Study in Japan: University of Aizu (UoA) Guide for International Computer Science Students

Thinking about studying computer science in Japan? The University of Aizu (UoA) in Fukushima Prefecture is a small, focused public university built entirely around Computer Science & Engineering. Since its founding in 1993, UoA has welcomed English-speaking students, hired an unusually international faculty, and built hands‑on programs that lead to near‑perfect job placement. This guide compiles recent facts, student support, outbound exchange options, and practical details—so you can decide if UoA is the right fit and map your next steps with confidence.

Quick Facts — University of Aizu

Snapshot of key data you’ll want at a glance. Sources: official university pages and national databases (links in cells).

Type (National/Public/Private)	Public (Prefectural) NIAD‑QE JPCUP
Total Students	1,384 (as of May 1, 2024) NIAD‑QE JPCUP
Campuses	Main Campus — Tsuruga, Ikki‑machi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Campus location (NIAD‑QE)
Faculties/Schools	Undergraduate School of Computer Science & Engineering; Graduate School of Computer Science & Engineering Curriculum overview
ค่าธรรมเนียมการศึกษา	Tuition: ¥520,800 / year; Admission fee: ¥282,000 (prefectural resident) or ¥564,000 (non‑resident). See also living/insurance costs. ICT Global Program (fees) ・ NIAD‑QE (tuition/admission)
Gender Ratio	Female 15.1% (FY2023) FY2023 evaluation
Intl‑Student %	≈11.5% (159 / 1,384; May 1, 2024) NIAD‑QE JPCUP
Students per Staff	≈12.6 : 1 (1,384 students / 110 faculty) NIAD‑QE JPCUP

Founded in 1993 as Japan’s first university dedicated solely to Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), UoA’s guiding principle is “to Advance Knowledge for Humanity.” University overview ・ Mission

Campus Maps

University of Aizu — Main Campus (Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima)

Address: Tsuruga, Ikki-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima 965-8580, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

The University of Aizu (UoA) opened its doors in 1993 with a bold, clear proposition: build a university dedicated entirely to Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) in a region best known for samurai heritage, mountains, and snow. From day one, UoA’s founding principle—“to Advance Knowledge for Humanity”—has anchored both curriculum and research, pushing students and faculty to pursue discoveries that serve people and industry alike. University overview & mission

UoA’s origin story is regional and global at the same time. Fukushima Prefecture sought to cultivate future‑proof tech talent and attract cutting‑edge research to Aizuwakamatsu by creating a specialized public university with international DNA. In practice, that meant recruiting faculty globally (today, roughly 40% come from abroad), offering English‑medium pathways, and designing a curriculum aligned to international standards. The result is a campus culture where English is used routinely in coursework, supervision, and research communication. UoA top page

From its founding, UoA invested in facilities, people, and pedagogy that make a CSE‑only institution work at a high level: up‑to‑date computing environments, a healthy student‑to‑faculty ratio, and “top‑down” education where students collaborate on research early—often with external partners or overseas labs. This specialization also shaped a very practical goal: career outcomes. The university has kept employment close to 100% for graduates seeking jobs, with recent official results showing undergraduate employment around 98–99% and graduate employment at or near 100% annually. Career overview

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Focus: Computer Science & Engineering (Undergrad & Grad)

UoA is Japan’s first university fully dedicated to CSE, which shapes everything from course design to labs and industry projects. Undergraduate programs build fundamentals in algorithms, systems, networks, and software engineering before moving into advanced electives and practical projects; graduate programs expand into research areas aligned with AI, data, HCI, and systems engineering. The aim is to develop “autonomous professionals” who can create, deploy, and communicate computing solutions in global settings. Curriculum (English)

What “flagship” means at UoA

Because the entire institution centers on CSE, students find specialized courses, capstones, and research supervision across major subfields of computing. The Curriculum page outlines core structures and elective pathways you can combine to reach AI, systems, software, or data‑centric goals. Curriculum (English)

Global All‑English Option & International Faculty

Prefer English‑medium instruction in Japan? The ICT Global All‑English Program offers an undergraduate pathway taught in English, accepting standardized tests like TOEFL/IELTS (and others). Tuition follows the national standard (¥520,800/year), with admission fees differing by residency; the university also publishes typical living costs for Aizu. ICT Global Program (admission & fees) ・ Program features

Teaching staff are notably international—about 40% of faculty come from overseas—creating a bilingual campus culture and classroom environment where English is routinely used in coursework, supervision, and research. UoA top page

Hands‑On Making, Competitions & Community

Beyond lectures, UoA emphasizes building and sharing. You’ll find makerspace‑style initiatives, student tech showcases, and competitive programming activities publicized through university news. These co‑curriculars help you assemble a portfolio while connecting to the local tech ecosystem. Activities & student news

Employment Outcomes & Startup Pathways

UoA reports “nearly 100%” employment for job‑seeking graduates—sustained year after year. Recent official figures show undergraduate employment around 98–99% and graduate employment at or near 100%. Expect roles in software engineering, embedded systems, data/AI, and IT consulting across regional and Tokyo‑area employers. Career & outcomes

Exchange Network: 60+ Partners, Dual‑Degree & Credit Recognition

UoA maintains a strong overseas network (counts change as agreements renew). Notable frameworks include dual‑degree agreements, a Master’s “1+1” exchange, and an International Credit Recognition Program, with named partners such as Korea University (KR), University of Waikato (NZ), Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (DE), and more. International partnerships (OSIP)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

