NUPACE Prospectus
2026-27 (5.8 MB)

Official PR Video

Top Page > Enquiries/Links > FAQ

FAQ

On this page, you can find frequently asked questions about the following:

♦Eligibility
♦Applying to NUPACE
♦Academic Matters
♦Scholarships and Financial Matters
♦Accommodation
♦On/Off-Campus Life
♦Preparation before Arrival

♦Eligibility

Q. Am I eligible for the NUPACE programme?

A. Please refer to our website and confirm your eligibility.
Eligibility: http://nupace.iee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/apply/eligibility.html

Q. My university is not a partner institution of Nagoya University. What should I do to participate in Nagoya University's exchange programme?

A. Unfortunately, an exchange at this university is only possible if the applicant's home university is a partner university. If you are interested in enrolling as a degree-seeking student or research student, etc., please contact the Educational Affairs Division of each School directly.
Contact Information:http://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/contact_us/educational.html

Q. Do I have to calculate my GPA by myself to know if I'm eligible?

A. No. If you are not sure whether your academic credentials are equivalent to a GPA of 3.0, or not, please send a scanned copy of your academic transcript to nupace@t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp to confirm.

Q. I haven't taken an English(Japanese) language proficiency test. Can I submit the score sheet later on?

Submitting official score sheets by the application deadline is mandatory for English language proficiency tests. You will be required to upload a PDF of your score sheet by March 15 for autumn admission and, October 15 for spring admission. Please make sure to have the score sheet ready when applying. With regard to Japanese language score sheets (i.e., the JLPT), later submission is a possibility. Please contact the NUPACE Office at nupace@t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp for further details. Please see “Eligibility” on the NUPACE website to check our language criteria.

♦Applying to NUPACE

Q. How can I start an application to the NUPACE programme?

A. Please contact the International Office of your home institution first. In order to qualify for admission to NUPACE, you need to secure a nomination from your home institution in advance.

Q. When should I start my online application?

A. After securing a nomination from your home institution, please do not await instructions from NUPACE, but proceed to access the NUPACE Online Application site at https://nupace.iee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/apply/online.html. The site normally opens from early September for spring admission, and from early February for autumn admission.

Q. I am a graduate student. Which status is more appropriate for me in Nagoya University, ‘Special Graduate Student’ or ‘Special Research Student’?

A. If you need to earn a full credit load, Special Graduate Student status may be more appropriate. If you do not require credits, and wish to engage primarily in guided research, apply to be admitted as a Special Research Student. This status is applicable to students registered for both master's programs and doctorates at their home universities. Please note that Special Research Students have the option of earning credits, although this is not a requirement. In principle, students enrolled in doctorates at the time of application will automatically be given Special Research Student status.

Q. Is it OK to submit the health certificate available at my home clinic, and not the NUPACE version?

A. Yes. As long as all of the items listed on the NUPACE health certificate are included. Please make sure to receive the signature of your home doctor on the form.

Q. Regarding the bank account statement, does the account holder have to be me?

A. No. The bank account holder can also be a close family member. If submitting another person's bank account balance, please inform us of your relationship to him/her.

Q. Is it OK to send the statements of two bank accounts?

A. Yes, as long as you can verify that you have sufficient funding to cover your living expenses in Japan. The total amount should be equivalent to JPY 500,000 for a one-semester stay, or JPY 1,000,000 for a one-year stay.

Q. Does the bank account statement have to be translated into English/Japanese?

A. At least, the following information needs to be written in English/Roman alphabet:
- Bank's name
- Bank account holder's name. (If the account-holder has a different surname from yours, please indicate his/her relationship to you)
- Type of account, e.g., “current account”, “deposit/savings account”, etc.

♦Academic Matters

Q. Where can I find course lists and syllabi?

A. Please see our website:
Course Overview: https://nupace.iee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/academic/course/overview.html
NUPACE Syllabi: https://nupace.iee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/academic/syllabus.html
Detailed links for G30 and other English-taught courses are available on pages 4 to 7 of the NUPACE syllabi.

Q. Where can I find next semester's syllabi?

A. Unfortunately, syllabi are only published immediately before the semester commences. Please refer to past/current syllabi for a rough idea of course content.

Q. Is it possible to take courses from different schools?

A. Yes, provided that you fulfil the pre-requisites. NUPACE students are able to register for a large number of classes regardless of their school of affiliation.

Q. My Japanese level is intermediate. Can I register for regular classes conducted in Japanese?

A. No. Students intending to take regular university courses conducted in Japanese must possess N1/Level 1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).

Q. How and by when do we have to register for courses?

A. After the semester starts. We will provide the necessary information during orientation week.

♦Scholarships and Financial Matters

Q. How can I apply for a JASSO scholarship?

A. There are no procedures to carry out on the applicant's side. Nagoya University will nominate highly qualified students directly to the scholarship organization. Please be advised that JASSO scholarships are competitive and, in order to earn a nomination, it is important for students to have a good GPA.

Q. Are there any other scholarships?

A. Scholarships for exchange students in Japan are very limited, and NUPACE can only offer a quota of JASSO scholarships. Please contact your home institution for other options.

Q. My University/Government has offered me a scholarship to study in Japan. Am I still eligible for the JASSO scholarship as well?

