Discover Hiroshima City University: programs, tuition, student life, and career opportunities for international students in Japan

Thinking about studying in Japan but don’t want to lose the human touch? Hiroshima City University (HCU) blends a tight-knit campus community with distinctive strengths in Information Sciences, Arts & Design, International Studies, and Peace Studies. Located in a livable, budget‑friendly city known worldwide for its commitment to peace, HCU offers rigorous academics, hands‑on labs and studios, and a growing set of outbound exchange options. This guide gives you a practical overview—tuition in ¥, programs, student support, climate and lifestyle—plus trusted links to official pages so you can verify details for yourself.

Quick Facts — Hiroshima City University (HCU)

Type	Public (Municipal)
Total Students	2,058 (as of May 1, 2024) Source (JPCUP)
Campuses	Main: Ozuka‑Higashi Campus (Asaminami‑ku, Hiroshima); Satellite: Ote‑machi Heiwa Building, Floor 9 (Naka‑ku, Hiroshima) Campus info
Faculties / Graduate Schools	Faculties: International Studies; Information Sciences; Arts. Graduate Schools: International Studies; Information Sciences; Arts; Peace Studies. Overview
Studiengebühren	Undergraduate/Graduate annual tuition: ¥535,800; Admission fee: ¥423,000 (typical national/public rates). Program fees (example)
Gender Ratio	Not officially published at university-wide level
International‑Student %	≈3.4% (70 international students / 2,058 total) Data
Students per Staff	≈10.5:1 (2,058 students / 196 full‑time faculty) Data

Figures above use the Japanese College & University Portraits (JPCUP) dataset for HCU and program pages with the latest update noted as November 6, 2024. Tuition and fees are representative rates for HCU’s public programs; always confirm the current year on the official admissions pages linked throughout this article.

Campus Maps

Hiroshima City University — Main Campus (Asaminami, Hiroshima)

Address: 3-4-1 Ozuka-Higashi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima 731-3194, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Hiroshima City University (HCU) opened in 1994 as a municipal public university for a new era—one rooted in Hiroshima’s identity as a global city of peace and resilience, and oriented toward practical scholarship that benefits both the region and the wider world. From day one, HCU was organized around three core academic pillars: Information Sciences, International Studiesund Arts. These areas deliberately pair science and technology with social understanding and creative practice, fostering graduates who can analyze complex systems, communicate across cultures, and express ideas that move society forward. University overview (JPCUP)

HCU’s global focus is most visible in the Hiroshima Peace Institute (HPI), established in 1998. HPI serves as a research and public‑engagement hub that advances peace studies from a Hiroshima vantage point—organizing public lecture series in English, hosting research forums, and publishing the Hiroshima Peace Research Journal. These activities bring international scholars and local communities into dialogue on disarmament, human security, and peace education. HPI official site | Public Lecture Series | HPRJ

Today, HCU enrolls just over 2,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs, maintaining an intimate scale and a student‑to‑faculty ratio near 10.5:1. That scale is part of the value proposition: smaller class sizes, meaningful lab or studio time, and accessible professors. As a public institution, HCU aligns its mission with city needs—from cultural vitality powered by the Faculty of Arts to digital transformation supported by Information Sciences—while sending its students out into the world through outbound exchanges led by International Studies. University data (JPCUP)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship: Faculty / Graduate School of Information Sciences

Why it stands out: HCU’s Information Sciences is widely recognized inside Japan for computer and network engineering, intelligent systems, systems engineering, and biomedical information sciences—spanning AI, robotics, sensing, and health informatics. Graduate pathways include Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Information Sciences, with research groups that regularly collaborate with industry and public agencies. Graduate School (JPCUP) | Faculty (JPCUP) | About the Faculty (EN)

Programs & labs at a glance

• Departments: Computer & Network Engineering; Intelligent Systems; Systems Engineering; Biomedical Information Sciences. Details
• Graduate offerings: Master’s (2 years) and Doctoral (3 years). Some coursework and thesis options accommodate English where noted. Grad programs
• Faculty directory (English interface): profiles, publications, specialties. Faculty Information

Creative Powerhouse: Faculty / Graduate School of Arts

HCU’s Arts programs combine traditional fine arts (painting, sculpture) with design and applied arts (product, visual communication, textiles, lacquer arts, digital media). The department structure enables you to build mastery in studio practice while learning to apply design thinking to real‑world briefs from the city or local firms. Faculty of Arts (JPCUP) | Design Academia profile

