Hokkaido University Short-Term Exchange Program (HUSTEP)

The Hokkaido University Short-Term Exchange Program (HUSTEP) is a ‘junior year abroad’ type program designed to provide undergraduate students from partner universities with the opportunity to study in Japan at Hokkaido University. Participants in this program take a wide variety of classes offered in English in HUSTEP: Culture, Society, Science, Technology and Environment. Students also have the chance to study the Japanese language.

Participants can also pursue independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. Students admitted to the program are eligible to apply for a scholarship.

HUSTEP provides a safe and caring environment in which to carry out your academic studies and broaden your horizons. Participating in HUSTEP will help prepare you for the future and will provide you with knowledge and experience that will last a lifetime.

In addition, it is a wonderful opportunity to meet and make friends with many Japanese people and international students from all around the world who come to study at Hokkaido University. We would like to invite motivated university students from ALL disciplines to participate in HUSTEP.

Check out the Fact Sheet to see the outline of student exchange programs.

  • HUSTEP 2025 – 2026 (Fall) Courses:
    • One Year (Fall): From October 1st, 2025 – August 31st, 2026
    • Half Year (Fall): From October 1st, 2025 – February 28th, 2026
  • HUSTEP Brochure
  • HUSTEP Calendar
  • HUSTEP Course Curriculum
  • Independent Study (One Year Course only)
    • Independent study is designed for those students who wish to explore their academic interests individually under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Each student selects a topic after consulting with their advisor and is required to meet with their advisor on a regular basis to discuss required research and reading. The student may be required to submit a research paper on the selected topic at the end of the term.
  • Japanese Language
    • This course will be offered as a part of the General Japanese Course. Japanese Language is an elective subject and is not compulsory for HUSTEP students. Visit the following page: Japanese Language Courses.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply for HUSTEP, students must:

  1. Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree program at an overseas university that has concluded a student exchange agreement with Hokkaido University.
  2. Be enrolled and pay tuition fees at their home university as a full-time student during the entire period of study in Japan.
  3. Have completed at least two years of undergraduate study at their own university prior to arrival in Japan.
  4. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent.
  5. Be proficient in English. Non-native English speakers must have a score of at least TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.5.*
  6. Be able to arrive by late September or first week of April.
  7. *A different internationally-recognized English test result such as CEFR (at least C1) may be accepted. TOEIC and Duolingo are not accepted.

Number of Students Accepted:

  • Approximately 50 students for each course.

Notes:

  • There is a screening process and NOT all students who apply will be accepted.
  • Japanese language ability is not required to participate in HUSTEP. Those students whose main focus is studying Japanese language and are majoring in Japanese Studies should consider applying to the Japanese Language and Culture Studies Program (JLCSP) instead of HUSTEP.
  • There are limited number of scholarship available so most students will have to cover their own costs. Although the cost of living in Japan varies for everyone, it will cost about 100,000-120,000 JPY per month. Thus, students should have enough money saved up to pay for one/half year of living costs (depending on the course you participate) before coming to Japan. Students should be clear that HUSTEP is strictly a study program. Even if students receive a scholarship, the first payment will be made one month after arrival. Students must bring money to pay for their dormitory fee and living costs for their first month.

Applying

*Please note that now HUSTEP uses the TAO (The Admissions Office) online application system. We no longer accept application forms by post or email. The access link for the TAO will be individually sent to home institution’s exchange coordinator before the application period begins.

Application Deadline
-2025-2026 Fall Semester Courses-

February 7th, 2025

*Please note late application will not be accepted and our online application deadline cannot be extended.

Application Guidelines

Refer to the guideline from the below link for more information.

Application Steps

HUSTEP’s application is done through online platform. We use system called TAO (The Admissions Office). Follow the below steps for the HUSTEP application:

  • Step 1.
    • Consult with an academic advisor at their home institution and receive approval.
  • Step 2.
    • Relevant link to access to the application forms will be individually sent to your home institution’s international office (or equivalent).
  • Step 3.
    • Applicants (students) and home institute’s exchange coordinator will each need to create TAO accounts to apply for HUSTEP.
  • Step 4.
    • After creating an individual account, students start making application on the TAO system, after you complete filling in information and uploading necessary files to the system, press request button to ask the exchange coordinator to upload necessary documents.

