General Information Name of University/ Institution City and Country Full Postal Address Telephone Number Fax Number University Official Website UMAP Contact Person Outline of Proposal for Program A (No Program B currently) Name Department Email Address Niigata University Niigata, Japan 8050 Ikarashi Ni-no-cho, Nishi-ku Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken 950-2181 Japan +81-25-262-7333 +81-25-262-7519 http://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/index_e.html Mr. Takuo Goto International Affairs Division kokusai@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp;intl@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp Regular Academic Calendar (indicate the period) Semester Load in Credits/Units Aproximate Brief Introduction to the University First Semester Second Semester Third Semester minimum maximum From To From To From To Total number of credits needed for graduation Niigata University is the largest national university with 13,000 students on the Honshu main island along the coast of the Japan Sea (East Sea according to the Korean name). The bullet train "Shinkansen" takes you from Tokyo to Niigata train station in about two hours passing through mountains in the center of the island. Niigata International Airport has direct flights not only to major Japanese airports such as Narita, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka etc. but also to Seoul, Shanghai, etc. The City of Niigata has a population of 800,000 but it is characterized by various industries including agriculture. Actually the Prefecture of Niigata is well-known as the producer of the best rice of Japan. Because of these various industries, living costs are reasonable and the living environment is also agreeable, although those from warm countries may first be surprised by the weather in winter while enjoying snow and skiing in mountainous areas. We are pleased to continue our USCO Multilateral Exchange Program (UME, or Program A) for 2016 April enrollment in addition to the programs under bilateral agreements with various universities in Asia, Europe and America. Enjoy the various research subjects Niigata University provides as well as the living environment and the life with various students not only from Japan but also from many other countries here at Niigata University. 10 April 2016 (yet to be confirmed) 10 August 2016 (yet to be confirmed) 01 October 2016 15 February 2017 dd/mm/yyyy dd/mm/yyyy 12-14 (depending on the credits per class. For a stay permit from the Immigration Bureau, students must take at least 600 hours of classes each week.) 22-30 (depending on the Grade Point Average At most departments, higher GPA allows taking more classes and credits per semester, although this does not apply to exchange students.) 124 (exception: Medical and Dental Departments)
List of Study Programs that are open for international exchanges application Typical number of years to complete your undergraduate program Link Four years (Six years for Medical and Dental Departments) http://www.isc.niigata-u.ac.jp/~miyatah/home_page_usco-a/ (practical information and application forms) http://syllabus.niigata-u.ac.jp/ (syllabus search page of Niigata University) http://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/intl/shindai/tanpro.html (to be updated) (information of student exchange program for incoming students) http://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/intl/shindai/j-course_e.html (Japanese language learning program) Content (Name of Program, Teaching Language, Language Proficiency) There is no fixed program for exchange students. Exchange students can take all classes of Niigata University except some classes that have limits of the number of students and except other classes that are not open to students from other Faculties in principle. Most classes of Niigata University are given in the Japanese language. However, there are classes that are given in English. There are also a small number of classes that are given in French, Chinese or Korean. However, students may choose to take a special Japanese Language Program in which they take primarily Japanese Language classes for one year or for one semester and in which they are allowed to take other classes than Japanese Language Program classes if permission is given by the Japanese Language Coordinator. Exchange- related information Exchange duration Exchange students may choose either one-year or onesemester (a half year) enrollment. For the former, both of the following periods are possible: From April to February, following year, or From October to August, following year For the latter, students may choose either the first (from April to August) or second semester (from October to February, following year). Language Proficiency requirement Minimum capability of TOEFL ibt 61 or equivalent score is preferable. If a professor of the student s university assures that the applying student is sufficiently capable to pass this criterion, the student is allowed to apply to Niigata University without taking a TOEFL. Niigata University welcomes also such students who have passed the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level N1. Such students are supposed to take the regular classes given in Japanese, although they are allowed also to take the classes mostly on Japan given primarily for exchange students. However, students should note that some of the regular classes are not open to all students but may be open only to students from certain departments, etc.
