Hiroshima University is a national research university whose main campus is in Higashi-Hiroshima. It was formed in 1949 and had 15,496 students on 1 May 2025 (10,730 undergraduates and 4,766 graduate students), including 1,919 international students from 98 countries.[1] It is ranked =481 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 12th in Japan.[2]
An undergraduate pays an application fee of ¥17,000, an enrolment fee of ¥282,000 and tuition of ¥535,800 a year.[3] Undergraduates can earn a degree entirely in English in the Department of Integrated Global Studies and in two other programmes; admission to the first of these is for April entry.[4][5]
Key facts
| Official name | Hiroshima University (広島大学, Hiroshima Daigaku) |
| Location | Main campus: 1-3-2 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 739-8511[2] |
| Type | National research university[6] |
| Founded | 1949, by merging the Hiroshima College of Literature and Science and the Hiroshima Higher Education Teaching College[1] |
| Students | 15,496: 10,730 undergraduate and 4,766 graduate (1 May 2025)[1] |
| International students | 1,919 from 98 countries (May 2025)[1] |
| Teaching staff | 1,641 (1 May 2025)[1] |
| Structure | 12 undergraduate faculties and 5 graduate departments[1] |
| English-taught bachelor’s programmes | Integrated Global Studies (School of Integrated Arts and Sciences); International Program of Applied Biological Science; Multicultural and Global Education Program (School of Education)[4] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =481 (tied), 12th in Japan and 10th among national universities[2] |
| Application fee, undergraduate | ¥17,000[3] |
| Enrolment fee | ¥282,000[3] |
| Tuition | ¥535,800 per year[3] |
| Official website | hiroshima-u.ac.jp |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.
About Hiroshima University
Hiroshima University was founded in 1949 when the Hiroshima College of Literature and Science and the Hiroshima Higher Education Teaching College were merged. The university describes itself as a leading university in western Japan with one of the highest student numbers among Japanese universities.[1] Wikipedia dates the predecessor institutions to 1929 and the university charter to 1949.[6]
It has 12 undergraduate faculties and 5 graduate departments, 1,641 teaching staff and 434 university-level bilateral agreements (as of May 2025). The large Higashi-Hiroshima Campus is surrounded by nature.[1] Its international student numbers grew from 1,726 in AY 2023 to 1,831 in AY 2024 and 1,919 in AY 2025.[1]
How is Hiroshima University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Hiroshima University is at =481, a tie, with an overall score of 33.3. That makes it 12th among Japanese institutions and 10th among national universities. Hiroshima says it stayed among Japan’s top 10 national universities for the second year in a row, and that its best result is employer reputation.[2]
In the same table, Waseda University is at =201 and Keio University at =213, the University of Tsukuba at =351 and Kobe University at =504.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Hiroshima University?
The university has 12 undergraduate faculties.[1] Three bachelor’s programmes can be completed entirely in English:[4]
- Integrated Global Studies (IGS) in the School of Integrated Arts and Sciences: a four-year full-time programme leading to a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, built around culture and tourism, peace and communication, and environment and society.[7][4]
- International Program of Applied Biological Science in the School of Applied Biological Science: university-wide English-taught liberal arts courses combined with the fields of the school.[4]
- Multicultural and Global Education Program in the School of Education: multicultural education, peace education and international development education.[4]
The pages we read do not describe the Japanese-taught undergraduate entry routes for international students; consult the university’s admissions guidebook for those. Hiroshima also runs semester exchange programmes (HUSA) for students from partner universities.[4]
How much does Hiroshima University cost?
| Fee | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Application fee | ¥17,000 |
| Enrolment fee | ¥282,000 |
| Tuition per year | ¥535,800 |
These amounts come from the International Admissions Office’s page, which carries no date, and the IGS fees page repeats them “as of March 2025”. If tuition is revised while you are enrolled, you pay the revised amount.[3][8] The pages show one rate and no separate international rate, and we did not find a 2026/27 notice that changes it.
Scholarships
The IGS department lists scholarships for international students who will enter Japan on a student visa:[8]
- Japanese government (MEXT) scholarship: a few outstanding applicants are recommended by the university; the allowance is ¥117,000 a month for four years (as of March 2025).
- Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students (pre-arrival reservation): ¥48,000 a month for one year.
- IGS Scholarship: a one-time award of ¥300,000 in the first year; later awards depend on academic record and financial circumstances, and the scholarship is subject to change.
The university’s admission-expense page also notes that research students (non-degree) pay different amounts. For rent and living costs, see our Japan guide and the Study in Japan guide.[3]
How do you apply to Hiroshima University?
For the IGS degree, admission is on 1 April only; IGS has no September or October entry. For the 2027 intake the department lists four selection systems, all based on document screening followed by an interview in English:[5]
- A: overseas interview examination for international applicants, taken in the applicant’s own country (online interview in English).
- B: overseas interview examination for applicants of all nationalities, taken in the applicant’s own country (online interview in English).
- C: on-campus interview examination in Hiroshima for applicants of all nationalities.
- D: on-campus interview examination in Hiroshima for international applicants.
Systems C and D require you to travel to the Higashi-Hiroshima campus for the interview.[5] The two other English-taught programmes and the Japanese-taught faculties have their own procedures in the admissions guidebook for international students.[4]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by selection system. Check the current application guide on the IGS website.
Which language level do you need?
IGS applicants must prove English proficiency with an accepted test. In selection systems A, B and D the minimum scores are TOEFL iBT 72, IELTS Academic 5.5, TEAP (four skills) 309, Cambridge English 160, GTEC (CBT) 1180, TOEIC (L&R plus S&W weighted) 1560 or an EIKEN pre-grade 1 pass. In system C the minimums are lower: TOEFL iBT 44, IELTS 4.0, TEAP 225, Cambridge English 140, GTEC 930, TOEIC 1150 and an EIKEN grade 2 pass. Applicants who did three or more years of secondary education in English, or who take or took the IB Diploma in English, need not submit a certificate; the application guide gives the details.[5]
IGS says its graduates should be competent in English and Japanese.[7] The pages we read do not state a Japanese-language requirement for entry to IGS or the other English-taught programmes, nor an entry level for Japanese-taught faculties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Hiroshima University?
Undergraduate tuition is ¥535,800 a year, with a one-off enrolment fee of ¥282,000 and an application fee of ¥17,000.[3]
Can I study at Hiroshima University in English?
Is Hiroshima University in the city of Hiroshima?
How many international students does Hiroshima University have?
1,919 from 98 countries as of May 2025, up from 1,831 in AY 2024.[1]
How is Hiroshima University ranked?
It is tied at 481st in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 12th among Japanese institutions and 10th among national universities.[2]
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
- Chiba 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] Hiroshima University: MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Studies Students), About Hiroshima University (figures as of 1 May 2025; page without a date)
[2] Hiroshima University: Ranked Among Japan’s Top 10 National Universities in QS World University Rankings 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (table of Japan’s top 15 dated 29 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Hiroshima University International Admissions Office: Admission Expenses (page without a date)
[4] Hiroshima University: From the World to Hiroshima (Study at HU) (page without a date)
[5] Hiroshima University IGS: 2027 Admission Information (April 2027 entry; page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia: Hiroshima University (history and institution type)
[7] Hiroshima University: School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Department of Integrated Global Studies (page without a date; news items to Oct 2026)
[8] Hiroshima University IGS: Fees and Scholarships (enrolment expenses “as of March 2025”)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.