Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT): Programs, Admissions, Tuition, Student Life, and Career Paths

Thinking about studying ocean science, aquaculture, or maritime engineering in Japan—right in the heart of Tokyo? Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) is Japan’s national university dedicated to the ocean, with two compact city campuses beside Tokyo Bay and a distinctive “learn-by-doing” culture onboard training & research vessels. This guide walks you through quick facts (fees, campuses, student mix), the university’s mission and history, strengths and facilities, student life and support, partner networks, Tokyo lifestyle, and career outcomes—so you can gauge whether TUMSAT fits your goals.

Quick‑Facts Table (Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology)

Type	National (public) university corporation. Source
Total Students	2,764 (as of May 1, 2024). Official stats PDF
Campuses	Shinagawa Campus (Headquarters), Etchujima Campus (Kōtō Ward), both on Tokyo Bay. Overview | Access
Faculties / Schools	School of Marine Life Science — Marine Biological Resources; Food Production Science; Ocean Policy and Culture (faculty page) School of Marine Technology — Maritime Systems Engineering; Marine Electronics & Mechanical Engineering; Logistics & Information Engineering (faculty page) Faculty of Marine Resources & Environment — Marine Environmental Science; Marine Resources & Energy (faculty page) Life Science · Marine Technology · Resources & Environment — All faculties overview
Tuition Fees	Annual tuition (undergrad/grad) ¥535,800; Admission fee ¥282,000; Application fee (UG ¥17,000 / Grad ¥30,000). Tuition & Scholarships
Gender Ratio	≈67% male : 33% female (1,850 M / 914 F; total 2,764). Official stats PDF
Intl-Student %	≈7.2% (198 international students / 2,764 total, as of May 1, 2024). Country/region breakdown · Totals
Students per Staff	8 students per teacher (undergraduate; small-group teaching). University in Data

Campus Maps

Shinagawa Campus (Headquarters, Minato City)

Address: 4-5-7 Konan, Minato Ward, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan

Etchujima Campus (Kōtō Ward)

Address: 2-1-6 Etchujima, Koto Ward, Tokyo 135-8533, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) is Japan’s national university dedicated to the ocean. Its mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of human society through education and research in ocean‑related science and technology. In clear terms, that means training people who can understand the ocean’s living resources, engineer safe and efficient maritime systems, and manage marine environments responsibly—while working with industry, government, and international partners to put knowledge into practice.

The university in its current form dates to October 2003, when two long‑standing national institutions merged: Tokyo University of Fisheries (the country’s hub for fisheries, aquaculture, and marine life sciences) and Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine (the national center for maritime technology and seafaring). The merger united scientific and engineering strengths on both sides of Tokyo Bay—today’s Shinagawa (headquarters) and Etchujima campuses.

Being a compact national university in central Tokyo has shaped TUMSAT’s approach: small cohorts, close contact with faculty, and heavy use of real‑world facilities, including training and research vessels. Students learn how scientific theory translates into food security, resource management, ocean observation, ship performance, and logistics—then test ideas at sea. The university also emphasizes international collaboration, with nearly a hundred partners worldwide configured for exchanges and research ties. Organization · International Partners · Study Abroad

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Hands‑On Ocean Learning: Training & Research Vessels

TUMSAT owns and operates multiple training and research vessels, creating an at‑sea classroom that’s rare for a Tokyo‑based university. The university highlights five vessels—led by the Umitaka‑maru, which has sailed to Antarctic waters—used for education, sampling, navigation practice, and marine observation. For ocean‑minded students, this is where lecture content meets real ocean data, ship handling, and onboard teamwork. University in Data

Marine AI, Data, and Advanced Facilities

Beyond fieldwork, TUMSAT invests in data‑driven marine science and engineering. The Marine AI Development and Evaluation Center supports projects in ocean sensing, analytics, and automation, while the university’s engineering infrastructure includes specialized laboratories and a vessel‑navigation performance tank for ship research—resources that help students connect theory to design and testing. Shared Facilities (EN)

Flagship Schools (Programs You’ll Hear About)

School of Marine Life Science

This school ties living systems to food, ecosystems, and society. Majors include Marine Biological Resources, Food Production Science, and Ocean Policy & Culture. You’ll find work on fisheries and aquaculture, food safety and biotechnology, and how policy and culture shape sustainable ocean use. Programs (EN) · Awards/News

School of Marine Technology

The engineering side of TUMSAT covers ship design and performance, marine machinery and electronics, and logistics and information systems—areas that lead directly to careers in shipyards, maritime operations, transport, energy, and digital logistics. The Etchujima Campus sits among Tokyo’s historic docklands, so living, learning, and internships can align neatly. Marine Technology (EN)

Faculty of Marine Resources & Environment

If you care about oceans as climate regulators and energy frontiers, this faculty focuses on marine environmental science, resources, and energy—linking field measurements, modeling, and policy. Students study topics such as marine chemistry, coastal processes, resource exploration, and offshore energy systems. Programs (EN)

