How to Study in Kyoto for International Students
Kyoto, one of the beautiful cities in Japan, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Kyoto currently has 28 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 22 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Kyoto you should definitely check out are Kyoto College of Medical Health, Kyoto University, and Ritsumeikan University.
Being able to study in Kyoto as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Kyoto, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Kyoto
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Kyoto, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 535,800 Yen to 2,300,000 Yen, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 400,000 Yen and 1,203,300 Yen.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Kyoto
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Kyoto, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Institute of Technology | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
| Kyoto City University of Arts | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
| Kyoto Prefectural University | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
| Kyoto University | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Kyoto
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics | 700,000 Yen | |
| Shuchiin University | 750,000 Yen | |
| Kyoto University of the Arts | 1,320,000 Yen | 670,000 Yen |
| Heian Jogakuin University | 784,000 Yen | |
| Kyoto Koka Women’s University | 862,500 Yen | 800,000 Yen - 930,000 Yen |
| Kyoto Saga University of Arts | 1,550,000 Yen | 850,000 Yen |
| Hanazono University | 826,000 Yen - 829,000 Yen | 640,000 Yen - 643,000 Yen |
| Kyoto Tachibana University | 870,000 Yen - 1,200,000 Yen | 400,000 Yen - 450,000 Yen |
| Kyoto Notre Dame University | 840,000 Yen | 840,000 Yen |
| Kyoto Seika Daigaku | 1,086,000 Yen - 1,579,000 Yen | 750,000 Yen - 1,050,000 Yen |
| Kyoto University of Foreign Studies | 795,000 Yen - 847,500 Yen | 795,000 Yen - 847,500 Yen |
| Bukkyo University | 870,000 Yen - 920,000 Yen | 525,000 Yen - 720,000 Yen |
| Kyoto University of Advanced Science | 1,655,600 Yen | 1,203,300 Yen |
| Ritsumeikan University | 974,600 Yen - 2,300,000 Yen | 762,800 Yen - 1,169,600 Yen |
| Doshisha University | 753,000 Yen - 1,250,000 Yen | 508,000 Yen - 844,000 Yen |
| Ryukoku University | 1,021,000 Yen - 1,572,600 Yen | 763,000 Yen - 1,100,000 Yen |
| Kyoto Sangyo University | 745,000 Yen | 528,000 Yen |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Kyoto, check out the Cheap Universities in Kyoto!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Kyoto for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Kyoto, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Kyoto, English and Japanese are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting JLPT for Japanese.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Kyoto and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Kyoto Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: No minimum scores
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Kyoto City University of Arts
Master’s degree
Kyoto Seika Daigaku
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: 100
- JLPT: N2
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
- Master's Japanese Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Kyoto
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Kyoto have online applications available on their websites, like Kyoto College of Medical Health and Kyoto University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Kyoto.
Kyoto College of Medical Health
Kyoto University
Ritsumeikan University
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Kyoto differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Kyoto.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Kyoto
If you’re going to study in Kyoto, you will need to apply for a student visa in Japan
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Japan. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa .
To start your student visa application in Kyoto, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Filled out visa application form from the embassy
- Recently taken photo
- Admission letter from the university
- Certificate of Eligibility
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Japan is 3000 JPY for Single Entry, 6000 JPY for Double or Multiple Entry.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Contact the Japanese embassy or consulate near you to confirm required documents.
- Prepare the required documents for your visa application
- Submit the documents to the Japanese embassy, consulate, or travel and visa processing agency.
- Submit additional documents and attend an interview upon the embassy or consulate's request.
- Once your application is approved, pay the application fee and collect your passport and visa.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Kyoto. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!