Chuo University’s 2027 exchange program brings nominated students from partner institutions to Japan for undergraduate courses, graduate courses, or supervised graduate research. Participants hold non-degree status and study in the faculty or graduate school aligned with their home-university field. The university awards grades and credits for successfully completed eligible courses, while research students do not receive Chuo credits.
Study lasts one semester or one academic year and begins in April or September. Teaching takes place across Chuo’s Tokyo-area campuses, and most courses are conducted in Japanese.
Benefits & funding
- Students covered by a mutual tuition-waiver exchange agreement are generally exempt from Chuo registration and tuition fees.
- Chuo does not offer an exchange scholarship; students fund accommodation, meals, transport, insurance, and other personal costs, with living expenses estimated at JPY 50,000 per month excluding housing.
- Japanese-language courses are free of charge and carry grades and credit.
- University accommodation may be offered but is not guaranteed; published 2027 spring rent is approximately JPY 350,000–540,000 for one semester, depending on residence.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be enrolled at a Chuo partner institution and are expected to complete at least one academic year there before exchange study begins.
- The standard GPA is 2.50 or above on a 4.00 scale; a lower GPA may be considered case by case after consultation before nomination.
- Undergraduate applicants must have completed secondary education; graduate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent by application.
- Applicants choose a Chuo faculty related to their home major; program-specific Japanese-language requirements range from recommendations to mandatory JLPT N1 or N2 certification.
- Student-visa compliance requires at least six classes or more than ten research hours per week.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Ask the exchange coordinator at your home partner institution to nominate you during the applicable graduate or undergraduate nomination period.
- 2After nomination, receive application instructions and private manaba access from Chuo International Center.
- 3Complete Part 1 online and upload the required photo, passport or identity document, study plan, enrollment certificate, transcript, and route-specific documents.
- 4Complete Part 2 with the finance declaration, proof of at least JPY 100,000 per month for the full stay, and the required health documents.
- 5Finish every online step by the applicable deadline; no printed application is required.
Program timeline
Graduate Part 1 application closes and undergraduate nomination closes for spring entry.
Sep 30, 2026
Undergraduate Part 1 application opens for spring entry.
Oct 15, 2026
Undergraduate Part 1 application closes for spring entry.
Oct 31, 2026
Part 2 application closes for all spring-entry applicants.
Nov 10, 2026
Tentative fall-entry nomination period opens.
Jan 10, 2027
Graduate nomination closes for fall entry.
Feb 15, 2027
Graduate Part 1 application and undergraduate nomination close for fall entry.
Mar 15, 2027
Spring semester starts; undergraduate Part 1 application opens for fall entry.
Apr 1, 2027
Undergraduate Part 1 application closes for fall entry.
Apr 15, 2027
Part 2 application closes for all fall-entry applicants.
May 10, 2027
Tentative fall semester starts.
Sep 21, 2027