Chiba University is a national university in Chiba Prefecture with 13,922 students, including 1,908 international students counted for FY 2024.[1][2] It is in the 851-900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, according to a ranking aggregator.[3]
Students admitted in or after April 2020 pay ¥642,960 tuition per year at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral level, after a one-time entrance fee of ¥282,000; students admitted earlier pay ¥535,800 (¥520,800 for doctoral programmes).[4] Japanese proficiency is essential for undergraduate admission, and graduate admission is run by each graduate school.[5][6]
Key facts
| Official name | Chiba University (千葉大学, Chiba Daigaku) |
| Location | Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (Nishi-Chiba campus, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522)[7] |
| Type | National university[2] |
| Founded | Re-established in 1949 with five faculties; roots in the Chiba Normal School and Chiba Public Hospital about 150 years ago[7] |
| Students | 13,922 (10,450 undergraduate, 2,089 master’s, 1,233 doctoral, 150 professional degree), as of 1 May 2025[1] |
| International students | 1,908 in FY 2024, of whom 137 undergraduate, 253 master’s and 340 doctoral; 1,178 in other categories[1] |
| Structure | 11 undergraduate schools and 9 graduate schools or programmes (including the Law School)[1] |
| Campuses | Nishi-Chiba, Inohana, Matsudo and Kashiwanoha, plus a satellite campus in Sumida, Tokyo[7] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Band 851-900 (aggregator figure)[3] |
| Entrance fee | ¥282,000 (degree students)[4] |
| Tuition per year, admitted April 2020 or later | ¥642,960 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral · ¥804,000 Law School[4] |
| Tuition per year, admitted before March 2020 | ¥535,800 undergraduate and master’s · ¥520,800 doctoral[4] |
| Language of study | Japanese essential for undergraduate admission; some English-taught graduate programmes[5] |
| Official website | chiba-u.jp |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Chiba University
Chiba University’s history began with the founding of the Chiba Normal School and the Chiba Public Hospital about 150 years ago. In 1949 the university was re-established and unified with five faculties.[7] It says it was the first university in Japan to introduce an early enrolment programme for high school students (1998) and the first national university to set up a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.[7]
On 1 May 2025 it had 13,922 students: 10,450 undergraduates, 2,089 master’s students, 1,233 doctoral students and 150 in professional degree programmes.[1] International students numbered 1,908 in FY 2024; 730 of them were in degree programmes (137 undergraduate, 253 master’s and 340 doctoral) and 1,178 in other categories.[1]
The Nishi-Chiba campus houses the administration bureau. The other campuses are Inohana, Matsudo and Kashiwanoha, with a satellite campus in Sumida, Tokyo.[7]
How is Chiba University ranked?
The ranking aggregator Xuanxiao shows Chiba University in the 851-900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, released on 18 June 2026.[3] Mastersportal, which republishes QS data, gives 851 for 2027, a drop of 60 places from its 2026 figure, which is consistent with the same band.[8]
One study-abroad guide shows “QS 2027 #720” for Chiba without naming a source; we treat that as unconfirmed and do not use it.[9] QS publishes lower positions as bands, and QS’s own page (topuniversities.com) could not be read. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Chiba University?
The 2025 data summary lists 11 undergraduate schools:[1]
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Faculty of Letters
- Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Informatics
- Faculty of Horticulture
- School of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- School of Nursing
Graduate level includes the Graduate Schools of Humanities and Studies on Public Affairs, Education, Science and Engineering, Informatics, Horticulture, Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nursing, the Law School and the Graduate Degree Program of Global and Transdisciplinary Studies.[1]
Programmes offered in English
Chiba’s list of degree programmes offered in English (as of May 2023) names these:[10]
- Humanities and Studies on Public Affairs: master’s in Social Studies on Public Affairs; doctoral programme.
- Science and Engineering: master’s in Design and Medical Engineering; doctoral programmes in nine fields, from Applied and Cognitive Informatics to Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
- Horticulture: master’s and doctoral programmes in Horticultural Science and Landscape.
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences: doctoral International Frontier Medical and Pharmaceutical Program.
