Comprehensive Guide to Hokkaido University of Science for International Students

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends engineering, health, design, and IT in one place? Hokkaido University of Science (HUS) in Sapporo could be your fit. With five faculties—from Engineering to Information Science and Technology (launched in 2025)—HUS focuses on practical, hands-on learning backed by strong industry ties and a safe, student‑friendly city. This guide walks you through quick facts, strengths, student life, climate, exchange options, and career outcomes—plus links to official sources so you can verify details yourself.

Quick‑Facts (Hokkaido University of Science, Sapporo)

Type	Private University (HUS English site)
Total Students	4,578 (University total, as of May 1, 2025) — Source: 設置校データ
Campus	Main: Teine Campus (Sapporo). Address on HUS English / Access & Maps (PDF)
Faculties / Schools	• Faculty of Engineering (PDF) • Faculty of Information Science & Technology (PDF) • Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PDF) • Faculty of Health Sciences (PDF) • Faculty of Future Design (PDF)
Tuition Fees (Annual)	Engineering: ¥1,662,300 (1st year) / ¥1,415,800 (2nd–4th) — Official Information Science: ¥1,662,300 (1st year) / ¥1,415,800 (2nd–4th) — Official Health Sciences (range by dept.): ¥1,712,300–¥1,862,300 (1st) / ¥1,465,800–¥1,615,800 (2nd–4th) — Official Pharmaceutical Sciences: ¥1,812,300 (1st) / ¥1,965,800 (2nd–6th) — Official
Gender Ratio	Not officially published university‑wide (varies by department).
Intl‑Student %	≈0.1% (4 international students in 2025 / 4,578 total). Sources: 留学生紹介（年度別人数） & 設置校データ
Students per Staff	19.05 students per faculty member (official metric). Source: 数字で見る北海道科学大学

Campus Maps

Maeda Campus (Main / Headquarters, Sapporo)

Address: 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Hokkaido University of Science (HUS) traces its roots to the Hokkaido Institute of Technology, later adopting its current name when the Faculty of Health Sciences was launched in 2014. Today, HUS operates as a comprehensive private university with five faculties and a graduate school. Its mission centers on “fostering scientific citizens”—professionals who apply science to real-world challenges with practical skills, ethical awareness, and a commitment to regional vitality in Hokkaido’s unique environment. These ideals are expressed in the university’s core documents, which emphasize professional education aligned to the needs of society and learning that blends classroom study with hands‑on experience in labs, clinics, workshops, studios, and field settings. See HUS’s official English materials for mission, concept, and organizational background: Educational Characteristics (PDF), Concept (PDF), History (PDF), and a summary of faculties and facilities via the English site.

A notable development is the opening of the Faculty of Information Science & Technology in 2025, reflecting surging demand for AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and data skills. Meanwhile, the legacy strengths of Engineering—civil/environmental, architecture, electrical/electronic, mechanical—and the well‑established health cluster (Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health Sciences) create interdisciplinary pathways rare at a medium‑sized private university. HUS also highlights regional contribution: preparing graduates who can support Hokkaido’s infrastructure, healthcare, IT services, manufacturing, and creative industries, while leveraging the area’s cold‑climate testbed for sustainable design and community resilience. Primary references: Information Science & Technology (PDF), Engineering (PDF), Health Sciences (PDF), Pharmaceutical Sciences (PDF), Future Design (PDF).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Practice‑First Engineering & Cold‑Region Capability

HUS’s engineering education stresses “learning by doing,” from design studios and prototyping spaces to fieldwork on urban infrastructure suited to snowy, sub‑zero conditions. Students in Civil & Environmental and Architecture work with topics like winter road safety, energy‑efficient buildings, and resilient public works, while Electrical/Electronic and Mechanical majors develop hardware for harsh environments (sensors, power systems, mobility). Documentation of this practical approach appears in the university’s educational concept and Engineering overview (Educational Characteristics, Engineering PDF).

New Faculty of Information Science & Technology (from 2025)

Launched in April 2025, the Faculty of Information Science & Technology modernizes the former information engineering track to a broader curriculum covering AI, software engineering, networks/cloud, data science, and cybersecurity. The shift aligns with industry shortages and creates cross‑faculty collaboration—e.g., IT for hospitals and public health, or smart‑city applications for architecture and civil engineering. See the official outline (PDF) and current admissions/tuition pages (Info Science tuition).

Integrated Health Cluster: Pharmaceutical & Health Sciences

HUS’s health ecosystem combines a six‑year professional pharmacy program with nursing, radiological science, physical therapy, and clinical engineering. Students move from foundational sciences into hospital practicums and community health initiatives, benefiting from faculty who are active practitioners. The Pharmaceutical Sciences PDF dan Health Sciences PDF summarize program aims and typical career pathways.

Future Design: Design × Humanities for Social Impact

The Faculty of Future Design blends media arts and design with humanities and social sciences. Students tackle real briefs—from community revitalization to digital communication—building portfolios suitable for creative agencies, public sector roles, and UX‑driven tech teams. See the official outline (PDF).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

With 70+ student groups, HUS offers both Japanese and English‑friendly spaces. Examples include the “BRIDGE” international exchange circle and an English Workshop circle. Check the official listings and FAQ: Clubs, International FAQ.

Support Offices (housing, counselling, accessibility)

Student support covers study skills, wellbeing, and accessibility. HUS outlines its support framework here: Student Support and accessibility policies under Students with Disabilities. For accommodation, the university lists trusted partners for apartments and homestays: Apartments & Homestay. The International FAQ also links the City of Sapporo’s consultation service for foreign residents: International FAQ.

Language Exchange & Campus Community

English‑medium activities appear in campus event listings and international pages, and students often meet language partners through clubs like BRIDGE. Explore the international section for events and Q&A: International, FAQ.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

HUS organizes short‑term overseas programs where students visit partner campuses, join cultural workshops, and practice English in authentic settings. These programs are designed to be accessible even for first‑timers to study abroad. See current outlines and destinations: Outgoing Short‑Term Programs.

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Sapporo)

Sapporo has four distinct seasons and reliable snow in winter. Based on Japan Meteorological Agency data for Sapporo (Station 47412) in recent years, average daily maxima range from around −1 °C in mid‑winter (January) to ~26 °C in summer (August), while average daily minima run from approximately −7 °C (January) to ~19–20 °C (August). Sources (monthly statistics; English and Japanese views): JMA Sapporo Monthly (EN), JMA Sapporo Monthly (JP), JMA Climate Graphs.

Lifestyle‑wise, Sapporo is known for safety, easy transport, and student‑friendly costs compared with Tokyo. HUS provides practical info on student living costs and housing options: Student Living Costs (JP) dan Apartments/Homestay.

International Student Statistics

Academic Year	International Students (headcount)	Source
2019	5	HUS International (JP)
2020	5	HUS International (JP)
2021	6	HUS International (JP)
2022	5	HUS International (JP)
2023	5	HUS International (JP)
2024	4	HUS International (JP)
2025	4	HUS International (JP)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career support is faculty‑specific and involves resume coaching, interview prep, and employer networking. HUS publishes employment data by faculty and department, including typical sectors (construction and infrastructure, manufacturing, IT services and SI, hospitals and clinics, media/design, and public agencies). See the university’s official employment data hub: Employment Data (JP). The mission documents also stress “experience & practical‑based learning,” which feeds directly into early career readiness (Educational Characteristics).