Colleges of Technology
Colleges of technology, or "kosen," are institutions of higher education that offer five years of integrated education after graduation from junior high school (five and a half years for departments related to merchant marine). International students are mainly admitted to the third year of technical colleges, but some private technical colleges allow students to enter from the first year.
Unique features of the education system of Colleges of Technology
Kosen offer education programs that develop hands-on engineers who acquired world-class expertise and can handle the latest technology, with a focus on lab work, practical work and hands-on exercises as well as having advanced theoretical knowledge.
- Though most departments in Kosen are related to the industrial field, department on mercantile marine that aim to develop mariners are also available.
- Graduates of Kosen are awarded an "associate degree."
- After a five-year curriculum, a two-year advanced course is offered to provide a further higher level of education.
- A student who has successfully completed a two-year advanced course after his/her graduation from the college of technology will be awarded a bachelor's degree