Nagasaki International University (NIU): Complete Guide for International Students — Programs, Tuition, Admissions, Student Life

Considering Nagasaki International University (NIU) for your bachelor’s or graduate studies in Japan? This guide walks you through the essentials—quick facts, mission and history, academic strengths, student support, exchange options, climate and lifestyle around campus, international student data, and career outcomes. We focus on reliable, up-to-date sources (mostly official English pages) and keep the tone practical and friendly so you can quickly evaluate whether NIU in Sasebo, Nagasaki, is a strong match for your goals. Wherever possible, we’ve added evidence links you can open in a new tab.

Quick Facts: Nagasaki International University (NIU)

Figures reflect the most recent consolidated data available on the university’s official disclosure pages (as of May 1, 2022) and related sections. For context links, see beneath the table.

Type	Private university (public–private partnership origins)
Total Students	2,154 (Undergraduate 2,113 + Graduate 41)
Campuses	Sasebo (Main campus: Huis Ten Bosch town area)
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Human & Social Studies (International Tourism; Social Work); Faculty of Health Management (Health & Nutrition); Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacy). Graduate Schools in related fields.
Tasas de matrícula	Varies by program; reference tuition schedules (JP) and special international fee categories (EN). Scholarships/tuition reduction available.
Gender Ratio	Not publicly specified on English disclosure page.
Intl‑Student %	≈10.3% (223 international students out of 2,154 total)
Students per Staff	≈18:1 (2,154 students / 120 full‑time teachers)

Evidence: Information Disclosure (EN); Access (EN); Tuition (JP); Admissions & International Fee Categories (EN).

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Sasebo, Nagasaki)

Address: 2825-7 Huis Ten Bosch Machi, Sasebo City, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Nagasaki International University (NIU) was founded in 2000 through a public–private partnership involving the Kyushu Bunka Gakuen educational foundation, Nagasaki Prefecture, Sasebo City, and local businesses. The university’s mission is rooted in respect for human beings and the belief that higher education should directly serve communities. From the start, NIU’s development was driven by regional expectations: Sasebo sits at the crossroads of tourism, welfare services, health and nutrition, and pharmacy—fields that NIU chose as its core strengths. That regional alignment helps students apply theory in the real world and keeps programs close to industry needs. Official English Top Page

Over time NIU expanded its undergraduate faculties—International Tourism and Social Work within the Faculty of Human & Social Studies; Health & Nutrition within the Faculty of Health Management; and a six‑year Pharmacy program in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences—alongside graduate schools that deepen research in tourism, social welfare, health, and pharmaceutical sciences. The balance of practice and scholarship appears in small‑class formats, approachable faculty, and hands‑on learning. The campus’s location in the Huis Ten Bosch area—one of Japan’s best‑known resort districts—provides living case studies in hospitality, destination planning, and service quality. Department of International Tourism (EN)

University‑wide, the learning ethos emphasizes humility and care—“always with humanity, always from the heart.” For international students, that translates into accessible student support, an active study‑abroad pipeline for domestic students (which fosters an international campus culture), and instructors used to guiding learners from diverse backgrounds. NIU’s administrative transparency on enrollments, staff numbers, and international student breakdowns is a plus when you’re comparing options: the official disclosure page shows 2,154 total students (2,113 undergraduate + 41 graduate) and 223 international students, supported by 120 full‑time teachers (≈18 students per teacher). Information Disclosure (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Internationally Oriented Teaching & Study‑Abroad Culture

NIU maintains partnerships in multiple countries and encourages cross‑border learning for Japanese and international students alike. Incoming students study with peers who have returned from exchange programs, which means more English on campus, global case studies in class, and a network that stretches beyond Japan. For international applicants, the presence of this outbound culture matters: your classmates will be curious about the world and comfortable learning with (and from) students from overseas. See the international exchange overview and partner list here: International Exchange Overview & Partners (JP) and the English hub here: International Exchange (EN).

