Kyushu University

About Kyushu University

Kyushu University (九州大学 Kyūshū Daigaku), abbreviated to Kyudai (九大 Kyūdai), is a Japanese public university located in Fukuoka, Kyushu. It is one of Japan's National Seven Universities (The others are Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, The University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Kyoto University and Osaka University). The history of Kyushu University can be traced by medical schools of the feudal domains built in 1867, and is the largest public university in Kyushu.

There are 2,089 foreign students (as of 2016) enrolled in the University. It was chosen for the Global 30 university program, and has been selected to the top 13 global university project.

• Faculty of Arts and Science

  At Kyushu University, our goal is to educate individuals capable of leadership in a diverse range of fields in Japan, and who are willing to assume an active role on the world stage. Our Education Charter emphasizes the principles of humanity, social responsibility, global citizenship and advancement of knowledge, and it is these principles that have informed education policy across the entire university. However, in response to the above-mentioned expectations and hopes of society from within Japan and around the world, in order to develop human resources who are capable of truly taking a leadership role in our globalizing international community, which is beset by multiple challenges, it will be necessary to enhance the educational content we have provided to date in an even more structured, wide-ranging and quality-oriented manner. The Faculty of Arts and Science was established in October 2011—our centennial year—based on the conviction that, heading into our next century of existence, we needed to restructure our education system so as to provide a consistent and integrated structure, from general education through to specialized education and on to graduate education.

• School of Letters

  The original Faculty of Letters was founded in 1924 by an imperial decree as an adjunct curriculum of the Faculty of Law and Literature of Kyushu Imperial University. It then came into being as an independent faculty in 1949. The Graduate School was later established in 1953.

  The School of Letters now offers 21 subjects of study within four disciplinary fields: Philosophy, History, Literature, and Human Sciences. The Graduate School consists of a two-year master’s course and a three-year-plus doctorate course in 10 specialized fields including: Philosophy & Ethics, Oriental Ideas, Art Studies, Japanese History, Asian History, History of Wide Area Civilization, Geography, Japanese & Chinese Literature, Western Literature, and Linguistics.

• School of Education

  In the School of Education, students will learn about issues concerning the formation of the human character and human development through "education" and "educational psychology" approaches. Most people tend to associate “education” with children; however, education is not a subject limited to children and infants. Students will learn about human development throughout a lifetime, ranging from adolescence to adulthood, and even the elderly. Education studies is said to be the science of overall human formation. Kyushu University School of Education is dedicated to providing meticulous small-group instruction and strives for unique research. Although not specifically designed for the purpose of teacher training, students can acquire a teaching license for junior high school social studies and high school geography, historical science and civics, etc. by taking certain classes available at the Kyushu University School of Education. With a close relationship to the School of Education, the Graduate School of Human-Environment Sciences, Department of Clinical Psychology and Community Systems, Clinical Psychology Course, became the first graduate school to receive the Class I Designated Graduate School status by the Foundation of the Japanese Certification Board for Clinical Psychologists. Students must complete the clinical psychology practice major in order to be eligible to take the certification examination to become a qualified clinical psychologist.

• School of Law

  The faculty of Law was founded in 1924 as a department within the Faculty of Law and Humanities and achieved full independent status in 1949.

  A distinctive feature of law faculties in Japan is that they were initially established with the aim of educating civil servants and not lawyers. The law faculties of Japan thus contributed to socio-economic development by educating successive generations of public servants as well as providing law graduates for other sectors of society, notably corporations. This approach can be contrasted with Europe or the United States where legal education has been primarily oriented towards legal practice and has cosequently focused on preparing students for the bar examination and a future career as a legal professional.

