Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM): Admissions, Programs, Fees, and Student Life for International Applicants

Thinking about studying medicine or nursing in Japan? Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM) is a small, national medical university on Japan’s Pacific coast that blends tight-knit clinical education with bold imaging and photonics research. With around 1,200 students, an on‑site university hospital, strong national exam results, and a growing international network, HUSM offers a focused path for future clinicians, researchers, and public‑health leaders. This guide walks you through fast facts, history, research strengths, student life, exchange options, local climate and costs, international student stats, and what graduates go on to do—so you can decide if HUSM fits your study‑abroad goals.

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	National (public) medical university – JPCUP profile
Total Students	1,203 (as of May 1, 2024) – Source
Campuses	Main: Hamamatsu Campus (Handayama area, Chūō‑ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka) – see Campus Map
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Medicine; Faculty of Nursing; Graduate School of Medicine & Nursing (Doctoral in Medicine; Cooperative Major in Medical Photonics [Doctoral]; Master’s in Nursing; Doctoral in Nursing; United Graduate School of Child Development) – Academic Organization
Tasse scolastiche	Tuition ¥535,800/year; Admission fee ¥282,000 – Official tuition
Gender Ratio	47% Female : 53% Male (THE 2025 key stats) – THE profile
Intl‑Student %	≈3% (THE 2025); 35/1,203 (2.9%) on May 1, 2024 (JPCUP) – THE, JPCUP
Students per Staff	4.1 (THE 2025) – Source

Campus Maps

Hamamatsu Campus (Main)

Address: 1-20-1 Handayama, Chuo Ward, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM) was established as a national medical university in 1974 with a clear three‑part vision: train excellent clinicians and creative researchers; promote original research and medical innovation; and serve regional health by providing patient‑centered care. These aims are set out in the school’s official “Foundation Vision and Mission,” which also emphasizes ethical formation and contributions to the welfare of humankind. Foundation Vision & Mission

HUSM’s early years moved quickly. A preparatory committee formed in 1973, and by July 1974 the first cohort entered the Faculty of Medicine. The university hospital opened in 1977, anchoring hands‑on clinical training and community care. Over the next decades the campus expanded: research buildings, simulation and translational research centers, and a growing set of basic and clinical departments were added. A pivotal milestone for nursing education came in 1995, when the Faculty of Nursing was established alongside master’s and later doctoral programs, building an integrated medical‑nursing ecosystem on one campus. History (chronology)

Imaging and photonics have become defining features of HUSM’s research identity. From the 1990 establishment of the Photon Medical Research Center to the launch in 2016 of the International Mass Imaging and Spatial Omics Center—selected by Bruker Japan as Asia’s global demonstration hub—HUSM has invested in tools that visualize disease with unprecedented detail. These facilities support projects in imaging mass spectrometry, bioimaging and photomedicine that tie directly back to patient care via the on‑site hospital. International Mass Imaging & Spatial Omics Center

Today, HUSM remains compact (≈1,200 students) but outward‑facing, with a growing international network and competitive outcomes. According to Times Higher Education’s 2025 profile, the university sits in the 1001–1200 band globally, with a student‑to‑staff ratio of 4.1 and about 3% international students—figures that align with Japan’s highly supervised clinical education model. THE profile

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Schools: Medicine & Nursing

HUSM’s core strengths revolve around its Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Nursing, both taught on the same campus with access to the university hospital.

Faculty of Medicine (M.D. curriculum)

Students progress through integrated human sciences, basic sciences, and clinical sciences—ranging from Cellular & Molecular Anatomy and Medical Physiology to a wide span of clinical departments (medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, anesthesiology, obstetrics & gynecology, radiology, emergency & disaster medicine, and more). Faculty of Medicine departments

Faculty of Nursing (B.S.N.)

The Faculty of Nursing covers basic, clinical, and community nursing fields (adult, gerontological, child, maternal & midwifery, psychiatric–mental health, community/home care). Faculty of Nursing departments

Clinical Outcomes: Strong National Exam Performance

HUSM publishes detailed pass rates. In the National Medical Practitioners Qualifying Examination (MD), recent cohorts achieved 96.8% (2022, 7th in Japan) and 96.7% (2021, 8th). Doctor exam results In nursing, HUSM has repeatedly posted a 100% pass rate for new graduates in the National Nursing Examination (e.g., 2020–2022). Nurse exam results

Medical Photonics & Imaging Leadership

HUSM is known for photonics‑driven medicine. The Institute of Photonics Medicine and the International Mass Imaging & Spatial Omics Center power projects such as imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), bioimaging, and translational photonics—supported by collaborations with companies like Bruker Japan, Shimadzu, Waters, and others. The IMS center was selected by Bruker as Asia’s global demonstration hub in 2016, accelerating standardization and training across the region. Institute of Photonics Medicine | International Mass Imaging & Spatial Omics Center

