Study at Hyogo Medical University: Programs, Fees, Admissions & Student Life

Thinking about medical or health sciences in Japan? Hyogo Medical University (HMU) sits between Osaka and Kobe, balancing a tight clinical network with calm suburban living in Nishinomiya. This guide gathers quick facts, admissions-adjacent context, distinctive learning features (like simulation training and interprofessional education), international exchange options, and student-life tips for overseas applicants. Sources are linked throughout so you can validate fees, headcounts, and campus details directly on HMU’s official pages.

Quick Facts

Type	Private university (medical)
Total Students	2,473 (Undergraduate 2,236; Graduate 237) as of May 1, 2024 Official IR: Faculty & Student Numbers
Campuses	Main: Nishinomiya; plus Kobe, Sasayama, and Umeda (Osaka) Access & Campuses (EN)
Faculties / Schools	Undergraduate: School of Medicine; School of Pharmacy; School of Nursing; School of Rehabilitation (Physical Therapy / Occupational Therapy). Graduate: Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Rehabilitation Science. Schools (EN)
Tuition Fees (¥)	Medicine (6-yr): First year ¥8,500,000; Years 2–6 ¥5,700,000/yr. Pharmacy (6-yr): First year ¥2,100,000; Years 2–6 ¥1,900,000/yr. Nursing (4-yr): First year ¥1,850,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,650,000/yr. Rehabilitation (PT/OT, 4-yr): First year ¥1,750,000; Years 2–4 ¥1,550,000/yr. Official Tuition & Fees (JP)
Gender Ratio	Undergraduate: ~36% male / 64% female (2,236 total) as of May 1, 2024. IR breakdown (JP)
Intl-Student %	≈0.6% (inbound exchange/visiting students: 14 in 2024 ÷ 2,473 total students). Degree-seeking international share not published. Exchange Inbound Totals 2024 (JP) ・ Total Students (JP)
Students per Staff	By faculty (May 1, 2024): Medicine 1.62; Pharmacy 14.19; Nursing 9.16; Rehabilitation PT 13.14; OT 10.87; Graduate schools 0.38–1.00. IR: Students per Faculty Member (JP)

Campus Maps

Nishinomiya (Main) Campus

Address: 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya City, Hyōgo 663-8501, Japan

Kobe Campus

Address: 1-3-6 Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyōgo 650-8530, Japan

Sasayama Campus

Address: 5 Kurooka, Tanba-Sasayama City, Hyōgo 669-2321, Japan

Umeda Health & Medicine Clinic (Umeda Campus)

Address: Osaka Umeda Twin Towers South, 13th floor, 1-13-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 530-0001, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Hyogo Medical University was founded in 1972 with a straightforward social mission: educate clinicians and healthcare professionals who safeguard community health in Hyogo and the wider Kansai region. Today HMU is a multi-campus institution—Nishinomiya (main), Kobe (Port Island), Sasayama, and Umeda (Osaka)—that anchors an academic health system around Hyogo Medical University Hospital. The university’s “identity” statement summarizes its philosophy and visual mark, linking educational goals to clinical service and research.

From the outset, the curriculum emphasized hands-on training and team-based medicine. Over time, HMU formalized this into interprofessional education (IPE), where students of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and rehabilitation learn together toward safer, coordinated care. The institution also built a Simulation Center to let learners rehearse acute and routine scenarios before entering real wards. These structural choices—team training, simulation, and tight hospital links—shape HMU’s reputation as a practical, clinically oriented university in Kansai.

If you like clear purpose statements, HMU publishes them: slogan, mission, and educational policies are available in English, while detailed year-by-year numbers (students, staff, ratios) are continuously updated in Japanese. Start here for the English overview and campus list, then verify intake and staffing on the institutional research pages: University Identity (EN) ・ Campuses & Access (EN) ・ IR: Numbers (JP).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Advanced Simulation & Skills Training

HMU’s Clinical Education Support System includes a dedicated Simulation Center used by students and healthcare professionals. Spaces range from a ~200 m² skills room for large ICLS-type trainings to smaller wards that recreate bedside settings. Equipment lists include high-fidelity manikins (e.g., SimMan-class resuscitation simulators) and audiovisual setups for debriefing. Evidence: Clinical Education (EN) ・ Simulation Center (JP) ・ Room Specs (JP) ・ Simulator List (JP).

