Kwassui Women’s University: Campus Life and Admissions for International Student Guide

Thinking about Japan for your degree? Kwassui Women’s University (KWU) in Nagasaki blends a 145+ year Christian liberal-arts tradition with hands‑on professional training—especially in nursing, wellness, design, and child development. With intimate classes, a supportive International Student Exchange Center, and a main campus perched above the city’s historic foreign settlement, KWU offers a gentle landing for first‑time study in Japan. This guide compiles current facts, student life tips, and links to official sources so you can confidently shortlist KWU for undergraduate or short‑term study.

Quick Facts

Numbers below reflect the latest publicly available disclosures (mainly 2024–2025). Sources are linked in-line.

Type	Private women’s university Study in Japan (JASSO)
Total Students	≈855 (May 2024, sum of faculty enrollments: ICS 183; Wellness 409; Nursing 263) Kawaijuku Keinet
Campuses	Main: Higashi‑Yamate (Nagasaki City); Nursing: Omura Campus (Omura City) KWU (JP)・KWU “In Nagasaki” (EN)
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of International Cultural Studies; Faculty of Wellness Studies (Departments: Nutritional Health / Design & Science for Human Life / Child Development & Education); Faculty of Nursing; Graduate School (English Literature & Language). KWU Profile (EN)
Tuition Fees (First Year)	International Cultural Studies: ¥1,247,000; Wellness Studies: ¥1,310,730–¥1,379,230; Nursing: ¥1,761,370. Delegated charges (insurance, student assoc., etc.): ≈¥33,660–¥34,370. Passnavi (Obunsha, JA)・Keinet (JA)
Gender Ratio	Predominantly women (Nursing began admitting men from Apr 2025) University Journal (EN)
Intl‑Student %	≈3% (29 international students in FY2022) KWU disclosure (JA, PDF)
Students per Staff	≈10.7:1 (weighted across faculties as of 2024: ICS 183/25; Wellness 409/32; Nursing 263/23) ICS (Benesse)・Wellness (Benesse)・Nursing (Benesse)

Campus Maps

Higashiyamate Campus (Headquarters)

Address: 1-50 Higashiyamate-machi, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture 850-8515, Japan

Omura Campus (Nursing Faculty)

Address: 2-1246-3 Kuhara, Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture 856-0835, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Kwassui Women’s University traces its origins to 1879, when two American Methodist missionaries—Ms. Elizabeth Russell and Ms. Jennie Gheer—arrived in Nagasaki to educate and empower young women. From the beginning, the institution combined liberal‑arts study with moral formation grounded in Christian values, seeking to cultivate graduates who engage society with knowledge, character, and service. The university’s name “Kwassui” is drawn from the biblical image of “living water.” History & Ethos (EN)

Over more than 145 years, KWU has expanded and reorganized to serve changing needs while preserving its core mission. It now includes the Faculty of International Cultural Studies, the Faculty of Wellness Studies (covering nutritional health, design and science for human life, and child development and education), the Faculty of Nursing in Omura, and a graduate program in English literature and linguistics. KWU Profile

Geography shapes identity at KWU. The main Higashi‑Yamate campus sits along the slope of Nagasaki’s historic foreign settlement, where Japan once met the world through a small circle of permitted exchange. This setting embodies KWU’s educational promise: a tight‑knit learning community with an outward‑facing global posture. The Chancellor frames this as “unchanging truths in a changing world”—a reminder to root ethical character and community service in everything from language study to health professions. Message from the Chancellor

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship: Faculty of Nursing (Omura) — Hospital‑Adjacent Clinical Training

KWU’s Faculty of Nursing is located on the grounds of the National Hospital Organization Nagasaki Medical Center in Omura City, an advanced general hospital. This proximity delivers unusually intensive clinical exposure from early in the program. From April 2025 the Faculty admits male students—a targeted, workforce‑responsive update while the university remains women‑focused across other faculties. News (EN): Nursing co‑ed from 2025

Licensure outcomes are strong. Recent national exam results for KWU nursing candidates are consistently high, with public health nurse outcomes also excellent—reflecting systematic clinical instruction and built‑in test preparation. Keinet: National Exam Results (JA)

Wellness Studies: Registered Dietitian & Human‑Centered Design Pathways

The Faculty of Wellness Studies integrates health sciences with the creative and practical disciplines that shape everyday life. Students in Nutritional Health pursue qualifications for Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist and health education roles; Design & Science for Human Life covers product, information, interior, apparel, and architectural design with attention to sustainability and user needs; Child Development & Education prepares professional educators and caregivers. Faculties & Departments

Global Options: Exchange, Transfer, Double Degree

KWU runs flexible pathways: short summer programs; one‑ or two‑semester study (one‑to‑one exchange or independent); third‑year transfer options (including double‑degree routes); and full four‑year degree admission. The International Student Exchange Center supports outgoing and incoming students from pre‑departure to re‑entry, and hosts community‑building events that mix domestic and overseas cohorts. International Programs・International Student Exchange Center

Recent partner‑side references include Minnesota State University, Mankato (ongoing exchange options) and CQUniversity (Australia) listing KWU among inbound partners—useful signals of English‑friendly administration and credit transfer. Always confirm your major’s fit and current availability with KWU’s International Office. MNSU Partners・CQUniversity Partners