Graduate Pathways: From Doctoral Medicine to Photonics

Postgraduate options include the Doctoral Program in Medicine and the Cooperative Major in Medical Photonics (Doctoral), which develops specialists who bridge opto‑electronics and photomedicine with a global outlook and high ethical standards. Cooperative Major in Medical Photonics

Tight Student Support & Small‑Scale Learning

With roughly 1,200 students and a student‑to‑staff ratio reported at 4.1 (THE 2025), students get close faculty contact. International students receive advisory support, Japanese classes, and a one‑to‑one “tutor” (a Japanese student) to help with life, language, and academics. Student Life (advisors, tutors, events) | THE key stats

Student Life for International Students

Clubs, Circles & Events

HUSM runs Japanese‑language extracurricular courses (introductory and pre‑intermediate, twice a week) and hosts international mixers, study tours, and cultural exchange events with local associations (e.g., Hamakita Japan–China friendships; Shizuoka University’s “Wa wa wa!” exchange). Student Life & annual events

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Center leads campus‑wide internationalization and support. For visa matters, HUSM provides guidance under “Resident Status” and “Procedures to Stay in Japan.” The Health Administration Center offers weekday consultations (9:00–17:00). The “Anything Consultation Counter” and anti‑harassment framework provide additional well‑being support. International Center | Resident status | Healthcare & Insurance | Consultation services

Language‑Exchange & Buddy/Tutor Programs

New international students are matched with a Japanese student tutor who provides one‑to‑one advice on language, study skills, and daily life—HUSM’s version of a buddy program. Tutor system

Housing for Internationals

On‑campus options include the International Residence Hall (single, couple, family units; typical monthly rents ¥16,000–¥41,000, plus common charges) and Apricot Village III (≈29 m² 1K rooms; ¥25,000 + common charge). Stays are subject to availability and length‑of‑stay rules. Accommodation details

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

HUSM’s network is expanding. As of 2024, official data show 19 partner institutions for student exchange and 18 for research collaborations. JPCUP (International Networks) A sample of named partners includes Kyungpook National University (Korea), Albert‑Ludwigs‑Universität Freiburg (Germany), Medical University of Warsaw and Lublin (Poland), University of Hawaii and University of Nebraska Medical Center (USA), University of Florence (Italy), Thammasat University (Thailand), Taipei Medical University (Taiwan), and SRM Institute of Science and Technology (India), among others. See the full list with agreement dates here: Partner universities (HUSM).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka)

Weather Patterns

Hamamatsu has warm, humid summers and cool, breezy winters, with rain spread year‑round. Typical temperatures range from ~3°C in winter lows to ~30°C in summer highs, rarely below 0°C or above 34°C. The hottest period is early August. Average weather (WeatherSpark)

Safety & Cost of Living Snapshot

Japan is broadly considered very safe, with low crime rates and clear guidance for emergencies. JNTO safety overview For everyday budgeting in Hamamatsu, crowdsourced cost‑of‑living data (indicative, not official) suggest modest restaurant and grocery prices compared with Japan’s biggest metros. Example items: inexpensive meal ~¥700; mid‑range dinner for two ~¥6,000. Numbeo: Hamamatsu

International Student Statistics

As of May 1, 2025, HUSM reported 33 international students across the Graduate School of Medicine & Nursing and the School of Medicine/Nursing, with the largest groups from China and Bangladesh. The table below aggregates the university’s official breakdown (degree students and research students combined).

Country/Region	Students
China	15
Bangladesh	9
Vietnam	4
Pakistan	3
India	1
Republic of Korea	1
Total	33

Source: HUSM “Number of International Students” (As of May 1, 2025). Official page

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career outcomes at HUSM reflect its clinical focus and research niche. Many MD graduates enter residency and hospital posts (including HUSM University Hospital and facilities across Shizuoka Prefecture and beyond), while nursing graduates consistently pass national licensure exams and move into hospitals, community health, and advanced training. The school’s admission policy notes graduates span clinical practice, research/education, industrial medicine, and public administration. Graduate roles (Faculty of Medicine)

Official pathway data (May 1, 2024) indicate 168 graduating students were employed upon graduation, with additional graduates proceeding to further study. JPCUP: Post‑graduate Pathways

For prospective researchers, lab‑based graduate programs—with strengths in photonics, imaging, and translational medicine—offer routes into academia or industry R&D, supported by dedicated centers and international collaborations. Research frameworks & facilities

Admissions Notes & Tuition (Quick Reminder)

HUSM follows Japan’s national‑university fee standard: admission fee ¥282,000 and annual tuition ¥535,800 (typically paid in two installments). Waivers and reductions may be available in cases of financial difficulty, subject to application and review after enrollment. Always confirm the latest information on the official page. Tuition & waivers