Study in Japan at Fukui Prefectural University: Programs, Tuition, Campus Life, Exchanges, and Careers for International Students

Thinking of studying in Japan but want a quieter, more affordable base with strong academics and real community? Fukui Prefectural University (FPU) sits between the Sea of Japan and lush mountains, and balances focused, small-class teaching with hands-on research—now including Japan’s first Faculty of Dinosaur & Geosciences launched in 2025. This guide gives overseas applicants a practical, link‑verified overview of FPU: key facts, what’s unique, international student life, study‑abroad pathways, climate and costs, and career outcomes. All figures and facts link to official sources for stress‑free planning.

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	Public (Prefectural University)
Total Students	2,138 (as of May 1, 2025) — Official “Students” data page (JP)
Campuses	Main: Eiheiji Campus; others: Obama, Katsumi, Awara — Access (EN)
Faculties/Schools	Economics; Bioscience & Biotechnology; Marine Science & Technology; Nursing & Social Welfare; Dinosaur & Geosciences (new in 2025) - Faculties (JP) / Faculties (EN)
ค่าธรรมเนียมการศึกษา	Admission fee ¥282,000; Annual tuition ¥535,800 (standard national‑public rate). See Tuition & Fees (JP) and 2025 admissions PDF (JP, PDF).
Gender Ratio	~50% female / ~50% male (1,069 / 1,069 total) — Students (JP)
Intl‑Student %	≈2% (about 40–50 students; recent pamphlet example shows 41 students) — FPU NEWS Pamphlet (JP)
Students per Staff	≈11.9 : 1 (2,138 students / 180 faculty members) — Data (EN) & Students (JP)

Campus Maps

Eiheiji Campus (Headquarters)

Address: 4-1-1 Kenjojima, Matsuoka, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui 910-1195, Japan

Awara Campus

Address: 88-1 Hutaomote, Awara City, Fukui 910-4103, Japan

Obama Campus

Address: 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Obama City, Fukui 917-0003, Japan

Katsumi Campus

Address: 49-8-2 Katsumi, Obama City, Fukui 917-0116, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Fukui Prefectural University (FPU) is a public university funded by Fukui Prefecture, known for its small-class, face‑to‑face teaching ethos and community‑rooted research. The university’s guiding principles emphasize practical learning that serves society, flexible curricula that adapt to change, and a close student–faculty relationship typical of Japan’s best regional public universities. You can read the principles in English here: Core Principles (EN).

FPU’s lineage connects to agricultural and economic education dating back to the 20th century in Fukui. The modern university was established in the 1990s with Economics and Bioscience roots and expanded with Marine Science & Technology and Nursing & Social Welfare to match local industry and community needs. The official English “History” page offers a concise timeline and institutional milestones: History (EN).

Today FPU enrolls 2,138 students across four primary campuses, with the main base at Eiheiji. The university is recognized for hands‑on regional problem‑solving—especially in food systems, fisheries, aging and healthcare, and regional economics—while also expanding global horizons for students through exchange partnerships in Asia and beyond. Data snapshots (students, staff, departments) are available in English: Data (EN), and more granular numbers, including gender breakdowns, are on the Japanese “Students” page: 学生数 (JP).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Signature Programs: From Marine Bioresources to Japan’s First Dinosaur Faculty

Marine Science & Technology และ Nursing & Social Welfare are long‑standing pillars, aligned with Fukui’s fisheries, aquaculture, and super‑aging society. The Marine faculty focuses on sustainable use of marine bioresources and environmental issues—read the English outline here: Faculty of Marine Science & Technology (EN). Nursing & Social Welfare uniquely co‑houses two departments to train practitioners who can bridge clinical care and community welfare (Faculty page (EN)).

Flagship Faculty ①: Marine Science & Technology

Expect fieldwork along the Sea of Japan coast, labs on aquaculture and marine ecosystems, and collaboration with fisheries agencies. Coursework translates to careers in resource management, environmental monitoring, and blue‑economy industries. See faculty outline: Marine (EN).

Flagship Faculty ②: Nursing & Social Welfare

FPU is notable for integrated, small‑class training of nurses and social workers—responding to Japan’s healthcare and community‑care needs. Intro in English: Nursing & Social Welfare (EN) (see the Social Welfare department overview too: Department of Social Welfare (EN)).

Flagship Faculty ③: NEW—Dinosaur & Geosciences (2025‑)

In April 2025, FPU opened Japan’s first dedicated Faculty of Dinosaur & Geosciences, connecting paleontology and earth sciences with fieldwork and collaboration with the world‑class Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum (EN). The launch was widely reported (e.g., The Japan Times (EN)) and reflects Fukui’s rich fossil record. See official notices (JP): Prospective Students hub and faculty listings (JP): Faculties (JP).