Documents need to be uploaded by applicants (students):

  1. Completed HUSTEP online application (through TAO system)
  2. Consent to Transfer and Process Personal Data (template)
  3. Digital ID Photo
  4. TOEFL, IELTS or CEFR score certificate (non-native English speakers only)
  5. HU (Hokkaido University) Study Plan (template)
  6. Certificate of Scholarship/Student Loan (if applicable)
  • Step 5.
    • The exchange coordinator receives the request from the students to upload official documents (Certificate of Enrollment, Recommendation Letter, Official Transcripts and Grading System).

Documents need to be uploaded by the home institution’s international office:

  1. Completed Certificate of Enrollment Form (template)
  2. Recommendation Letter from an academic supervisor (template)*Other format is also accepted
  3. Official Transcript of academic record
  4. University Grading System
  • Step 6.
    • After the exchange coordinator has completed uploading all the necessary files to the TAO system, the student will finalize the application process by pressing “Complete my application” button.

The application is completed!

Note:

  • Please do NOT send the above documents by email. We no longer accept email applications. There are sections to upload these files in the TAO system when applying for HUSTEP.
  • ALL applying students need to fill in and upload the ‘Consent to Transfer and Process Personal Data’ file to the TAO system when applying. Please check How We Handle Your Personal Data.

For Application related inquiries, please contact:

Tomoe Sasaki (Ms.)

  • HUSTEP Administrative coordinator
  • Student Exchange Division, Academic Affairs Department, Hokkaido University
  • hustep[at]oia.hokudai.ac.jp

Scholarship

JASSO Scholarship

To assist international exchange students, the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers the following scholarship to a limited number of students. The Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan) includes a monthly stipend as follows:

80,000JPY per month for five (half-year course) or eleven (one year course) months.

Applicants who may have difficulty covering the costs of their studies in Japan are encouraged to apply.

When the applicant declares to apply for JASSO in the HUSTEP application, the screening will be done along with the program application. The result of the JASSO will be on the same selection result letter as HUSTEP program.

Note:

  1. Applicants must, upon completion of the term of exchange, return to their home institutions to resume their studies or to be awarded their degree.
  2. Applicants must not be recipients of scholarship awards from other organizations if the combined value of these additional scholarships exceeds 80,000JPY a month.
  3. Applicants who may have difficulty covering the costs of their studies in Japan on their own.
  4. Applicants must be in Japan during exchange period to receive the scholarship.

*Please note that due to a limited number of scholarships offered, only a few students will be able to receive them.

FAQ

Q. Does Hokkaido University provide housing for short-term exchange students?

A. Yes, HUSTEP students are required to live in one of our university dormitories for international students. Placement will be determined by the university dormitory committee after the application period, and we will inform you of the placement result. Please note that you may be assigned to a dormitory you did not choose due to the capacity limitations.

For further information, check the website.
https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/university-life/housing/student-dormitories/

Q. Does the dormitory have a cafeteria?

A. The dormitory has kitchens but does not have a cafeteria. There are several cafeterias on campus nearby. If you cook, you may need to buy some kitchen utensils that can be purchased at a low price near the university, so there is no need to bring these items.

Q. Does the dormitory shut down during the holidays?

A. The dormitory does not shut down. It is open throughout the year.

Q. Is there Internet access in the student dormitory where I will be living?

A. Internet access in individual dorm rooms is available at the student residences. However, at Keiteki and Sosei, you will need a credit card to pay for internet charges. There are also computers with internet access at the university. Wi-Fi is more available around the campus and city recently.

Q. During holidays can I travel?

A. During holidays, students are free to travel. If you travel overseas, you are required to do some paperwork.

Q. Will I be covered by Japanese Health Insurance?

A. Yes, all international students staying in Japan for 3 months or longer are required to enroll in the Japanese National Health Insurance even if you have another type of health insurance. National Health Insurance members only pay 30% of medical costs incurred. The fee is about 2,000 yen per month.

In addition to Japanese Health Insurance, all international students are required to enroll in “Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursing Education and Research (Gakkensai)” that covers injury or accident while you are engaged in research or educational activities.

