Creating the future leaders of society
We aim to create students who will contribute to our society by possessing a wide range of expertise in the liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences and the practical ability to discover and solve problems creatively and intelligently with civil pride and with the global perspective required of citizens living in the 21st century.
Academic research on a variety of topics
Flexible leadership that expands young minds
The Faculty of Letters oversees 9 courses and 23 areas of academic research under 4 departments, a rich variety that makes it one of the best undergraduate educations in Japan. Each department has its own entrance examination. In their first year, students take courses from all departments. Starting in their second year, they begin to focus on courses from their own department. We have prepared a degree map for each student to use as a guideline to design a course program that best fits your individual academic needs.
Small classrooms
Our faculty team of about 70 instructors offers a wide range of courses. The student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 10 to 1. In these small classrooms that foster learning, you will work together with your classmates to pursue academic excellence as students of Kumamoto University.
The classes here will provide you with new knowledge, but that is not their main focus. Our classes exist to stimulate you to develop new perceptions and to notice problems that need a solution. Our curricula are designed to gradually nurture your interests and sense of curiosity. Our faculty supports you as you notice (a new problem), examine (through research), and think (by analyzing the findings).
Supporting your interests
Practical education
One misconception is that students of the humanities avoid the real world and simply immerse themselves in books. Our curricula provide a broad range of field work in which students examine issues of modern society and learn skills that will be useful in the future. Through these activities, our students gain hands-on knowledge and experience.
In today's complex society, those who can design and implement new ideas that connect people to wisdom, wisdom to wisdom, and people to people will be the leaders of tomorrow. Humanities interweaves the knowledge of professionals from various fields into a rich tapestry that encourages students to become valuable human resources.
Computer Education
The Faculty of Letters has developed an advanced computer network environment to support the active use of computers in education and research. The laboratories of each department are equipped with the latest computer and information technology.
Students study the use of computers and the Internet in their first year. This enables them to use computers to write reports, communicate through email, and find information using the Internet. With these techniques mastered, students can pursue their field of study more efficiently.
Laboratories
The university has provided a laboratory for each department or course equipped with resources such as computers and a basic library that all students are free to use. These laboratories offer a place for students to come in contact with classmates, upperclassmen, and teachers day-to-day.
During your time here, the laboratory will be a place where you chat with friends about college life and about your classes; where you can listen to upperclassmen share their experiences and wisdom; where you can get advice from teachers on your classes and degree; and where you can communicate and interact with the many people who come to Kumamoto University. We hope you will use these opportunities to improve yourself while enjoying your time here.
Licenses and qualifications
All graduates of the Faculty of Letters are awarded bachelor's degrees, but those who complete certain education courses can also receive a junior high school and high school teaching license. The type of license received depends upon the department from which the student graduates. Furthermore, students who receive a master's degree can receive a junior high school and high school teacher vocational license.
Additionally, the Faculty of Letters offers courses for students to receive a curator's license. This license allows one to work as a curator at a museum or an equivalent facility with the duties of collecting, storing, and exhibiting museum materials, conducting research, and performing other specialized tasks related to the role of a museum administrator.