FAQs for Prospective Student Inquiries
General
Questions
Language Studies
Undergrad Students
Research Students
Exchange Students
General questions
Q: Can I get a prospectus in English?
A: We have a very comprehensive prospectus in Japanese, but only a
simple brochure in English), available here.
We try to provide all necessary information on the English website, but there
is more
available
on the Japanese pages, if you and your browser can read Japanese.
Please contact Ken Rodgers at ksuinted[at]kyoto-seika.ac.jp if you can’t
find answers to specific questions. We can mail out the Japanese prospectus
if you provide a mailing address.
Q: Does KSU have a Japanese language / culture program
in English?
A: Sorry, but no, we don’t. Try Kansai Gaidai or Kyoto Gaidai:
http://www.kansaigaidai.ac.jp/asp/
http://www.kufs.ac.jp/kufs_new/english/courses00.html
Q: What programs does KSU offer?
A: We have Faculties of Humanities, Art , Design, and Manga only.
We do not offer science, economics, or linguistics. We do
not have short (e.g. summer) programs. We do not teach Japanese language.
Q: What is KSU’s current enrollment?
A: We have approximately 4,200 students, of whom currently around
160 are from overseas. The majority of our international students are from
China,
Korea,
and Taiwan. Every year we host around 40 exchange students and research students
from the US, Europe and Australia.
Q: Where is KSU located, and how can I get there?
A: KSU is in the northern hills of Kyoto, just 30 minutes from the
city center. See our map page for access details.
More… http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/2_campus/location.htm
Q: What are KSU’s semester dates?
A: Spring: Early April — late July; Fall: Late September — mid
February (with a short break over New Year)
More… http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/1_intro/calendar.htm
Q. Can I spend a semester abroad at Seika?
A: Yes – if your
current school has a reciprocal
exchange agreement with
Seika.
Q: What’s on campus?
A: See our campus information page, campus map, and campus tour.
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/2_campus/photos.htm
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/2_campus/map.htm
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/2_campus/phototour.htm
Q:
How do I get a visa to study at KSU?
A: First, of course, you need to be accepted for enrollment by Seika.
The process involves applying for a Certificate of Visa Eligibility (CVE).
Check out our visa page for full details:
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/visa.htm
Q: Does KSU have dorm accommodation for international
students?
A: Yes, but only for single undergrad students / M.A. students in
their first year of study at Seika, and exchange students. Unfortunately we
don’t have space to offer rooms to research students, but we do assist
people to find suitable private accommodation.
More… http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/5_support/accommodation.htm
Language
Q: Are any KSU classes taught in English?
A: All our classes in KSU are taught in Japanese. It is essential
to have good fluency in Japanese to be considered for enrollment (though
we can be more flexible for exchange students, depending on the department – see
below). Most applicants (even from other Asian countries) would take at least
a year in Japanese language school (preferably in Japan) before applying
for Seika. It really depends on your present level. You will need to be able
to
speak, read and write Japanese at a level that enables you to carry out the
same studies as our Japanese students. However, you don't have to show a
certificate of Japanese Language Proficiency test.
Q Does KSU teach Japanese language as a major?
A: No. However, we do have classes for international undergrad students
to improve their expression, plus a free tutor system at the International
Office for ryugakusei, exchange and research students (available for one class
per week) for 1:1 assistance.
Q: What level of Japanese language is required for
undergrad admissions?
A: We don’t require a specific certificate level, but the language
proficiency requirement is equivalent to Level II of the Standard Japanese
Language Proficiency Test. At this level you are required to have "mastered
grammar at a relatively high level, about 1,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary
words, and to have the ability to converse, read and write about matters of
a general nature". (Approximate study period, 600 hours; level, intermediate).
Q: How strict are language requirements for exchange
students?
A: Requirements vary by department. Some have several English-speaking
teachers, others have none. In general we advise incoming exchangees to study
Japanese for at least one semester (two if possible) before arrival, to make
their lives easier both on and off campus.
B.A. (4-year undergrad) Program
Q. When are KSU’s undergrad application
deadlines?
A: The application deadline for entry in first (Spring) semester
is early November of the preceding year (for Art, Design, and Humanities),
and late October for the "Entry Test" for Manga).
Please look at the Undergraduate Admissions page for specific dates and procedures.
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/ryugaku.htm Q:
What level of Japanese language is required for undergrad admissions?
A: We don’t require a specific certificate level, but the language
proficiency requirement is equivalent to Level II of the Standard Japanese
Language Proficiency Test. At this level you are required to have "mastered
grammar at a relatively high level, about 1,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary
words, and to have the ability to converse, read and write about matters of
a general nature". (Approximate study period, 600 hours; level, intermediate).
