From Shinkansen bullet trains crossing the country to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Japan offers many impressive examples of large-scale engineering. These achievements are part of the setting awaiting aspiring engineers who choose to study in Japan.
This East Asian country combines long-standing traditions with advanced technology and offers engineering education across a wide range of fields. The universities below provide undergraduate and graduate pathways for students interested in engineering.
To align your academic interests with your engineering career goals, review these top universities in Japan for engineering.
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in Japan
1. University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) offers undergraduate engineering education through its Faculty of Engineering and graduate education through its Graduate School of Engineering.
The Faculty of Engineering consists of 16 departments. The Graduate School of Engineering, which is responsible for master’s and doctoral education, comprises 18 departments, affiliated facilities, and an administrative office.
UTokyo’s engineering education and research span foundational studies, advanced engineering fields, international collaboration, and the relationship between science, technology, and society.
2. Institute of Science Tokyo
The Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) was established on October 1, 2024, through the merger of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
Science Tokyo’s science and engineering fields consist of six schools. The School of Engineering includes majors in Mechanical Engineering, Systems and Control Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information and Communications Engineering, and Industrial Engineering and Economics. Related engineering fields are also available through the School of Materials and Chemical Technology and the School of Environment and Society.
The university integrates undergraduate and graduate education, supporting progression from bachelor’s to master’s and doctoral study while awarding degrees at each level.
3. Kyoto University
Founded in 1897, Kyoto University is a public university with a long research tradition.
The Faculty of Engineering uses course trees to help students select courses that match their learning progress and earn the required credits. Its educational policies cover fields such as civil, environmental, resources, architecture, electrical, electronic, information, chemistry, and related engineering disciplines.
The Graduate School of Engineering offers master’s and doctoral pathways. Following a reorganization, the Graduate School comprises 11 departments and more than 10 specialized education and research centers.
4. Tohoku University
Founded in 1907, Tohoku University was established as Japan’s third national university. It was also among the first universities selected by the Japanese government as a Designated National University.
Tohoku University’s School of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate programs across areas such as mechanical and aerospace engineering; electrical, information, and physics engineering; applied chemistry and chemical engineering; materials science; civil engineering; and architecture.
For international students, the International Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Course (IMAC) is taught fully in English. It includes a bachelor’s course and graduate pathways at the master’s and doctoral levels.
5. Nagoya University
Nagoya University provides undergraduate and graduate engineering education across core and interdisciplinary fields.
The School of Engineering comprises seven departments, while the Graduate School of Engineering comprises 18 majors. Nagoya University also uses an integrated educational structure that connects undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral study.
The university’s engineering fields include areas such as aerospace, mobility, data-driven materials development, quantum technology, disaster prevention and mitigation, and related interdisciplinary research.
For a student perspective on engineering studies at Nagoya University, see Jillian Abigail Sutrisno’s profile.
6. Keio University
Established in 1858, Keio University is a private university that describes itself as Japan’s first modern institution of higher learning. Keio has 10 undergraduate faculties, 14 graduate schools, and six major campuses in the Tokyo region.
Keio’s Faculty of Science and Technology includes departments in fields such as Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, System Design Engineering, Information and Computer Science, Applied Chemistry, and other science and technology disciplines.
Keio’s official scholarships page states that the university has a 24 billion yen scholarship fund, which it describes as the largest in Japan. The page also states that the fund is used for scholarships that do not require repayment.
7. Waseda University
Waseda University offers engineering-related education through its Faculty of Science and Engineering, which includes the School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, the School of Creative Science and Engineering, and the School of Advanced Science and Engineering, as well as their corresponding graduate schools.
Waseda offers undergraduate and graduate pathways, including English-based options. Its science and engineering graduate admissions pages list master’s and doctoral programs across multiple departments.
For a student perspective on engineering studies at Waseda University, see Zain Ashfaq’s profile.
8. Hokkaido University
Tracing its origins to Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876, Hokkaido University has developed into a comprehensive university with undergraduate and graduate engineering pathways.
The School of Engineering includes the Department of Applied Science and Engineering, the Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, the Department of Mechanical and Intelligent System Engineering, and the Department of Socio-Environmental Engineering. The Graduate School of Engineering offers master’s and doctoral routes, and all of its divisions offer courses in English.
Engineering fields include applied physics, materials engineering, electronics, information engineering, mechanical systems, civil engineering, environmental engineering, architecture, and sustainable resources engineering.
For a student perspective on research at Hokkaido University, see Genes P. Maylem’s profile.
9. Kyushu University
Kyushu University offers undergraduate and graduate engineering education across a wide range of fields.
The Faculty of Engineering offers 12 undergraduate departments and six academic groups. Its fields include electrical engineering and computer science, materials, applied chemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, aeronautics and astronautics, civil engineering, architecture, earth resources engineering, and related areas.
Kyushu University has four graduate schools engaged in engineering research and education. Its Graduate School of Engineering provides master’s and doctoral pathways, including international programs.
For a student perspective on graduate research at Kyushu University, see Nauman’s profile.
10. Osaka University
Known in Japanese as Handai, The University of Osaka adopted its current English name in April 2025. The university traces its modern establishment to 1931, when Osaka Imperial University was founded.
The annual tuition listed for undergraduate and graduate students is 535,800 JPY. Tuition fees may change, so prospective students should check the university’s official tuition page before applying.
The School of Engineering includes undergraduate divisions in Applied Science; Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Science; Electronic and Information Engineering; Sustainable Energy and Environmental Engineering; and Global Architecture. The Graduate School of Engineering comprises nine departments and offers master’s and doctoral courses.
FAQs: Engineering Studies in Japan
What Engineering Discipline is Considered to be the Best to Pursue in Japan?
There is no single engineering discipline that is objectively the best to pursue in Japan. The right choice depends on your interests, academic background, and career plans. Japanese universities offer options across fields such as mechanical, electrical, materials, civil, chemical, environmental, aerospace, information, and related interdisciplinary areas. Compare the official program pages before applying.
Japan offers a broad range of engineering programs, from foundational undergraduate study to specialized graduate research. Whether you are interested in the integrated curriculum at Science Tokyo, the English-taught IMAC pathway at Tohoku University, or the extensive engineering fields available at Kyushu University, review each university’s official program pages to identify the best fit for your goals.
As you search for an engineering school in Japan, you can also explore the Available Programs for International Students and Study in Japan pages.