The list is dated 2023, so confirm current availability with the graduate school.[10]
How much does Chiba University cost?
| Student type | Admitted April 2020 or later | Admitted before March 2020 | Entrance fee | Entrance exam fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ¥642,960 per year | ¥535,800 per year | ¥282,000 | ¥17,000 |
| Master’s | ¥642,960 per year | ¥535,800 per year | ¥282,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Doctoral | ¥642,960 per year | ¥520,800 per year | ¥282,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Law School | ¥804,000 per year | ¥804,000 per year | ¥282,000 | ¥30,000 |
| Research student | ¥346,800 per year | ¥346,800 per year | ¥84,600 | ¥9,800 |
These are the amounts on Chiba’s tuition page for international students; the page carries no date and gives one set of fees without a separate rate by nationality.[4] Most new students therefore pay the higher ¥642,960. The 2026 entrance guide (version of 22 August 2025) confirms ¥642,960 per year (¥321,480 per semester) for graduate degree programmes other than the Law School, ¥804,000 for the Law School, and a ¥282,000 entrance fee.[11]
Tuition is not paid with the entrance procedures. After enrolment it is paid twice a year, in two semesters, by bank direct debit. If the fees are revised, the new amount applies from the time of the revision.[11]
Exemption and waivers
The tuition page describes a tuition exemption application for applicants who meet its requirements.[4] The 2026 guide says students with an entrance fee exemption (for example certain double-degree students, students advancing within a graduate school and government-financed international students) do not pay the entrance fee at the start, and that students seeking an exemption or deferral follow a separate procedure.[11] Living costs come on top; see our Study in Japan guide and the Japan overview.
How do you apply to Chiba University?
- Undergraduate: Japanese proficiency is essential. Most international students take the Entrance Examination for Privately-funded International Students, and the procedure starts with the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students), run by JASSO. Detailed requirements are on Chiba’s Japanese-language admissions page.[5]
- Graduate: admission is conducted by each graduate school, so schedules and requirements are on the school’s own website. You can choose April or October enrolment; for October entry the acceptance letter is issued in July.[6]
- After admission: the 2026 entrance guide for international students explains the enrolment steps, including the entrance fee payment.[11]
We give no application deadlines here because they change every year; check the schedule of your graduate school or the current undergraduate guide before you start.
Which language level do you need?
For undergraduate admission Chiba says Japanese proficiency is essential.[5] It does not name a minimum JLPT level on the page we read, so ask the faculty what evidence it expects.
At graduate level the requirements are set by each graduate school.[6] Some programmes are offered in English;[10] Chiba’s graduate admission page does not give a general English-test requirement, so check the school’s own entry conditions.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Chiba University?
For students admitted in or after April 2020, ¥642,960 per year at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral level, and ¥804,000 for the Law School, plus a ¥282,000 entrance fee. Students admitted earlier pay ¥535,800 (¥520,800 doctoral).[4]
Do I need to speak Japanese to study at Chiba University?
How do I apply to Chiba University as an international student?
How is Chiba University ranked?
It is in the 851-900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, according to a ranking aggregator.[3]
More about studying in Japan
- Japan: best universities
- Study in Japan: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Japan
- Hiroshima University
- Hokkaido University
- Institute of Science Tokyo
- Kanazawa University
- Keio University
- Kobe University
- Kyoto University
- Kyushu University
- Nagoya University
- Okayama University
- Ritsumeikan University
- Sophia University
- Tohoku University
- The University of Osaka
- University of Tokyo
- University of Tsukuba
- Waseda University
- Yokohama National University
Sources
[1] Chiba University: Data Summary 2025-2026 (PDF) (student and organisation data as of 1 May 2025; international students FY 2024)
[2] Wikipedia: Chiba University (university type; secondary source)
[3] Xuanxiao: Chiba University (ranking aggregator; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (aggregator; latest rankings fetched 3 Nov 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[4] Chiba University International Support Desk: Tuition (page without a date)
[5] Chiba University: Admissions, Undergraduate (page without a date)
[6] Chiba University: Admissions, Graduate (page without a date)
[7] Chiba University: Brief History (page without a date; campus addresses in the page footer)
[8] Mastersportal: Chiba University (aggregator page without a date; shows QS 2027 value 851)
[9] Gyanmirai: Chiba University (study-abroad guide; data refreshed 1 Apr 2026; no source given for its QS figure)
[10] Chiba University: Degree programs offered in English (list as of May 2023)
[11] Chiba University: 2026 Academic Year Guide to Chiba University Entrance Procedures for international students (PDF) (Version 1, 22 Aug 2025)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.