Nagoya University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 7 November 2026.

About Nagoya University

Nagoya University traces its history to a medical school founded in 1871. Nagoya Imperial University was established in 1939 and the institution is today a comprehensive research university.^[8] It describes itself in the costs guide as a national university that charges the same fees to international and domestic students.^[3]

On 1 April 2025 it had 9,524 undergraduate and 6,435 graduate students and 3,957 staff members.^[1] The tuition page names the Higashiyama campus for most schools, the Tsurumai campus for medicine and the Daiko campus for health sciences.^[7]

How is Nagoya University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Nagoya University is 156th in the world and 6th among Japanese universities. The university reports that it rose in the ranking this year.^[2]

Its own rankings page, last stated as of October 2026, also lists 242= in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 (6th in Japan), 101–150 in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities 2026 (3rd= in Japan) and 49th in the THE Asia University Rankings 2026.^[9] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at Nagoya University?

The main route for international students who do not speak Japanese is the Global 30 (G30) International Programs, launched in October 2011. They offer full degrees taught entirely in English: 10 undergraduate and 19 graduate programmes.^[10][5]

• Undergraduate G30: Automotive Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Science, Law, Social Sciences–Economics and Japan-in-Asia Cultural Studies.^[10]
• Graduate G30: 19 degree programmes taught entirely in English.^[5]
• Programmes in Japanese: regular programmes taught in Japanese require JLPT N1; equivalent qualifications may be accepted.^[6]

Nagoya also runs exchange programmes such as NUPACE (taught primarily in English).^[6]

How much does Nagoya University cost?

The university states that tuition is ¥535,800 per academic year regardless of nationality, the same as for Japanese students.^[3] Tuition is paid in two instalments, in May and November, by direct debit, which requires an online bank account registration.^[7] The fee pages do not state an academic year, and the university notes that a revised tuition fee applies from the date a revision takes effect.^[7]

The application fee is quoted differently on two pages: ¥10,000 for undergraduates on the G30 fees page, but ¥5,000 in the AY2027 undergraduate application instructions.^[4][11] Check the instructions for your round before paying.

Living costs and proof of funds

The university estimates monthly living costs of ¥86,500–106,500, made up of off-campus rent (¥30,000–50,000), utilities, food, telecommunications, insurance and personal expenses. University accommodation for international students costs ¥42,000 including utilities.^[3] For undergraduate G30 applicants the instructions ask for a bank statement showing at least ¥1,000,000 in funds to cover study in Japan; recipients of the G30 Undergraduate Scholarship need a statement of at least ¥500,000.^[11] See also our Japan guide and the Study in Japan guide.

Waivers

Nagoya lists tuition fee waivers and needs-based financial support for international students.^[3]

How do you apply to Nagoya University?

• G30 undergraduate: apply through the Nagoya University Online Admissions System. Selection has two parts: paper screening (school records, essays and recommendation letters, plus non-academic activities) and an interview or oral examination for shortlisted applicants. There is no written exam in the preliminary screening. SAT, ACT, EJU or other standardised test scores are recommended but not compulsory. The application fee is paid online by PayPal, Flywire or, inside Japan, bank transfer.^[11] There are two application rounds, the second only for limited programmes; the AY2027 requirements were published on 27 August 2026.^[5]
• Programmes in Japanese: JLPT N1 is required.^[6] The separate “Privately Financed International Student Admissions” category for April entry has its final round for AY2027 (April 2027 entry). From AY2028 self-financed international students apply through other categories, such as the general selection using the Common Test for University Admissions, or through G30.^[12]
• G30 graduate: see the G30 website for the graduate procedure of your programme.^[10]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the G30 admissions pages for your round.

Which language level do you need?

For G30 programmes an English proficiency test is required for most applicants; accepted tests include TOEFL, IELTS and the Duolingo English Test. No Japanese is required.^[6] Applicants who completed consecutive years of secondary education in English can be exempt. The general language page says four or more years; the AY2027 undergraduate instructions say three or more consecutive years including the final year, so follow the instructions for your round.^[6][11]

For regular programmes in Japanese the page names JLPT N1 (the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test), and says equivalent qualifications may be accepted. The Intensive Programme in Advanced Japanese needs at least N2. Exchange students on NUPACE need TOEFL iBT 79, TOEIC 730 or IELTS 5.5 if they are not native English speakers, unless they study full-time at a university where English is the medium of instruction.^[6]

More about studying in Japan

• Japan: best universities
• Study in Japan: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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