Civil EngineeringMaster's + PhDEnglish Programs Available

Civil Engineering at Nagoya University

Civil Engineering Master’s and PhD at Nagoya University: structural, environmental, and infrastructure research; English-track options and 2027 admissions.

Graduate study in Civil Engineering at Nagoya University for April 2027 entry. Master's programs run 2 years; PhD programs add 3 more years. Both Japanese-taught and English-taught options are available depending on the specific lab and supervisor.

About Nagoya University

Founded 1939. QS 2027 #152 Tokyo-Osaka midpoint imperial; ~14% international, ¥535,800/year. Strong in automotive engineering, math, and physics; 6 Nobel laureates. See the full Nagoya University profile.

Language of instruction

Nagoya University offers English-track options in Civil Engineering. Application requires TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ (90+/7.0+ for OIST and the highest-tier programs). JLPT is not required for English-taught programs but is appreciated.

Admissions requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field with strong GPA
  • TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ (English programs); native-English-medium degree often exempt
  • JLPT N2 or N1 for Japanese-taught programs
  • Research plan — 2-page document; the most important application document. See our annotated sample.
  • Two academic recommendations — see our template guide.
  • Entrance exam for Japanese-taught programs (typically August or February); document review + Zoom interview for English-track

Tuition and scholarships

Nagoya University is a national university with standard tuition of ¥535,800/year for graduate study. Tuition waivers of 50-100% are common for international students based on academic merit and financial need.

How to apply for 2027 entry

  1. October 2025 — January 2026: Identify a target lab + professor at Nagoya University. Read recent papers.
  2. January — April 2026: Email the professor 6-12 months before application deadline.
  3. April — July 2026: Take JLPT (December 2025 or July 2026) and TOEFL/IELTS.
  4. July — September 2026: Submit application materials (varies by program — check specific deadlines).
  5. August 2026 / February 2027: Entrance exam (Japanese-taught) or document review + interview (English).
  6. September — December 2026: Results announced.
  7. January — March 2027: COE issued, visa stamp at embassy.
  8. April 2027: Arrival in Japan.

For the full timeline applicable to all Japanese graduate schools, see our application timeline guide.

Career outcomes

Graduates from Civil Engineering programs at Nagoya University pursue careers across industry research, academia, and entrepreneurship. Common outcomes include positions at Japanese tech companies (Sony, Hitachi, NTT, Toyota, Preferred Networks), foreign tech companies in Japan, faculty positions at Japanese and international universities, and startups. Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa accelerates the path to permanent residency for high-earning graduates.

Bottom line

Civil Engineering graduate study at Nagoya University offers English-track and Japanese-track options. Combined with MEXT or a foundation scholarship plus tuition waiver, most international students complete their degree at zero out-of-pocket cost. For comparison with other universities offering the same field, see the related programs below.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Civil Engineering program at Nagoya University cover?

The Civil Engineering graduate program at Nagoya University covers core research and applied work in the field. Master's programs are typically 2 years; PhD programs add 3 more years. Specific research areas depend on which lab you join — see the department's faculty page for current research interests.

Do I need to speak Japanese to apply?

Nagoya University offers English-track options for Civil Engineering graduate study. Most English programs require TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ but no JLPT. Japanese-track programs require JLPT N2 minimum.

What's the tuition?

Nagoya University is a national university with tuition of ¥535,800/year. Tuition waivers of 50-100% are available for international students. Combined with MEXT or foundation scholarships, most international graduate students pay nothing out of pocket.

When is the application deadline?

For April 2027 entry, most graduate programs at Nagoya University have application deadlines between July and December 2026. Some English-track programs follow a different cycle for October entry. Always check the program-specific page for exact deadlines.

How do I contact a professor?

Email a professor whose research aligns with your interests, 6-12 months before the application deadline. Read recent papers, mention specific work, and ask if they're accepting students. See our dedicated guide on emailing Japanese professors.

What scholarships are available?

MEXT scholarship (full tuition + ¥1.7M/year stipend), JASSO Honors Scholarship, foundation scholarships (Honjo, Heiwa Nakajima, Inpex, Rotary Yoneyama), and university-internal awards. International students at Nagoya University typically combine multiple sources.

What career paths follow Civil Engineering graduate study at Nagoya University?

Career paths include industry research roles at Japanese companies (Sony, Hitachi, NTT, Toyota, Preferred Networks), foreign tech companies in Japan (Google Japan, Indeed, Mercari), academic positions at Japanese and global universities, and startup founders. Highly Skilled Professional visa is available for graduates with strong qualifications.

Civil Engineering at other universities

The University of Tokyo

Civil Engineering Master’s and PhD at The University of Tokyo: structural, environmental, and infrastructure research; English-track options and 2027 admissions.

Kyoto University

Civil Engineering Master’s and PhD at Kyoto University: structural, environmental, and infrastructure research; English-track options and 2027 admissions.

Osaka University

Civil Engineering Master’s and PhD at Osaka University: structural, environmental, and infrastructure research; English-track options and 2027 admissions.

Tohoku University

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Hokkaido University

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Kyushu University

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