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JAPAN · NAGOYA

Nagoya University

public · Founded 1871 · Languages: en, ja

In short

Nagoya University, a leading Japanese research institution, offers globally ranked education with English-taught programs and Nobel laureates among its alumni. It provides competitive tuition and various scholarship opportunities in an affordable major Japanese city.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 1871
Students: 16,000
International students: 2,300
Acceptance rate: 21%
Tuition (intl): €3–3k/yr
Languages: EN, JA
Location: Nagoya, Japan

Nagoya University is one of Japan's seven Imperial Universities, founded in 1871 and ranked among the top 120 universities globally. Located in Nagoya, the country's fourth-largest city and industrial hub, it enrolls about 16,000 students and has produced six Nobel Prize laureates — the most of any Japanese university outside Tokyo and Kyoto. The university is known for its 'free and vibrant' academic culture, world-class research centers, and growing portfolio of English-taught programs for international students through the G30 initiative.

Why study here

Six Nobel Prize laureates — Japan's most Nobel-productive university outside Tokyo and Kyoto.
English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs available through the G30 International Programs initiative.
Low annual tuition (~535,800 JPY, approximately €3,200) compared to Western research universities of comparable prestige.
Located in Nagoya, a major industrial city with Toyota, Denso, and dozens of global manufacturing partners for internships and research.
Strong research institutes including the WPI-ITbM transformative bio-molecules center and active collaboration with European and US universities.

Student life

Nagoya University offers a lively campus experience across its Higashiyama main campus. The annual Meidai Festival features live performances, food stalls, and academic lectures open to the public. Students can join clubs ranging from the NUts Poker Circle to traditional cultural clubs like those practicing Bon Odori. The university provides comprehensive mental health, career, and disability support services. Nagoya itself is an affordable, safe city with excellent food (miso katsu, hitsumabushi), easy access to mountains and coast, and good transport links to Tokyo and Kyoto.

Fees

InternationalAnnual tuition for international students is 535,800 JPY (approximately €3,200 at 2024 rates), same as domestic students. An enrollment fee of 282,000 JPY is charged once at admission.

HomeSame tuition as international: 535,800 JPY/year. Tuition exemptions are available for students from multi-child households starting April 2025.

LivingNagoya is affordable by Japanese standards. Monthly living costs typically run ¥80,000–¥110,000 (approximately €500–€700), including accommodation (¥30,000–¥60,000/month in university dormitories or private apartments), food, and transport.

Tuition exemption and scholarship programs are available through MEXT and the university. A new tuition exemption system for multi-child households takes effect from April 2025. Additional tuition fee exemption/deferral systems will be implemented from April 2027.

Admissions

Undergraduate (Japanese)National Center Test for University Admissions (Kyotsu Test) plus university-specific second stage exam. Competitive; science/engineering faculties particularly selective.

Undergraduate (International - G30)Recognized secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent; English language proficiency; program-specific requirements; apply through Nagoya University's international admissions portal.

GraduateBachelor's or master's degree in relevant field; research proposal (for doctoral programs); supervisor agreement; Japanese or English depending on program.

TOEFL iBT79–100 depending on program (G30 undergraduate programs)

IELTS Academic6.0–6.5 depending on program

TOEIC785+ for some programs

Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2025118

Times Higher Education World Rankings 2025201

Shanghai ARWU 202484

National (Japan)5

University scholarships

MEXT (Monbukagakusho) ScholarshipFull tuition + ¥117,000/month living allowance for undergraduate/graduate students

JASSO Honors Scholarship¥48,000/month for enrolled international students

Nagoya University Tuition ExemptionFull or half tuition exemption based on financial need and academic merit

Accreditation

Nagoya University is a national university corporation under Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It undergoes periodic institutional evaluation by the National University Corporation Evaluation Committee based on six-year mid-term objectives.

Programs

a selection

View top programs →

Nagoya University · Japan

Department of Nursing

The Department of Nursing at Nagoya University Hospital is dedicated to providing safe and high-quality nursing care that fosters a sense of security and trust for patients. We prioritize respecting patients' rights and strive for the highest standards in nursing services. Our department is committed to cultivating excellent nurses through a robust training and development system. We operate on a Nagoya University-style partnership nursing system, where nurses work in pairs. This collaborative approach enhances safety, improves efficiency, and helps manage the workload of our nursing staff. As a university hospital offering advanced medical services, we continuously adapt to evolving healthcare needs and societal demands, pursuing higher levels of specialization and advancement in our nursing practices. We promote collaboration both internally and with the wider community, leveraging the practical knowledge and educational capacity of the University Hospital.

