Kyushu University announced on March 23 that it will establish a new joint academic department with the University of Glasgow in October 2028. The program will focus on international environmental and social challenges, adopting a Joint Degree Program (JDP) framework. Graduates will receive a degree jointly issued by both universities—a rare collaboration model between a Japanese national university and an overseas institution.
The tentative name of the department is the Kyushu University–University of Glasgow International Collaborative Department. It will operate across Kyushu University’s School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation and Glasgow’s School of Social and Environmental Sustainability. Each year, the program will admit 10 students, with five from each university.
Students entering through Kyushu University will spend their first and third years in Japan, while the second year will be at the University of Glasgow. In the fourth year, students can choose either campus depending on their research theme. This structure is designed to provide a truly international learning experience, combining Japanese and British perspectives on sustainability and global issues.
(Source: Nikkei, March 23, 2026)
Kyushu University
Global University in Japan view:
While collaborations between Japanese private universities and overseas institutions have been relatively common, partnerships involving a Japanese national university and a foreign university remain rare. This new initiative is expected to be highly attractive for students who are deeply interested in global environmental challenges and social issues, and who wish to experience studying in both Japan and the United Kingdom.
