Study at Hokkaido University (Hokudai): Admissions, English Programs, Scholarships, and Life in Sapporo

Thinking about studying in Japan but want big‑city energy, four distinct seasons, and a campus that feels like a park? Hokkaido University (北大・Hokudai) checks all the boxes. As one of Japan’s historic national universities, it combines strong research—especially in agriculture, cold‑region science, materials/catalysis, and fisheries—with a friendly, international vibe. This guide gives overseas applicants the essentials: quick facts, what the university is known for, support for international students, exchange/partners, climate and lifestyle in Sapporo/Hakodate, student statistics, and career prospects—plus official links you can trust.

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	National (Public). Source: In Numbers
Total Students	18,344 (incl. ~2,057 international). Source: In Numbers
Campuses	Sapporo (Main), Hakodate (Fisheries). Sources: Campus Overview | Sapporo Campus | Hakodate Campus
Faculties/Schools	12 Undergraduate Schools & 21 Graduate Schools (e.g., Agriculture, Engineering, Fisheries, Science, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Information Science & Technology, Law, Economics & Business, Humanities & Human Sciences, Education, Global Environmental Science). Sources: In Numbers | International Student Prospectus 2025–2026 (PDF)
Tasas de matrícula	Standard national rates (Annual Tuition ¥535,800; Entrance Fee ¥282,000; plus exam/other fees). See: Student Fees
Gender Ratio	Approx. 30% F : 70% M (THE key stats). Source: THE Profile
Intl‑Student %	~10% (THE) / 2,057 students from 99 countries (HU). Sources: THE | In Numbers
Students per Staff	8.2 (THE). Source: THE Profile

Campus Maps

Sapporo Campus (Sapporo)

Address: Kita 8, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0808, Japan

Open in Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Hakodate Campus (Hakodate)

Address: 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan

Open in Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Mission, History & Founding Story

Hokkaido University traces its roots to 1876, when American educator William S. Clark helped launch Sapporo Agricultural College—the first institution in Japan to award bachelor’s degrees. Clark’s parting words, “Boys, be ambitious,” still echo across the main gates and guideposts of Hokudai’s ethos: open‑minded, frontier‑driven learning that serves society. From this pioneering agricultural college, the university evolved into Hokkaido Imperial University and then Hokkaido University, becoming one of Japan’s seven major national universities with comprehensive strengths across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and life sciences. History

Hokudai’s mission emphasizes creating knowledge for the public good, global collaboration, and cultivating resilient problem solvers. The university highlights four guiding philosophies—Frontier Spirit, Global Perspectives, All‑round Education, and Practical Learning—designed to nurture graduates who can lead amid climate challenges, demographic shifts, and technological change. The “Frontier Spirit” is especially tangible in Hokkaido’s northern setting: a living laboratory for cold‑region science, arctic research, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and disaster‑resilient infrastructure. Philosophies

Today, Hokkaido University enrolls over 18,000 students, including more than 2,000 international students from about 99 countries/regions. Research clusters span low‑temperature science, catalysis, life sciences, data‑driven materials discovery, and northern biosphere studies. The main Sapporo Campus—tree‑lined and sprawling—sits minutes from the city center, while the Hakodate Campus focuses on Fisheries Sciences with training ships and field stations on the coast. In Numbers | Campuses | Hakodate Campus

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Cold‑Region & Arctic Research Leadership

Hokkaido’s climate gives Hokudai a comparative advantage in cryosphere and polar studies. The Institute of Low Temperature Science (ILTS) and the Arctic Research Center coordinate cutting‑edge work on snow/ice dynamics, climate systems, permafrost, and northern ecosystems—topics increasingly central to sustainability and disaster risk reduction. These institutes collaborate with field stations and observatories in Hokkaido and beyond, offering hands‑on training for graduate students. Evidence: ILTS | Arctic Research Center | Field Science Center (FSC)

Global Hub in Catalysis & Data‑Driven Chemistry

Hokudai is renowned for catalysis—Nobel Laureate Akira Suzuki (Chemistry, 2010) is among its most famous alumni. The Institute for Catalysis and WPI‑ICReDD (World Premier International Research Center Initiative) advance greener, faster reaction discovery using computation + informatics + experiment. Students access seminars, shared facilities, and industry collaboration pathways across materials, energy, and sustainable process design. Evidence: Institute for Catalysis | WPI‑ICReDD | School of Engineering

Agriculture, Northern Biosphere & Fisheries

Hokkaido’s expansive farmlands and cold seas shape Hokudai’s flagship strengths in Agriculture and Fisheries. The Graduate School/Faculty of Agriculture covers food systems, environmental conservation, and life sciences—while Fisheries Sciences in Hakodate adds marine biology, aquaculture, and ocean observation with training ships (Oshoro‑Maru & Ushio‑Maru). Evidence: Faculty/Graduate School of Agriculture | Global AgriScience (SPGP) | Fisheries Sciences (EN)

