Overview
The Double Degree Program allows students to study abroad at a partner university while enrolled at Kyushu University and earn degrees from both universities upon completion of the designated curriculum.
The Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, concluded a double degree agreement with the College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, in 2024. Students participating in the Double Degree Program will receive multidisciplinary and multifaceted instruction from multiple faculty members, including academic advisors from both Kyushu University and National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, enabling them to acquire advanced knowledge and skills and a broad perspective. In addition, students can expect to improve their English language skills, which are necessary to be active globally. Furthermore, by studying in different countries and regions, students can hone their spirit of challenge and comprehensive cross-cultural understanding, which are important for international success.
We aim to nurture “international designers” who can play an active role in the international community in response to ever-evolving and expanding areas of design expertise.
National Cheng Kung University
National Cheng Kung University, founded in 1931, is a historic university selected for the “Top University Plan” announced by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education in 2006 and designated as a priority university for internationalization.
The Department of Planning and Design offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, including the Creative Industrial Design major and the Techno-Art program (master’s degree only), both of which are taught exclusively in English. In addition, the principal strategy is to create an international education and research environment through collaboration and cooperation with Taiwanese and overseas universities, private companies, government, NPOs, and entrepreneurs and by integrating teaching, research, and practice.
The School of Design and the Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University (KYU) and the Department of Industrial Design, College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) signed an academic and student exchange agreement in June 2017 and have had fruitful academic collaboration and student exchanges.
Period of Study
Total of 3 years
Degrees that can be earned
Department of Design, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University
Master of Design
Master of Design Strategy
Department of Industrial Design, College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University
Master of Science
Thesis Review
■A master’s thesis on different related topics must be submitted to each university.
■Students must receive the necessary research guidance at each university and pass the thesis review.
■Master’s thesis presentations will be held at each university.
■The thesis submitted to KYU must be written in Japanese or English.
■The thesis submitted to NCKU must be written in English.
Completion requirement for the Double Degree Program
Students must earn credits in the following subjects at the respective universities to complete the master’s programs at the Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, and at the Department of Industrial Design, the College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University.
*14 credits of KYU’s electives and 14 credits of NCKU’s electives can be mutually transferred.
Required Fees
The application, admission, and tuition fees for the double degree students are mutually non-collectible.
(They must be paid at their home university only.)
● From Kyushu University to National Cheng Kung University
[Application Guidelines]
1. Number of applicants
Maximum 2 persons/year
2. Eligibility for application
■Those enrolled in the master’s program of the Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, at the time of dispatch.
■Applicants must have the English language skills necessary to attend lectures at National Cheng Kung University (CEFR B2 or above).
3. Application procedures**
■If students wish to participate in the Double Degree Program (DDP), please consult their academic advisors and submit the “Application for Double Degree Program” to the Student Affairs Section, Academic Affairs Division, Administrative Office of Design, Kyushu University.
■The required National Cheng Kung University application documents must be submitted by the prescribed date.
* For details, please contact the Student Affairs Section or the Academic Affairs Section of the Student Affairs Division.
4. Entrance examination for master’s degree programs at National Cheng Kung University 
* Please refer to the official website of NCKU for the latest information.
NCKU application timeframe: https://oia.ncku.edu.tw/p/404-1032-229817.php?Lang=en
NCKU application procedure: https://oia.ncku.edu.tw/p/404-1032-229816.php?Lang=en
5. How to take the subjects
In addition to the coursework at KYU, students will take subjects and receive research guidance at NCKU.
[Subjects at KYU]
■Up to 14 credits from credits acquired at NCKU can be transferred as electives at KYU.
■The subject, Design Practice, will be taken in person or online, depending on the length of the study abroad program.
■After receiving the necessary research guidance, the students must submit a master’s thesis or work at KYU and pass the examination and final examination.
[Subjects at NCKU]
■Up to 14 credits from credits acquired at KYU can be transferred as electives at NCKU.
■KYU students will take 6 credits of required electives and 4 credits of electives while studying abroad at NCKU.
■KYU students will take 4 credits of required electives and master’s thesis presentations online.
■After receiving the necessary research guidance, the students must pass a master’s thesis review at NCKU.
