The International Student’s Guide to Tokyo University of Information Sciences (TUIS)

Thinking about earning a degree in Japan—but want a campus that blends hands‑on tech, human‑centered care, and an approachable student community near Tokyo? Tokyo University of Information Sciences (TUIS) sits in Chiba City, an easy ride from central Tokyo and Narita Airport. With a flagship Faculty of Informatics (systems, data science, media) and a Faculty of Nursing that integrates ICT, TUIS offers a modern, practical education in a compact, friendly environment. This guide introduces what makes TUIS a worthy addition to your shortlist: mission and history, programs, student support, international stats, career outcomes, and everyday life in Chiba—with official sources linked throughout.

Quick‑Facts Table

Type	Private university (school corporation: Tokyo University of Agriculture group). Official English site
Total Students	1,980 (as of May 1, 2025). University data
Campuses	Main campus: Chiba City (Wakaba‑ku), Onaridai 4‑1, 265‑8501. Access & Campus Map
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Informatics (Department of Informatics: Information Systems / Data Science / Information Media); Faculty of Nursing; Graduate School of Informatics. Informatics (EN) / Nursing (EN)
Tuition Fees (Undergraduate)	Informatics (Year 1 total incl. fees): ¥1,377,500; Years 2–4: ~¥1,122,500–¥1,197,500. Nursing (Year 1 total): ¥1,910,000; Years 2–4: ~¥1,540,000–¥1,820,000. Official fee table (JP)
Gender Ratio (Students)	Approx. 80% male : 20% female overall (Informatics ≈ 90:10; Nursing ≈ 20:80). “By-the-numbers” page (JP)
Intl‑Student %	≈5% (99 international students as of May 1, 2024; overall enrollment around ~2,000). International support page (JP)
Students per Staff	Informatics: 38.5; Nursing: 10.7; Graduate School: 1.21 (May 1, 2025). University data (JP)

Campus Maps

Chiba Campus (Main)

Address: 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba 265-8501, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Tokyo University of Information Sciences (TUIS) was established in 1988 in Chiba City to deliver “Modern Practical Sciences”—an educational approach that connects academic theory to real‑world challenges through hands‑on learning. The university belongs to the Tokyo University of Agriculture educational group (Tokyo NODAI), giving it a distinctive heritage of science‑driven, society‑facing education. From the start, TUIS focused on informatics—the science and practice of how information is processed, visualized, secured, and applied across society—then expanded into graduate studies. In 2014 it added the Faculty of Nursing, which intentionally fuses nursing competencies with information literacy and digital systems in healthcare settings.

The Faculty of Informatics organizes the undergraduate department into three pathways—Information Systems, Data Science, and Information Media—so students can build core programming and analytics skills while exploring applied areas like AI, UX, cloud, security, and digital content. The Graduate School of Informatics extends this inquiry with research‑oriented training. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Nursing emphasizes practical clinical training, community health, and ICT‑enabled care—attractive to students eyeing digital health or health‑IT roles. See official program pages for details: Informatics / Nursing.

Location also shapes the TUIS experience. The campus sits in Wakaba‑ku, Chiba City, with straightforward access to central Tokyo and Narita International Airport—ideal for internships, tech meetups, professional networking, and international travel. The university’s Access page outlines bus and rail options for daily commuting and city access. Access & Campus Map (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Informatics with Three Distinct Pathways

The Department of Informatics is the university’s flagship. Students choose among:

Information Systems

Core computer science and software engineering—networking, databases, security, cloud, and enterprise systems—preparing graduates for roles like SE, network engineer, or cloud administrator. Program overview

Data Science

Analytics, statistics, and AI/machine learning for decision‑making across business and public services—often grounded in real datasets. Institutional data

Information Media

Digital content creation, UX, game development, and media engineering—bridging design with computing. Students often extend projects through clubs like the Computer Club, Wind Ensemble, and creative circles. Clubs & circles (JP)

ICT‑Powered Nursing (Unique in Greater Tokyo)

The Faculty of Nursing integrates information literacy and digital systems into clinical education. Its core competencies—learning from practice, professional fundamentals, and the ability to utilize ICT—aim to produce nurses who can work confidently in data‑rich community health settings. Faculty of Nursing (EN)

Compact, Supportive Learning Environment

TUIS is mid‑sized (≈1,980 students) with student‑to‑faculty ratios that encourage face time—especially in Nursing (10.7 students per full‑time faculty). Informatics is larger and industry‑oriented (38.5 students per faculty), balancing scale with access to labs, project work, and career coaching. Ratios & counts (JP)

Greater Tokyo Access without Tokyo‑Level Rents

Chiba’s living costs are typically lower than central Tokyo. Recent user‑reported data show rent and restaurant prices trending below Tokyo averages—for instance, Numbeo’s comparison shows notable rent gaps. Numbeo: Tokyo vs Chiba For commuting and flights, TUIS is close to JR/monorail hubs and Narita Airport. Access & Campus Map

