Japanese university seeks more gap year students

A leading Japanese university is considering moving its enrolment period back from April to September, enabling more students to take a break between school and higher education.

The University of Tokyo is set to fall into line with UK and US universities by starting the academic year in the autumn - however entrance exams will still take place in February.

This means students will have a six-month break before starting their university course, time which could be used for voluntary work abroad or a gap year adventure.

According to the Daily Yomiuri, leading figures within the university want to encourage more students to take gap years - or at least 'snap' years - for the purpose of their personal development.

"We want our students to enter the university after they learn the social value of study and become aware of various issues, not just come to college as a continuation of their entrance exam preparations," University of Tokyo president Junichi Hamada said.

The initiative has already been piloted by Akita International University, which in 2008 introduced a special admission quota for students who undertake work in society before starting their degree.

During the last four years, participating students have become involved with various projects of their own accord, such as removing land mines in Cambodia, working at a kindergarten in Australia and farming in Japan.

And with ten special admission slots available for the 2012-13 academic year, the university has received 46 applications.

Shinji Aoki, head of the Toyo University school of sociology, said students who arrive having done voluntary work arrive with a clearer sense of purpose.

He said this should help them to get a job once they have graduated.

"I think 'slow and steady wins the race' in terms of human resources development," Mr Aoki told the news provider.

Find out about gap year benefits.