Japanese A2 required!

Dokkyo University is located in Soka, Saitama, a suburban town situated in the Greater Tokyo area. The name “Dokkyo" is a coinage derived from the Japanese words “Doitsu-gaku" (German studies) and “Kyokai" (association). Founded in 1883 as an independent institute dedicated to studying the German language and culture, Dokkyo played a pioneering role in Japan's modernization through Western models

• all exchange students must enroll in the university's Japanese language program (comprehensive program divided into six levels, from upper elementary to advanced)
• students of all Japanese levels may take regular undergraduate courses (after approval of course instructors)
• Basic Japanese (A2 / JLPT N5*) is a prerequisite to join the program (absolute beginners may not apply)

Exchange students are required to live in off-campus university housing. They share 3 bedroom apartment with two other students.

 *It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (JLPT), the language certificate issued by the department of Japanese Studies is sufficient.

Doshisha University, one of the oldest private institutions of higher learning in Japan, is said to be one of the most prestigious universities in Japan today. Students of Goethe University can apply to study at Doshisha University for the Japanese Language and Culture module (Nichibun) or the Global Education Module (GME) at the Center of Global Education and Japanese Studies for one semester:

Japanese Language and Culture Module (Nichibun): 

• good knowledge of Japanese required! (at least one year's experience of Japanese language study at college level prior to enrollment at Doshisha University) 
• for students of Japanese Studies and other majors related to Japan with good knowledge of Japanese 
• a variety of attractive subjects for international students studying at Doshisha University, including Japanese language classes, lecture courses in Japanese Studies and International Studies as well as classes on economy, world history and journalism 
• classes are held in Japanese and English 
• only undergraduate classes are offered which may also be taken by graduate students (transfer of credits must be confirmed by home institute/department) 
• exchange students enrolled for the Japanese Language and Culture module may also take classes of the Global Education Module (see below) 

Global Education Module: 

• English B2 required!
• for students of other majors interested in Japan with no or little knowledge of Japanese 
• liberal arts courses taught solely in English to international students and Japanese students to study together and foster a better understanding of Japan in a global context. This Module's curriculum is designed to provide in-depth learning opportunities in a wide range of academic fields ranging from the humanities and social sciences to the natural and human sciences. 
• exchange students may take Japanese language classes 
• exchange students enrolled for the Global Education Module may also enroll in courses offered by The Institute for the Liberal Arts (ILA) after consideration (requests to register for ILA courses may not always be granted as many ILA courses have limited space for enrollment)
• GEM students are also permitted to enroll in some courses offered by Japanese Language and Culture Module (Nichibun) in accordance with their Japanese proficiency

Hitotsubashi University requires an average grade of 2,3 at the time of the application (GPA 2,7 on a scale to 4). 

Exchange students may study at the following faculties/schools at Hitotsubashi University:

• Undergraduate: Commerce and Management, Economics, Law, Social Sciences and Social Data Science
• Graduate: Hitotsubashi University Business School (HUB), Graduate School of Economics, Graduate School of Law, Graduate School of Social Sciences, Graduate School of Language and Society, Graduate School of Social Data Science and School of International and Public Policy 
• AND they may take Japanese classes on several levels. 
• English or Japanese B2 required

"Hitotsubashi University was founded in 1875 as the first business school in Japan, with the mission of nurturing the “Captains of Industry" essential for the nation's rapid modernization and development. Over the years, it has gradually expanded the scope of its research and teaching to cover all fields of the social sciences, and today enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the top research universities in Japan. In 2019, it was accredited as one of the few outstanding Designated National Universities – the only one specializing in the social sciences.

Hitotsubashi has long placed seminars at the core of its curricula. While lectures feature prominently in Japanese tertiary education, all Hitotsubashi students are required to participate in small-group seminars as well. Such a system not only cultivates their individual abilities and personalities, but also provides them with the opportunity to develop close and often lifelong relationships with their fellow students and supervising professors. The seminars also facilitate a high level of study and research and underpin the creative and liberal character for which the University is famous."

