Osaka University is a public university in Osaka, Japan, with a large international student body and a broad academic profile. It suits students who want a major research university in Japan and want to study in a large, established institution with a strong mix of domestic and international students.
Osaka University is a comprehensive university. It is known for study in science, medicine, letters, law and economics, and engineering, and it has expanded beyond its original two-faculty structure. If you are checking a specific major or degree level, confirm the current programme catalogue on the university website before applying.
International applicants should apply through the university’s official admissions pages and check the entry route for the programme they want, since requirements can differ by level and subject. Before applying, confirm the language requirements, required documents, deadlines, and whether the programme has any additional screening or entrance examination.
Tuition is listed at JPY 640,000 to JPY 860,000. Living costs in Osaka depend on housing and daily spending, so you should budget separately and confirm the current total cost with the university and your accommodation provider.
The university has about 3,000 international students. The language of instruction is not stated, so you should confirm it for your chosen programme, along with visa steps, housing, health insurance, and whether you will need a Japanese language certificate or other proof before you apply.
Among 571 universities in Japan, Osaka University stands out as a public university with a large student body, a significant international population, and a broad set of subjects. It is a stronger fit if you want a major national institution in Osaka rather than a smaller or more specialised university.
Written from this university's catalogue entry and its cited encyclopedia summary. Figures are only shown where the institution or a cited source publishes them — always confirm fees and entry requirements with the university itself before applying.
It is a public university in Japan.
It is in Osaka, in the Kansai region of Japan.
It has about 23,000 students.
Tuition is JPY 640,000 to JPY 860,000.
The University of Osaka , abbreviated as UOsaka or Handai (阪大), is a national research university in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The university traces its roots back to Edo-era institutions Tekijuku (1838) and Kaitokudo (1724), and was officially established in 1931 as the sixth of the Imperial Universities in Japan, with two faculties: science and medicine. Following the post-war educational reform, it merged with three pre-war higher schools, reorganizing as a comprehensive university with five faculties: science, medicine, letters, law and economics, and engineering. After the merger with Osaka University of Foreign Studies in 2007, UOsaka became the largest national university in Japan by undergraduate enrollment. The official name of the university in English has been changed from "Osaka University" to "The University of Osaka (UOsaka)" as of April 2025.
Ranking figures are indicative and provided for general guidance — always verify current positions with the official QS rankings and the university.
Indicative annual tuition
JPY 640,000 – JPY 860,000/yr
Premium tuitionIndicative living cost
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Fees vary by programme and are indicative. Confirm exact fees with the university before applying.
Recognised high-school qualification for undergraduate entry; a relevant bachelor’s degree for postgraduate entry.
English: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 (varies by programme).
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Last updated 29 Aug 2026. Information is provided for guidance — verify with official sources before applying.
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