NUHW—Niigata University of Health and Welfare: Admissions, Tuition, and Campus Life for International Students

Thinking about studying health, welfare, sports science, or medical technology in Japan? Niigata University of Health and Welfare (NUHW) is a focused, practice-driven private university in coastal Niigata City. With nearly all programs concentrated on one compact campus, NUHW emphasizes interprofessional education (IPE): nurses, rehab specialists, technologists, nutritionists, and social workers learn together to deliver team-based care. Below is a clear, evidence-linked overview to help you decide if NUHW fits your goals.

Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Wirtz — License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Wirtz — License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Wirtz — License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Annie HARADA VIOT — License: Public Domain Mark.

Source: Wikimedia Commons — Author: Wirtz — License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Quick Facts: Niigata University of Health and Welfare (NUHW)

Type (National/Public/Private)	Private university (History — NUHW)
Total Students	5,121 total = Undergraduate 4,899 + Graduate 222 (as of May 1, 2025) (Official student numbers (JP))
Campuses	Main campus (one-campus setup): 1398 Shimami‑cho, Kita‑ku, Niigata City 950‑3198 (Admissions guide & contact)
Faculties/Schools	Rehabilitation — Physical Therapy; Occupational Therapy; Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences; Prosthetics & Orthotics & Assistive Technology; Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medical Technology — Clinical Engineering & Medical Technology; Orthoptics & Visual Sciences; Emergency Medical Sciences; Radiological Technology Health Sciences — Health & Nutrition; Health & Sports Nursing — Nursing Psychological Sciences & Social Welfare — Social Welfare; Psychological Sciences Healthcare Management — Health Informatics (Undergraduate overview (EN); Current departments (JP))
Học phí	First‑year total (admission + tuition + facility charge): approx. ¥1,330,000–¥1,950,000 by department (see EN guide). Detailed tables in JP are also available. (Fees — Admissions Guide (EN); Tuition details (JP))
Gender Ratio	Male 2,561 : Female 2,560 (≈ 50:50) — May 1, 2025 (Official student numbers (JP))
Intl‑Student %	22 international students / 5,121 total ≈ 0.4% (as of May 1, 2025) (Student numbers (JP))
Students per Staff	Varies by department; latest published ratios available (IR dashboard) (Faculty counts & student-per-staff (JP))

Campus Maps

Shimami-cho Main Campus (Niigata)

Address: 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita Ward, Niigata City, Niigata 950-3198, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Established in 2001 by the Niigata Sogo Gakuen School Corporation, NUHW began with two faculties and five departments and has steadily grown into a specialized university covering rehabilitation sciences, medical technologies, health and sports sciences, nursing, social welfare, psychological sciences, and healthcare management. Today, the undergraduate and graduate schools are integrated on one main campus in Niigata City, creating a streamlined environment where students move easily between labs, lecture rooms, and practice sites. (History — NUHW)

The university’s guiding idea is to cultivate “effective QOL supporters”—professionals who raise the quality of life of individuals and communities with ethical, evidence-based, team-oriented care. That philosophy appears throughout official statements and degree policies and is made concrete through interprofessional education (IPE). From first year, students join cross-disciplinary teams to learn shared assessment, communication, and care planning so they can collaborate in real health systems. (Interprofessional Education (IPE))

NUHW’s International Center supports overseas projects and student-facing services. Recent activities include a JICA Partnership Program with Hai Duong Medical Technical University in Vietnam to co-develop an interprofessional home‑care model in local communities—illustrating the university’s emphasis on combining learning with social contribution and global collaboration. (JICA Partnership Program)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Interprofessional Education (IPE) Built into the Core

At NUHW, IPE is not an optional add-on; it is baked into the curriculum from the start. Courses bring together students from multiple departments—e.g., nursing, PT/OT/SLH, clinical engineering, nutrition, social work—to practice shared decision-making and patient‑centered planning. This mirrors real clinical pathways where coordinated teams matter (e.g., stroke rehab across speech therapy, physical therapy, nursing, and social services). (IPE at NUHW)

Flagship Faculties & Program Depth

Rehabilitation Sciences (Breadth and Clinical Realism)

The Faculty of Rehabilitation spans five practice areas—Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech‑Language‑Hearing, Prosthetics & Orthotics/Assistive Technology, and Acupuncture & Moxibustion—offering a rare, interprofessional training sandbox. See department pages for objectives, curricula, and licensure prep: PT, OT, SLH, P&O/AT.