Sophia University requires exchange students to have an average grade of 2.0 (GPA of 2.0 on a scale to 4.0). 

MA students in their 1st semester: Grades received at Goethe University are required from nominated students at time of application at Sophia University (April). If you will not be able submit grades received from Goethe University by April (average at least 2,0), please do not apply. Sophia University will not make any exceptions.

Sophia University is located in western Tokyo, just a 5-minute train ride from Shinjuku. Sophia University has around 15,000 students, of whom approximately 1,500-2,000 come from 80 different countries.

Exchange students at Sophia University have two options:

German-Japanese exchange program:

• undergraduate only
• Japanese language proficiency at least A2

Regular exchange:

• undergraduate/graduate
• GPA 3.0/4.0 (German grade 2,0) 
• language requirements (English/Japanese) see here

Sophia University offers exchange students:

• English-taught from various faculties: 
  • undergraduate: Faculty of Liberal Arts und Faculty of Science and Technology; 
  • graduate: Global Studies, Global Environmental Studies and Green Science and Engineering 
• Japanese-taught courses: undergraduate/ graduate
• A wide selection of Japanese language courses (regular track, intensive track, specialized Japanese courses)
• Direct intercultural exchange with the Faculty of Foreign Studies: Japanese students studying German and German exchange students learn and study together in intercultural courses. Students studying German as a foreign language or similar can gain experience teaching German to non-native speakers. Upon request, there is also the possibility of completing a teaching internship.

Restrictions on course selection: “FLA core programs, FST laboratory classes, foreign language courses (except Japanese language), seminars, and Studies in Christian Humanism courses are NOT open to exchange students."

The University of Osaka offers international exchange students a variety of study abroad options:

iExPO (Immersion Exchange Program Osaka):

• high level of fluency in Japanese (JLPT N1 or N2) required depending on the classes they would like to take 
• undergraduate and graduate classes from various courses and departments at Osaka University 
• or research under the guidance of teachers 
• JLPT N1 or N2 is required with application (only very few test dates and locations in Germany per year!)  
• More information about iExpo here

OUSSEP (Osaka University Short-Term Student Exchange Program):

• program (1-2 semester) designed for students in the 3rd or 4th year 
• special academic lectures taught in English called "International Exchange Subjects"  
• no Japanese required
• Language requirement: equivalent to Toefl 80 or IELTS 6.0*
• More information about OUSSEP here

Maple (two semesters):

• Applicants should be Japanese Studies majors or have an explicit academic connection to Japan.
• designed to help students from overseas improve their Japanese language skills, enhance their knowledge of Japanese culture and society, and assist them in advancing towards their respective academic goals
• Language requirement: equivalent to JLPT-N4*
• More information about Maple  here

FrontierLab:  

• created for international students to conduct advanced thematic studies and achieve results under the guidance of teachers and acquire skills necessary for continuing research
• for students of natural sciences  
• participants study mainly research themes provided by the laboratory
• participants may also take international exchange subjects and Japanese language courses and other related subjects 
• undergraduate students: one or two semesters
• graduate students: three to twelve months (starting date in April or September)
• Language requirement: equivalent to Toefl 80 / IELTS 6.0 (English) or  JLPT-N2 (Japanese)*
• More information about the program here und here (pdf).

 *It is NOT necessary to take the official language tests (Toefl / IELTS / JLPT), the given language requirements only serve as an orientation (except for iExpo: JLPT N1/N2 is required); Summary of Linguistic Competence for JLPT levels

• Japanese and/or English B2 required (language certificate issued by a lecturer is sufficient)
• Regardless of the year of study at the home institution (i.e. undergraduate or postgraduate), all the incoming exchange students will be technically (on paper) placed as the second year of each school's undergraduate program. 
• Exchange students may take classes taught in Japanese and/or English. 
• Exchange students may take classes at the
  
  • School of International Liberal Arts
  • School of Economics and Business Administration 
  • School of Science 
  • School of Data Science
• Japanese language classes are available on all levels.