Shiga University of Medical Science (SUMS) — Admissions, Programs, Tuition & Scholarships for International Students

Thinking about studying medicine or nursing in Japan? Shiga University of Medical Science (SUMS) is a compact national university on the shores of Lake Biwa—Japan’s largest lake—just a short hop from Kyoto. With small class sizes, strong exam pass rates, and a teaching hospital on campus, SUMS blends a tight-knit learning environment with research depth in neuroscience, epidemiology, and aging science. International students benefit from structured visa support, Japanese classes, and affordable university housing. This guide introduces SUMS at a glance, then walks you through its mission and history, flagship strengths, campus life, exchange options, climate and lifestyle, student statistics, and what graduates do next—complete with verified sources for easy fact‑checking.

Quick‑Facts Table

Snapshot figures below use the university’s latest English materials where available. For transparency, each figure links to its originating source.

Item	Data (source linked)
Type	National (public)  Official site
Total Students	1,122 (Undergrad 914; Graduate 208) as of May 2024. Integrated Report 2024 (EN)
Campus	Main: Seta Tsukinowa‑cho, Ōtsu, Shiga (single campus). Access & Maps
Faculties / Schools	School of Medicine; School of Nursing; Graduate School of Medicine; Graduate School of Nursing. Education (EN)
Tuition Fees (National Standard)	Entrance fee ¥282,000; Tuition ¥535,800/yr (graduate example). Research student ¥346,800/yr. Tuition & Scholarship (EN)
Gender Ratio	≈54.3% female / 45.7% male (609 F / 513 M). Integrated Report 2024 (EN)
International‑Student %	≈3.2% (36 of 1,122) from 7 countries/regions, as of May 2024. Integrated Report 2024 (EN)
Students per Staff	Student–faculty ratio ≈1:2.7 (undergraduate). University Figures (IR Office, EN) / THE profile shows ≈3.0. THE profile

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Otsu, Shiga)

Address: Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Shiga University of Medical Science (SUMS) was established in 1974 to strengthen community‑rooted healthcare and medical research in Shiga Prefecture, a region centered around Lake Biwa and adjacent to Kyoto. The university marked its 50th anniversary in 2024, reflecting on five decades of educating clinicians and researchers who serve both the local community and the wider world. Integrated Report 2024 (EN)

SUMS’s mission emphasizes cultivating ethical, internationally aware medical professionals who can integrate basic and clinical science, communicate effectively, and respond to diverse patient needs. The School of Medicine articulates outcomes that include developing clinical reasoning, teamwork, and self‑directed learning skills, all within a six‑year integrated curriculum aligned to Japan’s model core curriculum. Class sizes are kept intentionally small to support inquiry‑based learning and interactive clinical clerkships from early in the program. School of Medicine (EN)

A pivotal milestone in campus history was the opening of SUMS University Hospital in 1978. Today, the hospital operates 600+ beds and hosts 30‑plus clinical departments and centralized support sections, serving as the anchor for hands‑on training in community‑based medicine and for translational research across specialties. University Hospital Overview (EN)

Over time, the university has grown in two complementary directions. First, it has invested in research centers that tackle population health and aging societies—particularly the NCD Epidemiology Research Center (NERC), which supports large‑scale cohort work with biobanking and data‑management capacity. Second, it has expanded laboratory science and neurology through the Molecular Neuroscience Research Center (MNRC), founded in 1989 as SUMS’s first research center and now a hub for dementia and neurodegenerative disease research with global collaborations. NERC (EN) | MNRC (EN)

More recently, SUMS has aligned its social impact with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024 for SDG 3 (Good Health & Well‑Being), SUMS placed among the top institutions domestically, reflecting its sustained contributions to healthcare training and community health initiatives. Integrated Report 2024 (EN) | THE SDG3 methodology

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Clinical Education: School of Medicine & Teaching Hospital

If you’re aiming for an MD in Japan, SUMS offers a classic six‑year pathway with early exposure to clinical settings and small‑group pedagogy. The curriculum blends core biomedical sciences with organ‑system clinical modules and a strong emphasis on communication and ethics—key for international practice. On‑site, the SUMS Hospital (603 beds) anchors clerkships and interprofessional learning; many departments collaborate with community hospitals across Shiga, giving students a realistic view of regional healthcare delivery. School of Medicine (EN) | Hospital Overview