Focused Small‑Class Teaching & Faculty Access

With ~11.9 students per faculty member (2,138 students / 180 faculty), seminars and labs remain personal and interactive (Data (EN)). FPU’s mission highlights individualized instruction and practical learning: Core Principles (EN).

Economics & Regional Innovation

The Faculty of Economics blends economics and business administration, often engaging local companies and public agencies. The university’s Research Institute for Regional Economics (EN) shares analyses and runs knowledge‑exchange with industry: Institutes & Centers (EN).

Value: Public‑University Tuition

FPU follows Japan’s public‑university tuition standard: Admission fee ¥282,000 และ tuition ¥535,800 per year (most programs). Always confirm the latest amounts and any exemptions/scholarships: Tuition & Fees (JP) and the current admissions PDF (JP, PDF).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

FPU hosts a variety of clubs across sports, culture, and volunteerism. Explore examples on the student‑life pages (JP): Clubs & Circles. The university pamphlet also spotlights student‑run international activities such as the “YOLO Circle” and World Café events (JP): Pamphlet (World Café feature).

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

International student support is centralized via the International/Global Center for procedural help (status of residence, daily living, campus life). For desk details and hours, see the office guide (JP, PDF): Support Desks PDF. The English “International Academic Exchange” page also lists programs and contact pathways: International Exchange (EN).

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

FPU runs casual language‑exchange lounges—World Café (Eiheiji Campus) and Ocean’s X (Obama Campus)—for conversation with instructors and peers, movie nights, and cultural events. Details (JP): World Café / Ocean’s X, including the map pin (JP): World Café Map. The English exchange page mentions short‑term and partner programs: Programs (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

FPU’s English page lists long‑term exchange partners across China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and more—tuition waivers at partner schools, credit transfer, and grant options are highlighted here: International Academic Exchange (EN). The Japanese pages provide full partner listings and program notes (JP): International Academic Exchange portal and a pre‑admissions overview including partner lists (JP): Programs & Partner Universities.

How many partners? A national quality‑assurance database indicates FPU maintains ~16 student‑exchange partner institutions (EN): JPCUP/NIAD‑QE (EN). Use the English page above for current names and the Japanese program pages for the most detailed, semester‑specific guidance.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Snapshot (Recent Years)

Fukui (WMO Station 47616) has humid summers and cool winters with snow. Recent monthly data show summer days often in the 30–33 °C range, with winter daytime highs near 5–7 °C and overnight lows around -1–1 °C. See the Japan Meteorological Agency’s English tables for Fukui: JMA Monthly Climate (EN).

Lifestyle, Safety & Cost of Living

Value for money: National guidance shows average monthly housing outside major metros is well below Tokyo; national average housing is about ¥41,000/month versus Tokyo’s ¥57,000 (Aug 2024 stats). See government Study in Japan resources: Cost of Living (EN), Fukui Prefecture (EN). In March 2024 the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension reached Fukui (to Tsuruga), cutting travel time and boosting visitors—see Japan Times (EN) and a travel feature in The Times (EN).

Nearby Highlights

Eiheiji Temple, one of Soto Zen’s head temples, offers serene forests and cultural programs (EN): Official Eiheiji site. Mikata Five Lakes และ Rainbow Line Summit ParkEnjoy Fukui (EN).

International Student Statistics

FPU publishes overall student totals and gender breakdowns (see Students (JP)). While a precise public breakdown by country may not be listed every year, university materials indicate a modest but growing international cohort—pamphlet examples show ~41 international students on campus (JP): Pamphlet page. The International page outlines inbound categories (privately funded regulars, exchange students, MEXT‑funded): Inbound Overview (JP).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career education is coordinated by the Career Center with required courses, guidance, advising, and strong local‑industry links (EN): Career Education & Guidance (EN). FPU consistently reports very high graduate employment: for the Class of 2024, the official table shows an overall employment rate of 99.7% (JP, PDF): Employment Outcomes 2024. External rankings for the Class of 2025 list FPU at 96.7% “actual employment rate” (national comparison), with Economics at 96.4% and Nursing & Social Welfare at 97.5% (JP): News release.

Typical destinations include regional government offices, healthcare providers, fisheries and food companies, manufacturers, and finance—consistent with the university’s disciplinary strengths and community networks. See the “Students & Employers” snapshots (JP): Career Data (JP).