1. Completion requirements
Students who meet the following requirements will be issued a Certificate of Completion.
A minimum of 14 credits must be earned per semester, including at least 10 credits from the ‘International Exchange Subjects’ category.
Please note that full-year students will be issued a single certificate upon completion of their second semester, provided they have successfully met the requirements for both semesters.
2. Subjects overview
All OUSSEP courses are taught in English and are divided into two categories: International Exchange Subjects and Non-International Exchange Subjects. Students must register for between 14 and 18 credits per semester, at least 10 of which must be selected from International Exchange Subjects.
Since all courses are electives, there are no mandatory subjects. Students may choose courses freely from the program’s course lists and transfer the credits back to their home university.
International Exchange Subjects
International Exchange Subjects are liberal arts courses designed for second- and third-year undergraduate students. These include subjects aimed at deepening students’ understanding of Japan, along with wide-ranging courses from different university schools and faculties. Japanese language, independent study, and internships are also part of this category.
Whilst postgraduate students may apply for OUSSEP, they should do so on the understanding that most available courses are at the undergraduate level.
Non-International Exchange Subjects
In addition to International Exchange Subjects, OUSSEP students may take Non-International Exchange Subjects. While these courses are primarily designed for regular students, they are also open to exchange students. Please note, however, that because regular students are given priority, OUSSEP students may not always be able to register for all their preferred courses.
3. Course registration
Typically, course registration for spring-intake students begins in March, while that for fall-intake students begins in August. The respective students will be notified of the details, including specific schedules, course lists and registration procedures, by the OUSSEP office.
4. Academic Calendar
The academic year begins in April and concludes the following March.
While The University of Osaka follows a four-term system (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter), most subjects are offered on a semester basis, either across Spring-Summer or Fall-Winter, in accordance with the University’s Academic Calendar.
5. Classes
A semester (Spring-Summer/Fall-Winter) consists of 15 classes. Depending on the course, examinations may be held separately, or report submissions may be required.
Please refer to the academic calendar for important dates such as the start and end dates of each term/semester, exam periods, makeup class dates, and university-wide no-class days.
For details, please refer to the University’s policy, “Cancellation of Classes Due to Weather Warnings, Disasters, and Suspension of Public Transportation.”
6. Timetable
| Period | Time |
|---|---|
| 1 | 08:50–10:20 |
| 2 | 10:30–12:00 |
| 3 | 13:30–15:00 |
| 4 | 15:10–16:40 |
| 5 | 16:50–18:20 |
7. Travel between campuses
The University of Osaka has three campuses (Suita, Toyonaka, and Minoh), and courses for OUSSEP students are offered on all three campuses. Travel between campuses takes 30–40 minutes by the inter-campus shuttle bus. While you can travel during the 90-minute lunch break, it is not possible to travel during the 10-minute break between classes. When choosing your courses, always consider the travel time between campuses.
Campus Maps
Campus maps for all campuses are available here.
Inter-Campus Shuttle Bus Service
The inter-campus shuttle bus is a free service operating between the university’s three campuses. Students may use this service for attending classes, participating in extracurricular activities, or engaging in education and research on other campuses. However, it cannot be used for regular commuting.
Please note that the shuttle bus does not operate on non-class days.
8. KOAN & CLE (Online Systems)
- KOAN (Academic Support portal) : Use this system to verify course registrations, search syllabi, complete surveys, and check for class cancellations or campus announcements.
- CLE (Learning Management System) : Use this platform to access lecture slides, submit assignments, and communicate directly with your instructors.
Both KOAN and CLE are required for all daily classes.
9. Grades
The University of Osaka’s Grading Scale (Effective April 2026)
| Grade | Score |
|---|---|
| A+ | 90 or above |
| A | 85–89 |
| A- | 80–84 |
| B+ | 75–79 |
| B | 70–74 |
| C+ | 65–69 |
| C | 61–64 |
| C- | 60 |
| F | 59 or below |
10. Academic transcripts and certificates of completion
Academic transcripts and certificates of completion will be mailed to the exchange program coordinator at your home university after the study period ends, as scheduled below.
- Winter completion: Early April
- Summer completion: Early October
You should receive these documents from your coordinator after returning home.