Global Outlook: Faculty / Graduate School of International Studies

International Studies emphasizes language, area studies, and international relations with outbound study programs ranging from 2‑week intensives to year‑long exchanges in Europe, North America, and Asia. Many courses build intercultural competence and practical communication (presentations, fieldwork), preparing you for careers in diplomacy, NGOs, media, or global business. Academic Programs (EN)

Peace Studies from Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Institute (HPI)

HPI’s mission is unique in Japan: to advance research and education on peace, disarmament, and human security from the lived context of Hiroshima. Its English‑accessible activities include public lecture series, forums, and special seminars that invite student participation and offer networking with practitioners and scholars. HPI site | Public lectures (EN)

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles

Expect a wide choice of cultural, athletic, and creative circles—from studio collectives and media clubs to sports and volunteer groups. Arts and Information Sciences students often collaborate on exhibitions or tech‑aided installations, especially around city events.

Dedicated Support Offices (visa, housing, counseling)

• Residence status procedures (在留資格): guidance and downloadable forms via the International Exchange Center. Official page (JP/EN notes)
• University dorms: Sakura and Momiji (fees from around ¥5,900–¥20,000/month depending on residence). Dormitory info
• Counseling & health: on‑campus services available; see health/counseling section in JPCUP profile. Health & safety

Language Exchange & Buddy Programs

• HCU Buddy Program: local students support new international students with city registration, campus orientation, and daily life. Buddy Program
• Exchange Lounge: a casual space for cross‑cultural meetups and language practice on campus. (General international exchange hub) International exchange portal
• City‑wide support (visa/housing/life): Hiroshima International Center (HIC) runs multilingual consultation and “one‑on‑one Japanese study” for residents. HIC (EN) | One‑on‑one Japanese

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

The Faculty of International Studies coordinates short‑term (2 weeks–1 month) and long‑term (6 months–1 year) study programs. Examples of partner institutions featured in official materials include universities in Europe and Asia; below is a non‑exhaustive list to illustrate the geographic spread. Always confirm current agreements with HCU before applying. Programs overview (EN) | JPCUP networks

1. France: University of Orléans Official site
2. France: University of Rennes 2 Official site
3. Germany: Hochschule Hannover (University of Applied Sciences and Arts) Official site
4. Germany: Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten (University of Education) Official site
5. Republic of Korea: Kyungpook National University Official site
6. Republic of Korea: Seokyeong University Official site (EN)
7. Republic of Korea: Ewha Womans University Official site
8. China: University of International Relations (Beijing) Official site
9. China: Shanghai University Official site (EN)
10. China: Southwest University (Chongqing) Official site
11. Malaysia: Universiti Sains Malaysia Official site
12. USA: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Official site

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather: Hiroshima has four seasons with warm, humid summers and cool winters. Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s city station data (recent years), summer peaks reach the low 30s °C (around 30–33°C; ~86–91°F) and winter overnight lows dip to about 1–3°C (34–37°F). Rainy season runs roughly June–July; typhoons are possible late summer to early autumn. JMA monthly climate (EN)

Cost & lifestyle: As a mid‑sized city, Hiroshima is more affordable than Tokyo or Osaka. University dorms start around ¥5,900–¥20,000/month (utilities separate), and city transport is reliable. The main campus is in a quiet hillside district; the Satellite Campus puts you in downtown for seminars and events. Student‑friendly food, museums, and sports are easy to find.

Peace & culture: Living in Hiroshima means regular access to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, international conferences, and city‑supported cross‑cultural programs. HCU’s HPI adds extra depth through public lectures and forums conducted partly in English. HPI

International Student Statistics

At the university level, HCU reports 2,058 total students with 70 international students (≈3.4%) and 196 full‑time faculty members (as of May 1, 2024). Individual faculty pages show small cohorts of international students—typical for a specialized, research‑forward municipal university. University data | Arts (example)

Career & Graduate Prospects

HCU provides career support via advising, company seminars, and internship coordination, with outcomes that reflect each faculty’s strengths—IT/engineering roles (Information Sciences), creative industries and cultural institutions (Arts), and NGOs, public service, tourism, or corporate roles requiring strong communication and regional expertise (International Studies). Career support (profile)

For graduate students, the Information Sciences programs report steady completions and employment in advanced engineering and data roles; Peace Studies graduates often pursue research, education, or public‑sector positions. Program‑level pages (JPCUP) list completion and employment snapshots; consult your lab or studio for current partner companies. Information Sciences (Grad) | Peace Studies (Grad)