 29,700 yen. Please bring the invoice to a bank to make a payment by the end of the month.

Can I have a part-time job?

• Exchange students should always prioritize their academic goals as their time in Japan is limited. Having a part-time job, which would be an additional responsibility to be taken seriously, may interfere with your concentration in studies. Make sure in advance that you will have sufficient financial support during your study.
• Some part-time jobs may accompany risks and danger which students may not be aware of at first hand. In order to protect international students from being involved in unwanted incidents or troubles, Niigata University require students to meet with the director of  the Center for International Education and go over job responsibilities and working conditions before being employed. Please consult International Office when you select a part-time job, or when you change your part-time job.
• Be aware that there are jobs that are allowed to Japanese citizens but no to non-Japanese nationals. International students should be aware of the possible risk of being charged as a result of being engaged in such a job, which may result in deportation and prohibition to stay in Japan in the future.

Contact for Inquiries regarding information on this page:

Niigata University International Office
8050 Ni-no-cho Ikarashi, Nishi-ku, Niigata-shi 950-2181, Japan
Tel: +81-25-262-7627 / Fax: +81-25-262-7519
E-mail: intl@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp