nationalEnglish ProgramsFounded 1939

Nagoya University

名古屋大学

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

16,000 students2,300 internationalNagoya, Aichi

Data refreshed: April 1, 2026

Nagoya University is Japan's most international-friendly imperial university and the academic heart of Japan's automotive industry. Founded in 1939, with deep ties to Toyota and the Aichi-region manufacturing economy. For international graduate students, Nagoya offers one of Japan's deepest English-taught program lists, strong industry connections, and significantly lower costs than Tokyo.

History and identity

Nagoya University (名古屋大学, Nagoya Daigaku) was founded in 1939 as the seventh and youngest of Japan's imperial universities. It quickly became central to Japan's industrial and scientific recovery after WWII, particularly in mechanical and electrical engineering. Six Nobel laureates have studied or taught at Nagoya, including Ryoji Noyori (Chemistry 2001), Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano (Physics 2014, blue LED), Toshihide Maskawa and Makoto Kobayashi (Physics 2008), and Osamu Shimomura (Chemistry 2008).

Top departments and research

  • Automotive Engineering: unique program tied to Toyota and Nagoya-region manufacturers
  • Mechanical Engineering: top-tier with G30 English-taught Master's
  • Chemistry: continuing the Noyori catalysis tradition
  • Physics: strong theoretical and condensed matter
  • Mathematics: Graduate School of Mathematics has English-taught option
  • Bioagricultural Sciences: agriculture, food science, applied biology
  • Information Science: includes computer science with G30 tracks

English-taught programs (the G30 legacy)

Nagoya was one of the original G30 (Global 30) universities and built deep English-program infrastructure. Currently offers full English-taught Master's in:

  • Automotive Engineering
  • Bioagricultural Sciences
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Biological Science
  • Economics + International Development

Several PhD programs also offer English-only tracks. For comparison with other English programs, see English-taught Master's in Japan 2027.

Industry partnerships

Nagoya's location in Aichi (Japan's manufacturing heartland) creates exceptional industry partnership opportunities. Toyota, Denso, Aisin, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and dozens of automotive parts companies fund Nagoya labs, recruit Nagoya graduates, and offer internships. Students researching mobility, robotics, or industrial systems benefit dramatically from this proximity. See our CS Master's guide and AI/ML guide for industry-track context.

International community

Approximately 16,000 students total with 2,300 international (~14%). One of the highest international percentages among imperial universities. Education and International Affairs Center provides Japanese classes, dormitories, and visa support. Nagoya is geographically central in Japan — Tokyo and Osaka are both 1.5-2 hour shinkansen rides away.

Admissions and tuition

Tuition: ¥535,800/year national rate. 50-100% tuition waivers for international students based on need and merit.

  • English programs: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+, no JLPT required
  • Japanese-taught programs: JLPT N2 minimum
  • Research plan, 2 recommendations, transcripts
  • Document review + interview (English) or entrance exam (Japanese)

Read our how to email a Japanese professor and application timeline guides.

Living in Nagoya

Nagoya is Japan's 4th-largest city (2.3M) — major metropolitan but more relaxed than Tokyo or Osaka. Monthly cost ¥95,000-145,000 for international students. Strong public transit, excellent food culture, central location for Japan-wide travel. Higashiyama and Toyoda campuses are well-connected by subway. See cost comparison at Living costs guide.

Scholarships

  • MEXT: full tuition + ¥1.7M/year stipend
  • JASSO Honors Scholarship
  • Nagoya University Honors Scholarship
  • Foundation scholarships (Honjo, Heiwa Nakajima, Rotary Yoneyama, Inpex)
  • For all options: scholarships hub

2027 application timeline

G30 English programs: November 2025 - January 2026 deadlines for October 2026 entry; or May-September 2026 for April 2027 entry. Japanese-taught programs: standard August or February entrance exam cycle. Full timeline at application timeline guide.

Bottom line

Nagoya University is the best choice for international graduate students wanting imperial- tier research with strong English programs and industry ties. Particularly strong for automotive engineering, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Six Nobel laureates affirm the research caliber. Combined with MEXT funding, Nagoya offers one of Japan's most accessible imperial-tier graduate experiences for international students.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nagoya University strongest in?

Automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Nagoya is at the heart of Japan's automotive industry (Toyota, Denso, Aisin, Mitsubishi Heavy) and many of those companies fund or partner with Nagoya labs. The G30 program made Nagoya one of the most international-friendly imperial universities, with substantial English-taught Master's options across STEM fields.

How many English-taught programs does Nagoya have?

Nagoya has one of the deepest English-taught graduate program lists in Japan via the original G30 (Global 30) program. Full English Master's tracks in Automotive Engineering, Bioagricultural Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biological Science, Economics, and International Development. Several PhD programs also offer English instruction.

What's Nagoya's relationship with Toyota?

Toyota and other Nagoya-area automotive companies provide research funding, internship opportunities, and many graduates go directly into automotive industry careers. Nagoya University's Mobility Research Center is partly Toyota-funded and conducts cutting-edge work on autonomous driving, electric vehicles, and powertrains. International students with research interests in automotive systems benefit substantially from this proximity.

Is Nagoya cheaper than Tokyo?

Yes — about 25-35% cheaper across all categories. Monthly cost runs ¥95,000-145,000 for international students. Rent for a 1-room apartment near Higashiyama campus is ¥40,000-60,000 vs Tokyo's ¥80,000-120,000. The city has strong infrastructure but lower density than Tokyo.

What's the international student community?

Approximately 2,300 international students out of 16,000 total (~14%). Strong international support via Education and International Affairs Center. Active international student associations and programs. Nagoya is geographically central in Japan, making travel to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto easy.

What about Nobel laureates?

Nagoya University has produced or affiliated with several Nobel laureates: Ryoji Noyori (Chemistry, 2001), Osamu Shimomura (Chemistry, 2008), Toshihide Maskawa and Makoto Kobayashi (Physics, 2008), Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano (Physics, 2014, blue LED). The Akasaki/Amano work led to LED revolution that's now in every electronic device.

When are application deadlines?

Most graduate programs: deadlines May-November 2026 for April 2027 entry. Some G30 programs have November-December 2025 deadlines for October 2026 entry. Check program-specific pages.

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