Student‑Led Making & Media Culture

From e‑sports and game‑dev to Digi‑Graph (CG), Digi‑Creation (3D/DAW/programming), film clubs, and the International Students Exchange circle, TUIS clubs provide networks for creative production and cross‑cultural exchange—great for building portfolios and practicing Japanese. Clubs & circles (JP)

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

Examples include the International Students Exchange circle, Computer Club, e‑sports circle, Wind Ensemble, Digital Graphics (Digi‑Graph), and Digi‑Creation (music/3D/programming)—friendly spaces to make friends and practice Japanese. See the current list (JP)

Visa, Housing & Counselling Support

The Student Affairs Office provides information and assistance. The “Support for International Students” page lists contacts, scholarship notices, and a summary of foreign‑student counts; the university can introduce local real‑estate agencies (note: no general dorm; a women’s apartment option exists). For city services—language support, life consultation, disaster info—use the Chiba City International Association (CCIA). Support for international students (JP) / CCIA (EN)

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Options

While TUIS does not publish a formal campus‑wide “buddy” program, the International Students Exchange circle and CCIA’s one‑on‑one Japanese sessions and online language‑exchange classes function similarly. CCIA: living info & classes

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

Outbound study from TUIS is possible via institutional procedures. The Academic Regulations and Student Handbook describe credit transfer and special arrangements—such as agreements among Chiba private universities and with the Open University of Japan—and note how to apply for recognition of external coursework. If you plan to study abroad for a semester or year, consult Student Affairs early about approval steps, credit transfer, and timelines. Student Handbook 2025 (JP, PDF)

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Snapshot (Chiba City)

Chiba has warm, humid summers and mild winters. Typical peaks and lows are around 29–30°C / 24°C in August และ ~10°C / 2–3°C in January (monthly mean daily high/low). Long‑term climate normals come from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and recent multi‑year observations show temperatures rarely below –1°C or above 33°C. JMA climate tables (EN) / WeatherSpark summary

Month	Avg High (°C)	Avg Low (°C)	Notes
January	~10	~2–3	Coldest month
August	~29–30	~24	Hottest month

Lifestyle, Safety & Cost of Living

Chiba offers a calmer pace than central Tokyo with easy access to both Tokyo Station and Narita Airport. The city provides multilingual services (consultations, disaster information, Japanese classes) for foreign residents via CCIA. Cost‑of‑living crowdsourced data indicate everyday expenses—especially rent—tend to be lower than in Tokyo’s 23 wards, which helps international students manage budgets. CCIA (EN) / Numbeo: Tokyo vs Chiba

International Student Statistics

As of May 1, 2024, TUIS reported 99 international students. Countries represented include China, Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, and Türkiye. Based on total enrollment around two thousand students, the international population is roughly five percent. Always confirm the latest figure with Student Affairs, as numbers can shift year to year. Source (JP)

Career & Graduate Prospects

What Roles Do Graduates Take?

Informatics graduates commonly become system engineers (SE), network engineers (NE), cloud/infrastructure specialists, data analysts, QA/test engineers, technical sales, and IT consultants—reflecting Japan’s robust demand in information and communications. Nursing graduates enter hospitals and community health organizations across the Kanto region and beyond. Career support (JP)

Employers & Sectors (Examples)

Recent samples show placements across IT/SIers, manufacturing, logistics, retail, finance, and public agencies. Browse the university’s published examples and industry lists here: Career outcomes (JP) / Main employers by sector (JP)

Career Support

TUIS runs a comprehensive “J‑Navi” career program combining coursework, events, and one‑to‑one advising so that every job‑seeking student can complete a satisfying search. International students benefit from guidance on Japan’s recruiting calendar, entry sheets, and interviews. Career support (JP)

Admissions Notes & Tuition Tips

International Student Selection

TUIS runs a dedicated “International Student Selection” (外国人留学生選抜). Successful applicants receive a 30% reduction of first‑year tuition (¥234,000 off). Selection uses Japanese exam(s), essay, speaking test, and interview (details vary by round). International selection (JP)

Understanding the Fee Table

Year‑1 totals include the admission fee and other mandatory charges; later years drop significantly because the admission fee is one‑time. Informatics typically ranges ¥1.12–1.20 million per later year; Nursing is higher due to clinical/practicum costs. Always verify the current year’s schedule before applying. Official fee table (JP)

Is TUIS a Good Fit for You?

Choose TUIS if you want an informatics‑first university with a practical, project‑based ethos; a Nursing program that embraces ICT; a manageable campus scale with clubs that spark creativity; and Greater Tokyo access without city‑center prices. If your goals include data science/AI, software engineering, digital media, or ICT‑enhanced healthcare—and you prefer a friendly setting over a mega‑campus—TUIS is worth a serious look.