School of Nursing (signature strength alongside medicine)

SUMS’s School of Nursing delivers community‑oriented, evidence‑based training that feeds directly into regional and national workforce needs. Recent outcomes show near‑perfect national exam pass rates for new graduates in nursing‑related licenses (details in “Career & Graduate Prospects”). School of Nursing (EN)

Personalized Teaching via Exceptional Student–Faculty Ratio

SUMS maintains a notably low student‑to‑faculty ratio—about 1:2.7 on the undergraduate side—well below the national university average of roughly 1:9.2. This translates into more face‑time with instructors, stronger mentoring in labs and clinics, and tighter feedback loops in problem‑based sessions. Third‑party data similarly place SUMS among the global leaders for students per staff (~3). IR Office Figures (EN) | THE student–staff ratio listing | THE profile

NCD Epidemiology & Big‑Cohort Capability

As chronic diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes, stroke, dementia) reshape public health worldwide, SUMS’s NCD Epidemiology Research Center (NERC) positions students and researchers to engage with large‑scale population studies. Established as Japan’s first base for international collaborative epidemiologic research in 2013, the center integrates data‑management, research clinic, and biobank functions—an infrastructure that supports cohort building, multi‑site trials, and interdisciplinary analytics. NERC regularly hosts international trainees and short‑term exchange students (e.g., Malaysia’s UKM), reflecting its hands‑on, cross‑border ethos. NERC overview (EN) | NERC news (EN)

Molecular Neuroscience & Dementia Science

The Molecular Neuroscience Research Center (MNRC) focuses on the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease and dementia, advancing diagnostics and therapeutics from bench to bedside. Active projects include oligonucleotide therapeutics, next‑generation imaging for Alzheimer’s disease, and biomarker development; clinical and translational units connect lab findings to patient care. For students motivated by neurology, neurobiology, or translational medicine, MNRC offers a coherent ladder of research opportunities tied to clinical departments. MNRC (EN) | MNRC Research Highlights

Joint PhD in Ageing Science (SUMS × UKM)

An especially distinctive pathway is the International Joint Ph.D. Program in Ageing Science with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Taught primarily in English, the program builds bilateral expertise in aging‑related biomedical science and public health, including a structured period of study at UKM. SUMS offers a dedicated scholarship (monthly stipend and round‑trip airfare for the UKM year) for one outstanding candidate annually. SUMS–UKM Joint PhD Scholarship (EN) | Program Guidelines (PDF)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

Campus circles frequently co‑host culture workshops with international students—great for meeting peers beyond your lab or seminar. Recent examples include a “Calligraphy Experience” organized with the Yushokai calligraphy circle and a competitive karuta workshop co‑led by students from medicine and nursing. Calligraphy Event (Photo News) | Karuta Workshop (Photo News)

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Health)

• Visa, status & residency: Step‑by‑step guidance (entry, stay extension, part‑time work permission, dependents). Various Procedures (EN)
• Housing: SUMS runs the on‑campus International House with furnished rooms from ¥6,400–¥16,000 per month (student rate). International House (EN)
• Health information: Guidance on medical care, National Health Insurance, and clinic navigation. Health Information (EN)

Language‑Exchange or Buddy‑Style Interaction

The International Center’s Japanese Language Classes (six levels per semester) double as a social hub—students from multiple countries meet weekly, and class projects often include cultural topics. Completion ceremonies and a campus speech contest add fun milestones. Japanese Classes (EN)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

SUMS maintains exchange and research agreements across Asia, North America, Europe, and Africa. An official list highlights partners such as University of Michigan (USA), University of British Columbia and University of Ottawa (Canada), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University of Medicine & Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), University of Nairobi & KEMRI (Kenya), and Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). International Partnership (EN)

According to SUMS’s latest English integrated report, the network currently spans 26 institutions in 13 countries/regions, with student and faculty mobility in both directions. Short‑term lab placements are common—e.g., NERC has hosted exchange students from UKM for hands‑on internships in epidemiology and data‑driven public health. Integrated Report 2024 (EN) | NERC news