• School of Economics

  The Kyushu University School of Economics was established as the Department of Economics under the Faculty of Law and Letters in 1924, when the university was still known by its former name, Kyushu Imperial University. Post-World War II reforms in 1949 resulted in the emergence of an independent school named the School of Economics from the Department of Economics. In 1965, Kyushu University established the Department of Business Management, and in 1977 the Department of Economic Engineering under the school of Economics. The Department of Economic Engineering was founded in response to the development of new fields applying Economics, engineering, and mathematical techniques to the analysis of problems to real economy and management.

  In 2000, Kyushu University adopted a new policy of prioritizing graduate schools. Based on its new policy, the School of Economics was reorganized into following two departments: the Department of Economy and Business and the Department of Economic Engineering. Furthermore, beginning in 2007, the School of Economics initiated an inter-institutional education program whereby third-year undergrads upon choosing this program, are allowed to attend graduate school courses during their fourth year. Doing so, student in this program are able to receive a masters degree in one year upon entering graduate school.

• School of Science

  Science, that is, basic natural science, explores nature's universal truths, and aims to build a foundation of natural philosophy. Also humans are inevitably related to science and have an innate curiosity for the driving forces behind science, as it is one of the highest levels of human intellectual activity.

  Our vision and goals, put simply, exactly refer to the vision of "Science". Our goals are to explore the following questions:

  • What are materials?
  • What is space?
  • What is life?

  Starting from such simple questions that humans have been asking since the dawn of civilization, our challenge is to unveil various enigmas of nature from both perspectives of experimental research and theoretical speculation, and to contribute to establishing a culture of natural science in our country and throughout the world. We hope that striving towards this challenge will bring about the development of flexible ideas, both a new and wide range of scientific applications to society, and build a shared intellectual heritage for all humans.

  In this regard, we offer advanced professional education of sciences with the aim of cultivating young researchers who will lead the cutting edge research of sciences into the next generation, and professionals who will contribute to society in their relevant field of natural science without being limited by existing concepts but with unrestricted ideas, thoughts, and contemplation as well as creative, experimental and theoretical methodologies. Additionally, we will establish ourselves as the center of professional education of sciences in Western Japan by cooperating with Faculty/Graduate School of Mathematics, the Department of Informatics in the Graduate School of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, and the Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences.

• School of Medicine

  Kyushu University School of Medicine was founded here, in Maidashi (which was called Katakusu Higashi Matsubara at that time), in 1903 as Kyoto Imperial University Fukuoka Medical School. Following the establishment of Kyushu Imperial University in 1911, it was renamed Kyushu Imperial Medical University, and, in 1947, it was renamed again as Kyushu University School of Medicine (see Notes at the bottom). Since its foundation, the school has consistently devoted efforts to education in medical sciences and practice, the development of medical research and the practice of medical care.

  Kyushu University School of Medicine has three departments: the Department of Medicine, the Department of Biomedical Science and the Department of Health Sciences. At the school, students study general academic subjects at the Ito Campus for one year from their enrollment. Subsequently, through education in their respective specialized courses, students will be fostered as (prospective) professionals on whose shoulders the future of medical sciences and practice rests.

• School of Dentistry

  We wrestle for education, research, and medical care based on our idea to “Contribute to systemic health from oral health” at Kyushu University School of Dentistry. In late years, it has been sequentially reported that periodontal disease possibly constitutes a risk factor to raise the lifestyle–related diseases such as the diabetes mellitus and that tooth loss seriously makes the reduction in quality of life of elder people. Thus attention is focused on the view that "Oral condition exerts serious influence on systemic health". In addition, we need to answer the question what we can contribute to in future dentistry, along with the attitude focusing on the treatment of diseases. For these reasons, it is urgent that management and improvement of the oral condition of middle-aged and elderly persons in rapidly advancing aged-Japan, and also the mission of the dentist to protect peoples' health becomes increasingly important. We set a educational goal to develop the leading dental researchers and dentists who can practice "Contribution to maintenance of systemic health from oral health" in Kyushu University School of Dentistry and Graduate School of Dentistry.

