Study Abroad
Through Nagoya Zokei University’s International Student Exchange Program, students can spend one semester at one of our partner institutions to broaden their perspectives and experience different cultures. Likewise, we welcome students from our international partners at our campus so that they can discover Japan while exploring their creativity.
Partnership Schools (2025-2026)
Incoming Students
Students enrolled at one of our partner universities can apply to spend a semester at Nagoya Zokei University.
Curriculum
Exchange students studying at Nagoya Zokei University during the 2026–2027 academic year will take part in a customized program that will allow them to discover Japanese art, design and culture from the perspective of their own specialized field. This curriculum is centered on fieldwork, taking advantage of Nagoya's convenient location.
Completing one semester as an exchange student will require a total workload of 650 to 850 hours. These hours include class time, study, work on your creative projects and field trips. Each partner institution will decide how many credits this corresponds to.
Completing one semester as an exchange student will require a total workload of 650 to 850 hours. These hours include class time, study, work on your creative projects and field trips. Each partner institution will decide how many credits this corresponds to.
The exchange program’s curriculum is divided in four areas.
1. Specialized Studio Practice
In this required class, students will work on a project from their own specialized field. The details of each project will vary depending on the field, but they will be expected to produce a work, or a collection of works, inspired by their experiences in Japan.
Participants must chose from one of the following fields:
Participants must chose from one of the following fields:
- Fine art / contemporary art
- Japanese painting
- Architecture
- Product design / lifestyle design
- Digital media
2. Language and Theory
Exchange students must take a single required theory class, taught in English, that will give them cultural perspectives on their experiences in Japan. Furthermore, students must also take an introductory class in spoken Japanese. Students who are already fluent in Japanese may take an advanced Japanese language class instead.
3. Elective Studio Practice
Students may take one or two elective studio practice classes. Unlike the required studio practice, these are introductory-level classes meant to expand students’ skill sets and perspectives. Classes open to exchange students in 2026–2027 are:
- Japanese painting
- Ceramics
- Character design and illustration
- Manga storyboarding
- Sketching
- Figure drawing
- Still-life drawing
- Photography
4. Fieldwork
Exchange students will participate in several fieldwork trips. We are planning seven or eight visits for the next academic year. Four of these are day trips that will be taken on weekends. The other three fieldworks will be more intensive explorations of contrasting areas outside Nagoya.
The hours given here represent total study workloads over the entire semester.
Language of Instruction
Regular classes at Nagoya Zokei University are taught in Japanese. However, the exchange curriculum outlined above will allow students to study primarily in English. There will be courses conducted entirely in English, as well as selected Japanese-taught courses that provide additional support so non-speakers can follow along.
Of course, some knowledge of Japanese is always useful. Exchange students who hold an N2 or N1 qualification on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) may also register for regular Japanese-taught classes to earn extra credits.
Of course, some knowledge of Japanese is always useful. Exchange students who hold an N2 or N1 qualification on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) may also register for regular Japanese-taught classes to earn extra credits.
Academic Calendar
Exchange students may only stay for a single semester:
Spring: Early April to late July / early August.
Fall: Mid-September to early January.
Precise dates for the 2026–2027 academic year are yet to be determined. This page will be updated when they are.
Spring: Early April to late July / early August.
Fall: Mid-September to early January.
Precise dates for the 2026–2027 academic year are yet to be determined. This page will be updated when they are.
Tuition
Exchange students do not need to pay any tuition to Nagoya Zokei University. Instead, tuition is paid to home institutions. Students are expected to pay for some required art supplies and textbooks, as well as some of the expenses incurred during field trips, such as meals.
Accomodation
Nagoya Zokei University can provide exchange students with off-campus lodging. They should expect to pay approximately ¥60,000 to ¥80,000 per month for rent, including utilities and internet.
Insurance
Exchange students must register for the National Health Insurance which covers 70% of medical costs.
Applications
In order to participate in the exchange program at Nagoya Zokei University, students must be nominated by their home institutions.
Since places are limited, we cannot guarantee that all students who have been nominated will be accepted in the program. For the 2026-2027 academic year, we will accept up to 5 exchange students per semester, from all our partner institutions.
Along with their official nomination, applicants must also submit a portfolio and fill out our Exchange Student Application Form.
Since places are limited, we cannot guarantee that all students who have been nominated will be accepted in the program. For the 2026-2027 academic year, we will accept up to 5 exchange students per semester, from all our partner institutions.
Along with their official nomination, applicants must also submit a portfolio and fill out our Exchange Student Application Form.
Important Dates
Spring 2026
October 6th 2025 : Nomination, porftfolio and application form submission deadline.
October 31st 2025 : Results annoucement.
October 31st 2025 : Results annoucement.
Fall 2026–2027
April 27th 2026 : Nomination, porftfolio and application form submission deadline.
May 15th 2026 : Results annoucement.
May 15th 2026 : Results annoucement.
Contact Information
Nagoya Zokei University International Exchange Center
| Address | 2-4-1 Meijo, Kita-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan 462-8545 |
| international@nzu.ac.jp |