Nagoya University · Japan

Transplantation Surgery (Graduate School of Medicine)

The Transplantation Surgery department at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine focuses on advanced liver disease treatment, primarily through liver transplantation from both live and brain-dead donors. The department provides comprehensive care, including donor management and pre-transplant counseling, establishing a lifelong medical care system for recipients and donors. Specializing in a wide range of liver conditions such as fulminant hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, and various congenital liver diseases, the department is highly regarded for its adult and pediatric liver transplantation techniques. They are a certified facility for brain-dead donor liver transplants and regularly perform complex procedures, including blood type incompatible transplantation. The department also offers specialized outpatient clinics for recipients and living donors, as well as dedicated transplantation counseling sessions. Research in transplantation surgery is also a significant focus, with efforts directed towards improving surgical techniques and addressing critical post-transplant issues like infection control, immune response management, and the prevention of cancer recurrence in transplanted livers. Their clinical results show a one-year survival rate exceeding 90%.

Scholarships

for Japan

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full funding

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)

GRIPS Fully Funded Scholarships (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)

Open to international students applying to GRIPS master's and PhD policy programs taught in English. Master's and five-year PhD applicants need a bachelor's degree or equivalent; three-year PhD applicants need a master's degree or equivalent. Specific scholarships (MEXT, ADB-JSP, JJ/WBGSP, JICA, Japan-IMF) each carry their own nationality, age and work-experience conditions tied to the program selected.

National Institute of Genetics (NIG)

NIG Postdoctoral Fellowship (National Institute of Genetics)

Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will obtain it before the start date) and have the research skills to pursue a genetics project. Applicants who were previously enrolled at NIG as postdocs, technical staff or SOKENDAI graduate students are not eligible.

Nishimura Foundation Japan International Scholarship

Open to Indonesian citizens who are graduates of UGM, ITB, UI or UNAIR and who will apply for S1 (undergraduate), S2 (master's) or S3 (doctoral) study at an eligible Japanese university. Applicants must self-fund their study programme (the scholarship covers living expenses, not tuition), meet the minimum GPA (3.0 for undergraduate, 3.5 for master's), demonstrate financial need, and have or be willing to learn Japanese with an interest in Japanese culture and Indonesia-Japan relations.

Osaka University (funded by MEXT, Japanese Government)

Osaka University MEXT Scholarship for Robotics and Bioengineering

Open to non-Japanese citizens with a strong academic background in a relevant field such as robotics, bioengineering or mechanical science, who meet the MEXT programme conditions, present a focused research proposal, and obtain a supporting supervisor at Osaka University before applying.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Long-Term Scholarships)

For young government officials and professionals from partner developing countries who are nominated/selected through their country's JICA programme (such as JDS) to pursue a master's (and some doctoral) degree in Japan. Applicants apply through the in-country JICA/JDS process during the partner country's call.

Kyoto University (funded by the Bai Xian Asia Institute)

Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP) at Kyoto University

Citizens of eligible Asian countries who meet Kyoto University's academic and admission requirements, are committed to completing the two-year programme and participating in AFLSP leadership activities, and are admitted to a qualifying undergraduate programme. Open to students of all academic disciplines.

Frequently asked questions

What are the tuition fees for international students at Nagoya University?

International students pay the same annual tuition as domestic students, which is 535,800 JPY (approximately €3,200). An enrollment fee of 282,000 JPY is also charged once upon admission. Tuition exemption and scholarship programs are available.

What are the living costs in Nagoya for students?

Monthly living costs in Nagoya typically range from ¥80,000 to ¥110,000 (approximately €500–€700). This includes accommodation, food, and transportation, with university dormitory or private apartment rent often between ¥30,000–¥60,000 per month.

Does Nagoya University offer programs in English?

Yes, Nagoya University offers English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs through its G30 International Programs initiative. Specific English proficiency test scores like TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic are required depending on the program.

What is Nagoya University known for?

Nagoya University is renowned for its academic freedom, strong research, and has produced six Nobel Prize laureates, the most for a Japanese university outside of Tokyo and Kyoto. It is also recognized for its global rankings and its location in a major industrial city.

Are there scholarships available for international students?

Yes, several scholarships are available, including the MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship which covers tuition and living expenses, the JASSO Honors Scholarship, and the Nagoya University Tuition Exemption for students demonstrating financial need and academic merit.

Last updated 30 June 2026