Fukuyama City University Guide: Admissions, Tuition, Programs & Student Life for International Applicants

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends city energy with close-knit classes? Fukuyama City University (FCU) sits by the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima Prefecture and keeps its doors—literally—open to the community. With two undergraduate faculties (Education; Urban Management) and compact graduate programs, FCU emphasizes practical learning tied to local needs, from teacher training to city planning. This guide covers fast facts, key strengths, student life, climate, outcomes, and reliable links so you can decide whether FCU fits your goals.

Quick-Facts Table

Type	Public (Municipal / City-run). See the FCU English top page et Features of the University.
Total Students	1,088 (1,080 undergraduates + 8 graduates), as of May 1, 2024. Source: NIAD-QE University Portraits.
Campuses	Main: Minatomachi (by Fukuyama Port). Secondary: Kitahonjo (sports & athletics). See Campus Overview (EN) and facility outline (JP) here.
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Education; Faculty of Urban Management; Graduate Schools in both fields. Details: Education (EN), Urban Management (EN).
Frais de scolarité	Undergraduate annual tuition ¥535,800; Admission fee ¥423,000; Application fee ¥17,000 (2025 cycle). Reference: JPSS (FCU).
Gender Ratio	≈ 39% male : 61% female (2024) combining both faculties (Education; Urban Management). Source: Keinet (faculty numbers, 2024).
Intl-Student %	≈ 0.4% (4 of 1,088 on May 1, 2024). Sources: Hiroshima Int’l Students Portal; JPSS Education (FCU).
Students per Staff	≈ 20:1 (1,088 students / ~55 full-time faculty, 2024). Source: NIAD-QE University Portraits.

Campus Maps

Minatomachi Campus (Main)

Address: 2-19-1 Minatomachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima 721-0964, Japan

Kitahonjo Campus (Sports Facilities)

Address: 4-5-2 Kitahonjo, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima 720-0074, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Fukuyama City University (FCU) opened in April 2011 as Japan’s 81st public (municipal) university. Its lineage traces back to the Fukuyama City Junior College for Women (1963), which the city reorganized when building the new waterfront Minatomachi campus. The mission has been consistent: contribute to a sustainable local community by linking university teaching and research with real urban needs—education, public services, and regional vitality. See the university’s English overview and history for the official framing and milestones. University Features (EN) / History (EN).

Minatomachi campus—steps from the port—was designed as an “open campus” with no perimeter fences, physically integrating the university with city life. Courtyards, terraces, and the library welcome residents during public-facing events throughout the year, reflecting the idea that learning and local life should feed into one another. Facilities Overview (EN).

As FCU matured, two faculties came to mirror Fukuyama’s priorities. The Faculty of Education focuses on early childhood and primary education, blending pedagogy with hands-on practicums in local schools. The Faculty of Urban Management covers public policy, planning, business administration, and community development—skills that a mid-sized industrial–maritime city needs to stay livable and resilient. Education (EN); Urban Management (EN).

FCU also operates the Kitahonjo Campus—formerly the junior college site—as a dedicated hub for sports and extracurriculars, including a ground, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. Annual campus festivals draw residents onto campus and reinforce the “city-as-campus” ethos. See campus outlines and current festival info: Campus Overview (EN); Festival page (JP).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

City-as-Campus: Urban Management in Real Settings

Interested in policy, planning, or community business? FCU’s Faculty of Urban Management is the practical flagship. Coursework spans urban society, public management, and regional revitalization, and is deliberately tied to city projects—transport, waterfronts, disaster readiness, local industries. English-language and area-studies components (e.g., Business English; British/American Social Studies) round out the curriculum. Faculty overview (EN).

Teacher Preparation with Deep Practicums

The Faculty of Education centers on early childhood and primary education, integrating classroom theory with placements and skills-based studios (music, art, PE, science). The curriculum builds toward licensure and school appointments through stepwise practicum advising. Faculty of Education (EN).

Compact Scale, Supportive Environment

With about 1,088 students and ~55 full-time faculty (≈20:1), seminars are accessible and advising is personal. Counseling and accessibility services are highlighted in official materials, and Hiroshima Prefecture’s support hubs complement university advising for international students. NIAD-QE (students/staff).