• School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

  The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences was established in April 1950 as the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences within the Faculty of Medicine. The Faculty of Medicine, however, first saw the Kuroda domain establish an educational institution for western medicine called "Sanseikan" in 1867. Based on this institution, the Meiji government created Kyoto Imperial University Fukuoka Medical College in April, 1903. After that, Kyushu Imperial University was set up in January, 1911, and Kyoto Imperial University Fukuoka Medical College became Kyushu Imperial University Medical College in April of that year. Then, the Medical College was renamed as Kyushu Imperial University Faculty of Medicine. After the Second World War, it became the Faculty of Medicine of Kyushu University in October, 1947. It is from such history that the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, within the Faculty of Medicine, was established in April, 1950. Finally, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences became independent with the addition of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. As a result, pharmaceutical students used to study with medical students in the same classroom, and the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences is now closely related in both research and education to the Faculty of Medicine. Thus, it can be said that the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences originally began from 1867.

  Since that time, the Department of General Pharmaceutical Sciences built in 1999 was reorganized into two departments in April, 2006: the Department of Medical Sciences (four-year program) and the Department of Clinical Pharmacy (six-year program).

• School of Engineering

  The Faculty of Engineering in Kyushu University is the fourth oldest faculty among Japanese universities, and was founded as the College of Engineering of Kyushu Imperial University in 1911. In 1919, the College of Engineering was reorganized as the Faculty of Engineering. In 1947, the Faculty of Engineering of Kyushu Imperial University was renamed as the Faculty of Engineering of Kyushu University. Since that time, as one of the key faculties of the leading universities in Japan, the faculty has contributed to the development of engineering, technology and industry, providing leading research and enhanced engineering education. Over the last 100 years, the faculty has produced over 43,000 graduates. 
  The Faculty of Engineering is comprised of six departments, Architecture, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Earth Resources, Marine and Civil Engineering, Energy Science and Engineering, and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, which offer a total of eleven courses, providing basic education in every engineering field.

• School of Design

  The Kyushu Institute of Design was the first university of its kind to offer a unique program to promote excellence in design education and research when it opened its doors in 1968. The Institute’s innovative mission focused on the “Humanization of Technology” to overcome the social problems, environmental pollution, and ecological damage that created health and lifestyle issues during the rapid economic expansion in Japan during the 1960s and 70s. The aim of the humanization of technology has changed to cope with technology as it has evolved over the years, but the Institute continues to provide an unparalleled curriculum, advanced facilities, and resourceful educators to foster high-level designers and producers to improve society. The Institute merged with Kyushu University, Kyushu’s largest national university in October 2003 to the benefit of both institutions.
  The School of Design and Graduate School of Design have cutting-edge facilities, a unique curriculum, and a visionary teaching staff that combines human studies, social and natural sciences, and artistic sense to foster students with extensive knowledge and the ability to enhance our world for the benefit of society and human welfare.

  When the Kyushu Institute of Design was established there were no professional designers who could imagine the essential solutions needed for the existing problems. Those professional designers coined the term “missing technician” from the hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form of man and ape as the missing link essential for society. The mission of the Institute has always been to raise students’ design awareness through trial and error and active participation in society to fill the missing technician void.

• School of Agriculture

  Kyushu University which was founded in 1911 as one of Japan’s Imperial University gave birth to the Faculty of Agriculture in 1919. Starting from a warm message from our dean, Prof. Atsushi Yoshimura, PhD, this page allows you to follow how the Faculty has grown to be a key part in agricultural studies not only in Japan but also in the world through a brief history and how the Faculty evolved to its present organization, with the recently reorganized departments, division, laboratories and faculty members.

History of Kyushu University

Founded in Fukuoka in 1911 as the 4th Imperial University, Kyushu University has established itself as a leader in education and research not just in Japan, but throughout the world. Currently, it has a total student population of 18,799, of which about 10% are international students, and its faculty boasts roughly 2,300 full-time members.

