Aomori University of Health and Welfare (AUHW): Admissions, Programs, Tuition, and Student Life for International Students

Thinking about studying health sciences in Japan—but away from the country’s biggest metros? Aomori University of Health and Welfare (AUHW) is a small, public (prefectural) university in Japan’s far north with a tight focus on Nursing, Physical Therapy, Social Welfare, and Nutrition. It offers a community-centered curriculum, extensive clinical exposure, and new global-learning options while keeping tuition affordable by Japanese public-university standards. This guide introduces AUHW’s mission, strengths, student life, costs, climate, partner options, and career support so you can judge if its “human care” ethos fits your goals.

Quick Facts — Aomori University of Health and Welfare (AUHW)

Below is a compact overview, with figures sourced from AUHW official pages and the national JPCUP (NIAD‑QE) profile. Where English data were unavailable, Japanese pages are referenced.

Item	Data	Source
Type (National/Public/Private)	Public (Prefectural)	AUHW Official
Total Students	991 total (Undergrad 914; Graduate 77) — ref. date: May 1, 2024	JPCUP (NIAD‑QE)
Campuses	Aomori City — Hamadate Campus (main)	Access (AUHW)
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Health Sciences: Nursing; Physical Therapy; Social Welfare; Nutrition Graduate School of Health Sciences (Master’s/Doctoral)	AUHW Top / JPCUP
Tuition Fees (annual)	Tuition ¥535,800; Admission fee ¥225,600 (Aomori residents) / ¥338,400 (non-residents). Program-specific off‑campus practice fees apply (e.g., Nursing ¥31,000; PT ¥32,000; Social Welfare ¥14,000; Nutrition ¥6,000).	Initial Fees (AUHW) / Admissions Q&A (AUHW)
Gender Ratio (UG)	Female ~76% / Male ~24% (e.g., AY2023 detailed table)	Student Numbers PDF (AY2023)
Intl‑Student %	~0% (current)	JPCUP (NIAD‑QE)
Students per Staff (FT faculty)	~10:1 (98 full‑time faculty; 991 students)	Faculty Numbers (AUHW) / JPCUP

Notes: “Public (Prefectural)” indicates a public university operated by Aomori Prefecture. Gender and departmental breakdowns are available in Japanese in AUHW’s annual “入学生数および学生数” table for the academic year (example linked above).

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Aomori City)

Address: 58-1 Mase, Hamadate, Aomori-shi, Aomori 030-8505, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

AUHW was founded in 1999 as a prefectural university to serve Aomori’s communities through health, medical, and welfare education grounded in “Human Care.” The university’s own documents describe its mission as advancing education and research that address regional health and welfare challenges while developing practitioners with strong ethics and broad liberal arts foundations. Over the years, AUHW expanded from undergraduate programs to a Graduate School (Master’s launched in 2003; Doctoral in 2005) and established professional education such as emergency nursing and nurse manager training programs, aligning with Aomori’s demographic and healthcare needs. University Timeline • Public University Corporation — Statement • Student Handbook 2025 (理念/ミッション)

A signature feature is the emphasis on interprofessional learning across four departments—Nursing, Physical Therapy, Social Welfare, and Nutrition—designed to cultivate collaboration skills for regional healthcare. In 2020, AUHW also created the Career Development Center to integrate student career support with regional workforce initiatives, including a “regional retention” track in Nursing that strengthens ties with local healthcare providers and municipalities. Career Development Center • Regional Retention (Nursing)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Interprofessional Learning from Day One

AUHW deliberately mixes cohorts across four departments to train collaboration skills for real-world healthcare teams. Curricular elements such as Health Literacy courses, “Healthcare Management” lectures/practicums, and mixed-department group work are highlighted on the faculty pages. Students report early fieldwork and cross-department teamwork as program hallmarks. Faculty Highlights (4-Department Collaboration) • Dean’s Message

Flagship Faculty: Nursing (plus PT, Social Welfare, Nutrition)

Nursing is AUHW’s largest undergraduate cohort and a major regional workforce pipeline; students start practice early and benefit from the Career Development Center’s links to hospitals and community agencies. PT, Social Welfare, and Nutrition are intentionally small and practice-oriented (typical class sizes ~30 in some programs), enabling closer faculty interaction—reflected in student and alumni pages. Career Support for Students • PT Student Voices • Social Welfare Student Voices • Nutrition Alumni Voice

Global Health Program (GHP) — Launched in 2025

From AY2025 (Reiwa 7), AUHW started an undergraduate Global Health Program to foster “think globally, act locally” human-care practitioners who can support foreign residents in the region. The program combines coursework on diversity and international topics with overseas short programs at partner institutions; completing the four-year track earns a “GHP Graduate” recognition. GHP Overview (AUHW) • GHP Launch News • FY2025 Strategic Priorities (PDF)

Practice & Research Culture with Community Impact

AUHW emphasizes practical research and community engagement, as seen in the Health Promotion Strategy Center outputs and teacher-led projects that translate into local education, welfare, and health literacy initiatives. Example research/education reports from AUHW faculty illustrate interprofessional training, regional welfare studies, and community health events. Interprofessional Teaching (PDF) • Regional Care Capabilities (PDF) • HP Strategy Report (PDF)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles Welcoming Overseas Students

Student clubs are active and diverse—from sports to cultural circles (e.g., Tsugaru Shamisen, wind ensemble, TRPG, volunteer groups). The official list is updated periodically. Clubs & Activities • Club Roster (PDF) • Student Volunteering

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Health, Counselling)

AUHW’s student support pages cover dormitories (Azumashi Ryō), off‑campus apartments, annual health checks, and counselling services. Official dorm guidelines and contact details are posted; fee waivers/scholarship information is listed in the admissions section. Dorms & Apartments • Student Health • Counselling • Tuition & Fee Relief

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

AUHW maintains a modest but growing international portfolio. The university’s international page aggregates overseas partners and exchange announcements; the GHP track (above) includes short-term study abroad. JPCUP also lists the count of “International Networks.” International Exchange (AUHW) • JPCUP — Institute Profile

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Snapshot (Aomori City / Aomori Airport)

Aomori has warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Typical ranges around Aomori Airport: August highs ~26°C/79°F; January daily range ~−5°C to −1°C (23–31°F). Expect lake-effect snow and overcast conditions in winter; fall and spring bring rapid transitions. WeatherSpark — Aomori Airport • JMA (Station Index, English)

Cost of Living, Safety & Daily Convenience

Compared with Tokyo or Osaka, Aomori offers moderate rents and fewer daily expenses. The campus sits about 7 km from Aomori Station with municipal bus access; dorms and apartment listings are maintained by the university. The city is known for safety and outdoor access (sea, mountains). Access (AUHW) • Housing (AUHW) • JPCUP — Institute Snapshot

International Student Statistics

AUHW’s current international student share is very small (~0%). For prospective overseas applicants, that means personalized attention and a chance to shape the campus’s internationalization from the ground up—especially via GHP and international exchange activities. JPCUP (International Students / Networks)

Career & Graduate Prospects

AUHW’s Career Development Center provides guidance, seminars, joint employer sessions, and a “regional retention” initiative (notably in Nursing) that connects students with local employers. Typical destinations include hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, welfare organizations, schools, and nutrition departments in hospitals or government. The Graduate School supports advanced professional and research paths (Master’s, Doctoral). Career Support (Students) • Regional Retention — Nursing • JPCUP — Program Overview