Kyoto University of the Arts Sees Increase in Applicants for 2026 Academic Year

Kyoto University of the Arts (Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; President: Taku Satoh) reported that the number of applicants for its 2026 undergraduate entrance exams increased in both its on-campus and distance learning programs compared to the previous year. In the distance learning program, applicants aged 18-22 have increased for three consecutive years. Furthermore, the number of first-year entrants exceeded that of third-year transfer students for the first time, indicating a trend where students are choosing distance learning universities not only for 're-skilling' as working adults but also as a new path after high school graduation. As the environment surrounding universities changes due to the declining birthrate, options for learning and higher education are diversifying. At our university, changes in educational needs have been observed in different forms, such as increased participation in open campus events and comprehensive selection processes for on-campus courses, and a rise in young applicants for distance learning. The total number of applicants for the 2026 undergraduate exams reached 13,416 for on-campus courses (123% of the previous year) and 4,743 for distance learning (103% of the previous year). As of May 2026, the number of students enrolled in distance learning, including graduate school, reached a record high of 18,695. The total number of students across both on-campus and distance learning programs is 23,720.