Do Osaka University students spend a lot of time learning? Or not so much?

Osaka University students spend 30 hours learning per week, a level that is typical of universities worldwide.

Japanese university students have a reputation for not studying very much, but the 2013 Student Experience Survey (SERU) found that Osaka University students spend about 30 hours learning each week, about the same as students at research universities worldwide. How did Japanese students earn their reputation for slacking off?

Amount of time students spend studying and engaged in other activities (per week)*

（1）Attending lectures, exercise lessons, seminars, labs, other than lecture
（2）Studying and other academic activities outside of class

Osaka University students: Lots of time in class, less time learning outside class

If we break down students’ total learning time, we find that they spend 1.1 more hours in class and 2.3 fewer hours learning outside of class, for example through homework, compared to students at research universities worldwide. Time spent learning outside of class is attracting attention as an indicator of the extent to which students pursue their studies proactively. Osaka University is undertaking a variety of educational development to bring the proportion of time its students spend learning outside of class closer to the global standard, for example by expanding learning space and new educational contents and programs.

Amount of time students spend studying and engaged in other activities (per week)*

（3）Participating in student clubs or organizations 
（4）Commuting
（5）Volunteer in community services
（6）Paid employment
（7）Family responsibilities 

Amount of time students spend studying and engaged in other activities (per week)*

（8）Attending movies, concerts, sports, or other entertainment events
（9）Participating in physical exercise, recreational sports, or physically active hobbies 
（10）Pursuing a recreational or creative interest 
（11）Playing videogames

*SERU 2013 was administered from November to December 2013 to students belonging to the School of Science, Graduate School of Science, School of Economics, Graduate School of Economics, Program for Leading Graduate Schools, and International College. The above graphs present data for undergraduate students only.