Language of instruction
Kwansei Gakuin is one of the most prestigious private schools in Japan, dating back to in 1889. Kwansei Gakuin is now a comprehensive and integrated educational institute comprising all levels of education from kindergarten to university. KGU maintains academic standards that rank among the highest of all Japanese universities and colleges.
Most schools at KGU operate out of the Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus, located about halfway between Kobe and Osaka in the city of Nishinomiya. Nishinomiya is famous for its sake breweries.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | April–Early August |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Semester | September–January |
View the KGU academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
KGU has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
Most KGU schools are at the Nishinomiya Uegahara campus, however, there are also KGU campuses located at:
- Nishinomiya Seiwa
- Kobe Sanda
- Osaka Umeda
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- Bachelor of ArtsSemester 2, 2017 and Semester 1, 2018
There is no set formula for life, everyone has come from a different background and is headed in a different direction to you.
Full-time study load
14 tani per semester at KGU is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at KGU.
University courses taught in Japanese require JLPT N1 or above.
Find courses
Search the KGU course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
Study areas taught in English
Additional academic information
KGU Contemporary Japanese Program (CJP) offers two study options:
- Japanese Language Track (JLT) focuses on Japanese language studies. Students must be able to read, write, understand and pronounce the two Japanese phonetic scripts (Hiragana and Katakana) before arriving in Japan.
- Modern Japan Track (MJT) offers English-taught courses in Japanese Studies. Accepting students with no prior knowledge of Japanese language; Students can opt out doing the Japanese language classes.
Nihongo Partner program is availabe at KGU: Exchange students enrolled in the Japanese Language Track can apply to have a local KGU student volunteer as a language partner to practise Japanese.
KGU course levels:
Please refer to page 11 of the CJP brochure for detail.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
KGU guarantees accommodation to incoming exchange student applicants, however, not all students will be placed in the accommodation of their choice. Students can opt for accommodation in a dormitory or live with a Japanese family in a homestay.
Cost of living
KGU offers an estimated breakdown student fees and living costs to help students budget for their exchange.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
You may be eligible for scholarships while studying at KGU. Students are encouraged to explore all available scholarships to find more information and determine their eligibility.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in the Student Exchange Program are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All students must purchase compulsory insurance through the Kwansei Gakuin University for approx JPY 6,000 for one semester or JPY 10,000 for full year.
All non-Japanese students must enrol for the Japanese Government's National Health Insurance system (NHI or Kokumin Kenko Hoken). To gain residency at KGU, sufficient insurance is compulsory.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Contact the Consulate General of Japan for visa and immigration information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, Global Experience programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.