Want to study in Japan? Here are the best universities in Japan for engineering and their ranking. Check it out!
Embark on a journey of innovation and excellence with Japan’s premier engineering universities. These institutions stand at the forefront of technology and research, offering world-class programs that meld rigorous academics with cutting-edge practical applications.
Uncover where tradition meets progress in our guide to the best engineering schools in Japan.
Here is a list of some of the top ranking universities in Japan:
Best Japanese Universities: Quick Summary
| Best Japanese Universities | World Rank (2021-2022) | National Ranking |
| University of Tokyo | 13 | 1 |
| Kyoto University | 28 | 2 |
| Osaka University | 78 | 3 |
| Keio University | 97 | 4 |
| Nagoya University | 130 | 5 |
| Tohoku University | 132 | 6 |
| Tokyo Institute of Technology | 151 | 7 |
| Waseda University | 188 | 8 |
| Hokkaido University | 220 | 9 |
| Kyushu University | 224 | 10 |
| University of Tsukuba | 261 | 11 |
| Hiroshima University | 424 | 12 |
Page Contents
Top Universities In Japan For Engineering
University of Tokyo
Location: Bunkyo, Tokyo
Estd.: 1877
Type: Public university
Also known as UTokyo and Todai, The University of Tokyo is ranked as the best university in Japan. It has three campuses, namely the Honga campus, the Komaba campus, and the Kashiwa campus. Besides this, it has other facilities located across Japan.
Currently, the University of Tokyo is comprised of 10 Faculties, 15 Graduate Schools, 11 affiliated research institutes (including the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology), four University Joint Education and Research Institutes, three Institutes for Advanced Study, four Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, three National Joint-Use Institutes and over 40 Integrated Research Systems.
This university boasts of its impressive alumni which consist of prime ministers, nobel prize laureates, Pritzker prize laureates, astronauts, and Fields medalist.
Check out this university’s programs here
Kyoto University
Location: Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
Estd.: 1897
Type: Public
Previously known as Kyoto Imperial University, Kyoto University has three campuses- Yoshida campus which is the main campus, the Uji campus and the Katsaura campus.
This university comprises ten faculties, eighteen graduate schools, thirteen research institutes, and twenty two research and educational centres.
To deal with the issues that are believed to be critical at the moment, Kyoto University has established new graduate schools, namely the Graduate Schools of Human and Environmental Studies, Energy Science, Asian and African Area Studies, Informatics, Biostudies, and Global Environmental Studies.
The university’s alumni include prime ministers, nobel prize laureates, Fields medalists, and a Gauss prize winner.
Check out this university’s programs here
Osaka University
Location: Suita, Osaka
Estd.: 1931
Type: Public
Sometimes known as OU, this Japanese university has three campuses. They are located in Suita, Toyonaka, and Minoh. It is known for its extremely difficult entry exams and is highly selective.
It is a research oriented institute and has eleven faculties for undergraduate programmes. They are human sciences, foreign studies, law, letters, economics, science, medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering and engineering science.
The university also has sixteen graduate schools, six research institutes, four libraries, and two university hospitals. The researh institutes of Osaka University include the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases and the Joining and Welding Research Institute.
Check out this university’s program here
Keio University
Location: Minato, Tokyo
Estd.: 1858
Type: Private
Keio University is the oldest university in Japan. It is a private institute for higher education.
The university has six major campuses in Tokyo and Kanagawa. Besides this, it has five other campuses with specific academic or research functions.
Keio is known for its top class teaching facilities and has over three hundred partner institutions across the world.
Check out this university’s program here
Nagoya University
Location: Chikusa-ku, Nagoya
Estd.: 1871
Type: Public
Nagoya University is one of the Imperial universities of Japan. It has nine undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate schools, three research institutes, three inter university service facilities, and various satellite campuses in countries like Cambodia, Mongolia, and Vietnam.
The university has an impressive list of alumni, which includes many Nobel prize laureates.
Check out this university’s program here
Tohoku University
Location: Sendai, Miyagi
Estd.: 1907
Type: Public
Tohoku University has made a name for itself as an academic leader and continues to provide quality education to its students.
The university has ten schools for undergraduates in arts and letters, education, law, economics, science, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, and agriculture.
It also has seventeen graduate schools and three professional graduate schools for law, public policy, and accounting.Research institutes include the Institute for Materials Research, the Research Institute of Electrical Communication and the Institute of Fluid Science.
