Kyoto University

Many awards such as Nobel Prize laureates, Fields Medalists, and recipients of Gauss Prize and Lasker Award. One of the most outstanding universities in Japan and the world.

Dean

Juichi Yamagiwa

Academic staff

1,000 - 20,000

Students

22500

Locations

Kyoto, Japan

Established

1897

Afiliations

Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Global University Leaders Forum (GULF), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto University Research Administration Office (KURA)

Address

Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

Social Media

URL

https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en

Summary

Kyoto University is a national research university located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1897 as Kyoto Imperial University, it is one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education. The university is known for its high standards of academic excellence and its contributions to scientific research.

Kyoto University is organised into 10 faculties, 18 graduate schools, and several research institutes. Its faculties include the faculties of Letters, Education, Law, Economics, Science, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, and Global Environmental Studies. Its graduate schools cover a wide range of fields including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine.

Kyoto University is particularly well-known for its research in the fields of medicine, materials science, environmental studies, and astronomy. Its research has produced several Nobel laureates, including Hideki Yukawa, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949 for his work on the theory of elementary particles.

The university has a strong international presence, with partnerships and collaborations with institutions around the world. It is also home to a large number of international students, with over 2,500 students from more than 110 countries currently enrolled.

Kyoto University is committed to promoting sustainability and social responsibility, and its research and educational programs reflect these values. It is also dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of scholars and students.

Overall, Kyoto University is a world-class institution of higher education with a long history of academic excellence and scientific achievement. Its research and educational programs continue to make important contributions to the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of society.

History

Kyoto University, one of Japan's most prestigious institutions of higher education, was founded by imperial ordinance on June 18, 1897, as the second university in Japan. Over the years, the university has undergone several significant changes, including the expansion of its faculties, the establishment of research institutes and centers, and reforms to the Japanese education system.

The university was initially composed of Colleges of Law, Medicine, Letters, and Science and Engineering. Within two years of its founding, the Colleges of Law and Medicine opened, followed by the College of Letters in 1906. In 1914, the College of Science and Engineering was divided into the College of Engineering and the College of Science, giving the university a total of five colleges.

In 1919, the Imperial University Law was enacted, and the colleges were reorganized as faculties, including Law, Medicine, Engineering, Letters, Science, and Economics. The Faculty of Agriculture was established in 1923, and a succession of research institutes attached to the university's faculties were founded together with various other establishments. These included the Institute for Chemical Research in 1926, the Institute for Research in Humanities in 1939, and the Tuberculosis Research Institute in 1941.

During the prewar and war years, the university faced several difficulties. However, with the end of the war, a liberal atmosphere was restored, and in March 1947, the School Education Law was enacted, bringing widespread reforms to the Japanese education system. In October 1947, Kyoto Imperial University was renamed Kyoto University, and in May 1949, the National School Establishment Law was enacted, leading to the reorganization of the university as a four-year instead of a three-year institution. The Faculty of Education was also established that year.

In May 1949, the Third High School was affiliated to the university and renamed the College of Liberal Arts. In April 1953, the Kyoto University graduate school system was founded to provide a more systematic postgraduate education in various disciplines. The graduate schools initially included Letters, Education, Law, Economics, Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, and Agriculture. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences was established in 1954, and the Graduate School of Medicine was founded in 1955.

In April 1960, the Faculty of Medicine was divided into two new institutions, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In October 1992, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences was reorganized as the university's 10th faculty and named the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies. In recent years, Kyoto University has increasingly emphasized graduate-level activities and has established new graduate schools to tackle emerging problems anticipated to be critical in this century, including Human and Environmental Studies, Energy Science, Asian and African Area Studies, Informatics, Biostudies, and Global Environmental Studies.

As of 2017, Kyoto University has ten faculties, eighteen graduate schools, thirteen research institutes, and twenty-two research and educational centers. The university continues to play a significant role in advancing research and education in Japan and around the world.

Courses

Kyoto University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate course programs in various fields of study. The university is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive education that promotes academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking.