6. Examples of study schedules for KYU students
[Admission to NCKU: February]
Students will enter KYU in April and apply for admission to the master’s program of NCKU by September of their first year. If they pass the document screening, they will study abroad at NCKU from February of their first year to January of their second year. Upon returning to Japan, the students will continue their studies at the Graduate School of Design in February of their second year and receive online guidance for their master’s thesis from their academic advisors at NCKU. In addition, students will take online subjects offered at NCKU as needed.
[Admission to NCKU: September]
Students will enter KYU in October and apply for admission to the master’s program of NCKU by March of their first year. If they pass the document screening, they will study abroad at NCKU from September of their first year to August of their second year. Upon returning to Japan, students will continue their studies at the Graduate School of Design in September of their second year and receive online guidance for their master’s thesis from their academic advisors at NCKU. In addition, students will take online subjects offered at NCKU as needed.
● From National Cheng Kung University to Kyushu University
[Application Guidelines]
1. Number of applicants
Maximum 2 persons/year
2. Eligibility for application
■Those enrolled in the master’s program of the Department of Industrial Design, the College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University, at the time of dispatch.
■Applicants must have the English language skills necessary to attend lectures at overseas universities.
3. Application procedures*
The following details of the application procedure are to be confirmed with NCKU.
■If students wish to participate in the Double Degree Program (DDP), submit the application form and research proposal to the Office of Industrial Design, the College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University after consulting their academic advisors.
■The required Kyushu University application documents must be submitted by the prescribed date.
*For details, please contact the Office of Industrial Design, the College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University.
Tel:(+886) 274 6089
Email: idencku@gmail.com
4. Entrance examination for master’s degree programs at Kyushu University (KYU)
* Please refer to the official website of KYU for the latest information.
https://www.design.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/admission/
5. How to take the subjects
In addition to the coursework at KYU, students will take subjects and receive research guidance at NCKU.
[Subjects at National Cheng Kung University, NCKU]
■Up to 14 credits from credits earned at KYU can be transferred as electives at NCKU.
■After receiving the necessary research guidance, the students must pass a master’s thesis review at NCKU.
[Subjects at Kyushu University, KYU]
■Up to 14 credits from credits earned at NCKU can be transferred as electives at KYU.
■NCKU students will take 6 credits of the course’s core subjects and 2 credits of studio projects while studying at Kyushu University.
■NCKU students will take 8 credits of subjects related to the master’s research, Special Research on Design I-IV, while studying abroad at Kyushu University, and the remaining 8 credits of Special Research on Design I-IV will be taken online.
■The subject, Design Practice, will be taken in person or online, depending on the length of the study abroad program.
■After receiving the necessary research guidance, the students must submit a master’s thesis or master’s work at KYU and pass the examination and final examination.
6. Examples of study schedules for NCKU student
[Admission to KYU: October]
Students will enter NCKU in September, apply for admission to the master’s program of KYU in April or May and take the personal merits entrance examination in July of their first year. If they pass the two-step screening, they will study abroad at KYU from October of their second year to September of their third year. Upon returning to Taiwan, the students will continue their studies at the College of Planning and Design in October of their third year and receive online guidance for their master’s thesis from their academic advisors at KYU. In addition, students will take online subjects offered at KYU as needed.
[Admission to KYU: April]
Students will enter NCKU in February, apply for admission to the master’s program of KYU in April or May and take the personal merits entrance examination in July of their first year. If they pass the two-step screening, they will study abroad at KYU from April of their second year to March of their third year. Upon returning to Taiwan, the students will continue their studies at the College of Planning and Design in April of their third year and receive online guidance for their master’s thesis from their academic advisors at KYU. In addition, students will take online subjects offered at KYU as needed.
Contact
Admissions inquiries
Student Affairs Section, Academic Affairs Division, Administrative Office of Design, Kyushu University
092-553-4586
gkggakusei@jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Inquiries about Double Degree Program
Academic Affairs Section, Academic Affairs Division, Administrative Office of Design, Kyushu University
092-553-4418
gkgkyomu@jimu.kyushu-u.ac.jp