A. In order to be eligible for JASSO, applicants must not be recipients of scholarship awards from other organizations, where the combined value of these additional scholarships exceeds JPY 80,000 per month. Moreover, applicants should not simultaneously apply for a Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship for the same academic year.

Q. How much will it cost to make ends meet every month in Nagoya?

A. A minimum of JPY 80,000 may suffice; however, you would need to be a thrifty student. JPY 100,000 〜JPY 120,000 would allow you to socialize more. Expenses will vary according to personal taste and lifestyle.

♦Accommodation

Q. Do I have to secure an accommodation by myself?

A. No. You will automatically be allocated to a University dormitory. For details on the types of accommodation available, as well as dormitory fees, please refer to “Housing” on the NUPACE website.
Housing: http://nupace.iee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/life/accommo.html

Q. Can I choose my dormitory?

A. No, you will be allocated to a dormitory. Should you have any concerns, such as a health condition, please contact the NUPACE Office at nupace@t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp in advance.

Q. Are there canteens in the university dormitories?

A. No. Students should bear in mind that they will have to cater for themselves or eat out. There are convenience stores, which open 24 hours a day, 356 days a year, around the corner of each dormitory.

♦On/Off-Campus Life

Q. Do you recommend taking out any insurance before entering Japan?

A. After your arrival in Japan, you will be asked to subscribe to the Japan National Health Insurance as well as Nagoya University's Personal Liability Insurance. All procedures will be conducted during the introductory orientation session.

Q. I have already taken out my own insurance. Can I be exempted from the Japan National Health Insurance and Nagoya University’s Personal Liability Insurance?

A. No. All foreign nationals with a residence status in Japan must take out Japan National Health Insurance. Applying for Nagoya University's Personal Liability Insurance is also mandatory for all NUPACE students, as provided for in inter-university agreements.

Q. Is Wifi available as soon as I arrive at Nagoya University?

A. Unfortunately, not. NUPACE students will have an information security guidance during the orientation session and, immediately afterwards, will be issued with a university network ID and password. Until then, Nagoya Free Wifi (SSID: 00_NAGOYA_Free_Wi-Fi) is available at subway stations, some cafés, restaurants and hotels.

Q. Is it OK for exchange students to work part-time?

A. Yes, as long as they apply for permission. Students interested in working part-time should fill out the relevant application form and submit it upon arrival in Japan at the airport. After applying for the permit, please confirm that you have received a permission stamp on the reverse side of your residence card. Part-time work will be explained in detail at the orientation session.

♦Preparation before Arrival

Q. I have completed my application. What should I do next? Can I book a flight now?

A. Please do not purchase your flight until you have received an offer of a place. Application results will be announced via email in June for September admission, and in January for April admission.

Q. When should I start making preparations with regard to my visa, accommodation, etc.?

A. NUPACE will send pre-arrival information to successful applicants. Please start making travel arrangements only after reading the information carefully.

Q. I want to spend a few weeks travelling around Japan before the semester starts. Is it possible to receive my Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) ahead of schedule?

A. Unfortunately, no. Nagoya University applies for prospective students' CoEs in January/June, soon after the NUPACE application results come out. However, as it takes up to six weeks for CoE applications to be processed by the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau, the documents can only be sent to students in early March/August.

Q. Is it possible to enter Japan on a tourist visa and apply for a student visa once I get there?

A. Please avoid entering Japan on a temporary visitor visa. Applying to switch visas within Japan is extremely complicated and time-consuming. Moreover, in the case that Japanese Immigration Services rejected your application, you would have to leave and re-enter Japan. Therefore, make sure to complete the necessary procedures in advance and have your student visa issued at the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

Q. What should I write for “Inviter in Japan”, “Relationship to applicant’ and ‘Profession or occupation”, and “Nationality” on the visa application form?

A. You will be provided with the relevant information via email along with your Certificate of Eligibility.

Q. How early can I arrive in Japan?

A. The validity of your period of residence begins from the date of your entry to Japan. If you arrive in Japan too early, your residence status may expire during the program period, so please keep this in mind and plan your travel carefully.

Q. I will need to bring prescribed medication. Are there any procedures to carry out in advance?

A. Yes, depending on the type of medicine and amount, procedures should be completed in advance. If you need to bring more than the approved monthly quantity, you should obtain a “Yakkan Shoumei”, or importation certificate, prior to travelling. You will be required to present it along with the prescription to a customs officer upon arrival in Japan. It may take several days to have the certificate issued, therefore, please carry out the application procedures as far in advance as possible.
Detailed information is available on the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) website.

Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa1.pdf

Q&A for those who are importing medicines into Japan:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa1.pdf

Q. Can I bring some over–the–counter (OTC) drugs from my country?

A. Yes, but please be careful. Some common medications and over–the–counter drugs in your home country could be illegal in Japan. Please refer to the following website for details:

Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa1.pdf

Q&A for those who are importing medicines into Japan:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/dl/qa1.pdf

NUPACE, Global Engagement Centre
Nagoya University
Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya
464-8601, JAPAN

[Site Map]

NUPACE Office
Global Engagement Centre
Nagoya University

Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya
464-8601, JAPAN