Hands-on Projects & Local Ties

The open campus design makes it easy to bring the community in and send students out. Annual festivals, volunteer projects, and coursework using city data and public facilities are typical. Facilities are described here: Facilities Overview (EN).

Global Learning: Short Programs & Overseas Training

While FCU is locally oriented, it deliberately builds outward-facing experiences. The university runs short-term overseas language training via ELS Language Centers and offers field-based practicums with partner hosts—recent examples include placements in the University of Alaska system. Language training outline (JP) / Alaska 2024 / Alaska 2025.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

FCU lists a broad mix of sports and cultural clubs—volleyball, dance, brass band, and more. These are easy gateways to meet friends beyond class. Club Activities (EN).

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

Start with the Academic Affairs Section (Gakumu) as your general window; the campus maintains a consolidated list of counters and contacts. Counseling and accessibility support are also noted in official documents. Hiroshima Prefecture’s support center can advise on daily life and job hunting. Counters & contacts (JP) / Hiroshima Study Abroad (EN).

Language-Exchange & Buddy Options

Beyond campus clubs, the Fukuyama Association for Global Exchange (FAGE) hosts language meetups and public study spaces—handy for practice or community volunteering. FAGE guide (EN, PDF).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outgoing Focus)

Short-term language training: FCU organizes study-abroad language programs through ELS Language Centers in multiple cities and countries—an efficient way to gain credits and homestay experience without delaying graduation. Program outline (JP).

Field-based practicums: Faculties occasionally run overseas practicums (e.g., University of Alaska placements), combining local observation, seminars, and cultural immersion. Recent activity reports: Alaska 2024 / Alaska 2025.

Inbound note: FCU accepts international exchange students under specific schemes; selection is based on document screening and interviews rather than national standardized tests. Application instructions (EN).

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather (recent 5 years): Fukuyama has warm, sunny summers and cool, relatively dry winters. Japan Meteorological Agency records show midsummer (Jul–Aug) mean daily highs around ~32–34 °C and mean daily lows ~24–26 °C; midwinter (Jan–Feb) mean daily highs ~10–12 °C and mean daily lows around 0–2 °C. See monthly tables for 2023 and 2024 at the Fukuyama station (WMO 47767): JMA 2023 monthly / JMA 2024 monthly.

Month (Example)	Mean Daily High (°C)	Mean Daily Low (°C)	Source
Jan 2023	10.6	-0.4	JMA 2023 monthly
Jul 2024	32.7	24.3	JMA 2024 monthly

Everyday life: Most students live in nearby apartments rather than dorms, and many commute by bicycle or on foot—practical given the compact center. Basic student-life figures are summarized in FCU outreach PDFs. On weekends, Tomonoura—an Edo-period port town 30–40 minutes away—offers sea views and slow travel; within the city, Rose Park and the mid‑May Fukuyama Rose Festival are popular. Student-life data (JP, PDF) / Tomonoura (Japan‑Guide) / Rose Park (Hiroshima Official).

International Student Statistics

FCU is a small, locally focused public university, so its international cohort is tiny. As of May 1, 2024, Hiroshima Prefecture’s portal lists 1,088 total students and 4 international students (≈0.4%). Some year-specific pages show zero in particular cycles, so expect a very small international peer group. Hiroshima Int’l Students Portal.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Overall Outcomes

Recent cohorts report near-universal placement among job-seeking graduates (often ~99–100%). FCU’s Career Design Center coordinates advising from first year and runs guidance for teacher and civil service exams alongside individualized support. Employment results (JP) / Career support (JP).

Urban Management—Sectors & Roles

Urban Management graduates appear across information & communications, finance/insurance, real estate, manufacturing, wholesale/retail, transport, specialist services, and local government. Roles include planning, data analysis, sales, and administration. See industry/occupation breakdowns and employment regions in official dashboards. NIAD-QE Faculty Employment (JP) / FCU Career Results (JP).

Education—Licensure & School Appointments

Education graduates typically secure teaching or childcare appointments across kindergarten, elementary, and special-needs education, supported by practicum-heavy curricula and targeted mentoring. In many years, placement among job-seeking Education graduates reaches 100%. Employment results (JP).