Facilitation and other supports Adviser professors at a relevant department and/or at the International Exchange Support Center are nominated for each exchange student (In principle, exchange graduate students belong to a department, while exchange undergraduate students belong to the International Exchange Support Center.). The International Affairs Division provides various services for exchange students such as Immigration procedures, housing, home stay programs, participation in local festivals, etc. Other services that are available for regular students, such as the Library, Internet connection, etc. are also available, of course. On arrival at Niigata, students are briefed about their life in Niigata, including registration at the City Government, opening bank accounts, etc. as well as how to take classes, etc. In the past, students were usually met by volunteer students either at the Niigata Airport or at the Niigata train station. However, the substantial increase in the number of exchange students has now made it impossible. Instead, information of how to come from Niigata, Narita or Haneda Airports to Niigata train station and subsequently from there to Niigata University will be provided. (Students may note that arrival at the small and very simple Niigata Airport is much easier than arriving at the complicated and congested Narita or Haneda Airports.) Dormitory Either our dormitory for short-term foreign students or assistance for off-campus housing at a reduced rent is provided. Housing Home stay Off campus assistance No home stay program is hosted by Niigata University. However, citizens' organizations usually host home stay programs. Either our dormitory for short-term foreign students or assistance for off-campus housing at a reduced rent is provided. Other Medical Insurance Students are required to subscribe to Japan's National Health Insurance program. Subscribers pay 30 % of the actual medical expenses. More information is available at the web site of the Niigata City International Exchange Foundation: http://www.nief.or.jp/en Visa Process Visas must be applied for and obtained in advance at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate. To facilitate it, the International Affairs Division of Niigata University applies to the Immigration Bureau of Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility for Stay in Japan on behalf of each student. With this Certificate, the students can usually get a student visa in a week without cumbersome procedures at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate. However, it usually takes one month to get the Certificate after application. Also, students must submit to the International Affairs Division documents and photos required for the application for a Certificate. It usually takes two months before eventually getting a student visa after applying for a Certificate. (See: http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj04e_02.html).
Welcome to the UMAP/USCO Multilateral Student Exchange Program at Niigata University Niigata University is the largest national university with 13,000 students on the Honshu main island along the coast of the Japan Sea (East Sea according to the Korean name). The bullet train "Shinkansen" takes you from Tokyo to Niigata train station in about two hours passing through mountains in the center of the island. Niigata International Airport has direct flights not only to major Japanese airports such as Narita, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka etc. but also to Seoul, Shanghai, etc. The City of Niigata has a population of 800,000 but it is characterized by various industries including agriculture. Actually the Prefecture of Niigata is well-know as the producer of the best rice of Japan. Because of these various industries, living costs are reasonable and the living environment is also agreeable, although those from warm countries may first be surprised by the weather in winter while enjoying snow and skiing in mountainous areas. We are pleased to continue our USCO Multilateral Exchange Program (UME, or Program A,) for 2016 April enrollment in addition to the programs under bilateral agreements with various universities in Asia, Europe and America. Enjoy the various research subjects Niigata University provides as well as the living environment and the life with various students not only from Japan but also from many other countries here at Niigata University.
Message from the President Welcome to Niigata University Featuring nine faculties, five graduate schools, two professional schools, two research institutes and a university hospital, Niigata University is a large-scale university covering a comprehensive range of academic fields-including humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, medical and dental sciences and much more. Niigata University endeavors to promote distinctive, world-class research within each of these various fields. In addition, Niigata University strives to cultivate students global competence, and develop students who possess both the high-level expertise and refined sensibilities needed to tackle 21st-century challenges while playing an active role in a wide range of fields throughout the world. Thus, Niigata University actively promotes independent and creative studies for our students while also striving to be an international base for research and education, constantly improving the level of our post-graduate education while promoting collaborative research with overseas universities and institutes. Niigata University will continue endeavoring to contribute to the advancement of culture and improved well-being for all of mankind while at the same time actively planning and developing social contribution activities with an eye towards local communities. We are committed to doing our utmost in every regard to ensure that all students will be proud to study and graduate from our university. We look forward to welcoming you to Niigata University. Sugata Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D. President
Classes calendar, school year 2016 April 2016 - March 2017 No classes Classes of another day are given. ( ): Examination days Underlined: For guidance or supplmentary classes Spring semester Autumn semester Month Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Note Month Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Note 1 2 5: Enrollment Ceremony 1 3: Enrollment Ceremony 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (regular students) (regular students) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6-8: Guidance 3: Classes start. 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11: Classes start 10 月 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 23/30 24/31 25 26 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 11 月 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 1: Day of Niigata 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 University (Not a holiday) 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 12 月 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 20: Friday's classes 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 Dec. - 6 Jan.: Winter 26 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 break 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10: Classes resume. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13, 16: University closed 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 月 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 for National Entrance 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Exam. 17: Monday's classes 24/31 25 26 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 6 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 (8) (9) (10) 11 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 Aug. - 30 Sept.: 2 月 12 (13) (14) 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Summer break 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 3 月 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11-31: Spring break 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20: Graduation 23: Graduation 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Ceremony (regular Ceremony (regular 25 26 27 28 29 30 students) 26 27 28 29 30 31 students) Total no. of Total no. of 15 15 15 15 15 classes classes 15 15 15 15 15 Daytime class periods Evening courses periods 1 8:30-10:00 6 18:05-19:35 2 10:15-11:45 7 19:45-21:15 HT 11:55-12:45 3 12:55-14:25 HT: Primarily for classes for Second Concentration 4 14:40-16:10 5 16:25-17:55