Comprehensive in its academic reach, the university has 11 undergraduate schools, 18 graduate schools and 16 faculties as well as their aliated research centers. The University celebrated its centennial in 2011.

Accreditation

• Institutional Accreditation or Recognition - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
• Year of first Accreditation - 1952
• Other Specialized or Programmatic Accreditations - Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA); National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE)

Rankings

General rankings

• The university has been ranked 8th in 2010 and 2009 in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai.
• In another ranking, Japanese prep school Kawaijuku ranked Kyusyu as the 7th best university in Japan.
• In 2011 QS World University Rankings ranked Kyushu University 122nd in the world.
• Its subject rankings were: 123rd in Engineering & IT, 170th in Life Sciences & Biomedicine, and 150th in Natural Sciences. It is also the 18th best university in Asia, according to QS Asian University rankings.

Research performance

• Kyushu is one of the top research institutions in Japan. According to Thomson Reuters, Kyushu is the 6th best research university in Japan.
• Its research excellence is especially distinctive in Materials Science (6th in Japan, 49th in the world), Chemistry (6th in Japan, 41st in the world), Biology & Biochemistry (4th in Japan, 95th in the world), Immunology (4th in Japan, 68th in the world), and Pharmacology & Toxicology (4th in Japan, 76th in the world).
• Weekly Diamond reported that Kyushu has the 16th highest research standard in Japan in terms of research funding per researchers in COE Program.In the same article, it is also ranked fifth in terms of the quality of education by GP funds per student.
• Furthermore, Nikkei Shimbun　on 2004/2/16 surveyed about the research standards in Engineering studies based on Thomson Reuters, Grants in Aid for Scientific Research and questionnaires to heads of 93 leading Japanese Research Centers, and Kyushu was placed 11th (research planning ability 10th) in this ranking.
• Kyushu University is one of Japan's National Seven Universities. Since Prof. Suzuki received the Nobel Prize in 2010, all the other Universities have alumni or professors who received a Nobel Prize, Kyushu University is only National Seven University whose alumni or staff have not won a Nobel Prize.

Graduate school rankings

• Eduniversal ranked Kyushu as 9th in the rankings of "Excellent Business Schools nationally strong and/or with continental links " in Japan.
• Kyushu has a good Law schools in Japan, as it was ranked 12th in the number of successful candidates of Japanese Bar Examination in 2009 and 15th in 2010.

Alumni rankings

• According to the Weekly Economist's 2010 rankings, graduates from Kyushu have the 53rd best employment rate in 400 major companies in Japan.
• École des Mines de Paris ranks Kyushu University as 38th in the world in 2011 in terms of the number of alumni listed among CEOs in the 500 largest worldwide companies.

Student life @Kyushu University

Services of Kyushu University

• International Student and Researcher Support Center
• Welfare Facilities(Cafeterias/Shops/Convenience Stores/Bookstores)
• Culture Café
• Athletic Facilities
• Chages for Athletic Facilities
• Meeting Facilities
• Kuju Training Center (Yamanoie)
• Kuju Joint Training Center for National Universities in Kyushu Area
• Shimabara Joint Training Center
• 21st Century Plaza

Dormitories

The dormitories at the Ito Campus are international dormitories where students from several different countries live together. A diverse mixture of students, from freshman to graduate school students (both master's and doctoral course candidates), live together in these dormitories. 
Distinguishing them from other college dormitories that feature strict rules and hierarchies, here at the Ito Campus dormitories, we respect your private life and take measures into consideration that allow you to build human relationships and interact with other diverse students. 
For that reason, we assign students who have experience living in the dormitories as dormitory leaders, so they become the nucleus of student interaction. 
These dormitory leaders will not only help you out when you first move in, but will also give you advice on everyday life, so those living on their own for the first time can do so with peace of mind.

Healthcare

• Medical Checkup
• Mental / Psychological Health Consultation
• General Health Counseling
• Hospital Referrals
• Counseling and Health Center