Global Links, Small Classes

For a compact school, TUMSAT punches above its weight internationally: 97 partner institutions across 32 countries/regions (Aug. 2024), with many set up for student exchange. Meanwhile, teaching stays intentionally small—about eight undergraduates per teacher—so you get face time with professors and supervisors. Partners (EN) · University in Data

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

Student clubs (“circles”) range from ocean‑themed groups (e.g., marine research) to culture, sports, and music. TUMSAT’s English site introduces extracurriculars and spotlights individual clubs like the Shinagawa Marine Research Group and Etchujima Netball Club—both friendly to beginners. Extracurricular Activities (EN) · Culture Circles (EN) · Sports Circles (EN)

Support Offices: Visa, Housing, Counseling

The International Student Section handles documents like the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and offers guidance on stay extensions. Information for International Students (EN). Housing includes two student dorms (Hōyō Dormitory at Shinagawa and Kaio Dormitory at Etchujima), with a new international mixed dorm planned on Shinagawa Campus (target: April 2026). Student Dormitory (EN) · International Mixed Dorm Project. For health and counseling: Health Service Center (EN) · Counseling (EN)

Language Exchange & Peer Support

While TUMSAT does not advertise a single campus‑wide “buddy” brand, international students can access faculty‑approved tutors (TAs/RAs) and various circles where English/Japanese practice happens naturally. The university also runs information desks for day‑to‑day questions. International Students (EN) · Consultation Desk

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

TUMSAT lists 97 partner institutions across 32 countries/regions (as of Aug. 2024), many marked for student exchange. Examples include University of Iceland, Delft University of Technology, The Arctic University of Norway, National University of Singapore (Faculty of Science), University of Tasmania, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego), University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and University of Massachusetts Amherst. Exchanges are typically up to one year and credit‑bearing depending on your home department. Partner Network (EN) · Study Abroad Information

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo Bay)

Tokyo’s climate is temperate with hot, humid summers (late June–September) and mild, dry winters. Official climate normals from the Japan Meteorological Agency show warm‑season highs typically in the upper‑20s °C, while mid‑winter highs hover around 9–10°C in central Tokyo. Typhoon season overlaps late summer to early autumn, and rainfall peaks during the “rainy season” (tsuyu) and in early autumn. JMA Climate Normals · Tokyo Monthly Climate

Safety: Japan’s overall crime rate is low by international standards, and official advisories consistently describe everyday crime risks as limited (with common‑sense caution in nightlife areas). U.S. Department of State (Japan) · Smartraveller (Australia)

Cost of Living (Quick Reference)

As a baseline, Japan’s official Study in Japan site estimates average monthly housing at about ¥57,000 in Tokyo (national average ≈¥41,000), with total monthly budgets varying by lifestyle. Dormitories can lower costs; commuting within the city and food are the next big items. Living Costs (Study in Japan) · TUMSAT Dorms (EN)

International Student Statistics

Totals: 198 international students enrolled (as of May 1, 2024), representing 30+ countries. At the graduate level, about 23% of students are international, reflecting TUMSAT’s research orientation. International Students by Country (EN PDF) · University in Data

Top sending regions & examples: Asia is the largest source (e.g., China, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan). Other represented countries include the U.S., Canada (North America); Iceland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the U.K. (Europe); Australia (Oceania); plus partners in Latin America and Africa. See the official country/region table for the most current detail. PDF

Career & Graduate Prospects

The university reports a job‑seekers’ employment rate of about 93.3% (FY2023, as of May 1, 2024), with strong placement into engineering, logistics/transport, manufacturing, ICT, government/public sector, and research roles. Employment Rate (EN) · Career Outcomes (PDF)

Department pages show representative employers across sectors—from shipping and logistics to manufacturing and ICT—such as JR East and JR East Information Systems, ANA, Komatsu Logistics, CyberAgent, NTT Data, Fujitsu, Daikin, Toyota, TOTO, Kao, Canon, and ministries/agencies. Exact employers vary by cohort and major. Faculty of Marine Technology (EN)

Graduate Study & Joint Programs

TUMSAT’s Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology offers master’s and doctoral programs, and based on agreements with overseas universities, some joint‑degree pathways award degrees from partner universities to eligible students. For emerging areas, keep an eye on AI/data science initiatives in marine domains. Graduate School (EN)

Admissions, Fees & Scholarships (Quick Reminders)

As a national university, TUMSAT follows standardized fees: annual tuition of ¥535,800, an admission fee of ¥282,000, and application fees (undergrad ¥17,000; graduate ¥30,000). The English “Tuition & Scholarships” page lists payment guidance and scholarship notes; JASSO scholarships and private foundations are typical routes for international students. Tuition & Scholarships (EN) · Scholarships Overview (Study in Japan)

Why Consider TUMSAT?

If your interests sit at the intersection of life science, the ocean, and engineering, TUMSAT is a focused choice: ocean‑specific curricula, small classes, vessels for field training, central‑Tokyo access, and a global partner network. Add in a reasonable national‑university tuition in ¥ and robust placement—especially into engineering, transport/logistics, and food & materials industries—and you have a solid, practice‑oriented destination in Japan.