Study at Mie University: Programs, Tuition, Exchange, Student Life, and Careers

Thinking about studying in Japan but want somewhere coastal, calm, and connected? Meet Mie University in Tsu City—home to a hands‑on marine training ship, solid engineering and medical programs, and an approachable campus culture for international students. This guide gives you quick facts, what the school is known for, support for overseas students, climate and lifestyle tips, and how graduates land jobs in the region. Every claim links out to official sources so you can verify details before you apply.

Quick-Facts Table

Type	National
Total Students	≈ 6,900–7,000 (varies by year; see official outline)
Campuses	Kamihama (Main) – Tsu City, Mie Prefecture Official Outline
Faculties/Schools	Humanities, Law and Economics / Education / Medicine / Engineering / Bioresources; plus graduate schools Academics
수업료	See current fee tables for exchange & non‑degree categories Fee and Tuition
Gender Ratio	Approx. 38% F / 62% M (THE profile) THE: Mie University
Intl‑Student %	~3% (THE profile) THE: Key stats
Students per Staff	~8.2 (THE profile) THE: Key stats

Campus Maps

Kamihama Campus (Main, Tsu)

Address: 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1949, Mie University grew out of several teacher‑training and agriculture/fisheries predecessors and today serves as Mie Prefecture’s sole national university. Its mission emphasizes co‑creation with local communities, world‑class research grounded in regional strengths, and cultivating globally minded graduates who can innovate across disciplines. For the formal institutional overview, start with the University Outline, the Vision, and a short History.

One signature thread is marine and bioresources education. The Faculty of Bioresources traces decades of fisheries and environmental science in the region—see its historical reflection here: “Looking back on the history of the Faculty of Bioresources”. The university also runs extensive international initiatives—from exchange agreements to language training and global projects—summarized on the International Activities page and the International Relations hub.

On the healthcare side, Mie University Hospital provides advanced clinical services and supports English guidance for international patients through the hospital English portal and its International Medical Support Center. For external benchmarking, Times Higher Education lists Mie in the World University Rankings with public stats on gender ratio, international student share, and students per staff: Mie University | THE.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Hands‑On Marine Science with “SEISUI MARU”

Mie’s Faculty of Bioresources operates the training ship SEISUI MARU for oceanographic practice and research. See the ship’s page from the faculty Training Ship “SEISUI MARU” and the builder/propulsion vendor’s English brief for specs like LOA 50.9m and CPP system Kamome Propeller – SEISUI MARU.

Robotics & Mechatronics Research

Engineering at Mie includes an active Mechatronics Laboratory exploring intelligent motion control, assistive/wearable robots, and human‑robot co‑existence. Explore the lab and sample projects: Mechatronics Lab (overview) / Research projects. The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering’s Electro‑Mechanical Systems group complements this focus EMS Lab.

Global Liberal‑Arts Core

All undergrads engage with a university‑wide liberal‑arts curriculum delivered through the Center for General Education (ARS), designed to build language proficiency, critical thinking, and cross‑faculty breadth before deep specialization. See the course structure at the Center’s English outline: Overview of Courses (ARS), and check program listings by faculty via Academics.

Industry Connections in a Manufacturing Hub

Mie sits in Japan’s Chūbu manufacturing belt with automotive, machinery, and materials employers. The prefecture’s industry profile (JETRO) highlights automotive clusters (e.g., Honda’s Suzuka operations), logistics access, and incentives for investment—useful context for internships and career hunting: JETRO: Mie / Honda Suzuka Factory.

Active International Programs & Tri‑U Symposium

Mie runs short‑term language training, double‑degree ties in Asia, and a long‑running English academic symposium (Tri‑U International Joint Seminar & Symposium) with partner universities in Thailand, China, and Indonesia. See the International Relations hub and the latest Tri‑U call: International Relations / Tri‑U 2025 Applications. Outbound options for Mie students are grouped on the Exchange Program page: Exchange Program (From Mie to the World).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

Clubs range from sports and martial arts to music and cultural circles. The campus facilities list gives a sense of athletic and recreation spaces (gyms, archery ranges, boat houses, etc.) in PDF: Campus Facilities (PDF).

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Relations section centralizes guidance on residence status, scholarships, and daily procedures. Start here: International Students portal. MEXT and JASSO policies also support privately financed students via scholarships and housing guidance; see MEXT reference materials (English summaries) here: MEXT: Student Life/Costs (PDF).

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Support

Mie pairs international students with Japanese student volunteers for conversation practice and practical help. Details are in the Living Guide: Living – Tutors & Guidebook / International Students portal.

Housing Options (On‑ & Off‑Campus)

On‑campus spaces for internationals are limited and time‑bound; many students choose private rentals in Tsu or nearby cities. For market browsing in English, see: GaijinPot (Tsu‑shi filter) / Real Estate Japan (Mie Prefecture).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Inbound categories (Special Auditing/Research Students), tuition waivers for partner‑university nominees, and program timelines are described on the official pages: Exchange overview Exchange Foreign Students and outbound menu Exchange Program (From Mie). Annual international events include the Tri‑U Symposium: 2025 call.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Tsu has warm, humid summers and cool, mild winters—comfortable for year‑round study with the right seasonal gear. For monthly and annual patterns, see the climate normals: WeatherSpark: Tsu. Prefectural resources and the national travel portal cover safety/emergencies and disaster readiness in multiple languages: Mie Prefecture – Living & Safety / Japan Travel: Emergencies.

Cost of living is moderate by Japanese standards; Tsu is cheaper than nearby Nagoya/Osaka cores. Cross‑check everyday prices here: Numbeo: Tsu and an additional English summary: Livingcost: Tsu. Campus news and notices appear on the English top page: Mie University (EN).

International Student Statistics

According to the latest public stats, Mie’s international share is modest (≈3%), with an ~8.2 students‑per‑staff ratio. Use the THE profile for a comparable snapshot and the university outline for official counts by year: THE: Mie University / University Outline.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Engineering, healthcare, and bioresources graduates often find roles across the Chūbu/Kansai region’s manufacturing and healthcare sectors. To understand campus facilities that underwrite club activities and well‑being (a plus during job hunting), see the university PDF above; for job‑hunting resources specifically targeted at international students, start here: Job Hunting・Part‑Time Job (International Students). Regional employer context: JETRO: Mie Industry Snapshot and a representative local anchor employer Honda Suzuka. For external university data and program accreditation summaries, NIAD’s profile offers a neutral snapshot: NIAD‑QE: Mie University.