Tiếng Việt
To provide talented international students with the opportunity to study under Japan’s high-quality education system, Kyoto University has launched the fully funded International Undergraduate Program scholarship (Kyoto iUP).
Since 2019, the Kyoto iUP program has attracted a lot of attention from students from various countries, including Vietnam. Each year, the program accepts no more than 30 students, and by 2024, the number of Vietnamese students awarded the Kyoto iUP scholarship has reached 8.
As the exclusive media representative of the Kyoto iUP scholarship in Vietnam, Jellyfish Vietnam has been making efforts to bring information to students, helping them understand more about the scholarship as well as application methods.
Currently, Kyoto University has begun enrolling students for the October 2025 semester. Let’s join Jellyfish Vietnam to learn detailed information about the admission process for this scholarship.
I. OVERVIEW INFORMATION ABOUT KYOTO UNIVERSITY
Overview:
- Kyoto University
- Website: kyoto-u.ac.jp
- School type: National university
- Year of establishment: 1897
- Address: 3 campuses including Yoshida, Uji, Katsura (Kyoto)
Some impressive numbers of Kyoto University:
– Kyoto University was established in 1897 as Japan’s second imperial university.
– Kyoto University is among the TOP in Japan, ranked 53rd among the best universities in the world, 2nd in Japan and 3rd in Asia (in 2024).
– Kyoto University has produced more Nobel Prize- and Fields Medal-winning research than any other university in Asia: 11 Nobel Prizes, 2 Fields Medalists, 1 Gauss Prize winner, 5 Lasker Award winners and 1 Chern Medalist.
– There are 10 undergraduate faculties, 18 graduate schools, 12 research institutes, 27 centers and other organizations.
– The number of students is up to 22.600, including 3.000 international students from various countries (As of May 1, 2023).
– The school has 7.650 faculty and staff members, 351 student exchange agreements, 65 overseas offices and facilities.
II. KYOTO iUP 2025 – KYOTO UNIVERSITY
The Kyoto iUP (International Undergraduate Program) was established by Kyoto University with the goal of training international talents for Japan and the world.
1. Kyoto iUP – A unique opportunity for undergraduate study in Japan
– A 4.5-year program comprising a six-month preparatory course followed by four years of undergraduate studies
– Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field of specialization
– No Japanese language proficiency required at the outset
– Intensive Japanese language training throughout the program which enables students to acquire academic-level language proficiency
– Financial supports including admission/tuition fee waivers and monthly scholarships.
2. Information about the scholarship – Kyoto iUP 2025
Merit-based scholarships that include full or partial admission/tuition fee waivers and monthly allowances are available.
(1) The entire tuition fee for 4.5 years
| Preparatory Course | ||
| Application fee | JPY 9.800 | No |
| Admission fee | JPY 28.200 | Full waiver available |
| Tuition fee (6 months) | JPY 296.000 | Full waiver available |
| Undergraduate Course | ||
| Application fee | JPY 17.000 | No |
| Admission fee | JPY 282.000 | Full waiver available |
| Tuition fee (1 year) | JPY 535.800 | Full and partial waivers available |
(2) Cost of Living: JPY 120.000 per month
– The duration of the scholarship: Maximum 4,5 years
3. Life of international students at Kyoto University
– Kyoto iUP students are provided with accommodation in Kyoto University’s Hyakumanben International House (dormitory).
– Each student has a private room equipped with school supplies and other equipment such as internet access (Wi-Fi), a refrigerator, bed, bedding (bed pad, sheet, blanket, pillow, and bed cover), desk, and chair. Common use areas include: kitchen, laundry room, bathroom and toilet. There is also a common living room area where students can socialize and make friends.
III. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must satisfy both of the following requirements:
| 1 | Applicants must be non-Japanese citizens, and must have obtained “Student” status of residence at the time of enrollment.
*Note: Persons with dual nationality that includes Japanese are eligible to apply provided they choose to adopt the nationality of the other country by the time of enrollment. |
| 2 | Applicants must fulfill at least one of the following five conditions: |
| (a) Have completed or be expected to complete at least 12 years of primary to secondary education, or less than 12 years of formal education that is recognized as equivalent by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) *1, in a country other than Japan by September 30, 2025 | |
| (b) Have completed or be expected to complete at least 12 years of primary to secondary education at an educational institution located in Japan, based on a non-Japanese education system and recognized by MEXT, by September 30, 2025 | |
| (c) Have completed or be expected to complete 12 years of primary to secondary education at an educational institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Council of International Schools (CIS), the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) by September 30, 2025 | |
| (d) Have been awarded an International Baccalaureate, German Abitur, French Baccalaureate, General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A Level), International A Levels, or European Baccalaureate by September 30, 2025 | |
| (e) Have an academic background that is recognized by Kyoto University as equivalent to a) above before the admission process begins. Applicants must be at least 18 years old by April 1, 2026. |
*1 List of Courses of Foreign Schools Corresponding to Upper Secondary Schools Designated by MEXT (less than 12 years education).
