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Kyoto City University of Arts is a multidisciplinary educational institution. Choose the direction and study program that are perfect for you.
Kyoto City University of Arts (KCUA) is a public (municipal) university of art and music; since October 2023 it has been on a new campus by Kyoto Station. There are no language or preparatory courses; research students get free Japanese lessons for two semesters. There is no dormitory.
Stage | Date |
|---|---|
Common Test for University Admissions | January 2027 |
Application to the university | January 25 — February 3, 2027 |
Fine arts exams | February 25–26, 2027, results March 5 |
Music round 1 / round 2 | March 12–15 / March 17, 2027, results March 20 |
The 2027 recruitment guidelines are published in early November 2026. Places: fine arts 70, design 30, crafts 30, art theory 5; piano, strings and vocal 14 each, winds and percussion 16, composition 4, musicology 3.
Program | Application | Exam |
|---|---|---|
Fine arts master's, April 2027 | September 1–11, 2026 (closed) | November 14–17, 2026 |
Music master's, April 2027 | September 1–9, 2026 (closed) | October 16–18, 2026 |
PhD (2026 data) | January 5–15 | early March |
Research student, fine arts, April 2027 | October 1–20, 2026 | results in late December 2026 |
Research student, music, April 2027 | pre-screening in September, application in October 2026 | results in November 2026 |
Research student is a non-degree status for 1 year, renewable to 2 years: admission fee 84,600 JPY, tuition 535,800 JPY a year. The next fine arts research student intake is in the fall, with applications April 1–20.
Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam fee | 17,000 |
Admission fee — from Kyoto city / others | 282,000 / 482,000 |
Tuition per year | 535,800 |
Education | Eligible | What to do |
|---|---|---|
11 years of school in Kazakhstan or Russia | Not stated in the guidelines — the university requires 12 years, although the 11-year school of Kazakhstan and Russia is MEXT-designated | Confirm eligibility with the university before applying (individual eligibility review); the reliable route is a MEXT-designated preparatory course at a Japanese language school |
11 years of school in Kyrgyzstan | Not directly — under 12 years and not on the MEXT list | Complete a MEXT-designated preparatory course (a Japanese language school offering one), or earn IB or A Levels; otherwise an individual eligibility review |
12 years of school (NIS, international school with 12 grades) | Yes | Apply directly |
IB, A Level, Abitur, French Baccalaureate | Yes | Apply directly |
College after grade 11 | Likely yes — over 12 years of study in total; confirm with the university | Attach the school certificate and college diploma with transcript |
College after grade 9 | University decides | Individual eligibility review before applying: grade 9 certificate, college diploma with transcript |
The main limit of the bachelor's — there is no separate exam for international students: Japan's 2027 Common Test and practical exams in Japanese are required. The individual review for 2027 entry closed on August 28, 2026. UNT, ORT and EGE are neither required nor accepted.
Master's and PhD. 16 years of education are required; a 4-year bachelor's after 11-year school (15 years) — via an individual review (for 2027 the deadlines were in July 2026, age 22 or older). The realistic route is research student status first (JLPT N2), then the master's exam.
Since October 1, 2023 the university has been on a new campus in the Sujin area east of Kyoto Station (Shimogyo Ward): studios, concert halls, galleries and the Research Centre for Japanese Traditional Music. From 1980 to 2023 it was in Kutsukake, Nishikyo Ward.
KCUA has no dormitory — students, including international students, rent housing on their own. The new campus by Kyoto Station is easy to reach from anywhere in the city.
Scholarship | Monthly amount (JPY) | Who |
|---|---|---|
MEXT — embassy-recommended research student | per MEXT rules | Only through a Japanese embassy, no university recommendation |
MEXT Honors (学習奨励費) | 48,000 | Graduate students |
Rotary Yoneyama | 140,000 | Privately financed master's and doctoral students |
Heiwa Nakajima Foundation | 100,000 | 2nd-year master's and doctoral students |
Katoh Asao International Scholarship | 130,000 (master's), 150,000 (PhD) | Asian nationals under 30 and 35 |
Kyoto City International Foundation | 50,000 | Privately financed Asian students from year 2 |
Hashimoto Tate Memorial Foundation | 100,000 | East Asian humanities students |
A 50% semester tuition reduction is possible for financial hardship — the university does not state whether international students qualify. Scholarships are not guaranteed.
Year | Event |
|---|---|
1880 | Kyoto Prefectural School of Painting is founded — Japan's first public painting school |
1889 | The school is transferred to the city of Kyoto |
1950 | Kyoto City University of Fine Arts is established |
1952 | Kyoto City Junior College of Music is founded — Japan's first public music college |
1969 | They merge into Kyoto City University of Arts |
1980 | Graduate School of Fine Arts opens; move to Kutsukake |
1986 | Graduate School of Music opens |
2000 | Fine arts doctoral program opens (music in 2003) |
2023 | Move to the new campus by Kyoto Station |
Ranking | Publisher | Position |
|---|---|---|
World University Rankings 2027 | QS | not ranked |
World University Rankings 2026 | THE | not ranked |
Japan's oldest university of arts | KCUA | founded in 1880 |
UNT / ORT / EGE are not accepted — Japan's Common Test is needed. Requirements for graduates from Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan are in the university description.
