Credit Transfer with Other Universities
Credit transfer refers to a system established through agreements between universities and other institutions whereby credits earned by completing predetermined courses at another institution are recognized as credits earned at the student’s home university.
Currently, the following universities and institutions have credit transfer agreements with Kochi University.
1. The Open University
Study Location
Through borrowing broadcast materials from the audiovisual room at the Open University of Japan Kochi Learning Center (located on the Kochi University campus). Alternatively, by receiving BS digital broadcasts at home. Through broadcast lectures and distance learning via television, radio, and the Internet, as well as printed materials.
Teaching Methods
In addition, credit recognition exams can be taken on the Kochi University campus at the end of each semester (First Semester: late July to early August; Second Semester: late January). (Please note that the exam period may overlap with Kochi University’s regular classes or final exam periods; however, no special accommodations—such as excused absences or make-up exams—will be provided. Therefore, you must carefully consider this when selecting your courses.)
*Please note that a tuition fee of 6,000 yen per credit is required for enrolling in Open University courses.
2. Kochi Prefectural University
Study Location
Eikokuji Campus (2-22 Eikokuji-cho, Kochi City) or Ike Campus (2751-1 Ike, Kochi City)
3. Kochi University of Technology
Study Location
Kami Campus (185 Miyanokuchi, Tosayamada-cho, Kami City)
Eikokuji Campus (2-22 Eikokuji-cho, Kochi City)
4. Kochi National College of Technology
Study Location
Kochi National College of Technology (200-1 Monobe-Otsu, Nankoku City)
In addition, each faculty has its own credit transfer agreements.
For details regarding application procedures, course titles (list of available courses), and other information, please contact the Student Services Center at the Asakura Campus, the Academic Affairs Office at the Okayama-Toyo Campus, or the Academic Affairs Office at the Monobe Campus.
Regarding the Enrollment in Credit Transfer Courses
1. Eligibility Requirements
Any undergraduate student at Kochi University is eligible to apply. However, students who have not yet reached the required academic year for a particular course are not eligible to apply. Additionally, students who are scheduled to graduate and are currently in their final semester are not eligible to apply due to the timing of credit certification.
Students who have completed the course registration process will be designated as "special audit students" at the university or institution offering the course.
2. Application Period (Applications are accepted each semester; the application period will be announced separately.)
Generally, for the Open University, the second-semester materials are distributed in early July, and the first-semester materials for the following academic year are distributed in early January.
For other institutions, the first-semester materials are distributed in early April, and the second-semester materials are distributed in late September.
*Please note that the application period is expected to be very short. Please pay close attention to the announcement so you don’t miss it.
3. Course Prerequisites
When taking courses under the credit transfer program, please note that these courses are subject to the maximum credit limit for course registration (22 credits per semester). Additionally, the maximum number of credits that can be recognized varies depending on your faculty or department. Please exercise caution when applying for these courses to ensure there are no errors.
| School/Department | Maximum number of credits that can be earned at a single institution under the credit transfer system | The maximum number of credits from general education and major courses earned through the credit transfer system that can be counted toward graduation requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Faculty of Humanities) | 8 credits | 8 credits (up to 2 credits for eK4) |
| Faculty of Education | 2 credits | 8 credits |
| Faculty of Science and Technology | 4 credits | 20 credits |
| School of Medicine | 4 credits | 4 credits (eK4 only) |
| Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science | 8 credits | 24 credits (up to 18 credits for the Watershed Environmental Engineering Program in the Faculty of Agriculture) |
| Faculty of Regional Collaboration | 8 credits | 8 credits |
* For the School of Medicine, eK4 is the only institution eligible for the credit transfer system. Furthermore, only general education courses that can be recognized as graduation credits are eligible for transfer, and the maximum number of credits allowed is 4 in total (up to 2 credits per semester).
* "eK4" in the table refers to courses offered by the e-Knowledge Consortium Shikoku Partner Universities from the 2010 academic year through the 2016 academic year. Students who have previously taken these courses should be mindful of the credit limit.
4. Credit Recognition
Credits earned as a special audit student will be recognized as general education or major courses at Kochi University, depending on the course classification and content at the respective university or institution.
The criteria and categories for course recognition (such as general education courses and major-specific courses within or outside your own faculty) may vary depending on your department and year of enrollment. Once you have decided on the courses you wish to take, please notify the academic affairs office of your faculty in advance.