Japan: Akita International University
Thought of as the top international studies university in Japan, Akita offers English taught courses in Japan Studies, Japanese Language, Basic Education, Global Business or Global Studies. Akita boasts a state-of-the-art sports facility in conjunction to owning easy access to the areas hiking trails, golf courses, and shopping malls. As a leading Liberal Arts University in Japan, Akita places emphasis on a well-rounded humanities education.
Dates & Deadlines
Term: Spring 2024
App Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2023
Program Dates: Monday, April 1 to Friday, July 26, 2024
Term: Summer 2024
App Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2023
Program Dates: Monday, June 17 to Saturday, July 26, 2024 (tentative)
Location
AIU is located in Akita city (population about 313,000), the capital of Akita prefecture (population about 1,010,000), an ideally-sized city to provide the opportunity to get immersed in the friendly, local culture while also offering convenient access to international goods and services.
A state-of-the-art sports facility, hiking, cycling, golf courses, and a large shopping mall, are all in the vicinity of our campus. The university organizes various events, activities, and field trips providing students with hands-on experience in Japanese culture.
Akita prefecture is known for its natural beauty and resources. The university is located close to ski areas, scenic hiking opportunities, and the Sea of Japan coastline. Akita is particularly famous in Japan for producing the country's most delicious rice and sake, as well as for the beauty of its people. The university is easily accessible from Akita International Airport, with flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Seoul, Korea.
Akita International University's exciting and rigorous academic programs offer opportunities for international students to gain vital and exploratory knowledge about Japan and the world. Akita International University offers extensive programs in Japanese Studies and Japanese Language for international students. They offer Japanese language courses at various levels to provide the most appropriate instruction for all exchange students.
For courses in English or Japanese, AIU's curriculum is divided into five categories:
- Japanese Studies courses
- Japanese Language courses
- Basic Education courses
- Global Business Program
- Global Studies Program
UNI students typically take four to five courses each semester with one class hour equaling 50 minutes.
Calculation of one credit is based on the following conditions:
a) One credit for a lecture class requires 15 class hours per semester
b) One credit for an experimental, laboratory or an activity course requires 30 class hours per semester
c) One credit for a seminar requires 15-30 class hours per semester
For info on grading scale and credit conversion please visit https://web.aiu.ac.jp/en/academic/grading-system/
Program Costs
Estimated Program Cost: $13,031*
*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors
Estimated Total Program Cost | $13,031 |
Estimated U-bill Charges | $5,265 |
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs | $7,766 |
Akita Cost Estimate Spring 2024 (PDF)
Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*
*per semester, estimated, will vary per person
Tuition & Fees | $4,864 |
Room & Board | $4,824 |
Books | $400 |
Personal Expenses | $887 |
Transportation | $350 |
Total | $11,325 |
Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/costs
Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad
The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:
- Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
- If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.
- Must be over the age of 18 years old
- Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
- Must be in good standing with the university
- UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
- Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.