Kyoto Seika University’s new Graduate Schools offer an exceptional diversity of study opportunities, integrating selections from all four Schools: Art, Design, Manga and Humanities.

Previously, KSU's graduate programs under Art and Humanities were quite independent, with no opportunities for cross-disciplinary studies.

Commencing in April 2010, however, all students in our four Graduate Schools will be able to select widely from our two new Schools, Design and Manga, in addition to Art and Humanities, allowing fusion of an exceptional diversity of study themes. This is a key distinguishing feature of our new Graduate School program.

Features of New Curriculum
In the new Graduate School curriculum, each School has its own special lectures, but students can select outside their major study theme, according to their particular interests, in addition to taking specialized research subjects.

KSU has also set up core subjects that can be shared across Schools: For example, in hyougen tokuron (Special Lectures on Expression) students learn the basic philosophy of expression; in chiteki souzou tokuron (Special Lectures on Knowledge-Building/Intellectual Creativity) they learn about the process of creative expression to stimulate imagination in various ways; in project kikaku enshu (Project Planning Seminar) they acquire the ability to plan and run a project in society; in project work enshu (Project Work Seminar) they collaborate with an off-campus organization to carry out a practice-based project. Together with various other classroom programs students build essential skills for higher academic learning.

Number of students to be accepted in the Graduate Schools' annual intake



Admissions Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from graduates with a sufficiently high level of technical skill, where required. It is however not essential to have previously majored in the intended field of interest.

Since all classes are taught in Japanese, a high level of Japanese language proficiency is essential (see sidebar).

Please refer to our Japanese language website for full details of KSU's new Graduate School options.

If you wish to make further inquiries or confirm the availability of a suitable course, contact KSU’s Office of Academic Affairs (Kyomu-ka) in Japanese at kyomou[at] kyoto-seika.ac.jp (or fax, +81 75 722 0838).

Program Outlines in English: Art | Design | Manga | Humanities
More Information in Japanese: Art | Design | Manga | Humanities

 
 

Admission is by examination and interview.

Entrance Process for Humanities

Applicants may sit for either of two separate entrance examinations.

The first examination application period is in mid-September, the exam is held in late September, with results posted early October, and fees to be paid by mid-October

The second examination application period is in January, the exam is held in early Feb., with results posted at the end of the month, and fees to be paid in early March

Entrance Process for Art, Design, and Manga

The application period is from mid Oct. to early Nov. Examinations are held in late November. Requirements mostly involve interview, assessment of portfolio, and a written essay (in Japanese or English).

Application periods for 2010 Enrollments:

Art, Design: Oct 23-Nov. 6, 2009
Examination date: Nov. 24
Manga: Jan 5-22, 2010
Examination date: Feb. 6
Humanities: Jan 5-22, 2010
Examination date: Feb. 6

The period of study is normally two years, with successful completion resulting in award of an M.A.

Enrollment is from first (Spring) semester, e.g. beginning of April.

Japanese Language Proficiency

Applicants are basically required to have reached the equivalent of Level 1 of the 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. (See comprehensive description here at Wikipedia).

Level 1 requires mastery of grammar at a high level, about 2000 kanji and 10,000 vocabulary words, and an integrated command of the language sufficient for life in Japanese society (approx. 900 hours of study).