Nursing (Strong Outcomes & Team-Based Training)

The Nursing program emphasizes simulation, community health, and collaboration with allied health majors. Official admissions pages summarize outcomes and support structures, including job placement information. (Faculty of Nursing; Job Placement & Advancement)

Sports Performance Ecosystem (14 University‑Designated Clubs)

NUHW officially designates 14 competitive sports clubs for enhanced support—leveraging in‑house expertise in training, rehabilitation, and sports nutrition. Student‑athletes benefit from multi‑professional staff while non‑athletes can gain hands‑on roles in testing, conditioning, and event support. (University‑Designated Sports Clubs)

International Projects & Study Pathways

Through the International Center, NUHW runs overseas language‑training tours and collaborative projects. A signature example is the JICA Partnership Program with a Vietnamese partner university to develop an interprofessional home‑care model—creating opportunities for observation, presentations, and field practice. The university also maintains a roster of overseas partners for cooperation and exchange. (JICA Partnership Program; Affiliated Universities & Institutions)

Compact “One Campus” = Easy Cross‑Department Access

Because NUHW is concentrated on a single main site in Kita‑ku (north Niigata City), students can walk between departments, labs, and gyms without cross‑town commuting. This geography quietly strengthens IPE, joint research, and student‑athlete support. For newcomers, having lecture halls, the International Center, and the dorm within minutes of each other reduces friction in settling into life in Japan. (Admissions guide & campus info)

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

Beyond classes, NUHW’s club culture ranges from dance and baseball to swimming and table tennis—plus many non‑athletic circles. The designated athletics program often collaborates with health and rehab departments, which is great if you want to combine sports and health science. (Sports Clubs (EN))

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

The International Center is your first stop for admissions and immigration paperwork and day‑to‑day support. English pages summarize the Center’s mission and activities, and the Admissions section gathers useful details for international candidates. (Admissions (EN); International Center — History & Missions)

Housing: On‑Campus Dorm with Meals

N‑Village GOTO is a 7‑minute walk from campus with furnished rooms, Wi‑Fi, and card‑key access. The monthly fee is ¥72,000, including breakfast and dinner—helpful for students who want predictable living costs. (Dormitory — N‑Village GOTO)

Language‑Exchange & International Activities

Short overseas language‑training courses and cooperative projects provide practical international exposure. On campus, clubs and events often create informal language‑exchange opportunities. (Overseas Language Training)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

NUHW lists partner institutions across the U.S., U.K., Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and more. While availability and formats can change, these links show the scope of cooperation and short‑term options. Always confirm the latest openings and eligibility before applying. (Affiliated Universities & Institutions; International Contributions (JICA, etc.))

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Niigata City)

Weather in the Past Five Years (At‑a‑Glance)

Based on Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) data for Niigata station, recent years show warm, humid summers and cool, snowy winters. Typical campus‑feel ranges:

Season	Typical Daily High / Low
Winter (Jan–Feb)	≈ 4–7 °C / −1–2 °C
Spring (Apr–May)	≈ 15–22 °C / 7–13 °C
Summer (Jul–Aug)	≈ 29–32 °C / 22–25 °C
Autumn (Oct)	≈ 16–21 °C / 9–13 °C

See JMA’s station page and English climate tables for year‑by‑year stats: Niigata station monthly data (JMA) / JMA climate statistics (EN).

Cost of Living & Safety Snapshot

Niigata is generally more affordable than Tokyo for student life—especially rent and dining. For a quick comparison, explore user‑reported data and price baskets here: Niigata — Cost of Living Và Niigata vs Tokyo. Japan’s National Police Agency publishes English digests and statistics to understand safety trends: NPA — Publications & Statistics (EN).

International Student Statistics (Who’s on Campus?)

As of May 1, 2025, NUHW reports 22 international students, which is about 0.4% of total enrollment (5,121). At that snapshot, international students were all in graduate programs, with the largest cohorts from China and Vietnam. (Official breakdown (JP))

Career & Graduate Prospects

Healthcare and welfare fields show strong demand in Japan, and NUHW aligns programs with licensure and workforce needs. Undergraduate pages outline program‑specific targets and job paths, and the Admissions section provides an overview of placement and advancement support. If you’re aiming at licensure‑linked careers—PT/OT/SLH, orthoptics, radiological technology, clinical engineering, nursing, or social work—NUHW’s lab infrastructure and IPE model are designed to meet national exam and employer expectations. (Job Placement & Advancement)