Q. Will I have to do an exam in Japanese?
A: Yes. Entrance examinations for the Faculty of Humanities consist
of a reading / summarization test (90 minutes), a written questionaire on Japanese
language study (30 min), and an interview (in Japanese).
Entrance examinations for the Faculties of Art, Design and Manga vary
among departments, but basically consist of a written questionaire on Japanese
language study (30 min), a pencil drawing test (3 hours), and an interview,
showing and discussing (in Japanese) a portfolio of 2-3 items (photos accepted,
or VHS video if required).
Q. Where and when is the exam held?
A: In December, on campus in Kyoto. The "Entry
Test" for Manga is held in mid-November. (Details here)
Q: What is the application timeline?
A: Our application process is follows:
Faculties
of Humanities, Art, Design:
Application period closes early November
Paper screening result is announced in early December
Entrance examination is held in mid December
Results are announced
in later December
Payment of Fees must be made in mid January
Entrance Ceremony: April 1
Orientation: First week of April
First semester classes commence in second week of April
Faculty
of Manga:
Please
note that due to exceptional demand for applications,
we have a new screening system, explained here.
Q.
How much is tuition for undergrad students?
A: Faculty of Humanities first-year fees (Undergrad
/ transfer) total, including both Spring and Fall semesters: 567,600 yen (Japanese
students pay 1,266,000).
(Payment at enrollment: 283,800 yen).
Faculties of Art, Design, Manga, first year
fees (Undergrad / transfer) total, including both Spring and Fall semesters:
812,200 yen. (Japanese students pay 1,696,000 yen).
(Payment at enrollment, 406,100 yen).
Fees from second year, in the Faculty of Humanities (Undergrad / transfer):
572,600 yen (annual total), and in the Faculty of Art (Undergrad / transfer):
807,200 yen (annual total).
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/ryugaku.htm
Q. Can I get financial aid?
A. Sorry, we don’t provide loans, or scholarships for first-year
students. We do offer some benefits such as waiving the application fee, and
providing cheap dorm accommodation and very economical meals at the cafeteria.
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/5_support/aid.htm
Q. Are foreign students allowed to work?
A: Students can work up to 20 hours per week on a student visa, but
are not allowed to work in bars or other "nightlife" employment.
This office does not locate jobs for students but there is an employment noticeboard
on campus for part-time work.
Q: I wanna be a mangaka! How can I get enrolled
in Comic Art?
A: First, study Japanese language! Also, develop an original portfolio — the
selection committee is not interested in manga style look-alikes. They want
to see your potential for development of your own ideas. Check
out the advice pages:
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/3_art/comic/comic_advice.htm
A LOT of people want to study here, and we have only a limited number
of places for overseas students. Applicants from kanji (Chinese character)-based
cultures have a big advantage, naturally.
Q: Can I take courses simultaneously
in different departments in Art or Design?
A: Sorry, all Seika Departments are virtually autonomous. There is
a crossover semester between Ceramics and Sculpture, and there is some overlap
between
Textiles' fiber art and papermaking (in Printmaking) but that's all. Students
apply for a specific Department when they do their entrance exams, and there
is no
transfer
system.
Research Students
(Kenkyusei)
Q: How do I
become a research student?
A: This may be difficult. As
of this academic year, 2009-10, many of our faculty members are unable to take
on additional supervisory responsibilities, as in the case of research students. More
information here:
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/kenkyu.htm
Q:
How strict are language requirements for research students?
A: The basic language proficiency requirement for research students
is Level III of the Standard Japanese Language Proficiency Test organized by
Japan
Educational
Exchanges and Services (JEES) in Japan (and by the Japan Foundation outside
Japan), which is offered in December. This requires mastery of "basic
grammar, about 300 kanji and 1,500 vocabulary words, and to have the ability
to take part in everyday
conversation and to read and write simple sentences" (300 hours of study;
level, elementary). Higher fluency may be required in some areas, especially
in the Faculty of Humanities.
Q:
Can I take courses simultaneously
in different departments in Art or Design?
A: Sorry, most departments are autonomous. There is a crossover semester
between Ceramics and Sculpture, possible cooperation between Printmaking
(papermaking) and Textiles (fiber art), and close relations between Graphic
Design, Illustration and Digital Creation, but that's about all. Our students
apply
for a specific
department
when they
do
their
entrance
exams,
and there
is no
transfer
system.In
the same way, research students are accepted by a specific department, which
provides their working space, and they are expected to work within that department.
Q. What are KSU’s research application
deadlines?
A: For Spring semester: November 30; for Fall semester, May
31st.
Q: How much is tuition for research students?
