Universities in Sapporo

Hokkaido University’s origins date back to 1876, when Sapporo Agricultural College was established as Japan’s first modern university. It later became Hokkaido Imperial University and a national university under the reformed school education laws, before attaining its current status as a leading comprehensive research university, the National University Corporation Hokkaido University. Throughout its long history, the university has adopted the four basic philosophies of “frontier spirit”, “global perspective”, “all-round education” and “practical learning”. In 2026, the university will reach an important milestone – it’s 150th anniversary – as it continues its reforms towards becoming “Hokkaido University that contributes to resolving global issues”, while acknowledging the importance of the university’s role in society.

Number of students / Number of international students

17,909 (as of May 1, 2014) / 1,456 (as of May 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of Letters, School of Education, School of Law, School of Economics and Business Education, School of Science, School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy, School of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Fisheries Sciences, Modern Japanese Studies Program Courses

Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of Law, Graduate School of Economics and Business Education, Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Graduate School of Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Graduate School of Life Science, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of International Media, Communication and Tourism Studies, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Graduate School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Public Policy

Support systems aimed at international students

Scholarships, reduction of/exemption from tuition fees, student dormitories, supporters when traveling to Japan, support desk, counselors

University website URL

http://www.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Office of International Affairs, Division of International Academic Programs
Tel. No.+81-11-706-8056
E-mail: ryugaku@oia.hokudai.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English

Hokkaido University of Education has campuses in five major cities in Hokkaido (Sapporo, Asahikawa, Kushiro, Hakodate and Iwamizawa), with its headquarters established on the Sapporo Campus. It is one of the largest state-run teacher-training universities in Japan, and has international exchange agreements with 35 universities in 15 countries and regions. International students of various nationalities – including regular faculty and graduate school students, exchange students from partner institutions, exchange research students，short-term language training students and the like – study at each of the Hokkaido University of Education campuses.

Number of students / Number of international students

5,649 (as of Oct. 1, 2014) / 96 (as of Oct. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of Education
Graduate School of Education

Support systems aimed at international students

Student dormitory, tutor system

University website URL

http://www2.hokkyodai.ac.jp/english/

Inquiries

Department: Registrar’s Office, International Center
Tel. No. (Registrar’s Office) +81-11-778-0274 (International Center) +81-11-778-0674
E-mail: g-kokusai@j.hokkyodai.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English (mail only)

A new learning forum in which design and nursing are integrated in the study of respect for human life. With an education philosophy that focuses on the “importance of humanity” and “contribution to local society”, the university aims to nurture professionals to deal with the advanced specialist fields of design and nursing. At the School of Design, students acquire a wide range of design skills, including new perspectives, technical capabilities, and planning abilities, with the aim of contributing to the realization of abundant social activities; students learn specialist knowledge and skills while taking part in practical training in community-rooted design and management. At the graduate schools (Graduate School of Design and Graduate School of Nursing), further collaborative design and research is developed with the aim of nurturing even higher levels of specialist professionals, researchers and educators.

Number of students / Number of international students

825 (as of May 1, 2014) / 9

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students
Faculties: School of design
Graduate schools: Graduate School of Design, Graduate School of Nursing

Support systems aimed at international students

Reduction or exemption of tuition fees

University website URL

http://www.scu.ac.jp/english/

Inquiries

Department: Student Affairs
Tel. No.
E-mail:
Languages available: Japanese, English

The university boasts Hokkaido’s first Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, comprising the Department of Music and the Department of Fine Arts. In the first year’s Theory of Art & Culture Ⅰ and Ⅱ, classes are taught by teaching staff who are specialists in various fields, enabling students to learn about music and fine art from a wide perspective. Courses in which music and fine arts students study jointly are rare within universities in Japan. What’s more, in the 3rd year, joint practical courses – Production & Performance A (stage) and B (screen) – are held in which students from the Department of Music and the Department of Fine Arts collaborate. The university is dedicated to nurturing human resources with a wide artistic perspective in the fields of both music and fine arts.

Number of students / Number of international students

691 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 0 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of Music and Fine Arts (Department of Music, Department of Fine Arts)

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.sapporo-otani.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Course Support Center
Tel. No. +81-11-742-1643
E-mail: otani_shinro@sapporo-otani.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English

This university provides an exclusive international student support desk to provide proactive support and campus activity back-up for overseas students.

