Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies (NUFS) for International Students— Admissions, Programs, Scholarships, Student Life & Study Abroad Guide

If you’re searching for a language-focused university in Japan with a welcoming international vibe and strong, practical pathways into global careers, Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies (NUFS) deserves a close look. Tucked into the hills on Nagasaki City’s northern edge, NUFS blends small classes, a hands-on curriculum, and rare facilities like a permanent simultaneous interpreting booth. Whether you’re considering a full degree or an exchange semester, you’ll find a campus community where one in three people you meet may be from overseas, a dedicated international dorm, and straightforward study-abroad options that send NUFS students to partner institutions around the world.

Quick Facts (NUFS at a Glance)

Type	Private university
Total Students	692 (as of May 1, 2025; university total)
Campuses	Main: Yokoo Campus (Nagasaki City, 3‑15‑1 Yokoo)
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Foreign Studies ・Department of Contemporary English ・Department of International Communication
Biaya Pendidikan	Tuition (annual): ¥590,000–¥610,000; Facilities fee (annual): ¥377,000–¥387,000; First year total incl. admission fee (historical guide): ≈¥1,250,000 *Amounts reflect official schedules for recent years; always confirm current fees.
Gender Ratio	Male ≈35% / Female ≈65% (2025 university figures)
Intl‑Student %	≈33% of students on campus are international (including short‑term programs)
Students per Staff	≈18:1 (based on 692 students and 38 full‑time faculty baseline)

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Yokoo, Nagasaki)

Address: 3-15-1 Yokoo, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki 851-2196, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies (NUFS) grew out of a post‑war commitment to rebuild lives through education and international understanding. The school traces its roots to December 1945, when educators in Nagasaki—only months after the atomic bombing—reestablished a language‑centered institution with the credo of fostering mutual understanding between nations through the study of languages and cultures. That early initiative eventually evolved into today’s four‑year university, accredited by Japan’s Ministry of Education and dedicated to empowering globally minded graduates. (Source: NUFS JASIN overview)

From its earliest days, the institution placed languages at the center of learning—English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, and German—reflecting Nagasaki’s historical role as Japan’s window to the world. The city’s legacy of exchange runs deep, from centuries of maritime trade to its modern identity as a global peace hub. NUFS’s mission aligns with this heritage: language education as a vehicle for peace, dialogue, and practical engagement with the world’s cultures. On campus, this philosophy shows up not only in classroom instruction but in the structure of programs that bring hundreds of inbound students each year and send NUFS students abroad through exchanges, dual degrees, and third‑year transfer options. (International Exchange Programs) (Partner Universities)

Institutionally, NUFS is compact by design—one faculty, two departments—so the “language‑first” mission shapes every student’s experience. Small classes make it easier to receive targeted feedback on writing, conversation, and presentation skills. Facilities are optimized for this mission: the campus houses dedicated CAI (computer‑assisted instruction) labs, language laboratories, and a rare permanent simultaneous interpreting booth used both in classes and at lectures and events. It’s an uncommon resource in Japan and gives students practice in near real‑time conference‑style communication. (Campus Map)

The university’s Christian‑humanist founding ideals—service, respect for others, and pursuit of truth—animate a campus culture that blends academic rigor with community spirit. You’ll notice this in the multilingual dormitory life at Ampelos (NUFS’s on‑campus international dorm), the varied clubs and circles open to all students, and the International Center’s role coordinating exchange, support, and intercultural events. Taken together, NUFS’s history and mission point in the same direction: building practical language ability to engage the world with empathy and skill. (Ampelos Dormitory) (Clubs & Activities) (International Center)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Language‑First Curriculum with Real‑World Practice

NUFS specializes in languages and communication. Courses in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, and German form the core, with strong bridges to business, interpretation/translation, media, and culture. Because the entire university shares this focus, you don’t have to hunt for language‑rich electives—speaking, writing, and presenting are embedded across the curriculum. Exchange students can mix Japan‑studies courses taught in English with Japanese language classes (placement from beginner to advanced), while degree‑seeking students build a multi‑year arc from foundational literacy to profession‑ready communication. (Sample classes) (Education Philosophy)

