Study in Japan: University of Hyogo (Hyogo Prefectural University) Guide for International Students

Thinking about Japan for your degree? The University of Hyogo (UH) offers a public-university experience that blends Kobe’s global business vibe with Himeji and Harima’s cutting-edge science ecosystem. From an all-English Global Business Course to collaborations around SPring‑8 and Japan’s top supercomputer “Fugaku,” UH keeps international students close to big research and real careers. This guide gives you verified facts, a feel for daily life, exchange options, climate tips, and the strengths that make UH a pragmatic, value‑for‑money choice in western Japan.

Quick Facts (University of Hyogo)

Numbers are the latest publicly available (see source links inside the table).

Type	Public (Prefectural University)
Total Students	6,635 (as of 2024) — Key Facts
Campuses	9 (Main: Kobe Campus for Commerce) — Access
Faculties/Schools (Undergraduate)	School of Economics and Management School of Social Information Science School of Engineering School of Science School of Human Science and Environment College of Nursing Art and Science Site Map (Academics)
学费	Standard undergraduate tuition: ¥535,800 / year (public-university benchmark shown on UH-linked profiles) — JPCUP (NIAD-QE) Global Business Course (GBC), first year (50% reduction): ¥267,900; Matriculation fee (50% reduction): ¥141,000 — Kobe Study Abroad, GBC Guidelines 2025 (PDF)
Gender Ratio	41 F : 59 M — THE Profile
Intl‑Student %	3% — THE Profile
Students per Staff	12.5 : 1 — THE Profile
Academic Partners	47 universities in 20 countries/regions — Academic Partners

Campus Maps

Kobe Commerce Campus (Kobe)

Address: 8-2-1 Gakuen Nishi-machi, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyōgo 651-2197, Japan

Himeji Engineering Campus (Himeji)

Address: 2167 Shosha, Himeji, Hyōgo 671-2280, Japan

Harima Science Campus (Kamigori-cho)

Address: 3-2-1 Kōto, Kamigori-cho, Ako-gun, Hyōgo 678-1297, Japan

Himeji Environmental Human Campus (Himeji)

Address: 1-1-12 Shinzaike-honmachi, Himeji, Hyōgo 670-0092, Japan

Akashi Nursing Campus (Akashi)

Address: 13-71 Kitaoji-chō, Akashi, Hyōgo 673-8588, Japan

Kobe Information Science Campus (Kobe)

Address: 7-1-28 Minatojima-Minamimachi, Chūō-ku, Kobe, Hyōgo 650-0047, Japan

Awaji Landscape Design Campus (Awaji)

Address: 954-2 Nojima-Tokiwa, Awaji, Hyōgo 656-1726, Japan

Toyooka Geo & Kounotori Campus (Toyooka)

Address: 128 Shōunji, Toyooka, Hyōgo 668-0814, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

The University of Hyogo was created in 2004 by merging three long‑standing prefectural institutions—Kobe University of Commerce, Himeji Institute of Technology, and the College of Nursing Art and Science. That merger embedded a practical, industry‑linked ethos across UH’s campuses while preserving discipline strength in business, engineering, science, and healthcare. The Chancellor’s message explicitly frames UH as an institution “to create new knowledge” and to develop professionals who can respond to society’s rapid changes—an aim reflected in the university’s integrated structure of six faculties and nine graduate schools today. Chancellor’s Message, About UH

Across Hyogo Prefecture, UH’s campuses mirror that mission. In Kobe, the Kobe Campus for Commerce houses the School of Economics and Management and the School of Social Information Science—close to a major port city known for trade and innovation. In Himeji, the Engineering campus benefits from proximity to manufacturing and materials firms; the Harima campus sits in the Harima Science Garden City, adjacent to world‑class instruments like SPring‑8 and the XFEL facility (SACLA). And UH’s Kobe Campus for Information Science places graduate researchers in a city recognized for digital innovation. Access (All Campuses), Kobe Campus, Himeji Engineering, Harima Science

UH remains compact (6,635 students as of 2024), but leverages Hyogo’s regional assets and international partners to punch above its weight. Independent sources show a balanced student body (41% female / 59% male), 3% international students, and a 12.5:1 student‑to‑staff ratio—figures consistent with a student‑centered public university that emphasizes mentorship and practical outcomes. Key Facts, THE Profile

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Programs Powered by English‑Medium Study

