Study Nursing in Japan: International Guide to Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences (OUNHS)

Thinking about earning a nursing degree in Japan? Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences (OUNHS) is a small, public (prefectural) university with a focused mission: to train competent, community‑minded nurses and advanced practitioners who can make a difference from day one. This guide gives you a quick, practical look at OUNHS—its facts, story, flagship strengths, student life, exchange options, climate, international student data, and career outcomes—so you can quickly judge fit and take your next step with confidence.

Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences — Symbolic Photo Gallery (Free Materials)

Quick Facts: Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences (OUNHS)

Campus Maps

Main (Headquarters) Campus – Megusuno

Address: 2944-9 Megusuno, Oita City, Oita 870-1201, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1998 as a prefectural nursing university, OUNHS was created to address the concrete health needs of Oita Prefecture and Japan’s rapidly aging society. Its graduate school followed in 2002, and in 2006 OUNHS became a Public University Corporation, adding the governance flexibility needed to expand advanced clinical training and community partnerships. The university has since been nationally accredited for its nursing education and grown into a compact hub for practice‑ready nursing talent Overview of OUNHS.

A distinctive milestone in OUNHS’s history was the launch of Japan’s first Nurse Practitioner (NP) master’s course in 2008, reflecting the faculty’s longstanding interest in advanced practice and primary/critical care. Subsequent developments—such as a full four‑year bachelor curriculum (2011) and added master’s majors in public health nursing and midwifery—further positioned the university as an innovator linking classroom, simulation, and fieldwork English Profile (PDF).

The mission emphasizes excellence in education, research, and community engagement—preparing “highly competent professionals who contribute to the health and welfare of local communities,” while also nurturing leadership for the future of nursing in Japan. This plays out via integrated practicums across all four undergraduate years and graduate pathways that develop public health nurses, midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurse managers for roles across hospital and community settings Overview.

Internationally, OUNHS has cultivated practical ties rather than vanity MoUs. Partnerships with Case Western Reserve University and Pace University (U.S.), Seoul National University, University of Ulsan, and Inha University (Korea), and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (Indonesia) anchor exchange visits and joint work. An “Overseas Training Scholarship” launched in 2023 sends two undergraduates abroad each year during long vacations—small but purposeful steps that fit the university’s scale Partners & Programs English Profile (PDF).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Focus: Nursing & Advanced Practice

Why it matters: If you want a program centered on real‑world readiness, OUNHS’s identity is laser‑focused on nursing. The undergraduate curriculum connects lectures, skills labs, and clinical placements across all four years. At the graduate level, OUNHS runs Japan’s pioneering Nurse Practitioner master’s course and specialized tracks in public health nursing and midwifery—programs that map to Japan’s workforce needs Overview English Profile (PDF).

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Leadership

OUNHS established Japan’s first NP master’s course in 2008 and continues to contribute to national NP education standards and certification through university center teams and faculty networks. This is a strong differentiator if you envision advanced practice roles in primary or acute care English Profile (PDF).

Skills‑Intensive Learning & Up‑to‑Date Labs

For hands‑on preparation, OUNHS operates five learning laboratories—covering fundamental/adult/gerontological nursing; maternity & midwifery; pediatric & NP; community & home nursing & NP; and health science experiments—linked to staged practicums. Students practice, get feedback, and then apply skills in clinical settings Clinical Practicums & Skills Labs.

Community‑Engaged Education (COEC)

Through its Community Outreach and Engagement functions, OUNHS links coursework with population health. Typical activities include preventive home‑visiting practicums for older adults (a signature component), health‑promotion events, sports‑nurse training, and industry‑academia co‑creation for user‑friendly health products Overview.

International Links that Actually Move

The university prioritizes practical exchange over volume. Partner schools include Case Western Reserve University and Pace University (U.S.); Seoul National University, University of Ulsan, and Inha University (Korea); and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (Indonesia). Exchange visits (e.g., with Ulsan) are active; an “Overseas Training Scholarship” funds two undergraduates per year during long vacations Partners & Programs English Profile (PDF).

Small Scale, Accessible Faculty

With 55 full‑time faculty for roughly 400 students, the student‑to‑faculty ratio is about 7.5:1—smaller than many comprehensive universities. Expect more instructor feedback during simulation and closer research mentorship Overview Current Students.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

• 20+ student circles (cultural and athletic), including tea ceremony, volunteer, band, astronomy (“Cosmos”), and sports teams (tennis, badminton, futsal, volleyball, baseball, basketball). The university also lists an “International Circle.” Clubs & Student Association University Q&A
• New student‑led groups appear regularly—for example, a dance circle launched in 2023 Dance Circle News.

