Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Campus Life, and Career Paths

Thinking about studying medicine, pharmacy, or nursing in Japan? Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University (OMPU) could be a strong fit if you want a clinically focused education in the heart of Kansai. Located in Takatsuki—between Osaka and Kyoto—OMPU blends hands-on training at its teaching hospitals with research strengths such as BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy). This guide collects practical facts (fees, strengths, climate, campus life) and credible sources to help you decide if OMPU belongs on your short list.

Quick Facts

Type	Private University
Total Students	3,118 (THE 2025)
Campuses	Main: Takatsuki (Central/North/South areas); Abuyama area; University Hospital cluster (Takatsuki)
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Medicine; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Faculty of Nursing
Tuition Fees	Medicine (MD, 6 years): Year 1 ¥5,985,000; Years 2–6 ¥4,485,000 Pharmacy (6 years): Year 1 ¥2,200,000; Years 2–6 ¥1,700,000 (approx. per official schedule) Nursing (4 years): Year 1 ¥1,900,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,700,000
Gender Ratio	60 F : 40 M (THE 2025)
International-Student %	~1% (THE 2025)
Students per Staff	5.4 (THE 2025)

Sources: THE Key Stats, Medicine tuition (official), Pharmacy tuition (official), Nursing tuition (official). Figures reflect pages as of 2025 and may be revised annually by the university.

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Headquarters / Faculty of Medicine)

Address: 2-7 Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-8686, Japan

Abuyama Campus (Faculty of Pharmacy, Takatsuki)

Address: 4-20-1 Nasahara, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1094, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

OMPU traces its roots to 1927, when the Osaka Senior High School of Medicine was established. The institution became Osaka Medical College in 1946, educating physicians, clinicians, and researchers who would support healthcare in Kansai for decades. In 2021, Osaka Medical College merged with Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences to form Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University (OMPU). The integration deepened collaboration between medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing disciplines and consolidated clinical training resources on a single urban footprint centered in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture. Background (overview), Institution profile.

Mission-wise, the university emphasizes patient-centered training through its university hospitals and affiliated centers. OMPU’s Kansai BNCT Medical Center—one of Japan’s best-known BNCT hubs—symbolizes its drive to bring advanced science directly into clinical practice. The campus concentration (lecture halls, labs, hospitals, and specialty centers within walking distance) is designed to help students move quickly from classroom learning to supervised patient care, and to encourage joint projects among medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. Kansai BNCT Medical Center (EN).

Today, OMPU positions itself as a community-embedded medical university, training health professionals for Kansai and beyond. Students typically split their time among foundational coursework, skills labs, and rotations at the university hospital and partner sites. The presence of research groups and clinical trial units (e.g., the Clinical Research Center) gives motivated students an early pathway into research design, ethics, and data handling. Clinical Research Center (EN).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Kansai BNCT: Translating Physics into Therapy

BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) is an emerging modality for hard-to-treat tumors. OMPU’s Kansai BNCT Medical Center operates a hospital-based accelerator system and collaborates with national research groups. Peer‑reviewed studies in 2023–2024 reported outcomes for patients with recurrent head and neck cancers treated at OMPU’s center, evidencing OMPU’s active role in BNCT clinical research. See the center’s English page and recent literature: Center (EN), Preliminary outcomes, 2024, BNCT review, 2023, ISNCT overview (Japan).

Hospital-Centered Training & Clinical Research Ecosystem

OMPU’s lecture theaters, skills labs, and wards are set within one compact area of Takatsuki. That proximity allows pre‑clinical students to observe care early and encourages medicine–pharmacy–nursing teamwork. The Clinical Research Center’s location on campus makes it easier for interested students to step into IRB‑governed projects and learn study logistics. Access/map references (EN/JPN): Campus map & access, Clinical Research Center (EN).

