Shizuoka University for International Students: Programs, Tuition, ABP Scholarships, Student Life & Careers

Thinking about studying in Japan but not sure where to begin? Shizuoka University sits between the Pacific Ocean and Mount Fuji, offering a balanced campus life, strong engineering and science research, and approachable tuition typical of Japan’s national universities. With two compact campuses—Shizuoka (the main hub) and Hamamatsu—students get academic depth, industry links, and an outdoorsy lifestyle in one package. This guide gathers the essentials for international applicants: fees, programs, strengths, supports, exchange options, climate and cost-of-living, plus career outcomes—with verified sources you can check in a click.

Quick-Facts Table

Type	National (Public) University Official Outline
Total Students	10,106 (8,465 undergraduates; 1,641 graduates) – as of May 1, 2025 Source
Campuses	Shizuoka (Ohya, Suruga-ku) — Main campus; Hamamatsu (Johoku, Chuo-ku) Access/Outline
Faculties / Schools	Humanities & Social Sciences; Education; Informatics; Science; Engineering; Agriculture; Global Interdisciplinary Science & Innovation; School of Regional Development List
Tasas de matrícula	Undergraduate tuition ¥535,800 / year; Enrollment fee ¥282,000; Exam fee ¥17,000 Official Tuition
Gender Ratio	30% Female : 70% Male (THE 2025 key stats) THE Profile
Intl‑Student %	4% (THE 2025 key stats) THE Profile
Students per Staff	14.9 (THE 2025 key stats) THE Profile

Note: The university’s own outline page also reports 389 international students (as of May 1, 2025), while the Organization for International Collaboration shows 418 (as of May 1, 2024). Differences reflect timing and data definitions. Outline / SUOIC “Inbound States”

Campus Maps

Shizuoka Campus (Ohya, Suruga-ku) — Main

Address: 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan

Hamamatsu Campus (Johoku, Chuo-ku)

Address: 3-5-1 Johoku, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Shizuoka University was formally established in 1949 during Japan’s postwar education reforms, consolidating predecessor institutions in Shizuoka City and Hamamatsu. Today it operates as a National University Corporation serving the broader Chubu region, with one foot in the Pacific coastal city of Shizuoka (the main campus) and the other in Hamamatsu, a manufacturing center known for musical instruments and mobility industries. The university frames its mission around educating globally minded professionals and advancing research that benefits both the local community and the international public—an approach reflected in its mix of humanities, social sciences, and STEM programs across six traditional faculties, plus newer cross‑disciplinary units. University Outline / Research Overview

Two university‑wide research institutes anchor the school’s identity. The Research Institute of Electronics (RIE) in Hamamatsu underpins optics, photonics, and device research, and has long collaborated with the city’s photonics ecosystem. The Research Institute of Green Science and Technology (RIGST) drives sustainability‑oriented materials, bioresources, and environmental solutions, branding the university’s cross‑disciplinary push as the “Global Green Challenges.” Together, these institutes give undergraduates proximity to cutting‑edge labs and create pathways for master’s/PhD candidates to plug into international projects. RIE (Electronics) / RIGST (Green Science) / Global Green Challenges

On the education side, Shizuoka University retains the classic strengths of Japan’s national universities—moderate tuition, tight student services, and research‑informed teaching—while adding a global layer through the Asia Bridge Program (ABP) launched in 2015. ABP connects selected Asian applicants with tuition waivers (first‑year 100%) and a built‑in pathway into majors taught alongside domestic students. At the graduate level, several STEM departments offer English‑taught master’s tracks, so international students can continue into research without switching languages mid‑stream. About ABP / Admissions (Grad/Undergrad)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Optoelectronics & Photonics in Hamamatsu

Hamamatsu is Japan’s “Photonics City,” and Shizuoka University is in the middle of it. The Research Institute of Electronics (RIE) and the Graduate School of Science & Technology co‑host international symposia (e.g., ISFAR‑SU) and run labs in nanovision science, optoelectronics, materials, and devices—fields that feed directly into imaging sensors, lasers, and advanced manufacturing. The campus proximity to industry gives engineering and science students unusual exposure to real product challenges and internships. RIE (overview) / Graduate School of Science & Technology

Green Innovation & Sustainability

RIGST brings together chemists, biologists, and engineers to work on circular materials, waste minimization, and bio‑based innovations. The institute’s “Global Green Challenges” concept links cross‑faculty research in areas like bioresources, environmental remediation, and food/agri technologies—very much at home in Shizuoka, a tea and horticulture powerhouse. For students, this means capstone projects, faculty labs, and joint seminars that connect sustainability theory to field and factory. RIGST / Global Green Challenges

Asia Bridge Program (ABP): Scholarship‑Backed Pathway

ABP offers a selective route for applicants from designated Asian economies. It guarantees a first‑year tuition waiver (100%), and—based on performance—tuition waivers in later years. The program starts with intensive Japanese and foundational courses, then integrates students into the same majors as domestic cohorts. Several STEM master’s programs (informatics, science, engineering, agriculture) are available fully in English for ABP students planning to continue to graduate school. Program Overview / Tuition & Financial Aid / Admissions

Flagship Faculties & Programs

Faculty of Engineering (Hamamatsu)

Known for device physics, electronics and materials, applied chemistry/biochem, and mechanical/electrical disciplines, Engineering benefits directly from the city’s mechatronics and photonics cluster. Students can access RIE labs and graduate programs that bridge into nanovision, optoelectronics, and advanced manufacturing. Faculty list (Official) / Grad School (Science & Technology)