Check out this university’s program here
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Location: Greater Tokyo Area
Estd.: 1881
Type: Public
Also known as Tokyo Tech, this institution has one of the lowest acceptance rates. It has three campuses in Okayama, Suzukakedai, and Tamachi.
Tokyo Institute of Technology has six schools for science, engineering, materials and chemical technology, life science and technology, and environment and society. The university allows students at all degree levels to be a part of research.
Students pursuing their masters and Ph.D. become affiliated with the labs at the university, including the Chemical Resources Laboratory, the Precision and Intelligence Laboratory and the Research Laboratory for Nuclear Reactors.
Check out this university’s program here
Waseda University
Location: Shijuku, Tokyo
Estd.: 1882
Type: Private
Waseda University is a private research university. It has many notable alumni including may prime ministers, important individuals in Japanese literature, and many CEOs,
The university has thirteen undergraduate schools and twenty-three graduate schools. It also houses one of Japan’s largest libraries.
Check out this university’s program here
Hokkaido University
Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Estd.: 1876
Type: Public
Hokkaido University is the fifth Imperial University of Japan. It has two campuses, the main campus is located in Sapporo and the other one in Hakodate.
This prestigious university has twelve undergraduate schools and twenty one graduate schools. It also has many partner institutions located in seventy one different countries and regions.
Check out this university’s program here
Kyushu University
Location: Fukuoka, Kyushu
Estd.: 1903
Type: Public
Kyushu University is the fourth Imperial university of Japan. It is known for its international research network. It is also the alma mater of many notable personalities like Japanese engineer and JAXA astronaut, Koichi Wakata; and well-known Japanese manga artist, Masashi Kishimoto to name a few.
Check out this university’s program here
University of Tsukuba
Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki
Estd.: 1973
Type: Public
The University of Tsukuba is a public university in Japan. It has twenty eight college clusters and schools. The university is known as one of the leading research institutes in Japan.
It has undergraduate and graduate programs, research centres and institutions, a university library and a university hospital. They offer international students courses that are taught in English.
Check out this university’s program here
Hiroshima University
Location: Higashihiroshima and Hiroshima
Estd.: 1929 / 1949
Type: Public
Hiroshima university was established by the merging of a number of educational institutions. Eight schools were integrated into the university.
They were Hiroshima University of Literature and Science, Hiroshima Higher Normal School, Hiroshima Women’s Higher Normal School, Hiroshima Higher School, Hiroshima Normal School, Hiroshima Youth Normal School, Hiroshima Higher Technical School, and Hiroshima Municipal Higher Technical School. Later Hiroshima Medical College consolidated into Hiroshima University.
The university has twelve undergraduate schools and 4 graduate schools. It is well known for its research around the world.
Check out this university’s program here
Best Japanese Universities: FAQs
Is Japan good for engineering?
Japan is a highly regarded destination for engineering due to its technological advancements, strong education system, abundant job opportunities, disciplined work culture, and well-developed infrastructure. Proficiency in Japanese can further enhance career prospects.
Can I study engineering in Japan in English?
Yes, studying engineering in English is possible in Japan. Several universities offer English-taught programs specifically designed for international students interested in pursuing engineering studies. While most courses in Japanese universities are still conducted in Japanese, these English programs cater to the needs of non-Japanese-speaking students.
It’s recommended to choose a university that offers English-taught engineering programs to ensure a language match for your studies. Basic knowledge of Japanese can be helpful for daily life and interaction outside of the university.
Does Japan have good universities?
Yes. Japan is home to some of the best universities in the world. The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Keio University of Japan all are included in the top 100 universities of the world.
Which is the hardest university to get into in Japan?
The hardest university to get into in Japan is Kyoto University. It has an acceptance rate of 20% to 30%, depending on the faculty and program. Kyoto University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and it is known for its rigorous academics. In order to be accepted to Kyoto University, students must have excellent grades, high standardized test scores, and strong extracurricular activities.
Is it hard to get into Japanese universities?
The admission procedures to get into Japanese universities are extremely difficult. They are highly competitive for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. The acceptance rates are also quite low.
Can I study in Japan without knowing Japanese?
Yes, you can study in Japan without knowing Japanese. There are universities that offer classes with English as the medium of instruction.
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