🏯Osaka University

Osaka, Japan

QS World 2026 · #145

One of Japan's top research universities, based in the country's second-largest metropolitan area.

About Osaka

Osaka University is consistently ranked among Japan's top handful of universities, particularly strong in Medicine and the Natural Sciences, and benefits from being based in the Kansai region's dense industrial and research base. English-taught undergraduate options exist but remain limited compared to the mainly Japanese-medium intake.

Why students choose it

  • Consistently ranked among Japan's top universities
  • Strong Medicine and Natural Sciences reputation
  • Based in Japan's second-largest metropolitan area, the Kansai region

🎓 Free application support for Osaka

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Osaka — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 35

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

National universities (fixed statutory fee)

low tier for Japan — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

Japanese (most Bachelor's programmes) — a limited number of English-taught undergraduate tracks are offered. Check the specific programme.

Campus

campus campus, Osaka

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Osaka's financial aid office.

Japan's flagship scholarship is government-funded and well known internationally, alongside university-specific tuition waivers that are common at national universities regardless of the scholarship route.

  • MEXT Scholarship: Japanese government-funded, covers tuition plus a monthly stipend — available via both an embassy-recommendation and a university-recommendation track, for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Highly competitive.
  • University tuition waivers: Many national universities offer partial-to-full tuition exemption based on financial need or academic merit, independent of MEXT — check each university's international student office.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Electrical Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology

Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Letters

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for Japan — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
April, September / October (English-taught programmes)
Typical deadline
November – January for an April intake
Note
Deadlines vary significantly by university and programme — confirm directly with your target school.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0–6.5 overall (English-taught programmes only)

TOEFL: 72–100 iBT

Required for English-taught programmes; Japanese-medium programmes require JLPT-level Japanese proficiency instead.

See where Osaka ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Japan University Shortlist Builder to see whether Osaka is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Japan university that matches.

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More Japan universities

Osaka FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Osaka as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Osaka?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Osaka expects around AAA at A Level or 35 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Osaka's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Osaka's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Osaka cost for international students?

International tuition at Osaka typically falls in the National universities (fixed statutory fee) range (low tier for Japan). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Osaka's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Osaka?

Osaka follows Japan's typical intake calendar: April, September / October (English-taught programmes), with applications generally due november – january for an april intake. Deadlines vary significantly by university and programme — confirm directly with your target school. Always verify the exact date on Osaka's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Osaka?

Japan universities, including Osaka, typically ask international applicants for 6.0–6.5 overall (English-taught programmes only). Required for English-taught programmes; Japanese-medium programmes require JLPT-level Japanese proficiency instead.

What is Osaka known for?

One of Japan's top research universities, based in the country's second-largest metropolitan area. Osaka University is consistently ranked among Japan's top handful of universities, particularly strong in Medicine and the Natural Sciences, and benefits from being based in the Kansai region's dense industrial and research base. English-taught undergraduate options exist but remain limited compared to the mainly Japanese-medium intake.

Can I apply to Osaka with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Osaka accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Japan University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Osaka and every other Japan university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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