Keio University is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and is considered the oldest university on the Asian continent. The university was founded in 1858 by Yukichi Fukuzawa, a very well-known Japanese intellectual from the time of the Meiji Restoration, who decisively advanced Japan's modernization.
Since 1998, there has been a regular student exchange program between the Institute of Production Engineering and Machine Tools and Keio University. In each winter semester, 1-2 Japanese students study in Hannover and two students from Hannover study with Prof. Kakinuma in Japan during the summer semester. Interested students who meet the requirements listed below can apply for this program.
The stay at Keio University is four months from the beginning of April to the end of July each year. The study content during the stay in Japan consists of a study or master thesis, an excursion and optional lectures in English. You can gain impressions of the exchange by reading the testimonials of our former exchange students.
Double-Degree Program with the Keio University
There is also an agreement with Keio University on a Double-Degree Programm. Upon completion of the internationally oriented studies, you will receive a double degree from Leibniz Universität Hannover and Keio University and thus have a special qualification that will have a significant positive influence on your further professional career and enrich you personally. For more information on this and the application process, please contact the study abroad advisor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.u.
What requirements should I meet?
- Study of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, industrial engineering or electrical engineering
- Existing bachelor's degree at the time of the start of the stay in Japan
- Above average academic performance
- Good English skills
- Interest in production engineering topics
Which application documents do I need?
- Cover letter in English
- Resume in English
- Certificates (high school diploma, bachelor's degree, work references, if applicable)
- Current Bachelor's and, if applicable, Master's grade point average
- Optional: Letter of reference
What costs will I incur and will I receive financial support?
Due to the close cooperation between Keio University and the IFW, students do not have to pay tuition fees. The costs for a stay amount to about 800 - 1,100 € per month (+ return flight) and depend on the lifestyle there. To finance the stay, the IFW cooperates with the Dr. Jürgen and Irmgard Ulderup Foundation, the Sieglinde Vollmer Foundation and the Kurt Alten Foundation, among others. The application for these scholarships usually takes place a few weeks after the application for the stay abroad. The application to these or other foundations is done by the applicants on their own responsibility. However, we support suitable applicants in the procedures.
Submission of the application documents in one PDF document by e-mail by 31.08. of each year (for the program in the summer semester) or by 28/29.02. of each year (for the program in the winter semester) to the contact person of the IFW.
