Program Overview
About Osaka University
While Osaka University was founded in 1931 as Japan’s sixth imperial university, its origins reach back to Tekijuku, a private place of learning founded by OGATA Koan in 1838.
Today, Osaka University comprises of 11 Schools with 10 corresponding graduate Schools and it has four campuses: Suita Campus, Toyonaka Campus, Minoh Campus and Nakanoshima Campus.
About Osaka
Osaka prefecture located in the center of Kinki region in the Midwest Japan covers the smallest prefecture land area in Japan, but boasts of largest population and highest population density second only after the capital, Tokyo. Mountains surround three sides of the prefecture and the west faces the arc-shaped Osaka Bay. Since it is close to former capitals of Japan Kyoto and Nara, it prospered as an important point for land and water transportation as well as a commercial city.
In the Osaka City is the Osaka Castle with a five-layer donjon as its core, on a lawn park that stretches for about 60,000 square meters. During the cherry blossom season in the spring, this park is especially crowded with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) crowd. Osaka's north gate, Umeda, has a gigantic stretch of underground mall that houses many restaurants, fashion and sundry goods stores.
In contrast to Kita with Umeda as its core, Minami is an area with core cities Namba, a popular business and shopping district, and Dotonbori with many restaurants on both sides of Dotonbori-gawa River. Minami is known as a town of public entertainment and has many theaters and cinemas.
Term date
- Host Institutions usually organize orientation activities for exchange students, with some mandatory, which take place 1-2 weeks before the start of the term. You should refer to the acceptance package and pay attention to the expected arrival or pick-up dates specified by your host institution.
- You should only depart after finishing all the final examinations (including resits) since host institutions will not make special arrangement for taking any examinations other than scheduled.
- Please CLICK HERE for more information on host institution’s term dates.
Eligibility (for students applying via School of Science)
You are eligible to apply for the exchange program if you are:
- A non-final year undergraduate student in a 3-Year program in the School of Science, or
- A Year 2 or 3 undergraduate student in the 4-Year program in the School of Science
- AND having CGA at 2.5 or above (students with CGA below 2.5 may still submit application; offers will be granted under special consideration)
Application Process
To apply, click the "Apply Now via SSCI" button on this page. The whole application process has two steps.
Step 1: Complete HKUST application form and submit supplementary documents
Step 2: The Host Institution Application (TO BE COMPLETED AFTER YOU ARE NOMINATED BY YOUR SCHOOL)
If you are nominated, you will be notified to submit a formal host institution application. Your School will provide you with detailed information and application instructions in due course.
Visa Information
CLICK HERE for details on visa and residence permit.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is required by law in some countries.
HKUST students who take part in the University's exchange programs will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Plan. Please CLICK HERE for details.
Accommodation
Arranging accommodation in some cities can be very difficult, so start applying early.