Small Classes in a Historic Hillside Campus

Higashi‑Yamate, the main campus, overlooks Nagasaki’s harbor and heritage streets. Facilities include a chapel with pipe organ, studios, practice rooms, a modern library, and a student lounge. The setting supports KWU’s “close‑knit but globally open” experience: seminar‑style classes with accessible faculty, plus space for music, faith, and everyday community life. Campus Facilities

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

KWU offers sports, cultural, and creative circles—from performance and music to community service—where international students can mix with domestic peers. The university highlights inclusive activities and campus‑wide events through its Campus Life pages. Clubs & Associations

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

The International Student Exchange Center advises on immigration procedures, course choices, daily life, and re‑entry. While on‑campus dormitory options are limited (JASSO lists “no dormitory” but notes off‑campus housing support), KWU staff provide guidance to secure apartments or student residences nearby. International Center (EN)・JASSO school profile

Language Program & Campus Integration

International students can take a five‑level Japanese Language Program (Preliminary + Levels I–IV) aimed at real‑world communication and professional use, and join welcome events that foster cross‑cultural friendships. Special Academic Programs

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

KWU advertises multiple routes: summer study, one‑ or two‑semester exchanges (bilateral or independent), third‑year transfer (including double‑degree tracks), and full 4‑year degree entry. Check the latest fact sheets with the International Office for language, GPA, portfolio, and course‑load requirements; partner line‑ups may change year to year. International Programs (EN)

Examples reported publicly by partner universities: (1) Minnesota State University, Mankato—active exchange listings that include Kwassui Women’s University. MNSU Partners (2) CQUniversity (Australia)—lists KWU as an inbound study‑abroad partner. CQUniversity Partners

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Nagasaki & Omura)

Weather Snapshot (Last ~5 Years)

Nagasaki has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and very warm, humid summers. Japan Meteorological Agency monthly tables for the Nagasaki station (WMO 47817) show summer monthly mean temperatures peaking around ~29–30 °C in August, with winter monthly means near ~8–10 °C in January. For typical daily ranges (high/low), WeatherSpark shows annual temperatures usually from ~4 °C to ~30 °C, rarely below 0 °C or above 33 °C. JMA Monthly (Nagasaki)・WeatherSpark – Nagasaki

Lifestyle, Safety & Cost of Living

Higashi‑Yamate is a scenic neighborhood above the harbor with cafés, viewpoints, and quick bus links to downtown. Compared with Tokyo/Osaka, Nagasaki and Omura usually mean lower rent and daily costs; many students choose compact apartments near tram or bus lines. The university highlights the approachable scale of Nagasaki and the ease of exploring nearby cultural areas and islands. In Nagasaki (EN)

International Student Statistics

KWU’s official disclosure (FY2022) lists 29 international students in total, concentrated in International Cultural Studies (28). (Totals vary by year; verify with the International Office.) KWU disclosure (JA, PDF)

Faculty	International Students (FY2022)
International Cultural Studies	28
Wellness Studies	1
Nursing	0
Music	0
Total	29

Career & Graduate Prospects

Placement Snapshot & Typical Paths

KWU reports consistently strong outcomes across recent cohorts. Typical destinations include hospitals and clinics (Nursing), municipal/public service and schools (ICS and Child Development & Education), early‑childhood care facilities, food service and wellness companies (Nutritional Health), and design studios/production roles (Design & Science for Human Life). See official career pages and annual disclosures for details. Shingakunet Career (JA)・KWU Career page (JA)

Department‑Level Results (Recent Years)

Faculty‑by‑faculty reports show high placement and graduate‑school progression depending on department and year. See the PDF for counts, rates, and notes by department. Outcomes disclosure (JA, PDF)

Professional Licensure Highlights (Nursing)

KWU’s nursing licensure performance is strong year to year, including public health nursing where applicable—evidence of robust clinical education and exam prep. Keinet (JA)

Scholarships & Fees (Overview)

KWU offers tuition‑reduction and scholarship schemes for strong entrants; the official page also lists delegated charges (insurance, associations) by faculty. Short‑term international students (one semester/one year) should review the current International pages for semester‑specific fees and course options. Always confirm the most current table before applying. Fees & Scholarships (JA)・Keinet fee data (JA)

Admissions & What to Check Next

For degree seekers, monitor the International and faculty pages for language requirements, portfolio needs (design), vaccination/clinical clearances (nursing), and course registration timelines. For exchange paths, coordinate with both your home university and KWU’s International Center, and bookmark the International Programs page for forms, course lists, and semester dates (April–August; late September–mid‑March). International Programs (EN)

Reference Links

• KWU – History & Ethos (EN)
• KWU – Profile (Faculties/Departments, EN)
• KWU – In Nagasaki (EN)
• KWU – Campus Facilities (EN)
• KWU – International Programs (EN)
• Study in Japan (JASSO): KWU
• KWU – Fees/Scholarships (JA)
• Passnavi – Fee Tables (JA); Keinet – Fees (JA)
• Keinet – Student counts by faculty (JA)
• KWU – International student counts (FY2022, JA, PDF)
• Shingakunet – Employment stats (JA); KWU – Career page (JA)
• Keinet – National exam results (JA)
• News – Nursing now co‑ed (2025)
• JMA – Monthly climate (Nagasaki station)・WeatherSpark – Climate overview
• MNSU – Partners (incl. KWU); CQUniversity – Partners (incl. KWU)