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather at a Glance (Ōtsu City)

Season	Typical Conditions (Recent‑years averages)
Summer (late Jun–Sep)	Hot & humid. August avg. high ≈ 31 °C / low ≈ 23 °C. WeatherSpark: Ōtsu
Winter (Dec–Mar)	Cold, occasional snow. January avg. high ≈ 7 °C / low ≈ 0 °C. WeatherSpark
Rainy season (June–July)	Cloudier, frequent rain; July 31‑day rainfall ≈ 12.9 in at the upper range. WeatherSpark July

Life in Ōtsu centers on Lake Biwa—kayaking, cycling lakeside, or catching the famous Flower Fountain by night—while mountains and World Heritage sites (Mount Hiei/Enryaku‑ji) are within easy reach. The city’s official travel guide is a reliable starting point for seasonal highlights and access planning. Biwako Ōtsu Travel Guide (EN) | Shiga & Lake Biwa Tourism (Official) | JNTO: Ōtsu Area | Flower Fountain

Cost of Living & Everyday Convenience

Ōtsu offers most of Kyoto’s cultural access with generally lower day‑to‑day costs. As a rough idea, local estimates show an inexpensive restaurant meal around ¥1,200 and a mid‑range dinner for two around ¥5,000 (excluding rent). Always check current prices, but this gives a ballpark for budgeting. Numbeo: Ōtsu

International Student Statistics

Total enrollment: 1,122 (Undergrad 914; Graduate 208). International students: 36 from 7 countries/regions (≈3.2%), as of May 1, 2024. These students are concentrated at the graduate level (Graduate School total 208, of which 36 are international). Integrated Report 2024 (EN) | Graduate School (stats page, EN)

• Student gender mix: ~54.3% female / 45.7% male overall. Integrated Report 2024 (EN)
• Student–faculty contact: Undergrad student–faculty ratio ~1:2.7 (also reflected as ~3 students per staff in THE). IR Office Figures (EN) | THE profile

Career & Graduate Prospects

For medicine and nursing, the near‑term goal is clear: pass national exams, match to strong clinical training posts, and begin specialized training. SUMS’s outcomes are competitive. For the most recent year reported in English materials, new graduates posted a 97.4% pass rate on the National Medical Practitioners Examination. In nursing, new‑graduate pass rates were ~99.1% for the National Nursing Exam and 100% for Public Health Nurse and Midwifery qualifications. Integrated Report 2024 (EN)

Many SUMS graduates continue initial training in Shiga and the Kansai region, leveraging the university hospital and its network of affiliated and community hospitals. Over time, the university’s alumni base has become foundational to regional care—around 40% of all physicians in Shiga Prefecture are SUMS alumni—which opens doors for placements, mentorship, and career mobility across specialties. Integrated Report 2024 (EN)

For research‑oriented students, SUMS’s centers (NERC, MNRC, Medical Innovation Research Center) and the new Joint PhD with UKM add clear tracks into doctoral study, international lab experience, and conference participation. The campus’s small‑school scale means easier access to PIs, clearer authorship opportunities, and earlier exposure to translational projects and multi‑center cohorts. Medical Innovation Research Center (EN) | NERC (EN) | MNRC (EN)

How to Start (Admissions, Tuition, Scholarships)

• Programs & curriculum: Explore medicine/nursing, graduate tracks. Education (EN)
• Admissions (EN overview): See course guidance and PhD milestones. Admission (EN)
• Fees & exemptions: National tuition standard; fee exemptions possible for self‑supported students with good academic records. Tuition & Scholarship (EN)
• Housing: Apply for International House after your acceptance. International House (EN)
• Campus location: Check commute options and maps. Access & Maps (EN)

Why Consider SUMS?

• Small, focused, clinical stronghold: A medical–nursing university with an on‑site teaching hospital and small classes.
• Outcomes you can measure: High national exam pass rates for new graduates in medicine and nursing. Source
• Hands‑on research pathways: NCD cohorts, dementia science, and a new cross‑border Joint PhD in Ageing Science. Joint PhD Scholarship
• Quality of life: Lakeside living with Kyoto next door and reasonable day‑to‑day costs. Ōtsu Travel Guide | Cost snapshot