Faculty of Informatics (Shizuoka)

Shizuoka’s Informatics faculty is notable in Japan for combining computation and data science with social systems and communication—ideal for students interested in AI/data plus policy, UX, or media. ABP routes often lead here; master’s extensions in information science are available. ABP & applicable faculties

Balanced National‑University Value

As a national university, Shizuoka University charges the standard tuition of ¥535,800 per year (undergraduate), with an enrollment fee of ¥282,000 and exam fee of ¥17,000. That pricing, combined with a student‑to‑staff ratio around 14.9 and moderate internationalization (≈4% international students), makes Shizuoka a cost‑effective pick for research‑active degrees in Japan. Official Tuition / THE key stats

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

Over 100 official clubs operate on both campuses—sports from soccer to kyudo (Japanese archery), “Robot Factory” and aerospace circles in Hamamatsu, music ensembles, and international exchange groups like KASA. These circles are a practical way to practice Japanese, find friends, and build a portfolio beyond classes. Club Activities (Official list)

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The Organization for International Collaboration (SUOIC) centralizes services: visa guidance, housing, counseling, and day‑to‑day problem‑solving. University‑owned International Residence facilities cost around ¥25,000–¥28,000 per month for a single room (plus small common fees), with furnished units near both campuses. Counseling is available in English/Japanese, with regular office hours and online booking. Housing (fees & details) / Counseling

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Spaces

Both campuses have an International Lounge—a casual hub for conversation tables, cultural events, and student‑led activities. It’s the easiest way to meet domestic students and set up language‑exchange routines soon after arrival. International Lounge

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Shizuoka University maintains 60+ university‑level exchange agreements across Asia, North America, and Europe (e.g., University of Alberta, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Masaryk University, KIT Karlsruhe, Gadjah Mada University). Faculty‑level agreements and double‑degree ties expand the map further. Exchange students enroll as “Special Auditors” and receive transcripts for approved credits. Partner Universities (by region) / Exchange FAQ / Facts & Figures

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Snapshot

Shizuoka Prefecture enjoys a relatively mild climate: warm, humid summers and cool, drier winters, with a rainy season in early summer and occasional typhoons in late summer/early autumn. Hamamatsu is slightly warmer inland. Always check seasonal advisories and prepare rain gear for June–July. JASSO: Shizuoka climate / JASSO: Hamamatsu

Safety & Everyday Living

Japan is widely considered safe, with low violent crime rates; local police boxes (koban) operate throughout neighborhoods. The bigger risks are natural hazards (earthquakes, typhoons), so learn campus safety protocols during orientation. JNTO: Staying safe

Housing & Cost‑of‑Living Anchors

University residences are budget‑friendly by design: Shizuoka International Residence (10–15 minutes by bike/bus from campus) lists single rooms at ~¥25,000–¥28,000 per month plus a small common fee (Wi‑Fi/bedclothes included). Hamamatsu International Residence offers a similar setup (~¥25,000/month). Apartment rents off‑campus vary widely by size and distance; the campus co‑op can help you scout options. Official housing fees

International Student Statistics

Headcount: 389 international students (as of May 1, 2025) per the university outline; the SUOIC “Inbound States” page shows 418 (as of May 1, 2024). Year‑to‑year shifts reflect graduation cycles and data definitions. Outline (2025) / Inbound States (2024)

By region/country: The university publishes an annual breakdown by nationality (Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, Oceania, Latin America) with faculty/degree categories. In recent years, the largest cohorts have come from Asia (e.g., China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan), with smaller numbers from Europe and North America. See the latest PDF charts on the SUOIC page. International Students (breakdown PDF)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Placement & Career Support

Career outcomes are solid by national standards. University data list employment rates of 96.8% for bachelor’s graduates and 97.7% for master’s graduates (as of May 1, 2025). The Career Support Office runs guidance seminars, counseling, and job fairs; ABP adds required internships and networking with local/global companies. Employment rates (Outline) / Career Support (international) / ABP brochure

Where Do Graduates Go?

Recent ABP examples include employment at Suzuki Motor Corporation and Shizuoka Bank; the brochure also lists employers such as Accenture, ANA, Fujitsu, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations, Yamaha Motor, and more. Among ABP alumni (AY2021–2023), 73% took jobs in Japan and 13% pursued further study in Japan. ABP brochure (employers & outcomes)

Academic Pathways

Graduate options span the Graduate School of Integrated Science & Technology (departments in Informatics, Science, Engineering, Agriculture), the Interfaculty Graduate School of Mountain Watershed, and a cooperative major in Medical Photonics. Applicants will find English information and guides through the central admissions pages. Graduate Admissions (overview)

Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships (Quick Guide)

Standard National Tuition (¥)

Undergraduate tuition is ¥535,800/year; enrollment fee is ¥282,000; the exam fee is ¥17,000. Graduate tuition is the same annual rate. (Fee waivers/exemptions for self‑funded undergraduates admitted in 2020 or later are generally not available, except under special hardship conditions.) Tuition table / Exemption policy

ABP Financial Aid at a Glance

For eligible ABP applicants: application and enrollment fees are waived; first‑year tuition is 100% waived; subsequent years can be 50–100% waived depending on academic performance. ABP tuition & aid / ABP overview

Useful Links (Official)

Shizuoka University – Outline & Facts / Tuition & Living Expenses / International Housing / International Lounge / Partner Universities / Club Activities / THE Profile (key stats)