Thinking about a hands-on, industry-connected engineering education in Tokyo? Kogakuin University (often styled as Kogakuin University of Technology & Engineering) blends 130+ years of maker culture with two distinctive campuses—an urban high-rise hub in Shinjuku and a green, lab-rich base in Hachioji. With strengths across mechanical, electrical, informatics, chemistry, and architecture, Kogakuin is built for students who want to design, prototype, and ship ideas that matter. This guide walks you through quick facts, standout programs, student life for internationals, exchange options, climate & lifestyle, and career outcomes—so you can decide whether Kogakuin fits your path.

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Quick Facts (Snapshot)
Type | Private university (founded 1887; Japan’s first private engineering school) — Times Higher Education profile |
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Total Students | ≈ 6,555 (World University Rankings 2025 data) — Source |
Campuses | Shinjuku Campus (main, central Tokyo); Hachioji Campus (western Tokyo) — Official campus overview |
Faculties / Schools | School of Advanced Engineering; School of Engineering; School of Architecture; School of Informatics — Official list |
Tuition Fees (Annual) | Undergraduate Day Program: ¥1,681,160 (School of Advanced Engineering: ¥1,701,160). Graduate Master: ¥1,330,430; Doctoral: ¥1,239,620 — Official fees (EN) |
Gender Ratio | 20% female : 80% male — Source |
International Students | ≈ 2% — Source |
Students per Staff | 18.3 — Source |
Campus Maps
Maps will be inserted here later (Shinjuku & Hachioji).
Shinjuku Campus (Main, Central Tokyo)
Address: 1-24-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8677, Japan
Hachioji Campus (Western Tokyo)
Address: 2665-1 Nakano-machi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0015, Japan
Mission, History & Founding Story
Kogakuin’s roots reach back to 1887, when it opened in Tokyo’s Tsukiji district as Koshu Gakko, the first private engineering school in Japan. That origin matters: the university was conceived not just to teach theory but to apply it to the needs of society and industry. The motto—often expressed as “The Mind of Engineering,” connecting the leading edge of research and education with real-world impact—continues to shape how students learn today. You can trace that mindset in official policy statements that emphasize fundamentals, application, ethics, and the R‑PDCA cycle of research, plan, do, check, and act. Educational policy & goals (EN)
The timeline hits several key milestones: relocation to Shinjuku (1928), certification as a university under Japan’s postwar school system with the Faculty of Engineering (1949), opening of the Hachioji Campus (1963), establishment of master’s and doctoral programs in engineering (1964–66), creation of the Faculty of Informatics (2006), and launches of the School of Architecture (2011) and School of Advanced Engineering (2015). This steady expansion reflects Kogakuin’s habit of adding capabilities where industry is moving. Historical timeline (EN)
Mission-wise, Kogakuin aims to nurture people who keep learning and adapting as technologies evolve—engineers who move comfortably between fundamentals and application, and who understand the social contexts of their work. That philosophy appears in faculty policies and in the way the curriculum blends classroom theory, lab training, design studios, and project-based work. Policy & outcomes (EN)
Today’s undergraduate structure spans four schools—Advanced Engineering, Engineering, Architecture, and Informatics—each with distinct departments but shared access to facilities, student support, and an international partner network. The dual-campus layout supports an effective rhythm: foundational science and lab training in Hachioji, and advanced studios, interviews, and networking in central Tokyo’s Shinjuku district. Schools & departments | Campus overview
Key Strengths & Unique Features
Hands‑On Project Culture (Solar, Robotics, “Birdman”)
Kogakuin’s student projects are a signature strength. The Kogakuin Solar Team competes at the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia and other events, giving undergraduates experience in aerodynamics, composites, power electronics, telemetry, and team operations at real scale. Official sources highlight repeat participation and top‑ten finishes, powered by a 300‑plus member student organization. Team profile (BWSC) | Altair case story
Beyond solar, the Robot Project 그리고 Birdman Project (human‑powered aircraft) are longstanding, student‑led communities where the “Mind of Engineering” comes alive—students design, build, test, compete, reflect, and iterate. These ecosystems foster cross‑disciplinary collaboration (mechanical, electrical, informatics, design) while building portfolios that matter in job interviews. Student Activities (EN)
High‑Access City Campus + Lab‑Rich Green Campus
Few engineering schools put you this close to Tokyo’s business core. The Shinjuku Campus sits inside the West Shinjuku skyscraper district, with rail access to R&D labs, design studios, and tech HQs. Hachioji, by contrast, offers the space and calm needed for early‑stage lab work, workshop courses, and team builds—many students value the duality: city‑center networking when you need it and a focused environment when you’re building. Campus overview
Architecture & Urban Design as a Flagship Strength
Kogakuin is unusual among technology‑centric universities for having a full School of Architecture alongside engineering and informatics. If you’re into sustainable urbanism, historical conservation, or human‑centered spatial design, you’ll find dedicated departments and studio culture here.
Flagship Departments (Examples)
- School of Architecture: Departments of Urban Design & Planning, Architecture, and Architectural Design.
- School of Informatics: Departments of Information & Communications Engineering, Computer Science, Information Design, and Information Science.
- School of Advanced Engineering / School of Engineering: Mechanical, electrical/electronic, chemistry/life/environmental chemistry, applied physics, and more.