Structured Interprofessional Education (IPE)

At HMU, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists practice team care early through a staged IPE program called IPW (Interprofessional Work). This reduces handoff risk and builds shared language across professions. See: Interprofessional Collaboration (EN).

Flagship: School of Medicine & University Hospital Network

Medicine is HMU’s signature program, tightly integrated with Hyogo Medical University Hospital and partner institutions across Kansai for clinical clerkships and postgraduate training. The school highlights a “reliable support system,” updated skills facilities, and a clear clinical pipeline. Browse: School of Medicine (EN) ・ University Hospital (JP).

Simulation-Backed Bedside Readiness

Medicine students rehearse procedures and emergencies in the Simulation Center before clinical rotations, then escalate responsibility under supervision on the wards—an evidence-based sequence that correlates with smoother PGY transitions. See the simulation resources above for equipment and space details.

Practical Pathways in Nursing, Pharmacy & Rehabilitation

The Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Rehabilitation emphasize practical labs, clinical placements, and local hospital ties. Nursing showcases hands-on practice rooms and mentoring; Rehabilitation (PT/OT) lists detailed job placements each year; Pharmacy follows a six-year track aligning with national licensure. Sources: Nursing Education Support (EN) ・ Career Results (JP).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

Medical orchestras, tennis, rugby, dance, light music, and more—clubs are open and beginner-friendly. Browse both campuses here: Clubs & Circles (JP).

Support Offices (visa, housing, counselling)

Student Counseling Room (English description available within the School of Medicine facilities page): Student Counseling Room (EN). For broader student-life links (health room, forms, housing desk), see: For Current Students & Parents (JP).

Housing Desk (official university channel to vetted housing partners): Student Housing Information (JP).

Language Exchange or Buddy Programs

Buddy-style support for short-term exchange is typically arranged via the International Exchange Center and host departments. Ask here early (pre-arrival): International Exchange Center (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

HMU maintains outbound exchange and training with partners such as the University of Rijeka (Croatia), Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (Germany), Rutgers University – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (USA), the University of Adelaide (Australia), and others. The 2024 results show 8 outbound exchange students and 26 students in short-term overseas training. Details (and year-to-year changes): Outbound/Inbound Results (JP).

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Nishinomiya lies on the Osaka–Kobe corridor with quick rail access to both cities. Summers are warm and humid; winters are cool with light precipitation. Daily life is suburban (quiet neighborhoods near the Mukogawa River), while Kobe and Osaka offer big-city dining, internships, and travel hubs. Check train access and campus locations here: Access & Campuses (EN). For housing and local living, see the university’s housing desk above.

International Student Statistics

Degree-seeking international enrollment is not published by HMU; however, inbound exchange/visiting totals in 2024 were 14 students, with the following breakdown by partner: Croatia (University of Rijeka) 3; Germany (Würzburg) 2; USA (Rutgers RWJ) 2; Bulgaria (Medical University of Sofia) 2; Australia (University of Adelaide) 5. Source: Inbound Results 2024 (JP).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Medicine

Recent cohorts match to clinical training across major Kansai hospitals (HMU Hospital, Kyoto University Hospital, Osaka University Hospital, Kobe City Medical Center Central Hospital, etc.). Annual outcome pages list destinations and counts (e.g., “clinical residents” per graduating class). See: Medicine Career Track (JP).

Nursing, Pharmacy & Rehabilitation

Placement tables show steady absorption into university hospitals, public hospitals, and specialized rehab centers across Kansai, with occasional government public-health posts (PHN). Representative employers include Hyogo Medical University Hospital, Kobe City Medical Center, Hyogo Prefectural hospitals, and large private medical groups. See the annual lists here: Career Results (JP).