A: KSU current overseas Research Students' tuition fees are as follows:
Faculty of Art: 282,500 yen per semester; Faculty of Humanities: 211,000
yen per semester.
Q: Are there any scholarships available for research students?
A: Two types of Japanese Ministry of Education (Monbukagakusho,
or Monkasho) MEXT scholarships are available, on a strictly limited basis.
The first type is occasionally available only to graduates of the schools
that we have current exchange agreements with. At
present however this scholarship is fully allocated and therefore not
available (as of 2010).
See sidebar http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/5_support/aid.htm
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/kenkyu.htm
The second type is the regular Monkasho scholarship, made available
through application to the Japanese Embassy in the applicant's home country.
We
receive many inquiries about this scholarship, but most are received
too late to be successful. Even if an applicant
passes the first screening for the scholarship, and is directed by
the Monkasho to obtain a letter of acceptance from an institution
in Japan, KSU cannot process such a request unless the student has already
made a formal application to study here as a research student, submitting
the necessary portfolio and statement of purpose, for due consideration
by faculty according to our entrance regulations.
If you are seriously interested in studying at Seika as a research student
on a Monkasho scholarship you are therefore advised to make your formal
application to Seika in advance of notification of the Monkasho screening
result, advising us of your intention to also apply for the scholarship
(as this will delay your enrollment). The deadline for Seika's applications
in this case is May 31st.
If KSU accepts your application, and the Monkasho scholarship is awarded,
you will begin your studies in Japan in April
of the following year,
with one semester of intensive Japanese language studies at the very prestigious
Kyoto University (a national
university)
and then enroll at KSU from that September, for a total period
of three further semesters. If your Japanese language level is high enough,
it is possible to waive the Japanese class, and begin at Seika in April,
for a total duration of two years here.
Q:
Does KSU provide accommodation for research
students?
A: Sorry, our dorms are only available to first-year ryugakusei,
and
exchange students. We can assist you to find a room or apartment on arrival.
Exchange
Q: I’m enrolled in an undergrad
program, and I want to do a semester (or year) abroad. Can
I join a KSU course?
A: Sorry, but if your school doesn’t have a current reciprocal
exchange agreement with Seika we can’t help you. Currently we accept
exchange students only from the following institutions:
In Humanities: Chiang Mai University in Thailand; Cornell
College in Iowa; USA, Daegu University,
in Seoul, Korea; Bard College in upstate New York.
In Art/Design/Manga: ANU School of Art in Canberra, Australia;
University of Michigan School of Art & Design, AnnArbor, USA; Southern
California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Los Angeles USA; Rhode Island
School
of Design
(RISD)
in Providence
USA;
Glasgow
School
of Art
in the UK; Hong Ik University in Seoul, Korea; Turku Polytechnic in Finland;
Cooper Union, New York, USA; California College of the Arts in San Francisco,
USA; The University of Art & Design, Helsinki in Finland; Kassel School
of Arts & Design, Germany; Gerrit Rietveld Academy and Utrecht School
of the Arts, Holland; Edinburgh College of Art, U.K.;
Bard
College in upstate New York, L'Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique,
France; L'Ecole
Speciale d'Architecture, Paris, France, and Ecole
Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture
Paris Malaquais, Paris, France
For
the full story on exchange, go to:
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/kokan.htm
Q: I’m
from a school that has an exchange agreement
with KSU. What is the procedure that I need
to follow to get accepted?
A: Check out this page for full details.
http://www.kyoto-seika.ac.jp/eng/6_admissions/process.htm
Q.
What are KSU’s exchange application deadlines?
A: For Spring semester: November 15th; for Fall semester, April 15th.
Q: Do I have to pay any fees on exchange at KSU?
A: Exchange students pay tuition fees only to their home institution.
Art students may be required to pay a materials fee (e.g. for clay in ceramics),
or to provide their own studio materials (e.g. our Printmaking Department provides
inks but students buy their own paper and printing plates etc.)
Q:
How strict are language requirements for exchange students?
A: Requirements vary by department. Some have several English-speaking
teachers, others have none. In general we advise incoming exchangees to study
Japanese for at least one semester (two if possible) before arrival, to make
their lives easier both on and off campus – and to make their time here more
valuable.
Q:
Can I take classes in
different departments while I'm on exchange at Seika?
A: Sorry, most departments are autonomous. There is a crossover semester
between Ceramics and Sculpture, possible cooperation between Printmaking (papermaking)
and Textiles (fiber art), and close relations between Graphic Design, Illustration
and Digital Creation, but that's about all. Our students apply for a specific
department when they do their entrance exams, and there is no transfer system.In
the same way, exchange students are accepted by a specific department, which
provides their working space, and they are expected to select classes within
that
department.
More
detailed FAQs on incoming exchange here
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