Number of students / Number of international students

1,223 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 14 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Department of Humanities, Department of Sports & Human Sports Instruction, Department of Tourism
Graduate School of Tourism

Support systems aimed at international students

support desk

University website URL

http://www.siu.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Admissions Office
Tel. No. +81-11-881-8861
E-mail: nkoho@ad.siu.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English (mail only), Chinese (mail only), Korean (mail only)

Sapporo University is dedicated to nurturing young people to lead the cohesive society to which 21st century mankind aspires. At the Sapporo University Inter-Communication Center (SUICC) established in 2013, a variety of interaction takes place between local residents and students, regardless of nationality. At this university, which was established on the basis of Hokkaido’s business community’s demand for globally oriented human resources, students overcome national and ethnic differences and study the history and culture of Japanese ethnicity and Ainu ethnicity, together, while proactively absorbing the different cultures nurtured by neighboring countries such as Russia. In addition, cultural exchanges through sports are carried out with universities from neighboring countries, through club activities in which international students also participate.

Number of students / Number of international students

3,013 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 180 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Community Collaboration Studies (degree: bachelor (Economics, Business Management, Law, Russian Language, English Language, Cultural Studies); Sapporo University Women’s Junior College (degree: associate degree [humanities and culture])
Graduate School of Law, Graduate School of Business Management, Graduate School of Foreign Languages, Graduate School of Economics, Graduate School of Cultural Studies

Support systems aimed at international students

Reduction or exemption of tuition fees

University website URL

http://www.sapporo-u.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Sapporo University Inter-Communication Center
Tel. No. +81-11-852-9138
E-mail: suicc@ofc.sapporo-u.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English , Chinese

As a Catholic school based on the Christian spirit, this college trains specialists to deal with the advanced needs of medical care, healthcare and welfare, under the keywords of “health” and “living”. The School of Nursing & Nutrition, comprising the Department of Nursing, which trains nurses, and the Department of Nutrition, which educates registered dieticians and the like, opens its doors to students who have “completed 12 years of school curriculum overseas and who are qualified to enter university in that country” or those studying Japanese, Science (either Chemistry or Biology) and Mathematics for the Japan Student Services Organization’s “Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students” in the year of their application.

Number of students / Number of international students

749 / 0

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students
(College) School of Nursing & Nutrition (Department of Nursing, Department of Nutrition)

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.tenshi.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Department: Admissions, PR Office
Tel. No.
E-mail:
Languages available: Japanese

This university is a comprehensive nationwide university with campuses throughout Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, aiming to advance the development of human resources through integrated education in humanities and sciences. With it’s core of education, research, social collaboration, international cooperation and, in particular, as a pioneer of international exchange activities that advocate international peace, the university is proceeding with globalization through the establishment of separate Japanese language training courses and international student courses that focus on the education of students from overseas.

Number of students / Number of international students

30,115 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 659 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of International Cultural Relations, Biological Science and Engineering, Letters, Tourism, Political Science and Economics, Law, Humanities and Culture, Science, Information Science and Technology, Engineering, Physical Education, Information and Telecommunication Eng., Marine Science and Technology, Health Sciences, Business Studies, Industrial Engineering, Agriculture (International Cultural Relations and Biological Science & Engineering only at the Sapporo campus)

Graduate School of Regional Development Studies, Science and Engineering, Letter, Political Science, Economics, Law, Human Environmental Studies, Arts, Science, Engineering, Physical Education, Information and Telecommunication, Marine Science and Technology, High Technology for Human Welfare, Medicine, Health Sciences, Industrial Engineering (Regional Development Studies and Science & Engineering only at the Sapporo Campus)

Support systems aimed at international students

Scholarships, reduction of/exemption from tuition fees

University website URL

http://www.u-tokai.ac.jp/international

Inquiries

Department: International Academic Affairs Department (International Student Admissions Desk)
Tel. No. +81-463-58-1211
E-mail: oasis@tokai.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English, Korean, Thai

Fuji Women’s University was founded in 1961 by Fuji School Corporation, the parent organization of Fuji Girls’ High School, which was established in the belief that “The future of Hokkaido is in the education of girls”. The university comprises two faculties – the Faculty of Humanities on the Kita 16-jo Campus (Sapporo), and the Faculty of Human Life Sciences on the Hanakawa Campus (Ishikari) – and 6 departments. The university is true to its mission to foster women of intellect and humanity to live in love and service a wider society, through a holistic higher education founded on the compassion of the Christian world view.

Number of students / Number of international students

2,251 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 4 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Acceptance of overseas exchange students (limited to students from partner universities with which an agreement has been arranged.)

