Kyoto University is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Asia, ranking high in international rankings. It is also one of the oldest universities in Japan, second only to Tokyo Imperial University, of which it was once a part.
Kyoto University. History
The creation of the university was preceded by the existence of the School of Chemistry, opened in 1869, and later it was renamed the Third Higher School. In 1886 the school moved to a new campus where the university is located to this day.
In 1897, the Imperial University was founded on the basis of the school, in which a college of science and technology appeared, as well as a law school. New departments at Kyoto University appeared regularly during the first years of its existence. A medical college was established in 1896, and a college of letters in 1906.
The Faculty of Liberal Arts appeared at Kyoto University after World War II. In 1992, the faculty merged with the newly established schoolhumanities studies.
Many educational reforms have given universities more financial and academic autonomy, but Kyoto University is still partly controlled by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Structure
22,000 students study at ten faculties of the university and nineteen higher schools. Among the teachers are winners of the Fields Medal, the Nobel Prize and the Gauss Prize.
Scientific research is considered an important part of university activities, which are carried out at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, the Research Institute of Mathematical Sciences, the Research Institute of Primates, the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Botanical Garden.
Such a developed research system, the flexibility of educational programs and a large number of titled professors allow the institution to rank second in the international rankings of Asian universities and twenty-sixth in the world ranking of the most prestigious universities in the world.
What makes a university special?
Kyoto University occupies a leading position in the world educational system, not least due to the great attention that the administration pays to scientific research.
Despite the fact that the university finances many research projects on its own, it receives a significant share of funding from the state budget through a system of special grants.
Significantgovernment support directly affects the results of research. In the field of chemistry, the university ranks first in Japan and fourth in the world. In addition, biology (including marine), immunochemistry and biochemistry, as well as pharmacology are considered important areas.
The role of higher education in Japanese society
Japan's high-tech economy requires constant investment in the development and improvement of technology, machinery and production capacity. To a large extent, the "Japanese miracle" was made possible thanks to the hard work of the Japanese themselves, foreign investment and the highest level of education in the country.
Traditionally, teaching in Japan was given great importance, and the American post-war influence, which brought new educational methods, made it much more effective.
Thus, the reconstruction of the country in the post-war period became possible thanks to huge investments not only in production facilities, but also in the educational complex.
Subdivisions
The university has the following faculties and schools:
- Letters (Founded in 1906, the faculty is one of the oldest at the university. Faculty students study philosophy, cultural studies, history and a number of social sciences).
- Education (at this faculty, students are taught to use modern scientific methods that make the educational process more effective through an individual approach).
- Rights.
- Medicine.
- Public he alth.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Engineering.
- Agriculture.
- Informatics.
- Biological research (the main focus is marine biology, in which university students can practice at the research station of the university).
- Global research (whereby global research is understood to mean those that are aimed at finding a way out of the global crisis caused by high consumption and a huge burden on the environment).
- Government.
- Management.
- Energy Sciences (this direction is one of the highest priorities at the university, since the country is extremely dependent on energy imports, and nuclear energy is extremely dangerous in conditions of high seismic activity and the threat of natural disasters. Students become researchers specializing in the search for new energy sources and improving the efficiency of existing technologies and installations).
Scientific institutions within the university
Kyoto University also has scientific laboratories, research centers and experimental sites. The Institute of Chemical Research, founded in 1926, is considered the oldest scientific center at the university. The institute has 33 laboratories, each of which makes a huge contribution to the development of world science.
There are also humanities at the universityresearch centers that are engaged in comparative linguistics, sociology and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of ecology, social science, medicine and history.
How to apply to a Japanese university
Answering the question of how to enter Kyoto University, it is worth starting with the fact that for this a foreigner needs to be at least eighteen years old. In addition, you should pass a test that is mandatory for all graduates of Japanese schools. Recently, however, many universities are abandoning this practice, presenting requirements only for the level of knowledge of the Japanese language, which is taught in the country's educational institutions.
It should be borne in mind that internationally recognized certificates remain the main way to confirm language proficiency, which can be obtained not only in Japan, but also in most countries of the world. Certification exams are usually paid, and the cost, as well as the dates of the tests, you need to find out from the Japanese embassy.
It is also important to remember that all Japanese study in schools for twelve years. They do not make exceptions for foreigners from another educational system. This means that the Russians will have to take the twelfth year at the university of their native country or take a one-year training course directly in Japan. During the same time, it will be possible to improve knowledge of the Japanese language.
How much does tuition cost
Most international students entering Japanese universities choose to live in Tokyo or Kyoto, which are,undoubtedly one of the most expensive cities not only in their country, but also in the world.
Life in Kyoto and Japan is really expensive. Education at all universities is paid. However, the question of the cost of studying at Kyoto University should not confuse the future student.
The cost for undergraduate programs of all faculties, except law, is standard and is approximately 325,000 rubles. per year (535,800 yen). Education at the Faculty of Law will cost a student 804,000 yen, or 490,000 rubles a year. Payment is made, as a rule, in two stages - in spring and autumn.
Although education in Japan is not as expensive as in the US or the UK, it can be difficult for some Japanese to pay. In this case, the government of the country provides special grants, scholarships and partial compensation that support students from poor families. However, to receive such support, you must demonstrate excellent academic performance.
