University of Kochi (Kochi Prefectural University) Guide for International Students: Programs, Admissions, Tuition & Student Life

Thinking about studying in Japan away from the megacities? The University of Kochi—often called Kochi Prefectural University—offers a student-centered experience in one of Japan’s friendliest coastal regions. With two compact campuses (Ike and Eikokuji), strong programs in Nursing, Social Welfare, Cultural Studies, and Nutrition, and practical support for international students, it’s a solid option for applicants who value community, safety, and hands-on learning. This guide covers quick facts, strengths, student life, exchange options, climate, international student numbers, and career outcomes, with sources linked throughout for easy verification.

Source: Mj-bird, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Mj-bird, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Asturio Cantabrio, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Asturio Cantabrio, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Asturio Cantabrio, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Asturio Cantabrio, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: 663highland, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (multi-licensed).

Quick Facts: University of Kochi (Kochi Prefectural University)

Below is a compact profile with current figures where publicly reported. Sources: official “Students” statistics page (JP), campus pages, faculties (EN), and tuition & fees (JP). Students (Official), Ike Campus (JP), Eikokuji Campus (EN), Faculty/Department Configuration (EN), Tuition & Fees (JP), Faculty Count (JP), International Exchange (Yearbook PDF, JP).

Type (National/Public/Private)	Public (Prefectural)
Total Students	≈2,700 (FY2024, official tally on Students page) Source: Students (JP)
Campuses	Ike (Main), Eikokuji (downtown) Sources: Ike (JP), Eikokuji (EN)
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Cultural Studies; Faculty of Nursing; Faculty of Social Welfare; Faculty of Nutrition; Graduate School of Nursing; Graduate School of Human Life Sciences Source: Configuration (EN)
수업료	Annual Tuition ¥535,800; Entrance Fee ¥282,000 (standard public-university rates) Source: Tuition & Fees (JP)
Gender Ratio	Female-majority university (exact breakdown varies annually; see official tally) Source: Students (JP)
Intl-Student %	Small but active cohort; e.g., 10–20 degree-seeking students plus short-term visitors (see Yearbook “International Exchange”) Source: Yearbook PDF (JP)
Students per Staff	≈12:1 (small-class, instructor-accessible environment; indicative) Sources: Students (JP), Faculty Count (JP)

Campus Maps

Ike Campus (Headquarters / Main)

Address: 2751-1 Ike, Kochi City, Kochi 781-8515, Japan

Eikokuji Campus (Kochi City)

Address: 2-22 Eikokuji-cho, Kochi City, Kochi 780-8515, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

The University of Kochi traces its roots to post-war Kochi—with a mission to serve regional well-being through education and research. It evolved from a women’s university into today’s public coeducational institution, keeping a strong focus on community-embedded learning while expanding global links. The university now operates two complementary campuses: Ike, the green and practical main campus housing Nursing, Social Welfare, and Nutrition; and Eikokuji, a modern city-center site for Cultural Studies in walking distance of Kochi Castle and downtown museums. For an English overview of Eikokuji, see the dedicated campus page (Eikokuji Campus (EN)).

A central part of the mission is preparing professionals who can contribute to health, welfare, culture, and nutrition across Kochi and beyond. The official English pages outline the faculties and degrees (Faculty/Department Configuration (EN)), while the Japanese “Students” page regularly publishes the university’s enrollment by year (Students (JP)). The International Exchange Center, established to coordinate global partnerships and overseas training, also maintains a short English greeting/outline (International Exchange Center (EN)).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Faculty: Nursing with a Hands‑On, Evidence‑Based Approach

Nursing is the university’s signature strength. The program’s lineage goes back to 1952, making it one of Japan’s earliest four-year nursing tracks, now delivered in a modern environment with a high‑performance simulator and close links to local hospitals. Enrollment capacity is listed as 80 students for the Department of Nursing, with extensive practical placements coordinated in Kochi City. See the official English faculty page for details and licensure outcomes (Faculty of Nursing (EN)).

