Nagasaki University
As the first (and for many years, the only) port of Japan open to the world, Nagasaki has a long history of welcoming those from abroad, with its multicultural heritage woven into daily life.
WaKaRan 和華蘭 cuisine reflects Nagasaki’s unique flavour of multiculturalism in Japan, from “wa” for Japanese, “Ra” for Chinese, and “Ran” for European - it is a distinctive local cuisine demonstrating the diversity of the city.
Often thought of as the “San Francisco of Japan” with tram lines and slope elevators, you can take in the views from Insasa-yama, visit Nagasaki Chinatown, or Glover Gardens as well as the atomic bomb museum and peace park. Spend a weekend in Beppu, a famous hot spring resort on the Northeast coast of Kyushu or head down to Kagoshima, where you can try a volcanic sand bath. Founded by a Dutch doctor as one of the first western style medical schools in 1857, Nagasaki University in its modern incarnation was re-established in 1949 and today is home to over 9000 students.
Key information
Student experience
International students share their experience studying at Nagasaki University
Program details
Areas of Study: students can select from the following programs for a semester or academic year exchange (See the Liaison Centre for International Education's website for more information on the two programs below):
Nagasaki University's Japanese Language & Culture Program (JLCP) is available to Japanese majors/minors who have achieved an N3 level or above in Japanese before the start of the program. Proof of Japanese Language Proficiency Test required.
Nagasaki University's Student Exchange Program is open for the following fields:
- The School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences has four programs: Global Society, Social Dynamics, Culture and Communication and Dutch Studies. They have the most courses taught in English.
- The Faculty of Economics also offers some courses in English - check the last column for language of instruction.
- Other faculties teach in Japanese and students who meet the language requirement may apply. The exchange handbook lists the requirement by faculty. Most require N2 level of Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Course requirements:
4 Japanese credits = 1 UCalgary Half-course equivalent (3 units). Minimum/Maximum courseload is set by faculty at Nagasaki.
Nagasaki University has two semesters, Spring (First Semester) and Fall (Second Semester).
- Spring (First) Semester runs from early April to mid-August*
- Fall (Second) Semester runs from late September to mid-February*.
*The administrative dates run from early April - late September and late September - late February, but these dates include the summer break and the spring break. Quarters are also mentioned in their Quarter System, in case students are taking classes by Quarter.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
Nagasaki University provides the following cost of living estimates:
Rent: 12,500 -22,000 JPY/month,
7500 - 15,000 room restoration fee,
Utilities (electricity, gas, water: actual cost) 4,000 to 8,000 JPY/month,
Restaurant: 600 – 1,000 JPY(lunch)Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange?
Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Most exchange students will live in Nagasaki International House, located less than 15 min walk from Bunkyo Campus. The live-in tutors are students who can advise new international students on daily life in Japan. More information of prices and living arrangements is in the accommodation section of the guidebook.
There is also the opportunity to rent privately, and the International Liaison center can give you more information about the requirements for them to act as a guarantor for you.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level before departure, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Language requirement for students planning to study in Japanese is N3 or equivalent. The exchange handbook lists the requirement by faculty.
For those seeking only English-taught courses, we still recommend having JPNS 205 completed (or equivalent) before you leave for your exchange. See the FAQ section below for more info.
Nagasaki requires one reference letter. This is NOT collected during your initial application to UCalgary. In the new year, after your application to UCalgary has been approved, we will send you instructions for the reference. Please do not approach your professor for a reference until after you have received the instructions from our office.
Important Visa Information: Japanese citizens/students with a Japanese passport are not eligible for this exchange partner.
Do I have to speak Japanese?
At least a basic understanding at minimum - for courses taught in English it may not be required, but in daily life it can be difficult to navigate without a basic understanding of Japanese. So for programs taught fully in English, a minimum of Japanese 205 is recommended. For requirements by Faculty, please consult the exchange handbook.
How can I learn or improve my Japanese?
For advanced learners, the JLCP program offers an excellent opportunity to advance your Japanese knowledge. Additionally, there are options to take Japanese language courses through the School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences as a part of the Student Exchange Program option.
What's special about Nagasaki?
Nagasaki University is one of the oldest national universities in Japan and has over 120 activity clubs, including cultural associations and sport associations. The university also reflects the intercultural history unique to Nagasaki - starting as a small fishing village and expanding to an international trading port following the first Portuguese explorer contact in 1543, Nagasaki opened its doors to Dutch and Portuguese merchants. The international hub created by this trading port led to the creation of Nagasaki university as we know it today. Dutch surgeon Pompe van Meerdervoort's medical lectures in 1857 gave rise to the formation of the university which added to the multicultural character of Nagasaki in juxtaposition to the national isolation of Japan.
You'll see this history reflected in pockets of unique Dutch colonial houses in Nagasaki - the Huis Ten Bosch village on Omura Bay was modelled after medieval Dutch homes (including canals and brick Dutch-style homes). The Huis Ten Bosch theme park also continues this theme, with the slightly less Dutch addition of the world's first robot-staffed hotel, where a multi-lingual dinosaur robot will check you in! Japanese-Dutch relations have their origins in Nagasaki as Dejima in Nagasaki was the sole place of trade for Dutch traders in Japan during the Edo period.
The city of Nagasaki offers diverse experiences, from natural excursions, urban nightlife, historical sites, and beaches for weekend leisure. It also has been recognized as having one of the "New Three Great Night Views of the World", so make sure to take the glass cable car up to Mount Inasa for 10 million dollar views at sunset. For a more unusual adventure, check out the fruity bus stops in nearby coastal Konagai!
Nagasaki has an enviable climate, with dry, light snow and an average temp of 8 degrees in winter, a gorgeous and temperate spring full of flower blossoms, and a warm, humid summer with temps ranging between 25-32 degrees. Each fall, the average temperature ranges around 20 degrees and ushers in the Kunchi festival in October, a popular celebration in Nagasaki that has taken place for over 400 years!
What resources are available for exchange students?
Nagasaki University has a tutor program. With your residence card, there are several museums you can access for free.
What supports or services are available at Nagasaki?
The Student Accessibility Office is able to support students with disabilities.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Veronica V. Cardoso
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains instructions to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We strongly recommend applying to your top three programs, as placement may be competitive. Your applications will be assessed in the order that you rank (first, second, third choice).
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary, so check each program web page and make sure you're aware of any differences! Pay attention to the eligibility requirements and whether supporting documents are needed.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that are not found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, accessibility issues, or demands on the physical and mental self, which may challenge you when away from your usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative to evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual condition against the rigours of your desired global program. If you are unsure whether this program is a good fit for you, or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment and participation, please contact us. Our global experience advisors are happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arranging any supports necessary for your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your global experience advisor to ensure that the program you are seeking can support your needs. Additional considerations can be found on our Identities Abroad resources.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.