Applicants who intend to apply with the eligibility described in 2(e), above, must complete the eligibility screening process by submitting the documents listed below via the Inquiry Form on the website between July 1 and October 18, 2024.
Applications will have to be submitted through Kyoto University’s online application system from November 1 to December 2, 2024 (5 p.m. JST) (3 p.m Vietnam time).
IV. KYOTO iUP – ADMISSION PROCESS
Application submission time: From November 1 to December 4, 2024 (Vietnam time)
1. First Screening: Document Review
(Application deadline: 3 p.m. on December 2, 2024)
The first screening will be a careful examination of the application documents and accompanying materials. The application documents must be submitted through the Online Application System. The results will be announced via the Online Application System on February 7, 2025.
*Note: The expenses required to send the application documents by registered mail must be borne by the applicant.
2. Second Screening: Interview
– Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online or in-person. The interviews will be held between February 27 and March 14, 2025.
– Details about the interview will be provided to applicants via email.
*Note:
– It is the applicants’ responsibility to check their email for notifications about the interviews and application process.
– The expenses to attend the interview must be borne by the applicant.
3. Notification of Selection Results
Applicants will receive an electronic copy of the result letter via the Online Application System on April 4, 2025.
*Note:
– Admission decisions are non-negotiable.
– Admission deferrals will not be accepted.
– The Admissions Office will not respond to any inquiries regarding admission decisions.
– Applicants who apply with predicted scores/grades must submit the actual scores/grades at a later date when requested to do so by the Kyoto iUP Admissions Office. We request that schools predict applicants’ scores as accurately as possible to prevent a discrepancy between the final scores/grades and the predicted ones. Additionally, the subjects in which the final scores/grades are awarded should be the same as those of the predicted ones.
4. Confirmation of Intent to Enroll
– Successful candidates must notify the Kyoto iUP Admissions Office of their intent to enroll by May 7, 2025. Upon receipt of the letter confirming the applicant’s intent to enroll, the Kyoto iUP Admissions Office will contact the applicant regarding the details of the enrollment procedures, including visa application.
V. KYOTO iUP – ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE
1. By May 7, 2025: Confirm Intent to Enroll.
2. **Mid-May to Mid-September 2025:** Study Japanese in Vietnam. Successful applicants will participate in free Japanese language classes at Jellyfish Vietnam, sponsored and authorized by Kyoto University.
3. By the End of September 2025: Arrive in Japan.
4. October 1, 2025: Enroll in the Preparatory Course.
5. January – February 2026: Take Qualifying Test for Chosen Faculty.
6. April 2026: Enroll in the Undergraduate Course.
VII. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The application forms (Forms A, B, C, and D) can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.iup.kyoto-u.ac.jp/apply/
| Document | To be uploaded by | |
| 1 | Digital identification photograph | Applicant |
| 2 | Copy of passport | Applicant |
| 3 | Application fee payment certificate | Applicant |
| 4 | School transcripts | Applicant or School |
| 5 | Form A (Certificate of Graduation/ Expected Graduation) | Applicant or School |
| 6 | Form B (Evaluation) | School /Others *1 |
| 7 | Either a specified English proficiency test result or Form C is required. | |
| English proficiency test result *2 (TOEFL/IELTS) | Applicant | |
| Form C (English Proficiency Evaluation Form) | School /Others *1 | |
| 8 | Standardized test result *2 | Applicant or School |
| 9 | Form D (Essay) | Applicant |
*1 If it is not possible to have the documents prepared by the relevant school, they can be provided by a person outside of the school. In this case, the person who prepares the documents must be well acquainted with the applicant’s academic performance during secondary/high school, and must specify his/her relationship to the applicant in the form. Please see the instructions on the relevant forms for details.
*2 The requirements regarding the submission of the English proficiency test result and standardized test result may change due to unavoidable situations, such as pandemics. Any changes will be announced on the Kyoto iUP website.
VIII. NUMBER OF STUDENTS AWARDED THE KYOTO IUP SCHOLARSHIP OVER THE YEARS
IX. CONTACT
For support regarding the Kyoto iUP full scholarship, please contact:
Kyoto iUP Admissions Office, Kyoto University, Japan
✦ Address: Yoshida International House Bldg. (B1), Yoshida South Campus, Yoshida Nihonmatsu-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
✦ Website: https://www.iup.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Or contact the sole authorized representative of Kyoto University in Vietnam:
👉👉 Jellyfish Vietnam – Media representative authorized by Hosei University in Vietnam
✦ Hotline: 096 110 6466
✦ Head Office – Vietnam: 13th Floor, CMC Tower, 11 Duy Tan, Cau Giay, Hanoi
✦ Branch Office: Sholega Building, 275 Lach Tray, Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
✦ Head Office – Japan: 4F Westhill Building, Nishigotanda 2-24-4, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
