Nakamura Gakuen University Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Support, and Outcomes

Thinking about earning your degree in Japan but want a campus that blends practical career outcomes with a welcoming, tight-knit community? Nakamura Gakuen University (NGU) in Fukuoka is a private institution known for food, nutrition, education, and business—right in one of Japan’s most livable cities. This guide packages the essentials international applicants ask us for: quick facts, what’s special about NGU, support for overseas students, academic strengths, exchange options, climate and lifestyle, stats for international enrollment, and graduate outcomes—with official sources linked throughout.

Quick Facts

Figures are compiled from official sources and kept recent. Where relevant, English pages are linked; some detailed statistics are on Japanese pages.

Type	Private university (THE profile)
Total Students	Undergraduate: 3,434 (as of May 1, 2025). University+Graduate+Junior College combined: 4,269 (same date). Source: Students & Staff (JP)
Campuses	Main campus: Befu Campus, 5‑7‑1 Befu, Jonan‑ku, Fukuoka (University EN site)
Faculties / Schools	Undergraduate: • Faculty of Nutritional Sciences — Department of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Food Management • Faculty of Education — Department of Early Childhood & Elementary Education • Faculty of Business, Marketing & Distribution — Department of BMD
ค่าธรรมเนียมการศึกษา	Entrance fee (first year): ¥260,000. Approx. annual totals (later years) by faculty: Education ≈ ¥1,151,000; Food Management ≈ ¥1,281,000; Nutritional Sciences ≈ ¥1,327,000–¥1,378,000. See official 2025 fee tables (EN/JP) PDF: 2025 Fee Table (PDF)
Gender Ratio	Not officially consolidated at university level on the EN site; detailed breakdown not published on the referenced pages.
Intl‑Student %	Undergraduate: ~0.64% (22 of 3,434). All students (UG+Grad+JC): ~0.61% (26 of 4,269). Source: International Students (JP) & Students & Staff (JP)
Students per Staff	≈ 33.7 (3,434 undergraduates ÷ 102 full‑time faculty across UG departments). Source: 専任教員数一覧表 (JP)

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Jonan-ku, Fukuoka)

Address: 5-7-1 Befu, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka 814-0198, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Nakamura Gakuen University traces its origins to 1954 with the opening of the Fukuoka High School of Nutrition Studies, then became a junior college in 1957 and a four‑year university in 1965. From inception, the institution has focused on improving public health and daily life through food and education—an ethos captured in the founder’s principles emphasizing gratitude, diligence, and the unity of research with everyday living. Over time, NGU evolved into a comprehensive institution: the Faculty of Nutritional Sciences added the Department of Food Management, Education was reorganized into a standalone faculty, and the Faculty of Business, Marketing & Distribution was launched to connect food with commerce and society. See the official History และ “Nakamura, the school for food” pages for details.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

1) Nutrition & Food Leadership

NGU is nationally recognized for nutrition and dietetics. The Department of Nutritional Sciences trains registered dietitians with strong lab facilities (e.g., Nutrition Clinic, Health Promotion Center, Food & Health Innovation Center). The companion Department of Food Management bridges food science and the business side—supply chains, labeling, and global culinary ties (including cooperation with Kapiʻolani Community College in Hawaiʻi). Evidence: official department pages above.

2) Teaching Pathways with Proven Outcomes

NGU’s Faculty of Education emphasizes hands‑on practicums and licensure preparation (elementary, special needs, kindergarten, nursery). Its pages report strong pass results on teacher employment examinations each year, anchored by practical training at attached kindergartens and a class‑based system that builds peer support.

3) Business, Marketing & Distribution (BMD)

The Faculty of Business, Marketing & Distribution develops practical leaders for consumer goods, retail, and logistics—fields that are deeply intertwined with Kyushu’s food industry. Coursework spans marketing, product development, and operations, with small‑group seminars and industry guest lectures (per official page).

4) Student‑Centered Support (Incl. International)

International students can access dedicated advising on visas, scholarships, housing, and health insurance via the English International Student Support hub, complemented by Japanese‑language details such as yearly orientation and exchange events on the 留学生サポート (JP) page.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

A wide range of circles (clubs) run across sports, culture, and community engagement. These are good entry points for language exchange and local friendships.

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

Start with the EN page for International Student Support. For scholarship and fee waiver information and how costs are structured, see Tuition & Fees (JP) and the 2025 PDF above.

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Events

Each year NGU hosts welcome parties, bus trips, campus festival stalls, and regional exchange activities that pair overseas and local students (JP schedule overview).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

If you hope to study abroad during your degree, review NGU’s partner list and exchange activities. Start at the English overview of Partner Universities (EN). The Japanese pages include broader program details and model cases (Agreements, JP).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Fukuoka)

Weather. Fukuoka has mild winters and hot, humid summers. For planning, consult monthly normals from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and observational summaries for Fukuoka City (JMA monthly table, EN) and year‑round charts such as WeatherSpark’s city profile (WeatherSpark).

Quality of life. Fukuoka is widely regarded as student‑friendly, with compact neighborhoods, efficient subways, and excellent food culture. Safety and affordability are strong by big‑city standards. (For context on lifestyle reputation, see English‑language reporting such as the Asahi Shimbun AJW’s city features: Asahi AJW.)

International Student Statistics

As of May 1, 2025: undergraduates 22, graduates 4, junior college 0, total 26. See official tallies on the English International Student Support page (EN chart through 2024) and the Japanese 留学生サポート (JP) page that extends to 2025.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Graduate outcomes are a strong suit at NGU, especially in food industries and education. See the official employment status dashboard (Employment Status, JP) and recent employer lists by faculty (Employer List, JP). The university’s English “Nakamura, the school for food” page highlights a 99.8% job placement rate (FY2023) in food‑related fields (EN).

Admissions, Language & Scholarships (Pointers)

Admissions & Language

Check the English Admissions page for entry categories and timing. For Japanese‑language details on special pathways for international applicants, also review the JP admissions notices as available on the main site.

Scholarships & Tuition Waivers

Privately funded international students may be considered for partial tuition waivers and scholarships—see International Student Support (EN). For national‑level trends, see JASSO’s annual survey (English/Japanese): JASSO 2024 Survey (PDF).