Life at USP

If you are considering studying abroad at The University of Shiga Prefecture, please see the following pages.

For All International Students

Notes on Study

In order to obtain credits, students must register for classes on the student portal - USPo. Please be sure to register within the designated period and attend classes. If you have any questions regarding your course registration, regular students should consult with a faculty member in charge of course registration in each school, and exchange students should consult with the Office of International Programs and Development.
In addition, exchange students are required by immigration law to attend at least seven classes per week in order to obtain a "student" visa, so please be sure to comply with this requirement.

Tutor System

* Regular Students and Exchange Students Only
New international students enrolled at The University of Shiga Prefecture can receive individual guidance and advice on academic and life-related issues for three months from a tutor (mainly an undergraduate student) appointed by the university. If you would like to receive this, please apply to the Office of International Programs and Development. However, all exchange students will be assigned a tutor, so there is no need to apply.

Healthcare

The university has several counseling rooms and consultation desks. If you have any problems, please feel free to talk to someone.
For more information, please see the following pages.
Academic/daily life consultation
Health care
Consultation on Harassment (in Japanese)

Regular Medical Checkups

*Regular Students Only
There is a regular health check-up once a year. All regular students are required to take this. If they do not take it, the university will not be able to issue them a health certificate, which is necessary for off-campus training or job hunting.

Part-time Job

As international students are in Japan with a "student" visa, they should prioritize their studies and research while enrolled. If you do have a part-time job, please keep it to a minimum so as not to interfere with your student life.

International students cannot get a regular job with a "student" visa. If they want to work part-time, they need to obtain "Permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence previously granted." To obtain permission, they must apply at the Immigration Bureau, or, for new entrants only, they can apply at the airport where their residence card is issued and obtain permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under their visa status immediately after landing permission. International students who receive permission are allowed to work part-time for up to 28 hours per week (up to 8 hours per day during long vacations). However, they cannot work in adult entertainment establishments.

Before starting a part-time job, make sure you have confirmed the location of the company you will be working for, the work content, working hours, break times, wages and how they are calculated, payment methods, and payment dates. In particular, be sure to confirm the wages, payment methods, and payment dates in writing. If you have any questions or concerns, check them when you sign the contract.
When working, do not come in late or be absent without permission. You should work with the awareness that you are all students of The University of Shiga Prefecture, and are representing your home country.

If you are experiencing problems or if you notice something strange in your part-time job, please come and talk to the Student Support Center.

Certificates

USP does not post any certificates overseas. Please make sure to apply and receive it before you leave or ask an agent (such as a friend of yours living in Japan, etc.) to do that.

Regular Students (Undergraduate/Graduate)

You can use the automated certificate issuing machine in the Student Support Center to issue certificates of enrollment, transcripts, health certificates, etc.
When you need a certificate in English or other documents that cannot be issued by the automated issuing machine, please apply at the Student Support Center counter. Issuance takes 3-5 business days. The fee is 200 yen per certificate (470 yen if you are on a leave of absence).

Research Students

When you need certificates, please apply at the Admission's Office. Issuance takes 3-5 business days. The fee is free for current students and 470 yen for graduates per certificate.

Exchange Students

When you need certificates, please apply at the Student Support Center counter. Issuance takes 3-5 business days. The fee is 200 yen for current students and 470 yen for graduates per certificate.

* Please note that student travel discount certificates would be issued only for regular students.
In most cases, student commuter passes for public transport can be purchased by presenting your student ID card.

For Privately Financed International Students (Graduate/Undergraduate/Research Students)

Resident Registration in Hikone City

If you have moved to Hikone City within Japan in order to enroll at USP, you must complete the moving-out procedures for your previous municipality and the moving-in procedures for Hikone City.
Please refer to the website of your previous municipality for moving out, and the website of Hikone City for moving in.
City Hall Procedures / Hikone City

Application for Extension of Period of Stay

You can begin the renewal process approximately three months before your residence card's expiration date. As the expiration date approaches, start preparing the necessary documents early.
You will need documents issued by the university to apply for the renewal. When you begin preparing for renewal, first come to the Office of International Programs and Development for an explanation or read the Handbook for International Students.
Once you have completed the renewal, please submit a copy of your new residence card (both sides) to the Office of International Programs and Development

Tuition Fee

Please refer to the webpage below.
Tuition / Tuition Exemption

Leave of Absence

You may take a leave of absence if you have an unavoidable reason, such as illness. If you are considering taking a leave of absence, please consult with your professor and the Office of International Programs and Development.
However, since you will not be able to carry out "study abroad" activities during your leave of absence, you will not be able to continue to stay in Japan unless there are unavoidable circumstances. In principle, you will be required to return to your home country. You will also not be able to work part-time.