Flagship: Faculty of Foreign Studies

Department of Contemporary English

A concentrated program for students who want strong, practical English across domains—academic writing, presentation, debate, media, and professional communication. Many students target careers in airlines, hospitality, tourism, global business, and education. NUFS’s campus facilities and events (guest lectures, contests, interpreting practice) help learners apply classroom English under time pressure and with authentic audiences. (Departments overview)

Department of International Communication

Built for globally engaged careers that need language plus cross‑cultural literacy, this department blends communication theory, Japanese/Asian studies, and practical pathways such as airlines/tourism, business, interpretation/translation, and teaching. Students can thus connect language mastery to a concrete professional track early on. (Program aims)

Conference‑Level Interpreting Infrastructure

NUFS is one of the few campuses in Japan with a permanent simultaneous interpreting booth and system. Students use it in interpreting courses and at campus events—an uncommon chance to rehearse conference‑style performance (listening, reformulating, and delivering under time pressure). The campus also features M204 Studio, a presentation room with multi‑screen display and recording/broadcasting capability—useful for capstone talks, mock conferences, and digital portfolios. (Campus Map & facilities)

Dual Short‑Term Pipelines: JASIN & NICS

NUFS runs two well‑established study‑abroad streams for inbound exchange students: the JASIN Program (aimed primarily at students from Europe/North America with English‑medium Japan Studies) and the NICS Program (serving students from Asia with Japanese‑medium advising and coursework). Combined, they bring several hundred visiting students to campus, strengthening the multilingual environment for everyone. At the same time, NUFS students benefit from the reverse flow: classes, clubs, and dorm life are naturally international, and practice partners are never far away. (JASIN overview) (Multilingual & Multicultural Campus)

International Dorm Next to Campus

The nine‑story Ampelos Dormitory sits just a short walk from class and houses about 400 Japanese and international students. Rooms (single or shared) include private bath, kitchenette, and wired internet; the dorm provides meals and hosts regular community events. For many degree and exchange students, living at Ampelos becomes the fastest route to daily language practice and cross‑cultural friendships. (Ampelos details)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

From badminton and basketball to tea ceremony, Japanese harp, judo, light music, and more, clubs at NUFS are student‑run and open to newcomers each year. You can also start your own circle—handy if you want a film club in your native language or a board‑game night with bilingual rules. (Clubs & Activities)

Support Offices: Visa, Housing, Counselling

NUFS’s International Center coordinates visas for full‑time JASIN exchange students and provides guidance on residence status; housing is arranged for program participants (homestay or Ampelos dorm). On the student‑life side, you’ll find an on‑campus counselling room and a Student Support Office with phone/email contacts for help. (Visas & housing for JASIN students) (Ampelos dorm) (International Center)

Language Exchange & Buddy‑Style Community

The multilingual campus model encourages peer learning—conversation partners from the JASIN/NICS cohorts, dorm mixers, and international events make it natural to switch between English, Japanese, and other languages in a single day. Because many students are preparing to go abroad (or have just come back), you’ll find a steady supply of friends eager to practice. (Multilingual & Multicultural Campus)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

Program menu for NUFS degree students. NUFS offers multiple ways to study abroad: (1) short‑term training (about a month), (2) semester/year exchange, (3) third‑year transfer into a partner’s regular program, and (4) dual‑degree options with designated universities in China, Taiwan, and Korea. Advising support, credit transfer, and scholarship opportunities are coordinated through the International Center. (International Exchange Programs)

Destination examples. NUFS maintains partnerships across North America, Europe, and Asia. For English‑speaking destinations, long‑standing ties exist with U.S. institutions; students can also target the U.K., Germany, and France for European immersion. Within Asia, dual‑degree and exchange pathways include universities in China, Taiwan, and Korea—popular choices for language acceleration and regional studies. See the full, regularly updated partner list on NUFS’s site. (Partner Universities)

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Nagasaki City)

Weather snapshot (recent patterns). Expect mild winters and humid summers. Typical January highs/lows hover around 10 °C / 4 °C (50 °F / 39 °F), while August often reaches about 32 °C / 25 °C (90 °F / 77 °F). Rainfall peaks in the June–July rainy season, and late‑summer typhoons are possible—standard for Kyushu’s west coast. Check long‑term averages for planning and pack for humidity in summer and a light coat in winter. (Climate averages: Timeanddate)