Flagship Faculty: Pharmaceutical Sciences (6‑year)

OMPU’s Pharmacy builds on the legacy of Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The curriculum includes extended clinical placements and preparation for Japan’s National Pharmacist Examination, with multi‑year pass‑rate disclosure on the official website. Career support pages list typical destinations across hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, pharma industry, CROs, and public sector roles. See: Pharmacy brochure (EN, PDF), National exam results, Career support, Graduate outcomes list.

Medicine & Nursing: Program Snapshots

Program brochures (English) summarize each school’s structure and clinical orientation: Medicine brochure (EN, PDF); Nursing brochure (EN, PDF). These, plus the Hospital and BNCT Center, create a “clinical campus” where students experience bedside learning early.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

OMPU’s club culture is active, with a dedicated multi‑story clubhouse and sports ground. That means easy chances to meet Japanese peers beyond your faculty. See facility overview: Student Clubhouse (facility). Annual student surveys (JP) give a feel for participation and satisfaction trends: Medical 2023, Nursing 2023.

Support Offices (visa, housing, counseling)

Faculty support centers and university services help with life admin and well‑being. Examples: Medical Student Life Support Center; Nursing career & support. For campus layout and access in English, use the official campus map: Access & maps. (Some departments also maintain English pages—e.g., Orthopedics access: department site.)

Language Exchange & Buddy Programs

International activities are coordinated under OMPU’s Global/International Center, which supports study‑abroad exchanges, guidance for safe overseas study, and on‑campus international events. Prospective exchange students can review past program guides and student reflections to understand expectations and support. See: International Center (JP), International Clinical Elective Guidebook (PDF), Nursing exchange reflection (PDF).

Partner Institutions & Outbound Exchange

OMPU’s exchange pathways (particularly from Medicine) have historically included clinical electives at overseas universities and hospitals through its Nakayama International Center framework. While agreements evolve year to year, the guidebook outlines typical eligibility, documentation, and insurance requirements for outbound placements. Start with your faculty office and the International Center to confirm current partners. Outbound clinical elective guide (PDF).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Osaka Area)

Weather: Osaka has humid summers and mild winters. In recent years, typical summer daytime highs reach around 32–35 °C, with winter nighttime lows commonly 1–5 °C. For up‑to‑date, station‑level monthly figures (temperature highs/lows, precipitation, sunshine), see the Japan Meteorological Agency’s English monthly tables for Osaka Station (WMO 47772): JMA monthly climate (EN).

Safety: Japan remains a high‑safety destination by global benchmarks. See the Global Peace Index for current rankings and methodology: GPI interactive map and Japan’s score table: GPI Japan (data).

Cost of living: Osaka is cheaper than Tokyo but remains a major‑city market. For budget planning, compare recent snapshots across trusted sources: Japan‑Guide overview, Expatica (2025 update), and city‑level baskets on Numbeo: Osaka. Typical student rents vary widely by neighborhood and room type; nationwide one‑room monthly rent often falls around ¥50,000–¥70,000 as a basic benchmark per Japan‑Guide.

International Student Statistics

According to Times Higher Education (World University Rankings 2025 profile), international students make up roughly 1% of OMPU’s student body. This indicates a mostly domestic cohort—with advantages for immersion in Japanese clinical settings—while English‑language materials exist for key centers and brochures. Source: THE profile.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Medicine: The university hospital and affiliated centers anchor clinical training and postgraduate pathways. For national exam context and med‑school outcomes across Japan, independent summaries are published each year—for reference see Sundai’s compilation (JP). National Physician Exam 2024 report (PDF).

Pharmacy: OMPU discloses multi‑year Pharmacist National Exam results and lists common destinations (hospital, community, industry). See exam results, career support, and graduate outcomes. For national exam specifications in Japan, consult the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: MHLW 2025 pharmacist exam (PDF) and a 2024 snapshot by Sundai (JP): PDF.

Nursing: The faculty highlights career‑support activities (guidance, tutoring, and job‑hunting seminars) and shares program brochures and annual reports (JP). See Nursing career/support page and Nursing brochure (EN, PDF).