*Enrollment for 1. Japanese National Insurance, 2. Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursing Education and Research (Gakkensai), 3. Comprehensive Insurance with Gakkensai are mandatory.

Q. How do I apply for the student visa?

A. We will send you a document called COE (Certificate of Eligibility) to facilitate the visa application procedure. COE will be sent to you digitally when it’s ready. After receiving the COE, then you will need to go to the nearest Japanese embassy/consulate in your country to apply for your visa. Check their operating hours, appointment necessity and other required documents by contacting them directly.

Q. How long does it take for our student visa to be issued?

A. This also depends on the embassy in your country, however with the COE, it is usually issued quite smoothly. Please check with your local Japanese embassy/consulate.

Q. When should I arrive in Sapporo?

A. Students should arrive in Sapporo before the semester starts. This also depends on the timing of your visa issue, start day of your dormitory residency, and the orientation date. This information will be provided once the schedule is fixed in coming months.

Q. How long does it take from the airport (New Chitose Airport, Sapporo) to the dormitory?

A. Depending on the traffic situation, it takes approximately 2 hours by bus. By train it takes less, and it runs more frequently. Most of our dormitories are located near or on the Hokkaido University campus (which is located in the city center).

Q. Can I work part-time jobs in Japan?

A. HUSTEP does not allow exchange students to do part-time jobs. Students should focus on their studies. Thus, students should have enough money saved up to pay for living costs or make scholarship or other financial arrangement before coming to Japan. Students should be clear that HUSTEP is strictly a study program.

Q. After starting the program, can I re-apply for JASSO or any other scholarship?

A. Unfortunately no. Your JASSO application was received at the same time as the program application and the result was announced in the results letter. ‘Guaranteed’ means you’re awarded a scholarship. ‘Alternate’ means that you’re on a waiting list. The scholarship is given only if additional grants are received, therefore it may not happen. JASSO is the only scholarship HUSTEP can receive. Many students who did not receive the JASSO scholarship search for other scholarships from their home countries, universities, or other organizations.

Q. Which courses should I take?

A. You will mainly take HUSTEP core courses. As an option, you can take Japanese Language Courses and regular courses in Hokkaido University (except for some courses such as graduate level and general education courses).

Please note that students must register for at least 10.5 class hours (about 7 classes) per week to meet the visa requirements.

Q. Will the courses in last year’s syllabus also be taught this year?

A. It’s not guaranteed. Many of the courses from the last year’s syllabus are offered, but depending on the teacher’s availability, they are subject to change. The timetable for the Fall semester will be finalized in September.

Q. I need to transfer credits, does Hokkaido University have any standard for ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)?

A. We do not have a set standard for credit transfer. How to calculate the earned credits at Hokkaido University to your home university is up to your home university. At Hokkaido University, 1 credit consists of 45 course work hours, so the 2 credits are 90 course work hours. Please consult with your home university’s coordinator.

Q. How many credits/courses am I required to register for?

A. Student visa requirement: 7 classes a week (=equivalent to 10.5 class hours), 1 year program students have another program requirement, which will be explained in the orientation.

Living costs in Sapporo
Basic costs
Rent
(student dormitory only)		JPY5,000～39,000/month
Utility costs
(electricity, gas, water etc.)		May – Oct: JPY7,000 – 14,000/month
Nov – April: JPY7,000 – 18,000/month
*These are only estimates. Utility costs vary greatly depending on the season and usage.
Bed linen rentalBed pad: JPY500-800+tax/month
Bed linen: JPY1,400+tax/month
(In case of purchase) JPY10,000 – 14,000 +tax
Food costApprox. JPY50,000/month
National Health Care InsuranceApprox. JPY2,000/month
Mobile phoneDepends on individual
Miscellaneous
Room cleaning charge
(when leaving dormitory)		JPY11,000 – 14,000 (one-time payment)
Transportation (if applicable)JPY5,000 – 10,000/month
Internet connection
(Only at some dormitories)		1 year package: JPY24,000-27,000 (one-time payment)
6 months package: JPY13,000-15,000 (one-time payment)

Total monthly costs
At least JPY100,000-120,000/month

*Please make sure to prepare enough financial resources to cover your expenses during your stay in Sapporo.