Full list of programs (undergraduate and graduate) is here: Schools & Departments (EN)
English‑Taught Coursework & Global Exposure
Kogakuin lists graduate‑level classes in English across mechanical engineering, applied chemistry, electrical/electronics, informatics, architecture, and systems design—helpful if you plan to ladder into research or balance bilingual internships. Combined with exchange options (see below), it’s realistic to build an English‑forward study plan while strengthening Japanese through labs, circles, and daily life. Classes in English (EN)
Industry‑Aligned Career Support
Both campuses host dedicated Job Stations and a Career Design Course that ramp up through internships and interview training. This structure reflects Japan’s recruiting cycles and helps international students understand the timeline. See the university’s English site for a quick overview. Student Support Facilities (EN) | External coverage on outcomes: University Journal feature (career & job offers)
Student Life for Internationals
Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students
Join student projects like the Solar Team, Robot Project, and Birdman Project, or sports clubs such as ice hockey, archery, and soccer. These are excellent places to practice Japanese and apply classroom knowledge. Student Activities (EN)
Dedicated Support Offices (visa, housing, counseling)
- Counseling & Health: Health Counseling and Student Counseling Centers operate on both campuses. Support facilities (EN)
- Career & Internships: Job Stations plus a structured Career Design Course guide you from year 2 onward. Details
- Visa Process (General): In Japan, schools typically prepare documents for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which you use to apply for a Student visa at the consulate. See official guidance: Study in Japan (JASSO) 그리고 MOFA Student Visa.
- Housing: Kogakuin’s English pages don’t list a large university‑run dorm; many students use private apartments or managed residences in Tokyo. One independent option (verify fit and commute yourself): Uninest Japan (Tokyo properties).
Language Exchange & Peer Support
While a formal “buddy system” isn’t clearly listed on Kogakuin’s English site, internationals usually find language partners through circles and project teams. If you want structured English‑medium coursework, combine the “Classes in English” list with Japanese study and club participation. Classes in English
Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outgoing)
Kogakuin maintains engineering‑friendly partnerships across Asia, North America, Europe, Africa, and Central Asia. Sample destinations include:
Region | Example Partner Institutions |
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North America | Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, Pomona (Claremont Colleges); University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee; UMBC; UNLV; Seattle Colleges/Green River College — International Partners (EN) |
Europe | ESIEE (France); University of Oulu (Finland); Politecnico di Milano & IUAV (Italy); University of Kent (UK) — Source |
Asia | Zhejiang University; Soochow University; Danang University & HUST (Vietnam); Thai‑Nichi Institute of Technology; Walailak University — Source |
Africa & Central Asia | University of Namibia; University of Rwanda; Vaal University of Technology; Samarkand State University — Source |
Short‑term exchange students in Japan often apply for the JASSO Student Exchange Support Program stipend via their home and host universities; Kogakuin’s partnerships make these pathways more feasible. Always confirm eligibility and timelines with your home university and Kogakuin’s office. JASSO exchange scholarship
Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo & Hachioji)
Weather Patterns (Recent Years)
Tokyo’s climate features hot, humid summers and cool, mostly clear winters. Based on official monthly statistics for the Tokyo station and recent annual histories, you can expect summer daytime highs around 31–34 °C and nighttime lows around 23–27 °C (Jul–Aug), while winter highs hover near 9–12 °C with lows around 1–4 °C (Dec–Feb). Recent years have brought stronger heat waves than the long‑term averages, including early‑August record events reported by major media. JMA monthly climate (Tokyo) | WeatherSpark 2024 (Tokyo) | Reuters heat record
“Attractive Environment”: Access, Safety & Costs
- Access: Shinjuku Campus is in central Tokyo’s transport hub; Hachioji offers calmer, greener surroundings with direct rail links into the city. Campus overview
- Safety & Quality of Life: Global rankings often place Tokyo among safe, high‑quality cities for residents and expats (check current methodologies). Mercer Quality of Living (overview)
- Cost of Living (Indicative): As of Aug 2025, crowd‑sourced data suggest a 1‑bedroom averages about ¥156,000 in city center and ≈ ¥89,000 outside center; Hachioji‑area rents trend lower than central Shinjuku. Always verify neighborhoods and commute. Numbeo Tokyo (Aug 2025)
International Student Statistics
Public data compiled for the World University Rankings 2025 indicate that international students make up about 2% of the student body at Kogakuin (≈6,555 students total; ≈18.3 students per staff). For the latest breakdowns by country/region, contact the admissions or international office. THE profile (Key stats)
Career & Graduate Prospects
Kogakuin’s employability story leans on three pillars: (1) early, structured guidance via the Career Design Course and Job Stations; (2) a culture of large, competitive student projects that produce real portfolios; and (3) the location advantage in central Tokyo for interviews, events, and industry networking. The English site emphasizes comprehensive career support, and third‑party coverage reports high job‑offer rates in recent graduating classes. Career support (EN) | Career outcomes article
Typical employer sectors for Kogakuin graduates include automotive and mobility, electronics and semiconductor, industrial machinery and robotics, construction and urban development, IT/telecom, and materials/chemistry. If you aim for R&D roles, consider the university’s English‑taught graduate modules and lab pathways in mechanical, electrical/electronics, informatics, and architecture. Classes in English
Practical Links (Apply, Visa, Funding)
- Official Fees & Admissions: Kogakuin “Information for Entrance” (EN)
- International Partners (for exchange planning): Partner institutions (EN)
- Visa Fundamentals: Study in Japan (JASSO) | MOFA Student Visa
- Tokyo Climate Data: JMA monthly climate (Tokyo)
- Cost of Living (indicative): Numbeo Tokyo (Aug 2025)
- Student Activities: Clubs & Projects (EN) | Solar Team (BWSC)