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.fujijoshi.ac.jp/english/

Inquiries

Department: Admissions Office
Tel. No. +81+11-736-5959
E-mail: https://www.fujijoshi.ac.jp/contact/
Languages available: Japanese

This university has been involved in international-exchange education for 50 years. It currently has exchange agreements with 16 universities in the United States, Canada, UK, Indonesia, Korea, Switzerland, Spain, China and Taiwan, with between 60 and 70 international students studying at the university each year. As well as the standard entrance examination for 4-year education programs, a separate entrance examination has also been established for international students from overseas. However, as there are no special educational programs established for such international students, they attend the standard lectures along with the Japanese students.

Number of students / Number of international students

3,692 (as of Oct. 1, 2014) / 20 (as of Oct. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

School of Humanities (Department of English, Department of Psychology and Applied Communication)
School of Economics (Department of Economics, Department of Management Information, Department of Law and Economics)
School of Social Welfare (Department of Social Policy, Department of Social Work, Department of Psychology for Well-being)

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.hokusei.ac.jp/en/

Inquiries

Department: (With regard to admissions for international students) Admissions Office (With regard to overseas exchanges between partner schools) Student Support Office, International Education Desk
Tel. No. Admissions Office： +81-11-891-2731 Student Support Office, International Education Desk ：+81-11-895-1000
E-mail: Admissions Office： nyushi@hokusei.ac.jp Student Support Office, International Education Desk ：intlcenter@hokusei.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English (only available with regard to Admission Office mail)

Hokkai Gakuen University was founded in 1952 as Hokkaido’s first 4-year private university and has currently developed into a comprehensive coeducational university comprising 5 undergraduate schools and 6 graduate schools. The university continues to turn out human resources in numerous fields and enterprises, including approximately 80,000 graduates in public offices in Hokkaido and beyond. Japanese language lessons have been established for international undergraduates, with support provided to improve linguistic ability. Club activities also make for a dynamic student life, with many sports-oriented clubs taking part in national events, and liberal arts clubs performing around the different regions.

Number of students / Number of international students

8,457 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 13 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Engineering
Graduate school of Economics, Graduate School of Business Administration, Graduate School of Law, Graduate School of Letters, Graduate School of Engineering, Law School

Support systems aimed at international students

Scholarships, reduction of/exemption from tuition fees

University website URL

http://hgu.jp

Inquiries

Department: Admission Office, Admission Section
Tel. No. +81-11-841-1161
E-mail:
Languages available: Japanese

This university was opened in 2006 as Hokkai Gakuen University’s sister school and “one more Gakuen” at which to study commerce major with the educational goal of “studying Asia in the Asian era”. The university aims to take advantage of its small-class-size education and the development of advanced communication skills. Efforts are also being concentrated on language study, with selected students spending approximately 5 months from the second half of the first year of studies, at a partner school overseas. Language training programs have been established at each school, and students develop international perspectives and business sense through a variety of exchange opportunities.

Number of students / Number of international students

699 (as of Dec. 1, 2014) / 24 (as of Dec. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of Commerce (Limited to students from partner universities)
Graduate School of Commerce Business major (Limited to students from partner universities)

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.hokkai.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Admissions & Publicity Center
Tel. No. +81-11-841-1161
E-mail:
Languages available: Japanese

Health Sciences University of Hokkaido Graduate Schools offer systematic education programs by means of research courses and certified physician/medical specialist training courses. Overseas students and other members of the international society are actively welcomed, creating an environment of mutual stimulation among students of various academic backgrounds. Through its management of the process towards being awarded a degree, the university endeavors to nurture extremely talented research-minded dentists and researchers to lead the development of dentistry in the future.

Number of students / Number of international students

3,328 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 7 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Graduate School of Dentistry

Support systems aimed at international students

Reduction or exemption of tuition fees

University website URL

http://www.hoku-iryo-u.ac.jp

Inquiries

Department: Admissions & Publicity Department
Tel. No. +81-133-22-2113
E-mail: nyushi@hoku-iryo-u.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English

Established in 1967 as Hokkaido Institute of Technology, with the aim of contributing to the development of industry and regeneration of regional society through the education of human resources, its name was changed in 2014 along with the establishment of 3 more healthcare-related departments. Academic disciplines were expanded to engineering and medical & social sciences, creating Hokkaido’s No.1 practical comprehensive university, under the basic principal of the “harmony of humanity and technology”. In April 2015, the group’s sister school, Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University will move to the same site, creating the potential for more profound study with a wider perspective, by means of strengthened collaboration.

