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DDP

The Double Degree Program with the Department of Industrial Design, College of Planning and Design, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan

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

1. Department of Design, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University

Master of Design

Master of Design Strategy

2. 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.

KYU

Classification

NCKU

18 credits

Subjects Related to
Master’s Research

Required Subjects

6 credits

 6 credits

Course Core Subjects

Required Electives

4 credits

 2 credits

Studio Projects

Master’s Thesis

6 credits

14 credits*

Electives

Electives

18 credits *

40 credits

Total

34 credits

*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 overseas universities.

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

Admission to NCKU, Spring (February) Enrollment

DDP nomination deadline

(to KYU)

End of May

Submit the "Application for Double Degree Program” and Research Proposal to the Student Affairs Section, Faculty of Arts and Design, Kyushu University.

Application period (to NCKU)

July – September 30

Submit applications to the NCKU application portal.

Announcement of admission result

November 15

Online results

Enrollment

Mid-February

 

Admission to NCKU, Fall (September) Enrollment

DDP nomination deadline

(to KYU)

End of November

Submit the "Application for Double Degree Program” and Research Proposal to the Student Affairs Section, Faculty of Arts and Design, Kyushu University.

Application period (to NCKU)

Mid-January – March 30

Submit applications to the NCKU application portal.

Announcement of admission result

May 31

Online results

Enrollment

Early September

* 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.