Frequently Asked Questions (for Undergraduate Students)

A. No, you cannot. If you are unable to attend the interview screening for reasons such as participation in a language training program sponsored by Keio University, please contact the International Affairs staff at the Office of Student Services, Faculty of Science and Technology, when you apply.

A. Please prioritize your academic studies during your first and second years at Keio. In particular, a fundamental academic ability in physics and mathematics is extremely important. Please also start learning French as early as possible. We also place importance on the content of your study plan. Please think carefully about points such as why you want to study abroad, what you want to do there, and how you can utilize your study abroad experience afterward, and include them in your study plan. Furthermore, please use websites and other resources to thoroughly research what you will study at your host institution.

A. We do not have a specific quota for the number of students. Exchange students are selected based on an absolute evaluation of their academic ability and adaptability to different cultures.

A. You may apply for both the ECN French Language and Culture Training Program and the double degree program.

A. You can request either the École Centrale Group or CentraleSupélec, but you cannot choose a specific school from among the five École Centrale schools. Since the educational philosophy is common to all École Centrale schools, the decision will be made by the French side after a multifaceted review.

A. If you will be traveling abroad in the middle of the semester for your language program, please consult well in advance with your course instructors, academic advisor, and the academic affairs staff to determine whether you can or should take the courses.

A. While this is generally left to your own discretion, circumstances differ by department, so please consult thoroughly with your academic advisor.

A. You are responsible for all preparations, such as obtaining a visa and arranging your airline tickets. As this is part of your real-world education, please make an effort to gather accurate information. Please check the website of the Embassy of France in Japan for the documents required for your visa application.

A. The language school is Cavilam (Centre d’Approches Vivantes des Langues et des Medias), located in the city of Vichy. It has a long-standing partnership with École Centrale. The school has already established a strong track record and is a trusted institution both domestically and internationally.

A. You will learn all aspects of the French language, including reading, writing, and conversation. (Monday: 3.5 hours in the afternoon; Tuesday–Friday: 3 hours in the morning and 1.5 hours in the afternoon)

A. It is for approximately 9 to 10 weeks, starting from the last week of June.

A. For reference, the fees for 2025 are as follows.

A. As a general rule, you will participate in the training at Cavilam as mentioned above. If you wish to attend another language school for a special reason, please first consult with the international coordinator. In partnership with École Centrale (EC), Cavilam already has a strong track record in French language education for double degree international students from other countries such as Brazil and India. Furthermore, during the language training period, you will have opportunities to meet students who are scheduled to enroll at EC, and professors from EC may visit to hold information sessions, making it a valuable place to gather a wide range of information.

A. It is not mandatory for those who already possess sufficient language proficiency, such as individuals who have previously lived in France. Participation is required for everyone else.

A. Classes start from late September to early October. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on the host institution.

A. Generally, you can live in a student dormitory shared with your host institution or a nearby university. Since local students and international students from other countries also live there, it is a favorable environment for learning the language and experiencing communal life. Depending on the host institution, you may be required to move out of the dormitory from your second year.

A. According to the regulations of the student exchange program, you will pay tuition to Keio University during your study abroad period, and tuition at the host institution will be waived. Insurance fees, student association fees, and other costs vary by host institution, so please refer to the reports from past exchange students.

A. With the exception of tuition fees at the host institution, all other expenses (including language training fees, etc.) are the student's responsibility.

A. Here is an example of the monthly living expenses for an exchange student.

A. At École Centrale, the curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of fundamental academic skills in science and engineering fields such as mechanics, electronics, mathematics, and physics, rather than participation in specialized research. There are also extensive projects where groups work on assignments given by companies, allowing students to learn how academic knowledge is applied in society. After completing the two-year program and returning to Japan, please deepen your expertise in the master's program at Keio's Graduate School of Science and Technology.

A. You can view the study abroad reports written by exchange students describing their experiences on the "Voices of Exchange Students" page (keio.jp authentication is required for access). If necessary, you can also contact the students directly with questions via email.

A. In French language classes, we provide opportunities for you to consult with international student TAs. Additionally, there are student-led organizations such as the France-Japan Student Association (commonly known as OFJ) where you can interact with international students, so you may want to consider participating. You can also consult the International Center at Yagami Campus.

A. The standard period is a total of two years, from enrollment in September to completion in September. There are no preferential measures for double degree students.

A. The schedule is the same as that for the entrance examination for September admission to the Graduate School of Science and Technology. Therefore, you will need to send your application documents to Keio by mid-December of the year before you return to your home country. (The procedure is almost the same as that for French students studying at Keio from double degree partner universities). When the time comes, the necessary documents will be sent to you from the International Affairs section of the Office of Student Services at the Faculty of Science and Technology. You will be required to indicate your preferred academic advisor (laboratory) on these documents, so please gather information from websites and other sources, and make sure to contact the faculty member you wish to be supervised by via email or other means to discuss your research content before submitting your application.

A. We will be publishing the experiences of our graduates from time to time, so please use them as a reference.

A. Please refer to the double degree program pamphlet distributed by the International Affairs section of the Office of Student Services for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

A. Yes. Please see our website for information on scholarships for studying abroad.