Okayama University has its origin in the Medical Training Place of Okayama-Han (domain) and was founded in 1870 with over 140 years of history. Currently, the university comprises 11 faculties, seven graduate schools, a university affiliated institute, a national joint-use facility, a university hospital, and an affiliate school.
History
Okayama University originates from the Okayama-Han Medical Training School founded in 1870 by the family of Lord Ikeda who already founded the domain school for the samurai that continued for 200 years. This medical school was reorganized several times and became Okayama Medical College in 1922, which merged with several schools such as the Okayama Medical School and the Sixth Higher School.
Research
The Advanced Science Research Center Okayama University is comprised of four departments: Radiation Research, Animal Resources, Genomics & Proteomics, and Instrumental Analysis & Cryogenics carrying out integrated operations and management and multifaceted education research support services based on a long-term perspective that moves beyond areas of research. In particular, radioisotope experiments, animal experiments, and recombinant DNA experiments required in the research of advanced science fields demand a high degree of compliance.
Below you will find scholarships related to Okayama University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
501
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024
2025
2026
501
501
501
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
QS World University Rankings
1001
By TopUniversities
Dropped 50 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
851
951
1001
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1049
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 75 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
2025
2026
2027
942
974
1049
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
2025
2026
2027
801
1001
-
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Okayama University offers international students a wide range of support and services to help enrich their study abroad experience.Notifications are occasionally sent to international students by various offices. These notifications are posted on bulletin boards outside of the Center for Global Partnerships and Education, your faculty, the Career Development Center, and other relevant buildings and offices. Please be sure to regularly check these bulletin boards for notifications containing important information. Not keeping up to date with the latest notifications may result in missing out on some important information.
Housing services
Including rent, school fees and other costs, international students choosing to live in Okayama, the home of Okayama University, should budget about 80,000 yen a month for living expenses (national average for university students).
Medical services
The Okayama University Health Service Center provides a range of support and services for students so that they can stay healthy and concentrate on their studies. The following services are available for free for university students: medical consultations and examinations, administration of medication, treatment of injuries.
Campus life
Okayama University international students are invited to join in the various international cultural exchange events held throughout the year at elementary and junior high schools, high schools, communities and institutions.
Student clubs
Okayama University offers a wide range cultural and athletic clubs and circles for international students to join in. These extracurricular activities provide an opportunity to become acquainted with Japanese students and help to make campus life more enriching and enjoyable. Further information about the University’s various clubs and circles is available at the Student Affairs Division in the Academic Affairs Department.