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LL.M. Program
Please read all sections very carefully before applying for this program.
All inquiries to individual professors should be sent via the Admission Office (admission@law.kyushu-u.ac.jp). Direct inquiries to professors cannot be answered.
1 Overview
The LL.M. (Master of Laws) is a one-year degree program taught entirely in English. In 1994, the Graduate School of Law at Kyushu University established Japan's first master's level program taught entirely in English. Drawing upon faculty members with particular strengths in the fields of international economic and business law, the LL.M. program was designed to provide both Japanese and international students with the ability to confront the many challenges of law in a global society.
Since then the program has grown in scale and scope and a wide selection of courses are now offered across all major fields of law. The diversity of both the faculty and student body ensures a unique educational experience at one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious national universities.
2 Program Duration
The LL.M. is taught on a full-time basis and takes 12 months for completion, beginning in October every year and ending in September of the following year.
3 Program Requirements
All LL.M. students are expected to complete a 20-credit (approx. five courses per semester) coursework curriculum and write a master's thesis of at least 50 pages.
An indicative list of courses is available here.
The research interests and backgrounds of faculty members involved in the LL.M. program are available here.
For extra information and advice on drafting a thesis proposal, please click here.
4 Program Curriculum
The LL.M, Program has a diverse curriculum comprising most major fields of law. For an indicative list of courses, please read this page.
However, the LL.M. program places a particular emphasis on law in a risk society and issues relating to law and technology. If you are interested in receiving a Japanese government scholarship, please read this page carefully and draft a thesis proposal that fits with this theme and issue.
5 Admission Requirements
For admission to the LL.M., students must meet the following requirements:
- An undergraduate degree in Law from an accredited university.
  - A good command of English. A TOEFL score of 92+ (Internet-based) or equivalent is required for non-native English speakers.
  - Sufficient financial support for the duration of the program. See Section 6 below for details on tuition and other fees.
Please note that scholarships may have additional requirements. Please see Section 7 below.
6 Application Materials & Procedure
Application requirements and procedures for the LL.M. vary depending on whether the applicant wishes to apply for financial aid or not, and what type of financial aid the applicant is seeking.
This section contains a list of financial aid options and the relevant application materials.
i. Japanese Government Scholarship
Seven (7) LL.M. students per year are supported by special scholarships from the Japanese government. The scholarship will cover all fees as well as a monthly stipend, and an economy class return ticket to and from Fukuoka.
Further details on eligibility and procedure can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Applications open from July each year for October entry of the following year.
Applications for October 2024 entry are closed.
- Application Guidelines and the Application Form for the Japanese Government Scholarships can be downloaded here_07
ii. Self-financing
Students have the option to self-finance their study. The tuition fee, other fees and living costs can be found in Section 7 below.
We offer several "rounds" of applications. The application deadline for each round of applications is available in the Application Guidelines.
Applications open from July each year for October entry of the following year.
Applications for October 2024 entry are open.
- Application Guidelines and the Application Form for Fall 2023 Entry can be downloaded
here_02
iii. Embassy Nominated Japanese Government Scholarship
The Japanese Government also offers Embassy-Nominated Japanese Government Scholarships. Please contact the local Embassy / Consulate General in order to receive the necessary application documents and further information on Embassy Scholarships.
Applicants who have passed the Preliminary Screening and wish to enroll in the LL.M. for October of the following year must then submit the "LL.M. Application Form" and supporting materials to the Admission Office of the International Programs, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University.
The application deadline is available in the Application Guidelines.
If you have passed the Preliminary Screening, Application Guidelines and the LL.M. Application Form can be downloaded here_06
Applications open from July each year for October entry of the following year.
Applications for October 2024 entry are closed.
iv. The Asian Development Bank — Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
Kyushu University is able to offer one LL.M. Program student a scholarship supported by the ADB-JSP.
Applicants must be a national of an ADB borrowing member country and no more than 35 years old at the time of application. At least two years of full-time professional working experience prior to the application is required.
The scholarship will cover all tuition fees for the duration of the program, subsistence allowance and an economy class return air ticket to and from Fukuoka. The application deadline can be found in the Application Guidelines.
Application Guidelines and the Application Form can be downloaded here_04
Applications open from mid-September each year for October entry of the following year.
Applications for October 2024 entry are closed.
v. JASSO Honors Scholarship
JASSO offers "Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students" for international students who are accepted by a Japanese university. Applicants for the scholarship will be accepted through the school. The applicants must submit an application form to the Admission Office of the International Programs, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University to have us recommend to JASSO that the candidate is qualified to receive the scholarship. The application deadline for the scholarship is available upon request.
More scholarship information for applicants who can read Japanese is available here:
Kyushu University Scholarship Information web site:
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/intlweb/scholarship/view/list.php?nendo=2013&lang=en
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO):
http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/scholarships_sfisij_e.html
Since Kyushu University does not have any control over the administration of these scholarships, it is the applicant's responsibility to check whether the scholarship he/she is applying for can be used for the LL.M. program.
Please note that acceptance to these scholarship does not guarantee acceptance to the LL.M. program offered by Kyushu University.
7 Tuition, Other Fees & Living Costs
The various university fees and estimated living costs are approximately as follows. Exact amounts are available upon request:
- Kyushu University Registration Fee: 30,000 yen.
  - Kyushu University Entrance Fee: 280,000 yen (paid once on enrollment).
  - Kyushu University Tuition Fee per Semester (2x per year): 270,000 yen.
  - Monthly Living Costs: 100,000 yen (approx.).
  - Money for Arrival: Based on the experience of former students, we recommend new students to bring a minimum of 150,000 yen in cash if staying in university accommodation and 200,000 yen if staying in private accommodation.
Students receiving a Japanese government scholarship do not have to pay any fees.
Some additional information on fees is available here:
https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/education/fees/exempt01
8 Other Scholarship Information
General Scholarship Information can be found through the following link:
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/intlweb/scholarship/view/list.php?nendo=2020&lang=en
* Normally, eligibility to apply for a scholarship is after enrollment of Kyushu University. Please check the conditions and procedure very carefully.
The following information is for the self-supporting international students.
The application must be received at your Student Affairs Division. Please note that the deadline of application is different from each Student Affairs Division.
Before Kyushu University recommends the students to a foundation, we may have screening within the university.
In case you have any questions, please be sure to inquire at your Student Affairs Division.
9 FAQ
Am I entitled to a waiver of the TOEFL etc. language requirement?
Our normal practice is to require all applicants for whom English is a second language to submit a TOEFL test or equivalent, although if there are some special circumstances, we will consider a waiver.
If I have taken an English test other than TOEFL, what score is required?

A conversion chart is available here

Do I need a law degree in order to apply for the LL.M.?
A law degree is not absolutely necessary in order to be eligible to apply, however, a significant part of your undergraduate degree must have been in law.
10 Pamphlet
The LL.M. Pamphlet can be downloaded here
11 Contact Details & Inquiries
Inquiries regarding this program should be addressed to:
Fax: 81 [Japan] -92-802-5407
E-mail: admission@law.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Application materials should be submitted to:
Admission Office of the International Programs, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University,
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
12 Privacy Policy
Before applying please read carefully the relevant Privacy Policy of Kyushu University:
For international applicants:
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/website/privacypolicy/internationalstudents
For applicants currently enrolled at Kyushu University:
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/website/privacypolicy/students
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International Programs in Law, Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Fukuoka Fax +81-(0)92-802-5407
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International Programs in Law,
Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University
744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, 819-0395 Fukuoka
Fax +81-(0)92-802-5407
Privacy Policy