Undergraduate programs at Kyoto University are offered in fields such as Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, Law, Economics, Science, Agriculture, Medicine, and Engineering. The university also offers interdisciplinary programs, such as the Global Environmental Studies program, which combines knowledge from various fields to tackle global environmental issues.

At the graduate level, Kyoto University offers Master's and Doctoral programs in many of the same fields as the undergraduate programs. Additionally, the university offers several professional degree programs, such as the Master's program in Public Policy and the MBA program in Management of Technology.

Kyoto University's course programs are known for their rigorous academic standards and challenging coursework. The university encourages students to engage in research and provides opportunities for them to work with faculty on cutting-edge research projects.

In addition to the regular academic programs, Kyoto University also offers language courses in Japanese and other foreign languages. These courses are designed to help students develop their language skills and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. Here are a few examples of courses offered at Kyoto University:

Environmental Studies (Master's Program): This program focuses on interdisciplinary research related to environmental issues such as global warming, pollution, and resource depletion. Students learn about the scientific, social, and economic aspects of these issues and develop skills to analyze and solve environmental problems.
International Relations (Undergraduate Program): This program provides students with a deep understanding of the complex relationships between nations and international organizations. Students learn about topics such as diplomacy, conflict resolution, human rights, and global governance.
Artificial Intelligence (Graduate Program): This program focuses on the theory and application of artificial intelligence. Students learn about machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics. They also have opportunities to work on research projects in collaboration with industry partners.
Japanese Studies (Undergraduate Program): This program offers courses in Japanese language, history, culture, and society. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of Japan and its role in the world.
Biomedical Engineering (Graduate Program): This program combines engineering and medicine to develop new technologies for diagnosing and treating diseases. Students learn about topics such as biomechanics, biomaterials, and medical imaging, and have opportunities to work on cutting-edge research projects.

These are just a few examples of the diverse range of courses offered at Kyoto University. Students can choose from a wide variety of programs across different disciplines, and many courses are taught in English to accommodate international students.

Global MBA rankings

Kyoto University's Global MBA program has consistently ranked highly in various MBA rankings over the years. Here are some examples:

Financial Times Global MBA Rankings: Kyoto University's Global MBA program was ranked 84th in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2021. It was also ranked 6th in Japan and 26th in Asia.
QS Global MBA Rankings: In the QS Global MBA Rankings 2021, Kyoto University's Global MBA program was ranked 59th in the world. It was also ranked 2nd in Japan and 14th in Asia.
Eduniversal Best Masters Rankings: Kyoto University's Global MBA program was ranked as a "Top Business School" in the Eduniversal Best Masters Rankings 2021. It was also ranked as the best MBA program in Japan and one of the top 50 MBA programs in the world.
Nikkei MBA Rankings: In the Nikkei MBA Rankings 2021, Kyoto University's Global MBA program was ranked 7th in Japan and 25th in Asia.

These rankings demonstrate that Kyoto University's Global MBA program is highly regarded both in Japan and globally. The program's emphasis on international business, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, combined with its focus on developing ethical and responsible leaders, has earned it a strong reputation in the business world.

Job integration rate

Kyoto University is a prestigious institution of higher education located in Kyoto, Japan. As one of the leading universities in Japan, it is known for its rigorous academic programs and its commitment to producing graduates who are well-prepared for careers in a wide range of fields.

One of the key indicators of the quality of a university's academic programs is the job integration rate of its graduates. This refers to the percentage of graduates who are able to find employment in their desired field within a certain period after graduation.

Kyoto University has a strong reputation for producing graduates who are successful in finding employment. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Japanese government in 2021, Kyoto University ranked first in the country for the employment rate of its graduates. The survey found that 99.4% of Kyoto University graduates had found employment within six months of graduation.

This high job integration rate is a testament to the quality of the academic programs offered by Kyoto University, as well as the university's focus on providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen careers. Whether students are pursuing degrees in science, engineering, the humanities, or other fields, they can be confident that they will be well-prepared for the job market upon graduation.