QS World University Rankings 2021 - Top Universities in Japan
Rank | University |
1 | The University of Tokyo |
2 | Kyoto University |
3 | Osaka University |
4 | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
5 | Tohoku University |
6 | Nagoya University |
7 | Hokkaido University |
8 | Kyushu University |
9 | Waseda University |
10 | Keio University |
1. The University of Tokyo
This university is a public research university established in 1877 in Tokyo, Japan. This university is the first modern university in Japan with the motto of “Discover Excellence”. The university has three main campuses, Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa. This university is the first national university in Japan, at first three departments were located in the Kanda area and medicine was established in the Hongo area.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Student exchange program
- Special and short term courses
2. Kyoto University
This is a national research university founded in 1897 in Japan and it is the oldest university in Kyoto, Japan. The university has three campuses in Yoshida, Uji and Katsura. Kyoto is the second largest university in Japan and has a collection of more than 7.49 million books. The motto of the university is “Freedom of academic culture”
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Double degree
- Non degree programs
3. Osaka University
This university is a public research university in Osaka, Japan founded in 1838 but officially established in 1931. This university is the sixth imperial university in Japan with two faculties such as science and medicine. This university is the largest national university in Japan with undergraduate enrollment. The motto of the university is “Live Locally, Grow Globally”. Osaka is one of the most productive universities in terms of research.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Research program
4. Tokyo Institute of Technology
This university was founded in 1881 and is a national research university located in the Greater Tokyo area, Japan. This university also known as Tokyo tech, Tokodai, TITech, TIT, Tokyo tech is the largest institution for higher education in Japan mainly focused in science and technology. The main campus of the university is located in Ōokayama and other two campuses are in Suzukakedai and Tamachi. The motto of the university is Engineers of the Knowledge, Technology and Passion that Change our World.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Research program
5. Tohoku University
This university is also referred to as Tohokudai or Tonpei and it is a public research university in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan established in 1907. The motto of the university is
“research first principle, open-door policy, respect for practical studies”. This university is focused on studies in science, medicine and humanities and it is the third of imperial universities in Japan.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Research program
6. Nagoya University
This university is a Japanese national research university founded in 1939 based in Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan. This university is the last of the nine Imperial universities in Japan and it is now considered as the Designated National University. The Hirata School of Chemistry and the Sakata School of Physics both originated at the institution. “courageous intellectual” is the motto of the university.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Research program
7. Hokkaido University
This university is the fifth oldest university in Japan which is authorized by the Japanese government. The university was founded in 1918 and it is a public research university in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The motto of the university is “Boys, Be Ambitious” and this university is considered as one of the former imperial universities. The university has two campuses, one is located in Sapporo and the other campus is located in Hakodate.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Research program
- Double degree
8. Kyushu University
This university is a public research university located in Fukuoka, Japan, Fukuoka is the island of Kyushu. The motto of the university is “Opening the Door to a New Century of Knowledge ”. This university was established in 1903 and the university became independent as Kyushu Imperial University in 1911.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate courses
- Graduate courses
- Research program
9. Waseda University
This university is a private research university founded in 1882 in Shinjuku, Tokyo. This university was founded by Japan’s fifth prime minister as Tokyo’s professional school and renamed Waseda University in 1902. Wesda has 21 research institutes in the main Shinjuku campus. Among all the private universities in the Japan, Wesda has the highest entrance examination difficulty level. The motto of the university is “Independence of Scholarship, Practical Application of Scholarship, Fostering of Good Citizens”.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate programs
- Graduate programs
- Special scholarship programs
- Research programs
10. Keio University
This university is a private research university located in Minato, Japan founded in 1858, this university is the highest institution of western higher education in Japan. Keio was established as a school for western studies in 1858 in Edo and got university status in 1920. Keio was one of the first private universities in Japan, and it was the first japanese university to celebrate the 150th anniversary in 2008. The motto of the university is “The pen is mightier than the sword”.
Courses offered:
- Undergraduate programs
- Graduate programs
- Research programs
