Overview
Established in 1897, the Kyoto University (Kyoto Daigaku) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Kyoto (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Kyoto University is a large-sized coeducational Japanese higher education institution. Kyoto University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 126-year-old Japanese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this Japanese higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Kyoto University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Geographic and contact information for Kyoto University is listed below.
Academic Details
Kyoto University's academic profile in numbers is listed below.
Academic Structures
Kyoto University's faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units are listed below.
Unit 30 items
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Integrated Human Studies
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Letters
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability
- Graduate School of Agriculture
- Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies
- Graduate School of Biostudies
- Graduate School of Economics
- Graduate School of Education
- Graduate School of Energy Science
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies
- Graduate School of Informatics
- Graduate School of Law
- Graduate School of Letters
- Graduate School of Management
- Graduate School of Medicine
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Graduate School of Science
- Law School
- School of Government
- School of Public Health
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
African Area Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Studies
Computing and Media Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
- Media Studies
Counseling (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Psychology
Cultural Heritage Studies (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
- Heritage Preservation
Ecological Research (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ecology
Field Science Education and Research (Centre) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Coastal Studies
- Ecology
- Forest Biology
- Marine Biology
Fundamental Chemistry (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemistry
Hakubi Advanced Research (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Integrated Area Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
Kokoro Research (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Kyoto University Archives (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Archiving
Kyoto University Research Administration Office (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Administration
Low Temperature and Materials Science (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Heating and Refrigeration
- Materials Engineering
Promotion of Excellence in Higher Education (Centre) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Curriculum
- Educational Research
- Higher Education
Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
Radiation Biology (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
The Kyoto University Museum (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Museum Studies
Wildlife Research (Centre) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cognitive Sciences
- Wildlife
- Zoology
Women Researchers (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Women's Studies
Agriculture (Faculty) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agriculture
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Forestry
- Natural Resources
Economics (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Social Sciences
Education (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Sciences
Engineering (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Industrial Chemistry
- Mathematics
Integrated Human Studies (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Cognitive Sciences
- Cultural Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Information Sciences
- Natural Sciences
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Letters (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Asian Studies
- Behavioural Sciences
- Cultural Studies
- History
- Philosophy
- Social Sciences
- Western European Studies
Medicine (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
Pharmaceutical Sciences (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
Science (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability (Graduate School) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Agriculture (Graduate School) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agricultural Economics
- Agriculture
- Agronomy
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Forestry
- Horticulture
- Natural Resources
Asian and African Area Studies (Graduate School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- African Studies
- International Studies
- Southeast Asian Studies
Biostudies (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
Economics (Graduate School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Social Sciences
Education (Graduate School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Educational Sciences
Energy Science (Graduate School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Studies
Engineering (Graduate School) 19 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Applied Chemistry
- Architecture
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Molecular Biology
- Natural Resources
- Nuclear Engineering
- Polymer and Plastics Technology
- Structural Architecture
- Town Planning
Global Environmental Studies (Graduate School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ecology
- Environmental Engineering
- Natural Resources
Government (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Government
Human and Environmental Studies (Graduate School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
- Environmental Studies
Informatics (Graduate School) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Systems Analysis
- Telecommunications Engineering
Law (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Letters (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Asian Studies
- Behavioural Sciences
- Cultural Studies
- History
- Philosophy
- Western European Studies
Management (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Management
Medicine (Graduate School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
Pharmaceutical Sciences (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedicine
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Genetics
- Pharmacy
Public Health (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Public Health
Science (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
Agency for Health, Safety and Environment (Group) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
- Health Sciences
- Safety Engineering
Kyoto University Library Network (Group) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Library Science
Organization for the Promotion of International Relations (Group) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Relations and Diplomacy
Society-Academia Collaboration for Innovation (Group) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Information Management and Communication (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
- Information Management
Promotion of Excellence in Higher Education (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Higher Education
Advanced Energy (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Energy Engineering
Chemical Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemistry
Disaster Prevention Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Safety Engineering
Economic Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
Frontier Medical Sciences (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Humanities (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cell Biology
- Materials Engineering
iPS Cell Research and Application (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cell Biology
Mathematical Sciences (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mathematics
Primate Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Zoology
Research Reactor (Research Division) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nuclear Physics
- Safety Engineering
Southeast Asian Studies (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Southeast Asian Studies
Sustainable Humanosphere (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Natural Sciences
Theoretical Physics (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physics
Virus (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Virology
Central Administration (Unit) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Administration
Programs Offered
Search and filter Kyoto University's available programmes by degree level.
28 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Japan
Bachelor's Degree 10 programmes
Master's Degree 14 programmes
Showing 10 of 14.
Doctorate 3 programmes
Professional Doctorate 1 programme
How to apply to Kyoto University
The application path for Kyoto University, in five steps.
-
1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Use the programme finder to browse Kyoto University's 28 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Programme-level requirements at Kyoto University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
-
3
Assemble your application package
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
-
4
Submit your application
Kyoto University processes applications through www.kyoto-u.ac.jp. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +81 (75) 753 7531. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kyoto University
Quick answers to common questions about Kyoto University.
How old is Kyoto University?
The institution opened in 1897 (approximately 129 years ago).
Where can I find Kyoto University?
The institution is located in Kyoto, Japan.
Is Kyoto University public or private?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How many students does Kyoto University have?
The institution has a student body of 20,000-24,999.
What is Kyoto University's ranking?
Kyoto University is ranked QS 2027 #64.
How many faculties does Kyoto University have?
Kyoto University is organised into 30 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Kyoto University officially recognised?
Yes, Kyoto University is recognised by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Where can I learn more about Kyoto University?
The institution's website is www.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Members of Open Education Consortium (OEC)
Members of Open Education Consortium (OEC), alongside Kyoto University.
Faculties at nearby universities
Universities located near Kyoto University are listed below.
Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
These universities in Japan also offer Humanities & Cultural Studies programmes, alongside Kyoto University.
Universities Compared with Kyoto University
These universities are of a comparable scale to Kyoto University.
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