About the university

Kyoto University is one of Japan’s most prestigious public research universities, founded in 1897 as Kyoto Imperial University. It is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and is known for its philosophy of academic freedom and independent thinking. The university has 10 faculties, 18 graduate schools, and numerous research institutes, producing world-leading research and Nobel Prize laureates. With around 22,000 students, Kyoto offers a strong interdisciplinary environment across science, engineering, humanities, medicine, and social sciences. Located in the historic city of Kyoto, the university combines a rich cultural heritage with advanced research infrastructure, strong global partnerships, and a focus on innovation and societal impact.

Key information

• Location: Kyoto, JP
• Ranking #50
• QS #57
• THE #61
• US News #125
• National ranking #2
• Institution type: public

Popular faculties

• Engineering
• Science
• Medicine
• Economics
• Law
• Agriculture
• Humanities
• Informatics

Programs (12)

• Artificial Intelligence
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Engineering
• Law
• Mathematics
• Medicine
• Physics
• Philosophy

Student body

• Total students: 23,000
• Undergraduate: 12,200
• Graduate: 10,700
• International students: 13%

Campus life

Kyoto University offers a unique campus life blending academic rigor with cultural richness. The main Yoshida campus is surrounded by temples, mountains, and traditional neighborhoods, creating a calm yet inspiring study environment. Students engage in numerous clubs, cultural festivals, and research activities. The campus provides modern laboratories, libraries, and student facilities, while the city of Kyoto offers deep cultural immersion, safety, and relatively affordable living compared to Tokyo.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: $300 - $700 / per month

Housing options

• On-campus dormitories
• international student housing
• private apartments
• shared rentals

Student clubs and organizations

• Academic clubs
• cultural clubs
• language clubs
• music clubs
• volunteer groups
• international societies

Sports

• Baseball
• football
• kendo
• judo
• rowing
• athletics
• tennis teams

Career & internships

Employment rate: 95%

Partner companies

• Toyota
• Sony
• Mitsubishi
• Hitachi
• Panasonic
• SoftBank
• Fujitsu

Internships: Kyoto University supports internships and research placements through collaborations with industry, government institutions, and global partners. Students can engage in laboratory research, corporate internships, and international exchange programmes to gain practical experience and build global careers.

Admission requirements

Required documents

• Academic transcripts
• high school diploma
• entrance examination results
• English or Japanese proficiency certificate
• recommendation letters
• personal statement
• passport copy

Minimum GPA: 3.5

Tuition costs

• $3,500 - $4,000 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 11.00%
• Scholarships available: Kyoto University offers various scholarships for international students, including Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarships, JASSO scholarships, and university-specific merit-based awards. These may cover full tuition, provide monthly stipends, and include travel support. Many scholarships are highly competitive and require strong academic performance and recommendations.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1897
• Teaching languages: Japanese, English, english, japanese
• Study formats: offline

Contact

• Website: https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp
• +81 75 753 7531