Dedicated Support Offices (visa, housing, counseling)

OUNHS’s International Exchange Committee (IEC) promotes campus internationalization and oversees English‑language information. The IEC accepts visits from overseas nursing professionals/students and is in charge of foreign student admission and support. For daily life and career questions, students can also access the Career Support Office (e.g., U‑turn job counseling) and faculty advisors International Exchange & Cooperation U‑turn Career Counseling.

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Communities

International students typically find language‑exchange opportunities through the International Circle and course cohorts. Because the campus is small, seminar groups and skills labs naturally become “buddy” communities—useful for both language practice and exam prep. The IEC connects students with campus and local cultural activities IEC page.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound emphasis)

Current international partners include: Case Western Reserve University (U.S.), Pace University (U.S.), Seoul National University (Korea), University of Ulsan (Korea), Inha University (Korea), and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (Indonesia). Joint activities range from short exchange visits and cultural/clinical observations to collaborative education for advanced practice nurses Partners.

• Overseas Training Scholarship (Undergraduate): two students per year, during long vacations; destination and study content are student‑selected; the scholarship covers part of the cost English Profile (PDF).
• Exchange Visit Programs: long‑running visits in Korea (e.g., with the University of Ulsan) that blend hospital/community observations with cultural activities Details.

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Oita City)

Weather at a glance (last ~5 years): Oita has four seasons with mild winters and humid summers. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data for the Oita station (WMO 47815) show hot Augusts and cool Januarys when you compare recent years. You can browse monthly tables by year here: 2024 (monthly table) / 2022 / 2021. The JMA’s English index is also available if you prefer navigation in English JMA English index.

Indicator	Recent Snapshot (Examples)
August mean daily maximum	Check the August row for each year: 2024 / 2021
January mean daily minimum	Check the January row for each year: 2024 / 2022
Observed extremes (recent)	Use the same monthly tables (notes show extreme values by month) 2024 / 2022

Daily life: The main campus sits in a quiet part of Oita City, with hospitals and community facilities used for practicums. Compared with megacities, students often find a calmer pace for study, easy access to nature, and frequent health‑related volunteer events run through the university’s center teams Overview.

International Student Statistics

OUNHS is a focused nursing university with a small international cohort. As of May 1, 2024: total enrollment 414 (UG 330; GR 84); overall gender: ~9% male, ~91% female; undergraduate gender: ~5% male, ~95% female Current Students. JPCUP lists one international undergraduate (0.3%) in 2024 in the faculty composition view JPCUP Student Composition.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Licensure success: OUNHS reported 100% pass rates in 2023–24 for the national exams in nursing (RN), public health nursing (PHN), and midwifery (MW). For example, in March 2024: RN 74/74, PHN 6/6, MW 9/9 all passed; similar 100% outcomes were posted in 2022 2024 National Exam Results 2022 Results.

Outcome (Latest Published)	Data Point / Source
Undergraduate job placement	Among job‑seeking bachelor’s graduates (FY2024), 98.6% had secured positions; 58.6% in Oita Prefecture and 41.4% outside. Employers include national, prefectural, municipal, private and university hospitals (e.g., Oita University Hospital, Saiseikai Oita Hospital). Career Outcomes (FY2024) UG chart
Master’s graduates	96.3% employment among job‑seeking master’s graduates; 65.4% working in Oita, 34.6% outside. Master’s chart.
Doctoral graduates	100% employment (FY2024); roughly half to universities and half to private organizations. Doctoral chart.

What employers value: OUNHS’s integrated practicums, high simulation exposure, and the public health/community orientation supported by center teams give graduates a clear practice profile. For advanced practice (NP/PHN/MW), the graduate school’s specialized pathways align with Japan’s growing demand for community‑based and primary/critical care excellence English Profile (PDF).

How to Use This Guide & Next Steps

If OUNHS’s focused scale, strong licensure results, and community‑linked training fit your plans, bookmark the official English pages above and check program‑specific admission pages and fee waivers (prefectural reductions may apply). Given its compact size and high clinical exposure, early preparation—especially for Japanese‑language medical terminology—will help you fully benefit from labs and practicums.