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Notes
January	≈10 °C (50 °F)	≈4 °C (39 °F)	Cool, occasional frost
June–July	≈27–30 °C (81–86 °F)	≈21–24 °C (70–75 °F)	Rainy season; pack rain gear
August	≈32 °C (90 °F)	≈25 °C (77 °F)	Hot/humid; monitor typhoon info

Lifestyle highlights. Nagasaki offers big‑city essentials at Kyushu prices. Public transport is reliable (city buses and trams), and a standard monthly pass is typically under ¥20,000. Food is excellent—seafood, champon noodles, and café culture—while study breaks can include Peace Park, Dejima, Glover Garden, Chinatown, or coastal islands reached by ferry. (Cost of living snapshots) (Official Nagasaki Prefecture travel guide) (JNTO: Nagasaki)

Safety & preparedness. Japan’s crime rates are globally low, and Nagasaki is a livable, student‑friendly city. Do stay typhoon‑aware in late summer and review basic emergency guidance for life in Japan (earthquakes, heavy rain). (Local crime perceptions) (JNTO safety tips)

International Student Statistics

NUFS consistently hosts a large share of international students on campus. As of May 1, 2025, foreign students (including short‑term program participants) numbered 278, which means roughly one in three people on campus is from overseas. In a typical year, inbound students arrive via two pipelines: JASIN (many from North America/Europe) and NICS (primarily from Asia). The combination produces a balanced, multilingual community for everyday practice.

Indicator	Most Recent Figure	Notes
Total enrollment (all students)	692	As of May 1, 2025 (institutional report)
International students on campus	278	Includes short‑term programs (as of May 1, 2025)
Approx. share of international students	≈33%	About 1 in 3 students
Inbound by program (typical)	JASIN ≈60–80 / NICS ≈100 per year	Annual cohorts vary

For region‑by‑region mix, recent JASIN cohorts have featured sizeable numbers from the U.S. and Europe, while NICS draws heavily from China, Taiwan, and Korea—mirroring the partner network. Exact distribution changes by term and partner intake volume. (JASIN) (Campus language environment)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Placement results. NUFS reports strong outcomes: for the 2024 graduating class, overall employment placement was about 98% across departments, with some cohorts at 100%. Rates are calculated as the share of job‑seeking graduates who secured employment by the reporting date. (Latest placement table PDF)

Typical employers & fields. Language‑driven paths stand out—airlines (ANA Group, ZIPAIR Tokyo, Fuji Dream Airlines, IBEX), airports and ground services, travel agencies (HIS, JTB), hotels (Hilton group, Marriott, Sheraton, ANA Crowne Plaza, major Japanese hotel brands), media/IT, retail, finance, education (public‑school teachers and private education companies), and public sector (municipal offices, police). NUFS publishes a rolling list of where grads go; it’s a helpful way to match your target job family to course choices from year one. (Employers & graduate schools: last 3 years)

How NUFS prepares you. The mix of intensive language practice, interpreting/translation options, presentation‑heavy coursework (M204 Studio), and daily multilingual interaction tends to build employability fast. Students who stack internships or part‑time roles in tourism/hospitality with these skills often convert them into full‑time offers after graduation—especially around Kyushu’s thriving travel sector (Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Okinawa) and nationwide hotel/airport networks. Keep an eye on the Career Center pages for certifications and workshops aligned with airline, hospitality, and business roles.

Practical Notes: Admissions, Tuition & Budgeting

Degree‑seeking applicants should review NUFS’s admissions site for current application timelines and fee schedules. Historically, first‑year costs include an admission fee plus tuition and facilities fees, with subsequent years billed by semester. As a rough guide, recent official schedules show tuition around ¥590,000–¥610,000 per year and facilities fees around ¥377,000–¥387,000; the first‑year total including admission has been around ¥1.25 million. Exchange (JASIN/NICS) students usually pay tuition to their home institutions; NUFS arranges housing and visas and issues transcripts for transfer. (JASIN details) (NUFS admissions & tuition info) (Example: fee breakdown PDF)

On living costs, plan for rent/board if you choose Ampelos (see monthly room/meal figures on the dorm page) and for transport, food, books, and phone. As a benchmark, independent surveys put a city transit pass under ¥20,000 per month and typical grocery prices in line with national averages for regional cities. (Ampelos fees & utilities) (Numbeo: Nagasaki costs)