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University level
studies
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University level first stage: Higher education/University study
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Consists of four-year courses except for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine
and Dentistry that are six-year courses
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Applicants to national and public universities must sit for the Unified
First Stage Examination before passing entrance examinations
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General education is obligatory for every student; includes Humanities
and Social and Natural Sciences
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Credit system is used and the minimum requirement for graduation is 124
credits which includes credits in general subjects, foreign languages,
health, and physical education
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Degrees awarded:
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First
stage – Gakushi (Bachelor’s degree)
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Igakushi (Professional degree)
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Juigakushi (Veterinary degree)
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Shigakushi (Dentistry degree)
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University level second stage: Further specialization
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Further specialization takes place in postgraduate schools "daigaku-in",
which do not exist in every university, and leads after two years to the
Shushi (Postgraduate Diploma or Master's Degree)
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It
requires a number of additional credits, a research thesis and a final
examination
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There
is no postgraduate diploma for medical studies, but Doctorates July be
obtained
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University level third stage: Specialization and personal research
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The
third stage leads to the highest university degree, the Hakushi
(Doctorate). Studies last for a minimum of three years following upon
the Shushi (four years in Medicine and Dentistry)
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Candidates to the Hakushi must submit a thesis and undergo a final
examination
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The
Katei-Hakase (Doctorate by course work) is conferred on those who
graduate from a graduate school programme and the Ronbun-Hakase
(Doctorate by dissertation) is conferred on those whose dissertation has
passed examination |
