Many people have a dream job of their own, and it is up to them to pursue that goal with determination. Some may dream of becoming police officers, some may want to cook for others, and some may want to help people through health care.
Many professions require specialized training, and nursing is one of them. Before entering a professional nursing career, students usually need the appropriate university education, clinical training, and qualifications.
This article looks at selected Japanese universities with nursing-related programs. The entries below focus on officially listed nursing schools, faculties, departments, and graduate programs. Because many professional nursing programs in Japan are taught primarily in Japanese, prospective international students should check each university’s current admission guidelines and language requirements before applying.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Japan
1. Osaka Metropolitan University
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral | Primary Language: Japanese
Osaka Metropolitan University was launched in April 2022 through the merger of Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University. Osaka Metropolitan University has a School of Nursing and a Graduate School of Nursing, with undergraduate and graduate nursing education offered through its Department of Nursing.
The undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare nursing professionals with the knowledge, ethics, and practical abilities needed to support health and patient care. Graduates may qualify to take Japan’s National Nurse Examination. At the graduate level, Osaka Metropolitan University offers master’s and doctoral programs in nursing, with published standard study periods of two years for the master’s program and three years for the doctoral program.
Students interested in Osaka City University’s former nursing programs should now refer to Osaka Metropolitan University’s current School of Nursing and Graduate School of Nursing pages for the latest curriculum, admission, and language information.
2. Keio University
Keio University’s Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Students study nursing theory, health care, and clinical practice, and graduates may be eligible to take Japan’s national nursing examination. Students may also pursue additional qualifications, such as public health nurse or midwife eligibility, depending on the courses they complete.
Keio University also offers graduate study in nursing through its Graduate School of Health Management. The university lists master’s specializations in nursing and a doctoral program, and it also offers a 4+1 BSN-MSN pathway that can allow selected students to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. Applicants should check the current Keio admissions pages for language requirements, eligibility, and program availability.
3. Tokyo Metropolitan University
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral | Primary Language: Japanese; some graduate or research options may be available in English depending on the department and supervisor
The Tokyo Metropolitan University Faculty of Health Sciences includes a Department of Nursing Sciences, and its Graduate School of Human Health Sciences includes a Department of Nursing Sciences for advanced study. The university’s nursing education focuses on developing nursing professionals, researchers, and leaders who can contribute to health care and community health.
At the graduate level, Tokyo Metropolitan University lists master’s and doctoral study in nursing sciences. Areas of study include nursing ethics and management, reproductive health nursing, child and family nursing, adult and critical care nursing, community and mental health nursing, home care nursing, international nursing and medical anthropology, public health nursing, and midwifery. The university’s English-taught degree information does not list nursing as a fully English-taught program, so applicants should confirm language and supervision options directly with the department before applying.
4. University of Tokyo
Our final recommended nursing school is the Division of Health Sciences and Nursing at the University of Tokyo. The University of Tokyo is one of Japan’s leading national research universities, and the Division of Health Sciences and Nursing is part of the Graduate School of Medicine.
The division focuses on health sciences and nursing research, with master’s and doctoral study available in nursing science and public health-related fields. Listed areas include nursing administration and advanced clinical nursing, community and public health nursing, family nursing, psychiatric nursing, gerontological nursing, and midwifery and women’s health. Applicants should confirm the latest admissions process, language expectations, and supervisor availability before applying.
FAQs: Nursing Studies in Japan
Can International Students Take a Nursing Program in Japan?
Yes. International students can apply to nursing-related programs in Japan if they meet the university’s admission requirements. However, many professional nursing programs are taught primarily in Japanese, and licensing-related study often requires strong Japanese ability. Some graduate programs or research supervision may offer English support depending on the department and supervisor, so applicants should confirm details with the university before applying.
Is it Expensive to Study Nursing in Japan?
Costs vary by university. At public and national universities listed here, published annual tuition is generally around ¥520,800 to ¥642,960 before admission, enrollment, and living expenses. Private universities, such as Keio University, publish separate faculty- and program-specific academic fees, so students should check the current official fee page before applying. Scholarships, tuition waivers, and fee reductions may be available depending on the institution and eligibility. Students should also budget for the cost of living, whether they apply to study in Japan at public universities or private universities.
We hope this article has helped in your search for nursing schools in Japan. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students and Study in Japan for more valuable tips and educational opportunities!
