Three types of exchange program exist in our institution. Since the courses available to exchange students differs between affiliated universities, please consult with your university’s International Office to find what options are available to you.
HUSTEP
The Hokkaido University Short-Term Exchange Program (HUSTEP) is a ‘junior year abroad’ type program designed to provide undergraduate students from affiliated universities with the opportunity to study in Japan at Hokkaido University. Participants in this program take a wide variety of classes offered in English.
Exchange Programs in English (HUSTEP)
FlexProgram
The School of Humanities and Human Sciences has its own exchange program for departmental partners. This program gives students the advantage of taking classes in the School of Humanities and Human Sciences. This enables exchange students to experience classes in the department, to improve their Japanese through practical application, and to make friends with students in the department. Check out the chart below to see the differences in Hokkaido University’s exchange programs.
Special Audit Students
The Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences / the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University accept Special Audit Students (Tokubetu-choukou gakusei) for one semester or one academic year. The students can attend regular classes and receive credits after passing examinations. Instruction is in principle in Japanese, so a high level of language proficiency is required. Students must submit application documents to Hokkaido University through the home institution’s office.
Term
- Semester 1 April 1 to September 30
- Semester 2 October 1 to March 31
The list of the affiliated universities
Application Process
Please obtain application documents through the home institution’s office.
Application documents
Students must submit application documents to the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences / the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University through the home institution’s office. Please ask the home institution’s office about the deadline.
※Application is limited to the affiliated universities of the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences / the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University.
※For an application to the affiliated universities at the university level, please send the application documents to the staff of your home university. The application will then be sent to the Office of International Affairs, Hokkaido University.
Application deadlines
- Semester 1 middle of November
- Semester 2 middle of May
※Please note that the deadline for submitting application documents to the home university is different from the deadline for Hokkaido University.
Announcement of acceptance
Offer letters will be sent to your home university in January for enrollment in April or in July for enrollment in October (dates are tentative).
Language and credit requirements
As a rule, all classes in the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences / the School of Humanities and Human Sciences are conducted in Japanese, so a high level of language proficiency is required. Students are required to register for seven or more classes (more than ten hours) per week. (Please see “Syllabus Search”.)
Others
- Japanese language classes
Students may also register for classes in the Japanese course conducted at the Hokkaido University International Student Center. However, please note that credit will not be given for these Japanese language course classes. - Housing
Students may apply for International Student University Housing.
Related Websites
Contact Address
Students Affairs Section, the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences / the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University
Kita 10 Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
060-0810, JAPAN
Tel & Fax: +81-11-706-4807
E-mail: ryugaku-sup@let.hokudai.ac.jp
Special Research Students
The Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences accepts Special Research Students (Tokubetu-kenkyu gakusei) for one semester or one academic year. The graduate students conduct research under the guidance of a supervisor (Please note that the students cannot receive credits.) Guidance by supervisor is mainly conducted in Japanese, so a high level of language proficiency is required. Applicants need to find a faculty member who is willing to give them appropriate instruction on their research. The Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences requires applicants to complete the pre-inquiry process in order to obtain informal consent from a faculty member. Please contact the Students Affairs Section for details.
Contact Address
Students Affairs Section, the Graduate School of Humanities and Human Sciences / the School of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University
Kita 10 Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
060-0810, JAPAN
Tel & Fax: +81-11-706-4807
E-mail: ryugaku-sup@let.hokudai.ac.jp
Undergraduate Exchange Programs Criteria
| FlexProgram | HUSTEP (Hokkaido University Short-term Exchange Program) | SAS (Special Audit Student) | JLCSP (Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility for exchange students from: | Departmental agreements only | Both university and departmental agreements | Both university and departmental agreements | University agreements only |
| Program length | Both half- and full year | Both half- and full year | Both half- and full year | Both half- and full year |
| Japanese Proficiency | Not necessary | Not necessary | N2 or above is recommended | N3 or above is required |
| Departmental classes | Can take classes in the School of Humanities and Human Sciences | CANNOT take classes in the School of Humanities and Human Sciences | MUST take classes in the School of Humanities and Human Sciences | CANNOT take classes in the School of Humanities and Human Sciences |
| Japanese Language Course credits | NOT included in the 7 courses required by the Immigration Bureau of Japan | Is included in the 7 courses required by the Immigration Bureau of Japan | NOT included in the 7 courses required by the Immigration Bureau of Japan; students must take 7 courses in the School of Humanities and Human Sciences | NA |
| Scholarships | CANNOT apply for JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization Scholarship) | Can apply for JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization Scholarship) | CANNOT apply for JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization Scholarship) | MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology) scholarship is available for 1-year course applicants only. JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization Scholarship)is available for half-year course applicants only. |
| Application process | Ask international coordinator at your university for the application and information. | Follow instructions on HUSTEP webpage. | Follow instructions at SAS section on this page. | Follow instructions on JLCSP webpage. |