Social Welfare & Community Impact

The Faculty of Social Welfare develops professionals who can respond to complex social issues with practical, community-facing skills. The program prepares students for Japan’s key national welfare certifications and emphasizes small-group training and local engagement. See the English outline here (Faculty of Social Welfare (EN)).

Cultural Studies in the City Center

Based at Eikokuji Campus, Cultural Studies blends humanities with regional development and tourism perspectives—benefiting from easy access to museums, galleries, and municipal partners. If you want humanities training with strong local ties, the English page provides a helpful snapshot (Faculty of Cultural Studies (EN); also see Cultural Studies Overview (EN)).

Nutrition & Health—Applied Learning

The Faculty of Nutrition is designed for careers in dietetics, public health, and food-related industries, with eligibility for relevant national exams and teaching licenses. Details (in English) are summarized on the faculty pages, including curriculum structure and outcomes (Faculty of Nutrition (EN)).

Graduate Pathways & Disaster Nursing Collaboration (DNGL)

Beyond undergraduate study, the Graduate School of Nursing and the Graduate School of Human Life Sciences offer advanced training. Kochi also participates in the five‑university Disaster Nursing Global Leader (DNGL) doctoral collaboration. For program background and partner institutions, see the University’s DNGL site and partner pages: DNGL (UoK) (EN), DNGL (Chiba Univ.)및 DNGL (Univ. of Hyogo).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles Welcoming Overseas Students

Clubs range from culture and sports to community service and “Yosakoi” dance. Start with the official directory and the International Exchange Club page. The university also hosts an annual student-led festival spotlighting club activities at Eikokuji Campus. See: Clubs & Circles (JP), International Exchange Club (JP), 2025 Circle Festival (JP).

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Exchange Center maintains guidance on residence status, housing, municipal procedures, and more. See the center’s top page (JP) and visa guidance (JP): International Exchange Center (JP), Visa/Residence Status (JP).

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

Student testimonies and activities are posted regularly, including buddy-style excursions and cultural events. Browse recent student voices and homestay opportunities: International Student Voices (JP), Homestay Info (JP), and recent activities like the International Bus Hike (2024) (JP).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outward Mobility)

Kochi’s International Exchange Center organizes short-term training and exchange across multiple countries and regions. Yearbook data and faculty news show ties with institutions such as Elms College (USA) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, among others. See the official yearbook chapter and examples of recent short programs: International Exchange (Yearbook PDF, JP), Elms College Short Program (Report, JP), Malaysia Sabah University Visit (JP).

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Kochi City has a warm, maritime climate with hot summers and mild winters. Based on recent Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) observations for Kochi (last 3–5 years), typical daily highs in August reach the low 30s °C, while winter lows in January often dip to single digits °C. Use the JMA monthly climate tables for Kochi to compare recent years: Kochi Monthly (2024), Kochi Monthly (2023), and the recent-mean view Kochi Recent Means. Lifestyle-wise, Kochi is known for safety, fresh food, and outdoor recreation. The Eikokuji Campus puts you downtown; Ike Campus offers a quieter, greener environment.

International Student Statistics

The Yearbook’s “International Exchange” chapter (JP) aggregates inbound/outbound numbers and snapshots of degree-seeking vs. short-term students. The latest file available on the official site indicates a small cohort of degree students plus multiple short programs each year. For the freshest official totals, refer to: International Exchange (Yearbook PDF, JP).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Kochi’s career center “Wakuwaku Work!!” supports resume/ES feedback, interview practice, and job listings at both campuses. The university publishes outcome tables by faculty showing high placement rates each year. Explore the outcomes page and the career center site here: Employment Outcomes (JP), Wakuwaku Work!! (JP), and resources for students Career Documents (JP). Nursing graduates typically enter hospitals and public health roles; Social Welfare graduates join government, NGOs, and care providers; Nutrition graduates advance into clinical dietetics and food sectors; Cultural Studies graduates move into public/private roles in culture, tourism, and communications.