University of Fukui Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Student Life, Exchanges, and Careers

Thinking about studying in Japan, but want a campus that’s friendly, practical, and deeply connected to the community? The University of Fukui (UF) might be your sweet spot. Located on the Japan Sea side in the Hokuriku region, UF blends strong engineering and medical programs with an increasingly global School of Global and Community Studies. It’s a national university, which means affordable tuition, reputable research, and a safe student city famous for dinosaurs, Zen temples, and a surprisingly high quality of life. Below is a clear, link-backed overview to help you decide if UF belongs on your shortlist.

Quick-Facts Table

Type	National (Public) University
Total Students	≈ 4,798 (Times Higher Education – UF Profile)
Campuses	Bunkyo (Main), Matsuoka (Medical Sciences), Tsuruga (Research Institute of Nuclear Engineering) (UF English Site)
Faculties/Schools	School of Education; School of Engineering; School of Global and Community Studies; School of Medical Sciences (Academics)
수업료	National standard tuition (e.g., annual tuition ¥535,800; admission fee ¥282,000; waivers available) (Tuition)
Gender Ratio	≈ 30% Female : 70% Male (THE – Key stats)
Intl-Student %	≈ 3% (THE – Key stats)
Students per Staff	≈ 7.5 (THE – Key stats)

Campus Maps

Bunkyo Campus (Main, Fukui City)

Address: 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui City, Fukui 910-8507, Japan

Matsuoka Campus (Medical Sciences, Eiheiji)

Address: 23-3 Matsuoka Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji Town, Yoshida District, Fukui 910-1193, Japan

Tsuruga Campus (Research Institute of Nuclear Engineering)

Address: 1-3-33 Kanawa-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui 914-0055, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

The University of Fukui (UF) was established in 1949 by integrating three national colleges in Fukui Prefecture. As a national university, UF’s mission centers on serving society through education, research, and advanced medical care, while developing talent who can contribute locally and globally. Its evolution mirrors postwar Japan’s priorities: teacher training for regional schools, engineering for industry, and ultimately a full medical school and university hospital to serve community health. Today, UF operates three campuses: Bunkyo (Education, Engineering, Global & Community Studies), Matsuoka (Medical Sciences and University Hospital), and Tsuruga (Research Institute of Nuclear Engineering). The university’s leadership communicates goals and performance indicators transparently through “Facts & Figures,” while each school updates curricula to reflect social needs—teacher training that bridges classrooms and communities, engineering that solves real-world problems, and interdisciplinary social sciences that connect regional revitalization with global perspectives.

Reference pages: About UF, UF at a Glance (Facts & Figures)및 THE institutional profile.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Hands‑On Engineering & Nuclear Research Heritage

UF’s Engineering programs emphasize practical design and industry collaboration, while the Tsuruga campus hosts the Research Institute of Nuclear Engineering. This combination makes UF attractive for students interested in energy systems, materials, robotics, and applied physics with a strong laboratory culture. See Academics 그리고 Institutes & Facilities.

School of Global & Community Studies (GCS): UF’s Signature Liberal‑Arts‑Plus

GCS ties global studies to regional problem‑solving—project‑based learning with local governments and industry, strong English coursework, and study‑abroad pathways. It’s a good fit if you want liberal arts with real community impact. Explore the English pages for GCS here.

Strong Exchange Options (Outbound)

UF maintains global partnerships and supports both short‑term and long‑term exchanges. If you enroll as a degree student in Fukui, you can still go abroad through UF’s network. See Short‑Term Programs, Long‑Term Programs, Outbound Scholarships, and the Partner List.

Value for Money (National University Tuition)

As a national university, UF offers competitive, transparent fees with potential fee waivers and scholarships. See Tuition 그리고 Degree Programs in English.

Location: Nature, Culture, and Easy Access in Hokuriku

Fukui is known for the Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, the Zen monastery Eiheiji, rugged coastal cliffs at Tōjinbō, and abundant local seafood—plus calmer crowds than mega‑cities. For travel context and attractions, see JNTO’s official page for Fukui Travel Japan – Fukui.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

UF clubs range from sports to culture and volunteer circles. Many welcome international members and provide an easy way to make friends. See Club Activities.

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

Dedicated teams support visas/residence cards, accommodation, health, and academics. Start with the central portal for international students and the “Campus Life” cluster: Prospectus for International Students ｜ Tuition ｜ Accommodation ｜ Support for International Students ｜ Visa & Residence Card.

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

UF runs peer support and tutoring initiatives such as U‑PASS, plus a buddy/tutor scheme for newly arrived international students. See Buddies/Tutors 그리고 U‑PASS. For community‑building, check the International Student Association (UFISA).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

If you plan to study at UF (degree‑seeking), you can still spend a semester or year abroad through the university’s partnerships. Explore the Partner Institutions list and outbound pages for short‑term, long‑term및 scholarship options.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Fukui has humid summers and cold, snowy winters with consistent precipitation year‑round. For month‑by‑month and “year‑round” visuals, see WeatherSpark’s Fukui‑shi climate page Average Weather in Fukui‑shi. For safety and emergency preparedness, use the JNTO official “Japan Safe Travel” hub Japan Safe Travel Information. To browse attractions, transport notes, and trip ideas, start with JNTO’s regional page Travel Japan – Fukui and the Fukui Prefectural Government’s English portal Fukui Prefecture (Official). For an up‑to‑date snapshot of living costs reported by residents, check Numbeo – Cost of Living in Fukui.

International Student Statistics

According to Times Higher Education’s institutional profile, international students make up roughly 3% of UF’s student body, with key student metrics (total ≈4,798; student‑to‑staff ≈7.5; gender ratio ≈30:70). For official data snapshots and institutional structure, consult UF’s Facts & Figures and THE’s UF profile.

Career & Graduate Prospects

UF provides dedicated career support tailored to international students—seminars, counseling, company info sessions, and links with the local chamber, JETRO, and regional employers. See Career Support for International Students. For a government‑run overview of the institution (contact points, programs), check UF’s official listing on JASSO’s Study in Japan site Study in Japan – University of Fukui. Contextually, Fukui has been highlighted in media and local data as a high‑wellbeing area; for background see Asahi Shimbun AJW’s report on prefectural “happiness” rankings Fukui No.1 on Happiness Index.