In this exchange program, you will directly enroll in classes at Nagoya University. Nagoya University was established in 1939 as Japan’s seventh imperial university, and has since developed into the pre-eminent university in the Chubu region. Approximately 16,500 students are enrolled at the university, 2,400 of whom form a lively international community. The Nagoya University Program for Academic Exchange (NUPACE) offers a unique curriculum consisting of Japanese language instruction, Japan area/intercultural studies, and over 1,000 courses in various fields of study taught in English. A wide range of student clubs and a buddy program provide opportunities to integrate into campus life.
The city of Nagoya is located on the Pacific coast on central Honshu. From Nagoya, you can reach Tokyo in 2.5 hours or Kyoto in 1.5 hours via bullet train. In contemporary Japan, this vibrant metropolis occupies an important political and economic position, and is a center of industry. Nagoya offers the conveniences of any large urban center, with shops, restaurants and leisure activities to cater to any taste, and with a population of 2.3 million, is an exciting place to live, work and study. Home of the annual World Cosplay Summit, Nagoya is an especially appealing location for fans of anime and manga. Watch Japan Guide's Five Things To Do in Nagoya to learn more about this unique city.
Scholarship Opportunity: Nagoya University usually has funding from the Japanese government for JASSO scholarships, which are around 80,000 JPY (around 550 USD) per month. This scholarship is competitive, and if funding is available, the application is part of the secondary exchange application process.
Nagoya University Exchange
Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Asia, Japan
GPA: 3.0
Program Overview
Dates and Deadlines
| Term | Year | Deadline | Arrival Date | Departure Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter Semester | 2025-26 | 12/15/2024 | Mid-September | Early February |
| Academic Year | 2025-26 | 12/15/2024 | Mid-September | Early August |
| Spring Quarter | 2026 | 6/15/2025 | Early April | Early August |
| Japanese Academic Year | 2026-27 | 6/15/2025 | Early April | Early February |
The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.
Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements.
Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.
Academic Details
With over 1,000 courses taught in English, (and many more in Japanese), students participating in the Nagoya University Program for Academic Exchange (NUPACE) have a variety of study options open to them. If a student meets the academic and linguistic requirements of the classes in question, they may devise individual semester/year-based course loads, freely choosing units from 1) the NUPACE academic program, 2) G30 international programs, and 3) Japanese language classes from the Japanese Language Programme. Students with an advanced level in Japanese language may also take regular courses taught in Japanese. Another option is that students can apply for a yearlong program called the Intensive Programme in Advanced Japanese – see further details below.
For more information about the programs below, visit the NUPACE website.
Content Courses: Students are able to pursue their major field of study through established courses, courses designed especially for NUPACE students, or courses comprising the “Nagoya University Global 30 International Programmes.” Nagoya University has opened seven undergraduate and nine graduate degree programs taught entirely in English, known as the “Nagoya University Global 30 International Programmes”, or simply “G30 Programmes”. The core NUPACE curriculum is taught primarily in English, although students who demonstrate sufficient Japanese language ability (level N1 of the JLPT) may register for regular courses taught in Japanese. Yearlong students have the opportunity to pursue independent research in their second semester through the Guided Independent Study (GIS) option for a limited number of credits. See the “Course Search” link on the sidebar for additional information.
Japanese Language Programme: Nagoya University offers a Japanese language program rich in content and variety, including comprehensive courses tailored to the needs of exchange students (NUPACE Japanese language courses), integrated Japanese courses for advanced Japanese language learners, as well as more specialized courses, including business Japanese, academic Japanese, and kanji classes. In addition, a limited number of courses taught in Japanese, and aimed at upper-intermediate and pre-advanced learners of Japanese, have been made available to those NUPACE students who have attained at least level N2 of the JLPT, or the equivalent.
Intensive Programme in Advanced Japanese: This separate one-year program, offered by Nagoya University’s International Language Centre, enables participants to attain an advanced level of Japanese, gain an accurate understanding of Japan and its culture, as well acquire the basic skills to conduct research. Students spend 430 hours over the year engaged in intermediate to advanced Japanese language courses, and conduct in depth project work, culminating in the writing of a thesis. For additional credits, students are encouraged to enroll in introductory courses taught in Japanese that cover linguistics, Japanese society and culture, as well as Japanese literature. This one-year program runs from fall through spring. This specific program only accepts ten undergraduate exchange students per year, and applicants must be majoring in Japanese language, Japanese linguistics, Japanese literature, or Japanese Studies, and have a Japanese language level of N2 or above on the JLPT.
On the Nagoya University Exchange program, you will earn:
- A minimum of 15 semester credits per semester (equivalent to 23 UO quarter credits). Credits listed here are estimates and are subject to change. Please refer to the Nagoya links for the updated credit information on their classes. One semester credit at Nagoya University is equal to 1.5 UO quarter credits.
Course Equivalencies
UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.
Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.
Additional Requirements
There is no Japanese language requirement to participate in this exchange program. However, students intending to take regular university courses instructed in Japanese must possess level N1 or 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), or the equivalent. Students intending to enroll in the Intensive Programme in Advanced Japanese are required to possess at least level N2 of the JLPT. Your UO Japanese instructor/ advisor can help you determine what level you are close to on the JLPT.
Housing Description
Nagoya University operates two mixed Japanese/international student dormitories: International Ohmeikan and International Residence-Daiko, and three dormitories used exclusively by international students: International Residence Higashiyama, International Residence Yamate (North and South). Unless otherwise arranged with Nagoya, all NUPACE students will live in one of these university dormitories, although they do not have the option of choosing in which residence they will reside.
Access to the campus from International Residence-Daiko takes approximately 20 minutes by subway. International Residence-Higashiyama is located on the Higashiyama campus, and International Residence-Yamate and International Ohmeikan are within easy walking distance.
There are no university-managed cafeterias in any of the residences and, as such, students should bear in mind that they will have to cook their own meals or eat out. For more information, visit the NUPACE Housing website.