Global Business Course (Undergraduate, all-English)

Launched in 2019 within the School of Economics and Management, the Global Business Course (GBC) delivers four years entirely in English, covering economics, management, and hands‑on fieldwork. Admissions guidelines and city‑run study‑abroad resources confirm substantial tuition reductions for GBC students (first‑year tuition ¥267,900; matriculation ¥141,000), with potential exemptions for high performers. GBC Guidelines 2025 (PDF), Kobe Study Abroad

UH compiles periodic GBC Reports with intake and nationality data; as of May 2024, there were 152 international students from 21 countries/one region in GBC. These reports and an overview site clarify course structures, extracurriculars, and student stories. GBC Overview, GBC Reports & Interviews, GBC Report (Summer 2024, PDF)

Graduate Pathways in English

UH’s Graduate School of Social Science includes a Department of Global Business (DGB) and English‑language study lines that connect naturally with GBC alumni seeking advanced degrees in business or economics. Graduate School of Social Science

Harima Science Garden City: Big‑Science Next Door

The Harima campus sits within Harima Science Garden City, home to SPring‑8 and the XFEL facility (SACLA). UH emphasizes access to world‑class structural analysis instruments and a nature‑rich setting. This geography gives UH students and researchers unusual exposure to large‑scale experimental facilities and industry. Harima Campus

Engineering & Computation: Links to “Fugaku,” SPring‑8 and NewSUBARU

The School of Engineering highlights collaboration with the next‑generation supercomputer “Fugaku” and synchrotron facilities like SPring‑8 and NewSUBARU—useful cues for students targeting materials, data, and computational science pathways. School of Engineering

Career Outcomes & Local Industry Access

UH reports a 98.5% undergraduate employment rate (as of 2023), supported by career centers on each campus offering counseling, industry research, alumni meetups, and guidance from early years. Japan’s overall job‑offer rate for new graduates remains strong, and UH’s compact size can mean more individualized support. Key Facts, Career Support, Asahi (job‑offer context)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

UH lists a wide range of athletic and cultural clubs by campus—American football, basketball, kyudo, light music, jazz, photography, and more. These are practical ways to meet Japanese peers and improve language skills while doing something you love. Club Activities (EN), SIS Clubs (EN)

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

UH’s Support & Counseling desk compiles multilingual resources for daily life, legal advice, and health. For housing, the Global House dormitory on the Kobe Campus for Commerce accommodates ~150 Japanese and international students; first‑year GBC students are required to live there—great for community and adjustment. Support & Counseling, Global House (International Dorm)

Extra City Support (Kobe) & Nearby Student Housing

Kobe’s municipal “Study Abroad in Kobe” portal summarizes support services, scholarships, and English‑medium programs, and it links directly to UH. For low‑cost, dorm‑style living near Kobe/Sannomiya, you can also review the Hyogo International House (JASSO). Kobe Study Abroad, Hyogo International House (JASSO)

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

UH reports 47 overseas partner universities across 20 countries/regions. If you’re already enrolled at a partner school, check with your international office for nomination timing; if you’re at UH, the Exchange Program page explains outbound procedures and eligibility. Academic Partners, Exchange Program

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather pattern (recent years) — Kobe’s summers are warm to hot (typical July averages ~31°C high / ~25°C low), while winters are cool (January ~10°C high / ~3–4°C low). Western Japan has also seen notable heatwaves; on July 30, 2025, Hyogo’s Tamba City recorded 41.2°C. Expect humidity and plan your wardrobe for warm semesters; UH campuses are near transit, beaches, and mountains, so escapes are easy. WeatherSpark (Kobe), The Guardian (Record Heat, 2025), tenki.jp (41.2°C in Tamba), UH Access

International Student Statistics

University‑wide, UH lists students from 24 countries/regions (as of 2024). GBC’s 2024 report shows 152 international students (21 countries/one region) with a female‑majority cohort—useful if you value gender balance in classroom discussions. Key Facts, GBC Report (Summer 2024, PDF)

Career & Graduate Prospects

UH’s reported 98.5% undergraduate employment rate (2023) is supported by in‑house career centers across campuses and by Hyogo’s diversified economy (ports/logistics, manufacturing, IT, healthcare). For international students, UH also publicizes MEXT‑linked scholarships that can reduce cost pressure during study. Key Facts, Career Support, Scholarship (UH), MEXT Scholarship (UH)