Learning Abroad Center
wide view of Nagoya Castle

Exchange in Japan: Nagoya University

Asia & Oceania

Live in Nagoya, Japan's third-largest city, a bustling technological and industrial force. Study at Nagoya University, one of Japan's "National Seven" universities.

Program Details

Location
Location
Nagoya, Japan
Term
Term
Academic Year
Spring Semester
Housing
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
GPA
3.0

About

Nagoya University has long been a leader in Japan’s higher education sector, and was appointed in 2018 as a “Designated National University,” one of only 6 such institutions in the country. Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan, with convenient access by bullet train to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. It is a vibrant center of commerce, culture, and learning. Its port, business center, museums, and university make it one of the most lively and stimulating cities in Japan.

Learn more about being an exchange student at Nagoya University.

Program Model

Exchange
University Study

Housing & Meals

Live in a mixed Japanese/international student dormitory, or an exclusively international student dormitory on or near campus. All units are fully furnished.

There are no university-managed dining halls, so you must prepare you meals at home or eat out.

Excursions

Nagoya University has a wide range of cultural and sports clubs, which provide an excellent opportunity to meet Japanese students. There are also a number of volunteer groups involved with international students.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program and foster second language acquisition whenever possible
  • Learn to appreciate diverse world views, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity; added benefit of reciprocity to foster mutual respect and understanding
  • Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
  • Identify and communicate how your experience abroad has impacted you personally, academically, and professionally

Faculty & Staff

On-site support is provided by Nagoya University's Education Center for International Students and International Affairs Division. Staff are available to provide you with academic advising as well as support adjusting to a new educational system and integrating into campus life.

Program Structure

Program Level
Upper and lower division coursework available
Courseload

You are required to take 15 credits per term

Coursework

Grade & Credit Conversion Scale (PDF)

You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Students are required to take 15 credits per term. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.

Participate in Nagoya University's Program for Academic Exchange (NUPACE), which offers a unique curriculum consisting of Japanese language instruction, Japanese area and intercultural studies, and a number of English-taught courses. Guided research is also available. If you are proficient in Japanese, you are eligible to register for any course offered to degree-seeking students at Nagoya University. Choose courses from the following content areas:

  • Japanese Language Courses: NUPACE offers 8 levels of Japanese language, integrated Japanese courses for advanced Japanese language learners, and specialized courses, including business Japanese, academic Japanese, and kanji classes. For upper intermediate and pre-advanced students, a limited number of courses taught in Japanese are also available.

    If you are a full-year student, you can focus exclusively on language acquisition by enrolling in the Intensive Program in Advanced Japanese offered by Nagoya University's International Language Centre.

  • English-taught Area Studies Courses: Choose from English-taught courses designed for international students. Areas include Japanese life and culture, agricultural science, chemistry, economics, education, engineering, environmental studies, information science, international development, languages and cultures, law, and math.
     
  • Introductory Courses taught in Japanese: A limited number of courses in Japanese linguistics, literature, and culture are available if you have intermediate to advanced Japanese language skills. You must take a Japanese Language Proficiency test to place into these courses.

Program Dates

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center provides pre-departure orientation in preparation for your time abroad. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
  • LAC Program Orientation: Program-specific and important UofM registration information will be covered (academic registration, finances, arrival, housing etc.). Details will be sent to you via email.

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Term AbroadDate/TimeLocation
Spring 2025TBDTBD
Academic Year 2024–25TBDTBD

Spring 2025

Application Open Date: March 1, 2024
Application Deadline: September 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartLate March
Program EndEarly August

Academic Year 2024–25

Application Open Date: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartLate September
Program EndEarly August

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Bridging Loan

Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Spring 2025

Exchange in Japan: Nagoya U

Spring Semester 2025

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $7,117
International health insurance $308
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $7,825
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $7,825

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $2,500
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (150) $180
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,330
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $200
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (1500), Meals (2000) $3,500
Essential daily living expenses $2,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $5,700

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $16,855
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $3,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Academic Year 2024–25

Exchange in Japan: Nagoya U

Academic Yr Fall 2024/Spring 2025

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $13,265
International health insurance $615
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $14,280
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $14,280

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $3,000
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (300) $330
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,980
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $400
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (3200), Meals (4000) $7,200
Essential daily living expenses $4,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $11,600

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $29,860
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $4,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items for you to submit to the Learning Abroad Center:

  • Exchange in Japan personal essay
  • Japan Exchange University Preference Form
  • Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting

Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to Nagoya University. If you are selected for nomination, you will then have to apply to Nagoya University directly through their online system (instructions will be provided). Nagoya University will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.

Next Steps

  1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
  2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
  3. You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and Nagoya University—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
  4. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Christina Dunbar at [email protected], or call at 612.624.3949