English‑Medium Tracks & Short‑Term Programs

Degree programs in English include the undergraduate Programa de Estudios Japoneses Modernos (MJSP) y Integrated Science Program (ISP), plus multiple graduate tracks (e.g., e3 Engineering, Environmental Earth Science EPEES, Life Science IGP). Short‑term study options include the Hokkaido Summer Institute (HSI) with 150+ intensive English‑taught courses and HUSTEP exchange in English (for partner‑university students). Evidence: Undergraduate Admissions (MJSP/ISP) | Graduate Admissions Overview | e3 Engineering (Admissions) | Hokkaido Summer Institute | HUSTEP

Flagship Schools (Highlights)

Faculty/Graduate School of Agriculture

Breadth across plant/animal sciences, food science, environmental conservation, and agri‑engineering—plus an English‑medium SPGP doctoral pathway and abundant field sites via FSC. Evidence: Agriculture (EN) | FSC | SPGP

School/Graduate School of Engineering

Largest school on campus; strong industry links and English‑medium e3 program. Admissions guidelines and numerous English‑taught graduate courses are published annually. Evidence: Engineering (EN) | Master’s Admissions AY2025 (PDF) | Doctoral Admissions AY2025 (PDF) | e3 Fees/Living Cost

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs, Circles & Community

Hokudai recognizes ~120+ clubs/circles—from outdoor and ski clubs to music, language, and cultural groups. International students can join directly; it’s one of the best ways to make friends across faculties. Clubs & Societies. Language/Culture meetups like “Language Corner” are hosted regularly by support desks and student groups. Language Corner | HUISA (Intl Students’ Association)

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Health, Counselling)

The International Student Support Desk helps with visas, daily life, and campus procedures; English pages are accessible with automated translation toggles. Housing is available via university dorms and international houses. For health, the on‑campus Health Care Center provides checkups and primary care. For wellbeing, SACC offers confidential counseling in English/Japanese. Evidence: Support Desk | Housing | Health Care | SACC | SACC Services

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Programs

Beyond formal courses, you’ll find relaxed exchange spaces (e.g., Language Corner, tea conversations) that pair international and Japanese students. The Support Desk event calendar (in Japanese/EN toggle) posts schedules. Support Desk – Events & Exchange

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Hokudai maintains 790+ international academic exchange agreements across 75 countries/regions, enabling lab visits, double degrees, and semester/year exchanges. The English‑medium HUSTEP route is the most popular for undergraduates from partner schools, while HSI offers summer courses open to visiting students. Evidence: In Numbers | HUSTEP | HSI

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Sapporo & Hakodate)

Weather: Expect warm summers (often 20–26°C) and long, snowy winters. Official JMA normals for Sapporo (station 47412) provide monthly means for temperature, snowfall, and sunshine—essential for planning clothing/budget. JMA Sapporo Monthly Climate (EN)

Cost of Living: Compared with Tokyo/Osaka, Sapporo rent is relatively modest; university sources and program pages give realistic monthly budgets. Start with: e3 Fees & Living Cost (Engineering) and HSI’s overview: HSI – Living Cost

City Life: Sapporo offers greenery (Odori, Maruyama), winter sports access, and a clean, grid‑style layout with subways, JR, and buses. The city’s Global Site and English portal cover sightseeing, living procedures, and business. Tourism (Sapporo Global Site) | City of Sapporo – English | Library resource: Municipal Central Library (EN)

International Student Statistics

Hokudai’s international cohort sits around 2,000+ students, historically dominated by Asia (notably China, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, India, Vietnam), with representation from Europe, North America, and Oceania. The university publishes country/region counts and trend graphs. Sources: Number of International Students | International Student Growth

Career & Graduate Prospects

The Career Center offers seminars, mock interviews, resume reviews, job‑hunting guidance, and internship matching—with specific support for international students seeking roles in Japan. Graduate students and postdocs can tap I‑HoP (Center for Advanced Human Resource Education & Development) for English‑medium counseling, skill‑building, and company meetups. Evidence: Career Support (Overview) | Career Center | I‑HoP (EN) | I‑HoP – Online Counseling

Outcomes vary by faculty but Hokudai consistently places graduates with Japanese/global employers in manufacturing (chemicals, machinery, electronics), food and biotech, IT/AI, consulting, logistics, and public agencies. For macro indicators and ratios, see university “In Numbers” and post‑graduation statistics pages; THE also tracks student/staff ratios and internationalization. Sources: In Numbers | Post‑Graduation Statistics | THE Profile

Admissions, Fees & Scholarships (Pointers)

Check the central admissions hubs first, then drill down to your program’s site for deadlines, format, and required exams. National‑university fee standards apply (Annual Tuition ¥535,800); some programs list typical monthly living costs. Scholarships include MEXT/JASSO/ HU waivers and program‑specific aid. Evidence: Study at HU | Student Fees | Scholarships (Prospective) | e3 Fees & Living Cost | HSI – Life in Hokkaido