Undergraduate degrees are awarded in a range of fields to students who have been enrolled at the university for the prescribed period or longer and who have taken the necessary subjects and obtained the requisite credits for graduation. Subjects at Akita University consist of Liberal Arts Subjects, Basic Subjects and Specialized Subjects. Detailed guidelines on ways of taking subjects are contained in the following sources: Study Guide for Liberal Arts and Basic Subjects; Subject Guide (Faculty of International Resource Sciences); Faculty of International Resource Sciences Timetable; Rules and Regulations on taking Subjects in the Faculty of Education and Human Studies; List of Established Lectures (Faculty of Education and Human Studies); Lesson Plan (Faculty of Medicine); Subject Guide (Faculty of Engineering Science/Faculty of Engineering and Resource Science); Lesson Plan (Syllabus) and Faculty of Engineering Science/Faculty of Engineering and Resource Science Timetable. Please read the applicable documents carefully before planning which subjects to take.
Each academic year is divided into two semesters: the first semester (April to September) and the second semester (October to March), with each semester generally containing 16 weeks. The lesson times are as follows. (Excluding the 2nd year onward in the Faculty of Medicine School of Medicine)
Periods 1 and 2 |
8:50am – 10:20am |
|---|---|
Periods 3 and 4 |
10:30am – 12:00pm |
Periods 5 and 6 |
12:50pm – 2:20pm |
Periods 7 and 8 |
2:30pm – 4:00pm |
Periods 9 and 10 |
4:10pm – 5:40pm |
(Period 9) |
4:10pm – 4:55pm |
Lessons are divided into lectures, seminars, experiments, practical training and skills practice depending on the lesson format. The standard for subjects worth 1 credit comprises of content requiring 45 hours of study; however, lesson time for lectures and seminars is between 15 and 30 hours, and between 30 and 45 hours for experiments, practical training and skills practice. Therefore, subjects with a lesson time of less than 45 hours entail study outside the classroom (preparation and revision). Example: If you take a subject worth 2 credits which is held during periods 1 and 2 on Mondays during the first semester, the total amount of required study time for this subject is 90 hours (45×2 = 90). Taking periods 1 and 2 (2 hours) on Mondays 15 times in the semester gives a total of 30 hours, meaning that you can obtain 2 credits by studying 30 hours in the classroom and 60 hours outside the classroom (preparation and revision), and by passing the requisite examinations.
At university, you are responsible for coming up with your own study plan. Please ensure to attend the guidance sessions for your faculty, department and program held at the start of the academic year, and to carefully read and understand Study Guide for Liberal Arts and Basic Subjects, Rules and Regulations on taking Subjects in the Faculty of Education and Human Studies, List of Established Lectures, Lesson Plan and Subject Guide. If you have any concerns, please consult with your supervising instructor, the Academic Affairs Section of your faculty or the Global Center for Higher Education.
This section contains information on Akita University’s credit transfer system. You may find lessons that interest you or which will prove useful in your future career at other universities. If so, taking these subjects would be a good opportunity to expand your horizons and study in a different setting, so please make active use of this system. Please consult with the Academic Affairs Section of your faculty or the Global Center for Higher Education for details on how to apply for subjects at other universities and how to take these.
Based on an agreement with the Open University of Japan, Akita University has a system in place for recognizing credits obtained at the Open University of Japan as credits required for graduation at this university. Specifically, from among the Open University of Japan’s Common Subjects, up to 2 credits are permitted from General Subjects as a Liberal Arts Subject ‘Integrated Main Subject Course.’
Based on an agreement with other educational institutions in Akita Prefecture, this system enables students from Akita University to take lessons held at universities, junior colleges and technical colleges in Akita Prefecture at this university or at the College Plaza without having to pay admission or tuition fees.
Eligibility |
Students enrolled at Akita University, Akita Prefectural University, Akita International University, North Asia University, Akita University of Nursing and Welfare, Japanese Red Cross Akita College of Nursing, Akita University of Art, Akita Nutrition Junior College, Seirei Women’s Junior College, Japanese Red Cross Junior College of Akita, or Misono Gakuen Junior College, along with students from Akita National College of Technology in their 4th year of study or above and on non-degree graduate programs. Note that students must be in their 2nd year or above for subjects held in the first semester, and in their 1st year or above for subjects held in the second semester. |
|---|---|
Designation of accepted students |
Special auditor |
Examination fee/admission fee/tuition fee |
Free |
Study plan |
Please come up with a study plan that allows enough time for you to commute between Akita University and the accepting institution. |
Number of credits that can be taken |
The total number of credits is limited to 12. |
Method of implementing examinations |
Examinations are implemented according to the rules and regulations of the accepting institution. |
Use of facilities at accepting institutions |
Students can use the necessary facilities and equipment for their studies (library, dining hall etc.). |
Application procedures |
Details on application periods will be made available on message boards etc. in February and July. |
Eligible subjects |
Those subjects determined by each institution (details of these will be posted separately). |
Credit transfer subjects at the College Plaza |
In addition to subjects provided by the respective universities and other institutions, credit transfer subjects are also held at the College Plaza. * The College Plaza is located on the 2nd floor of Akitameitokukan High School. The address is 2-1-51 Nakadori, Akita City. |
The University Library consists of the Central Library (Tegata Campus) and the Medical Library (Hondo Campus), both of which carry out the systematic collection and management of academic materials, including books, journals and electronic information, as well as providing this collected information to users. The Central Library has a collection of around 430 thousand volumes, and the Medical Library around 110 thousand volumes. The University Library offers the following kinds of services, providing support to students and staff in their learning, educational and research activities.
Day |
Central Library |
Medical Library |
|---|---|---|
Weekdays during term time |
8:30am – 10:00pm | 8:30am – 10:00pm |
Saturdays/Sundays/National Holidays during term time |
12:00pm – 6:00pm | 12:00pm – 6:00pm |
Weekdays during long vacations |
8:30am – 5:00pm | 8:30am – 5:00pm |
Saturdays/Sundays/National Holidays/New Year period during long vacations |
Closed | Closed |
Please contact the below for more information regarding library use.
Central Library: User Services Section
Medical Library: Office
You may encounter many worries in the course of student life. Worrying about one’s intended career path and considering a change of direction can in some cases result in taking a leave of absence from the university, withdrawing from the university or taking entrance examinations for another university. These are important decisions that will affect your future, so please consult fully with your guardians and supervising instructor on the best course of action. The university’s student counselling services are also available for consultations on a range of concerns you might be experiencing.
