Examination fee / Tuition

Application fee 30,000 Yen
Enrollment fee for Niigata residents* 141,000 Yen
non-residents 282,000 Yen
Tuition fee(one year) 535,800 Yen

* Applicants, Applicant spouses or relatives falling into the first degree of kinship of the Applicants, have to have registered addresses in Niigata for at least ONE year prior to their enrollment at the Graduate School to be qualified as Niigata residents.

The Graduate School of the University of Niigata Prefecture Scholarship (Grant)

【Eligible students】 First year and Second year

【Number of recipients】 2 each

【Grant amount】 ¥225,000 each(yearly)

【Screening period】 October (regardless of students’ starting date at the graduate school)

【other】
・Professional/adult students who also receive (or will receive) tuition exemptions from the Niigata Prefecture will NOT be eligible for this grant.

Enrollment Extension

Instead of the 2-year regular enrollment, the enrollment period can be extended to 3 years (annual tuition fees will be recalculated for the long-term enrollment students so that the total tuition fees are equal to the regular two-year program).

Student Exchange Program and Credit Transfer Program

The Graduate School of Regional Development and International Studies has the following exchange program and credit transfer program with graduate schools in Japan and overseas.

Student Exchange Program

The Philippines: University of the Philippines Los Banos

National university was established in 1908 with 11 colleges/schools embracing 11,000 students. Located in Los Banos City, which is about 70 km south of Metro Manila. It is recognized as one of the top universities in the Philippines. Our students are able to do research in international development and other fields at the master's program of the College of Public Affairs and Development.

The Philippines: De La Salle University

This private Catholic university was established in 1911 with eight colleges/schools embracing 17,000 students. Located in Manila City, one of cities of Metro Manila, the capital, it is recognized as one of the top universities in the Philippines. Our students are able to do research in international development and other fields in the master's program of the College of Liberal Arts.

Credit Transfer Program

Our students are able to take courses of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Oita, Japan in international relations and international development in English online. Credits obtained through this program can be included for completion of our graduate school.

Non-Degree Student

※Please check the following Link for detailed information.

Facilities

The Graduate School has a building that provides a students’ office, a hall, and lecture rooms. The students’office provides desks and chairs for each graduate student for their own research purposes. The office is available for 24 hours and makes various education and research activities possible.

Career Paths after Graduation

There are three patterns for career paths after graduation.

  1. Regional contribution: Linking local activities to the global society by placing emphasis on the locality (Niigata), and understanding and analyzing the international environment. Possible places of employment: Public service in Niigata, tourism, manufacturing, the financial industry, and the media.
  2. International outreach: Business activities outside the locality (Niigata). Possible places of employment: Domestic government agencies, manufacturing, the service industry, the media, think tanks, overseas corporations, and international organizations.
  3. Others: Doctoral programs in Japan and other countries.

Graduate Students

Current Students

International student from China

I graduated from a university in China with a degree in Japanese language studies. As I was interested in international relations and wanted to further my Japanese language skills, I enrolled in Niigata Prefectural University. From an international perspective, I am re-evaluating world politics and economics. At the same time, my English proficiency is improving rapidly. Currently, I am conducting research on crime rates. Through my studies here, with the help of many excellent friends, kind teachers, language proficiency, and political and economic knowledge, I will do my best to broaden my international perspective in the future.

University of Niigata Prefecture (Bachelor of International and Regional Development)
(4+1 program)

I became interested in immigration and populist parties in my junior year and decided to enter this graduate school.
Although I am busy because I have to prepare and review for classes, which is a change from my undergraduate days, I spend my days fulfilled since I can learn a lot of things I did not know. Usually, I use the library, which has many materials and allows me to concentrate on self-studying.
This graduate school provides an environment where you can study and research your own interests in depth. Why don’t you come and study at our graduate school?

Working full-time

I was lucky to have a chance to enter UNP and learn international politics because I didn’t have many occasions to study such things before. Students can take classes in either English or Japanese, thus you don’t have to be so afraid of your language skills. It is also a merit of the school that you can gain not only political knowledge but also practical skills. Since every aspect of our life is nowadays required to deal with globalization, I am sure that what I learned in the school will benefit me in the future.

Former Students

University of Niigata Prefecture (Bachelor of International and Regional Development)
(4+1 program)

2021 Graduates

I have researched peace education focused on English education. The reason why I chose this theme was to practice peace education for my future as an English teacher at school. I have taken classes kinds of international politics or international relations mainly at the graduate school, and all of them have become the basis for my main research of peace education. Though it is a minor field of research, I could get an advantage focusing on it.

International student from Vietnam

2021 Graduates

Two years of study in Niigata is a hard time but also a beautiful time that I wanted to go through. Since I didn’t have any knowledge and experience the first time studying in a foreign country, besides this is the time Covid-19 was a strong outbreak in the world, including in Japan. During that time, I learned a lot of useful knowledge about my research and social life. I was able to attend free Japanese classes at school, from which I gained more knowledge about the new language and Japanese culture. I’m really grateful to receive a lot of attention and help from my friends who are Japanese, as well as other nationalities and now my best friends. This is my best time, I was able to do the things I liked and have many good friends.

Working full-time

2020 Graduates

I studied methods of data analysis in this graduate school and also conducted my research for my Master’s thesis by using quantitative data. Since local governments are nowadays required to deal with globalization and to use data science, the experience of writing my thesis in English and analyzing data with statistical software at this graduate school will benefit my business career at a local government.

International student from Taiwan

2019 Graduates

Looking back my two years in the graduate school, I think I have been able to spend much more diverse and meaningful days than I had expected. I also appreciate the curriculum and this university for making it possible for me to improve myself through various experiences continually. Interacting with my Japanese tutors gave me not only the chance to refine language ability but also the opportunity to exchange the differences in culture. Thanks to Prof. Kuroda and other professors who walked with me on this journey so that I am able to complete my master thesis and graduate. I look forward to furthering experiences and challenges in my future life.

International student from Russia

2019 Graduates

Before I graduated from my university in Russia, I knew for sure that my future activities would relate to the international relations of Russia and Japan.
I chose the University of Niigata Prefecture because here you can simultaneously study international relations and the international economy. Also here you can expand your knowledge through communication with outstanding professors and students from different countries.
Thanks to the rich academic program of this university, I was able to compose a special program for myself from the most suitable courses for me, in order to successfully complete my thesis.

International student from Vietnam

2017 Graduates

Assistance and communication from the school were quick and timely, which supported my study and smoothened my life here. The professors of the school were proficient and erudite with broad intellect not only about international relations but also about economics and social issues. One incredible point of the school system is the connection between the graduate program and undergraduate program. Thanks to that, I could sit in some undergraduate classes and register for several Japanese language courses. To a foreign student who is restrained in the ability of Japanese language like me, those programs were great chances to make new friends, discover a lot of hidden attractions of Niigata, as well as experience the lifestyle of local people.

Working full-time

2017 Graduates

I attended the graduate school while continuing to work at a full-time job. Although it was often difficult to balance schoolwork and regular work, I managed to complete my research thanks to the support of my colleagues and professors. The intensive, small-class teaching at the graduate school gave me valuable contacts from beyond my own generation, business field, and nationality that benefited not only my academic and business career but also my personal life itself.