The School of Science (undergraduate), Graduate School of Science, Graduate School of Life Science offer various visiting opportunities for overseas students. The period of stay could range from about 1 week to 1 year. Visiting students can benefit from our comprehensive support system for incoming international students that include reasonably priced single rooms. Students enrolling full-time in one of our partner universities/institutions may benefit from tuition waiver schemes.
For more info, check below. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us .
Short-term Opportunities (1-12 weeks)
Hokkaido Summer Institute
“Hokkaido Summer Institute (HSI) ” is one of the biggest international summer schools in the world and is open to students and professionals in the world. HSI allows participants to expand their knowledge in cutting-edge fields of research and at the same time to explore the world’s premier resort island of “Hokkaido”. We offer courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels. The medium of instruction is English.
HSI Courses offered by the School, Faculty and Graduate School of Science and Graduate School of Life Science
The School of Science and Graduate School of Science offers various courses in the HSI. We invite students from all over the world, especially from partner universities, faculties, and schools to take advantage of these unique opportunities.
We may waive tuition for students in overseas faculties, schools, and universities that have university/department-level agreements. For more information and questions, please contact us.
HSI Independent Study courses
The School of Science and Graduate School of Science offer unique opportunities in the framework of the HSI for overseas undergraduate and graduate students to gain cutting-edge research experience. By enrolling in one or more of these courses, the students can conduct small research projects, write up reports, and present results in host laboratories in the School of Science, Graduate School of Science. The period of stay varies from 4 weeks to 12 weeks.
Students enrolled in this course may take other HSI courses concurrently with this course as long as a period of at least 4-full weeks is reserved for research. If you wish to enroll in other HSI courses, please consult with your mentors after the pre-registration.
If you are interested in participating in one of the Independent Study courses, please complete Step 1 of the PRE-REGISTRATION procedure by the deadline;
(*Note that due to the limited space available in this course, you might not be able to enroll in this course or have the host supervisor of your 1st choice. In any case, we will inform you about the latest stand of your application.)
Pre-registration Deadline:
Pre-registration procedure
- Step 1.
Submit the following documents in pdf. format to the OIAS (international (at) sci.hokudai.ac.jp)
a. CV (click here)
b. Statement of Research Interests (click here)
c. A copy of the Academic Transcript showing subjects and grades for at least one academic year prior to the application.
d. A copy of the English language proficiency score (if you have any) - Step 2.
The OIAS will contact the host of your choice with the submitted documents and ask for her/his availability. If your desired host is willing to accept you in her/his laboratory, the host might request additional information. - Step 3.
The OIAS will inform you about the host’s decision. - Step 4.
Once your host is identified, you may proceed to the official application procedures described on the HSI webpage
Mentor Listing
Independent Study in Science (Undergraduate)
Mathematics: all faculty members
Physics: Prof. Hisao Suzuki, Prof. Tatsuo Kobayashi, Assis. Prof. Kazuhiro Suehiro, Prof. Takashi Okamoto, Prof. Koji Nemoto, Prof. Takafumi Kita, Senior Lecturer Jun Ohara, Senior Lecturer Yoshihiko Ihara
Chemistry: Limited laboratories
Macromolecular functions: all faculty members
Biology: all faculty members
Earth & Planetary Sciences: all faculty members
Independent Study in Science (Graduate)
All laboratories in the Graduate School of Science
Independent Study in Life Science
All laboratories in the Graduate School of Life Science
Long-term Opportunities (3-12 months)
School of Science
The School of Science participates in the University’s Integrated Science Program (ISP). The departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences “Biology” offer many undergraduate courses in English.
Credited Auditor
As credited auditors, undergraduate students from overseas universities may join courses offered in the School of Science. The period of stay is subject to the length of courses you wish to enroll. On successful completion of courses, credits will be awarded to the students. Credited auditors are subject to the payment of tuition and other fees.
Special Audit Student
As special audit students, undergraduate students enrolled full-time in our partner universities/institutions may join courses in the School of Science, and on the successful completion of the courses, credits will be awarded to the students. The period of stay may vary depending on the period of each course, however, should not exceed one year. If the home institutions have agreements with Hokkaido University or the School of Science, tuition and other fees may be waived.
Graduate School of Science & Graduate School of Life Science
The Graduate School of Science & Graduate School of Life Science offers many courses in English. The teaching staff can supervise research activities in English. Visiting students may choose their status in our graduate schools depending on the purposes of their stay.
Research Student
As research students, graduate students from overseas may conduct research activities on a specific topic under the supervision of a faculty member affiliated with the Faculty of Science. The period of stay is typically 6 months, however, may extend up to 12 months. No degrees, credits, or qualifications are conferred on research students. Research students are subject to the payment of tuition and other fees.
Credited Auditor
As credited auditors, graduate students from overseas may join courses offered in the School of Science, Graduate School of Science, or Graduate School of Life Science. The period of stay is subject to the length of courses you wish to enroll. On successful completion of courses, credits will be awarded to the students. Credited auditors are subject to the payment of tuition and other fees.
Special Research Student
As special research students, graduate students enrolled full-time in our partner universities/institutions may conduct research activities in one of the laboratories in the Graduate School of Science or Graduate School of Life Science. The period of stay is typically a half or a full year, however, this period may be subject to negotiation. No degree, credits, and qualification may be awarded to special research students. If the home institutions of the students have agreements with Hokkaido University or Graduate School of Science or Graduate School of Life Science, tuition and other fees may be waived.
Special Audit Student
As special audit students, graduate students enrolled full-time in our partner universities/institutions may take courses in the Graduate School of Science or Graduate School of Life Science, and on the successful completion of the courses, credits will be awarded to the students. The period of stay may vary depending on the length of each course, however, should not exceed one year. The tuition and other fees may be waived, if the home institutions of the students have agreements with Hokkaido University or Graduate School of Science or Graduate School of Life Science and the agreements include a “mutual tuition waiver” clause.