Number of students / Number of international students

2,975 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 6 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Future Design
Graduate School of Engineering

Support systems aimed at international students

Reduction or exemption of tuition fees

University website URL

http://www.hus.ac.jp/eng/

Inquiries

Department: Admissions & Publicity Department
Tel. No. +81-11-688-2382
E-mail: nyushi@hus.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese

Hokkaido Pharmaceutical University is a pharmaceutical college that implements a 6-year integrated education with the aim of nurturing highly qualified pharmacists as healthcare personnel to support the growth and development of local healthcare. Since its establishment in 1974, the school has turned out over 6,000 pharmacists, many of whom are active at various healthcare institutions throughout Hokkaido and Japan. In April 2015, the principal functions of student education will be transferred from the present site in Katsuraoka in Otaru to Maeda in Teine-ku, Sapporo. Subsequent educational practices will be further enhanced through collaborations with the adjacent Hokkaido University of Science.

Number of students / Number of international students

1,321 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 0 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

School of Pharmacy
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (doctor course)

Support systems aimed at international students

Reduction or exemption of tuition fees

University website URL

http://www.hokuyakudai.ac.jp/english/

Inquiries

Department: Admissions & Publicity Department
Tel. No. +81-134-62-1945 (As of April 2015, +81-11-688-7187)
E-mail: nyushi@hokuyakudai.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese

Students of the Department of Childcare acquire the general skills required of childcare personnel: skills obtained by learning from textbooks and teachers, abundant practical training work and hands-on lessons, as well as senses that are refined through musical and artistic expression. These skills are further improved through contact with children at the college’s affiliated kindergarten and on-campus Childcare Support Center. The college’s aim is to nurture kindergarten teachers and child minders with a rich sense of humanity as childcare personnel, through practical education and hands-on training at affiliated facilities.

Number of students / Number of international students

243 (as of May. 1, 2014) / 0 (as of May. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Junior College, Department of Childcare

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.sapporo-otani.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Career Support Office
Tel. No. +81-11-742-1643
E-mail: otani_shinro@sapporo-otani.ac.jp/
Languages available: Japanese, English

In order to proactively support international students, this college has established a Support Desk for exclusive use by students from overseas, as a way of providing back-up for their activities at the college.

Number of students / Number of international students

1,223 (as of May 1, 2014) (Total number including university students) / 14人 (as of May 1, 2014) (Total number including university students)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Junior College

Support systems aimed at international students

support desk

University website URL

http://www.siu.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Admissions Department
Tel. No. +81-11-881-8861
E-mail: nkoho@ad.sin.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English(mail only), Chinese(mail only), Korean(mail only)

The college’s Department of English has a short-term overseas study program that currently has agreements with 8 universities in 5 countries (United States, Canada, UK, Malaysia and New Zealand) (The college only dispatches students and cannot accept exchange students from overseas). As well as the standard entrance examination for 2-year study programs, a separate entrance examination has also been established for international students from overseas. However, as there are no special educational programs for such international students, they attend the standard lectures along with the Japanese students.

Number of students / Number of international students

438 (as of Oct. 1, 2014) / 1 (as of Oct. 1, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Department of English

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.hokusei.ac.jp/en/

Inquiries

Department: Department: Admissions Department
Tel. No. +81-11-891-2731
E-mail: nyushi@hokusei.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese, English(mail only)

Four courses – 1) Automobile Maintenance, 2) Technical Development, 3) Non-life Insurance, 4) Management – are established to provide the skills required for those aspiring to work in the automotive industry. The college aims for steady achievement through the accumulation of specialist knowledge in various fields, based on fundamental automobile engineering and general education. In addition, the basic education course is standardized with that of Hokkaido University of Science, enabling students to attain a general education and fundamental preparation for working life on a par with the 4-year university students.

Number of students / Number of international students

296 (as of Nov. 27, 2014) / 2 (as of Nov. 27, 2014)

Faculties, schools and graduate schools that accept international students

Department of Automotive Engineering, Advanced Course for Automotive Body Engineering Majors (1-year course)

Support systems aimed at international students

N/A

University website URL

http://www.hus.ac.jp/

Inquiries

Department: Student Support Department
Tel. No. +81-11-821-0175
E-mail: nyushi-t@hus.ac.jp
Languages available: Japanese