Programs

Program A/B

Niigata University (Not Available)

Niigata Japan

 

[*Note: this university can no longer accept additional students*]  

Niigata University is the largest national university with 13,000 students on the Honshu main island along the coast of the Japan Sea (East Sea according to the Korean name). The bullet train “Shinkansen” takes you from Tokyo to Niigata train station in about two hours passing through mountains in the center of the island. Niigata International Airport has direct flights not only to major Japanese airports such as Narita, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka etc. but also to Inchon (for Seoul), Shanghai, etc.

The City of Niigata has a population of 800,000, but it is characterized by various industries including agriculture. Actually the Prefecture of Niigata is well-known as the producer of the best rice of Japan. Its traditional industries, some of which used to produce hooks, hoes, knives etc. for local use, now produce the case of iPad etc., adjusting themselves to the contemporary needs of the world. Because of these various industries, living costs are reasonable and the living environment is also agreeable, although those from warm countries may first be surprised by the weather in winter while enjoying snow and skiing in mountainous areas.

We are pleased to continue our USCO Multilateral Exchange Program (UME, or Program A) for 2018 April enrollment in addition to the programs under bilateral agreements with various universities in Asia, the Pacific, Europe and America. Enjoy the various research subjects Niigata University provides as well as the living environment and the life with various students not only from Japan (not only from Niigata) but also from many other countries here at Niigata University.

UMAP Application Form
Address
8050 Ikarashi Ni-no-cho, Nishi-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken 950-2181, Japan
Tel
+81-25-262-7627
Fax
+81-25-262-7519
Website
http://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/

◆UMAP Contact Person

·Name 
Ms. Tomomi Tamura
·Department 
International Office
·E-mail 
intl@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp

◆Regular Academic Calendar

·First Semester
From: 8 April 2019 (to be confirmed)
To: 5 August 2019 (to be confirmed) The First Semester is divided into the First Quarter (8 April - ealry June) and Second Quarter (early June - 5 August)
·Second Semester
From: 1 October 2019 (to be confirmed)
To: 7 February 2020 (to be confirmed) The Second Semester is divided into the Third Quarter (1 October - the end of November) and Fourth Quarter (early December - 7 February)

◆Semester Load in Credits/Units

·Minimum 12-14 (depending on the credits per class. For a stay permit from the Immigration Bureau, students must take at least 600 hours’ of classes each week.)
·Maximum 22-30 (depending on the Grade Point Average – At most departments, higher GPA allows taking more classes and credits per semester, although this does not apply to exchange students.)

◆General Timetable and Requirements for Graduation

·Total Number of Credits Needed for Graduation

124 (exception: Medical and Dental Departments)

·Number of Years Typically Needed to Complete Undergraduate Program

Four years (Six years for Medical and Dental Departments)

◆List of Study Programs that are open for International Exchanges

There is no fixed program for exchange students. Exchange students can take all classes of Niigata University except some classes that have limits to the number of students and except other classes that are not open to students from other departments in principle. Most classes of Niigata University are given in the Japanese language. However, there are classes that are given in English. There are also a small number of classes that are given in French, Chinese or Korean.
However, students may choose to take a special Japanese Language Program in which they take primarily Japanese Language classes for one semester and in which they are allowed to take other classes than Japanese Language Program classes if permission is given by the Japanese Language Coordinator.
·Link

http://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/information/2017/8618/
http://syllabus.niigata-u.ac.jp/ (syllabus search page of Niigata University)

◆Exchange- Related Information

·Exchange Duration
Exchange students may choose either one-year or one-semester (a half year) enrollment.

For the former, both of the following periods are possible: From April to February, following year, or From October to August, following year

For the latter, students may choose either the first (from April to August) or second semester (from October to February, following year).
·Language Proficiency Requirements
Minimum capability of TOEFL iBT 61 or equivalent score is preferable. If a professor of the student’s university assures that the applying student is sufficiently capable to pass this criterion, the student is allowed to apply to Niigata University without taking a TOEFL.

Niigata University welcomes also such students who have passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level N1. Such students are supposed to take the regular classes given in Japanese, although they are allowed also to take the classes mostly on Japan given primarily for exchange students. However, students should note that some of the regular classes are not open to all students but may be open only to students from certain departments, etc.
·Instruction Facilities and Other Supports
Adviser professors at a relevant department and/or at the Global Education Center are nominated for each exchange student (In principle, exchange graduate students belong to a department, while exchange undergraduate students belong to the Global Education Center.). The Student Exchange Division provides various services for exchange students such as Immigration procedures, housing, home stay programs, participation in local festivals, etc. Other services that are available for regular students, such as the Library, Internet connection, etc. are also available, of course.

On arrival at Niigata, students are briefed about their life in Niigata, including registration at the City Government, opening bank accounts, etc. as well as how to take classes, etc.

In the past, students were usually met by volunteer students either at the Niigata Airport or at the Niigata train station. However, the substantial increase in the number of exchange students has now made it impossible. Instead, information of how to come from Niigata, Narita or Haneda Airports to Niigata train station and subsequently from there to Niigata University will be provided. (Students may note that arrival at the small and very simple Niigata Airport is much easier than arriving at the complicated and congested Narita or Haneda Airports.)
·Housing
Dormitory:

Either our dormitory for short-term foreign students or assistance for off-campus housing at a reduced rent is provided.

Home stay:

No home stay program is hosted by Niigata University. However, citizens' organizations usually host home stay programs.

Off Campus Assistance:

Either our dormitory for short-term foreign students or assistance for off-campus housing at a reduced rent is provided.

·Medical Insurance
Students are required to subscribe to Japan's National Health Insurance program. Subscribers pay 30 % of the actual medical expenses. More information is available at the web site of the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation: http://www.nief.or.jp/en
·Visa Process
Visas must be applied for and obtained in advance at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate. To facilitate it, the Student Exchange Division of Niigata University applies to the Immigration Bureau of Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility for Stay in Japan on behalf of each student. With this Certificate, the students can usually get a student visa in a week without cumbersome procedures at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate. However, it usually takes one month to get the Certificate after application. Also, students must submit to the Student Exchange Division documents and photos required for the application for a Certificate. It usually takes two months before eventually getting a student visa after applying for a Certificate. (See: http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj04e_02.html).

Application Submission Deadline: 30 November 2018

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