UoA hosts a range of clubs—from programming and robotics to music and sports (including a competitive swim team). Activities and achievements are posted frequently; joining a club is one of the fastest ways to integrate on campus regardless of language level. See campus activities

Dedicated Support Offices: Visa, Housing, Counseling

The Office for Strategy of International Programs (OSIP) and Student Affairs provide guidance on visa/residency, national health insurance, and other essentials. International students can apply for the university to act as a joint guarantor for private apartment rentals (with required insurance). Counseling and a nurse’s office are available on campus. International student guidance

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

The “UoA Buddy” scheme pairs Japanese and international students for everyday support, language practice, and cultural exchange. OSIP also runs regular “International Talk” events—easy ways to make friends and settle in. UoA Buddy Program ・ International Exchange updates

Housing Snapshot

Many new students start at Somei House (on‑campus residence; capacity ≈80) and move to nearby apartments after the first year; OSIP provides information and, if you qualify, a guarantor system for private rentals. The ICT Global pages list estimated living costs of roughly ¥60,000–¥100,000 per month in Aizu, depending on housing and lifestyle. Somei House (apply) ・ Accommodation info

Partner Institutions & Outbound Exchange Options

Want to go abroad during your degree? OSIP curates multiple outbound paths, and the portfolio is unusually rich for a compact university.

How exchanges are structured

• Short‑term Study Abroad (≈3 weeks) during spring break—credit‑bearing English classes hosted by a partner university; partial financial support available. Program outline
• Mid‑term Study Abroad (3–12 months) for coursework, research, or internships; credit recognition available with several partners; partial travel/living support offered. Program outline
• Special frameworks: International Credit Recognition (e.g., Rose‑Hulman, USA), Master’s “1+1,” and dual‑degree agreements in East Asia. Partnership list ・ Rose‑Hulman application

Examples of active partners

Recent OSIP lists include Korea University (KR), National Taiwan University of Science & Technology (TW), University of Waikato (NZ), Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (DE), and more across Asia and Europe. Always check OSIP’s current page for the latest partner count and program types. OSIP — International partners

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Four distinct seasons. Aizuwakamatsu sits in an inland basin with hot summers and cold, often snowy winters. For recent reference, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) monthly climate tables (Wakamatsu station) show summer months (Jul–Aug) reaching monthly mean daily maximums in the low‑to‑mid 30s °C in recent years, while winter (Jan–Feb) sees mean daily minimums dipping a few degrees below freezing. JMA climate tables (English)

Seasonal Snapshot (recent ~5 years)	Typical Range
Summer Daytime Highs (Jul–Aug)	≈32–34 °C monthly mean daily max (hot & humid)
Winter Nighttime Lows (Jan–Feb)	≈−4 to −1 °C monthly mean daily min (snow likely)
Transition Seasons	Pleasant in May/October; rapid swings in April/November

Cost of living & safety. The university estimates monthly living costs around ¥60,000–¥100,000 depending on rent and lifestyle—significantly lower than major metros—while the city maintains an English information portal for residents. Outdoor life is excellent (Bandai highlands, castle town walks, lakes) and there’s ample seasonal culture. Living cost (ICT Global) ・ Aizuwakamatsu City English portal

International Student Statistics

• Total enrollment: 1,384 (as of May 1, 2024)
• International students: 159 (≈11.5%)
• ระดับปริญญาตรี: 1,134 total → 37 international
• Graduate: 250 total → 122 international
• Student‑to‑faculty: ≈12.6 : 1 (1,384 / 110)
• Female students overall: 15.1% (FY2023)

Sources: national higher‑education database and UoA’s FY2023 evaluation report. While the NIAD page lists totals by level, it does not publish a detailed country breakdown publicly; OSIP event rosters and partner portfolios indicate strong representation from East/Southeast Asia alongside Europe and North America. NIAD‑QE JPCUP ・ FY2023 evaluation

Career & Graduate Prospects

Employment rates. UoA’s career page emphasizes “nearly 100%” employment for job‑seeking graduates. Recent figures show undergraduate employment between ~97–99% and graduate employment at or near 100% each year. Career page ・ Campus Guide 2025 (EN)

Where graduates go

• Software engineering (web/app, cloud, DevOps, embedded)
• Data/AI (analysis, MLOps, applied ML in manufacturing/fintech)
• Systems & networks (infrastructure, security, IoT)
• Graduate school or research institutes (Japan & overseas)

Support you can expect. UoA runs tailored job listings, mock interviews, counseling, and company sessions; internships (domestic/overseas) can be credit‑bearing. The strong exchange network and internationalized campus help internationally minded students build a cross‑border profile. Career services ・ Campus Guide 2025

How to Decide if UoA Fits You

• You want a CS‑only environment with small‑to‑moderate cohort size and close faculty access (≈12.6:1 student‑to‑faculty). NIAD‑QE data
• You value English‑medium study options and international faculty diversity. ICT Global All‑English ・ UoA top page
• You plan to leverage exchange/dual‑degree routes or internships abroad. International partnerships
• You prefer a lower‑cost student town with four seasons—and are okay with hot summers and snowy winters. JMA climate tables ・ Living cost