Flagship Faculty: International Tourism

Tourism is a signature strength at NIU. The Department of International Tourism blends management, marketing, economics, culture, geography, and languages with practical exposure to destinations and events across Kyushu and beyond. Faculty emphasize conscientious guidance and tangible outcomes—industry certifications (e.g., national tourism credentials), internships, and projects with local stakeholders. The program’s English page highlights its focus on practical experience and sports tourism as distinctive components. Department of International Tourism (EN)

Signature Tracks That Unlock Careers

Within International Tourism, students pursue tracks such as Tourism Management, Sports Tourism, and Global Tourism. Each track builds complementary skills—from service operations and destination planning to event management and intercultural communication. The Global Tourism track, for instance, integrates intensive English in the first two years and requires two study‑abroad experiences before students move into English‑medium tourism subjects—ideal if your career ambitions include international hospitality or destination marketing. Program details (EN)

Community‑Connected Pharmacy & Health

NIU’s Pharmacy (six‑year program) and Health & Nutrition cultivate professionals who can serve local communities—clinics, hospitals, public health, and regional companies. The Sasebo area provides a realistic setting for learning about Japan’s healthcare system, aging demographics, and preventive nutrition. Graduates often enter roles across pharmaceuticals, retail pharmacy chains, and community health organizations. For the faculty and graduate school structure, consult NIU’s English pages and the official disclosure. Information Disclosure (EN)

Small Classes & Close Faculty Support

With approximately 2,154 students supported by 120 full‑time teachers, NIU offers an estimated 18:1 student‑to‑teacher ratio, which helps international students get feedback on language, research methods, and job search skills. It also means better access to advising and references for graduate school or employment. Faculty & Enrollment Figures (EN)

Practical Location: Learning Next to a Resort District

NIU is located beside Huis Ten Bosch, giving tourism and service‑industry majors exposure to real‑world operations—from visitor flows and ticketing to hotel service and events—while keeping daily life calm and student‑friendly. That location also supports part‑time jobs and internships for students who want frontline experience in Japan’s hospitality sector. Access (EN)

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles

Student clubs welcome overseas students, especially in areas like cultural exchange, sports, music, and volunteer service. International Tourism students frequently engage in events that connect campus and local communities, which is helpful if you want to practice Japanese, expand a local network, and build a portfolio.

Dedicated Support Offices

If you need help with visas, housing, counseling, or health matters, NIU points you to the International Exchange & International Student Support Center (plus the Career Center and Campus Life Health Support Center). Day‑to‑day questions—resident registration, banking, mobile phone, part‑time job guidance—are standard topics they handle. NIU Global: Student Support (EN) | International Exchange (EN)

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

While specific program names change, NIU regularly pairs local and international students in joint classes and events (for example in Global Tourism) and encourages language exchange. That means you’ll find plenty of opportunities to practice Japanese and share your language with peers.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

NIU lists institutions across the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and more. Exchanges generally come with tuition waivers at the host (you keep paying NIU tuition) and broad credit transfer. A separate “Global College Network” links several institutions for flexible study‑abroad mobility. Check the current roster and network notes here: International Exchange Overview & Partners (JP) and the English landing page: International Exchange (EN).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Sasebo)

Sasebo has a temperate climate with humid summers and mild winters. In recent years, daily highs typically reach around 30 °C in August, with night lows near 25 °C. January is the coolest month, with average highs around 9 °C and lows about 4 °C. Expect a pronounced rainy season in early summer and typhoon‑influenced weather in late summer. See official station data (Sasebo, WMO 47812) and an accessible visual summary here: JMA Monthly Climate Tables (EN) y WeatherSpark – Sasebo.

Lifestyle highlights include the waterfront setting, mountain day trips, and easy access to Nagasaki City and Fukuoka by rail. The immediate neighborhood around NIU (Huis Ten Bosch area) offers resort amenities and seasonal events. Safety is generally high by global standards, and student living costs in Sasebo are typically lower than in Japan’s megacities.

International Student Statistics

According to NIU’s official disclosure (as of May 1, 2022), there are 223 international students in total (210 undergraduate + 13 graduate). Undergraduate nationals are primarily from China, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar; Pharmacy shows a notable cohort from South Korea. Full tables are published here: Information Disclosure (EN).

Career & Graduate Prospects

NIU publishes program‑level outcomes annually. Recent data (FY2024 graduates; compiled as of May 1, 2025) show high job‑placement rates across faculties, with International Tourism reporting a 97.7% overall employment rate, Health & Nutrition around 97.8%, and Pharmacy at 100%. The university also summarizes international‑student outcomes and typical employers by industry (wholesale/retail, education, aviation/transport, hospitality, manufacturing, theme parks/leisure, travel). Browse the latest charts and employer lists here: Career/Placement Results (JP) and the international‑student breakdown here: Placement – International Students (JP).

Admissions pages also outline international fee categories (S/A/B/C) that combine tuition reductions with registration and miscellaneous fees—useful when comparing your annual budget in ¥. For the latest structure, see: Admissions (EN). For overseas remittance, NIU uses Flywire; details are described on the international payment page (JP) and in multilingual PDFs: International Payment (JP).