Tokushima University is a national university in the city of Tokushima, on the island of Shikoku. It was established in 1949 as part of the creation of Japan’s national university system, and today its head office stands on the Shinkura campus. Two further campuses, Josanjima and Kuramoto, complete a three-campus layout.
Its academic structure spans humanities and sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences and technology. The undergraduate units include the Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, alongside engineering and technology programmes, and its graduate schools cover medical, oral, pharmaceutical and health fields.
The university is linked with one of the best-known scientific achievements of recent decades: Shuji Nakamura, who studied electrical engineering at Tokushima and received his doctorate there in 1994, received the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes. The directory profile lists mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil and optical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences and applied biosciences among its main fields.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Food Science, Geotechnics, Industrial Design, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Renowned for LED research (Nichia Chemical, founded by alumnus, is nearby). Strong industry collaborations.
Research:
LED technology and optoelectronics, Drug discovery and pharmaceutical engineering, Enzyme engineering and biotechnology, Advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Famous Alumnis:
Shuji Nakamura (Nobel laureate, visiting professor, Nichia related)
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1200
Current students***:
7000
Foreign students***:
N/A%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
World-leading research in LED technology, strong pharmaceutical and bioengineering programs.
Cons
Located in Tokushima, Shikoku.
Best For
National university renowned for engineering (LEDs, optics), pharmaceutical sciences, and biotechnology.
Kanazawa University: A public university whose profile lists engineering in mechanical, electrical and civil fields next to pharmaceutical sciences.
Kumamoto University: Public, with engineering in mechanical, electrical and materials fields plus pulsed power research in its listing.
Hiroshima University: A public university combining engineering in mechanical, electrical and chemical fields with applied biology.
Shinshu University: Public as well, with textile science and technology listed first and engineering fields after it.
Nagasaki University: A public university whose profile starts with fisheries science and marine engineering and adds environmental sciences.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
King Saud University: A public university in Saudi Arabia that lists medicine, engineering, computer science and pharmacy.
Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani: In India, a private institute whose profile joins engineering, computer science and pharmacy.
Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro: A public university in Italy listing computer science, life sciences and agricultural sciences.
Université de Mons: In Belgium, a public university with materials science, engineering and computer science in its profile.
Monash University: A public university in Australia whose faculties include medicine, engineering and information technology.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When was Tokushima University founded?
It was established in 1949, when Japan formed its national university system.
Where are its campuses?
Tokushima University operates three campuses, called Shinkura, Josanjima and Kuramoto. Shinkura is home to the administrative head office, and all three are in Tokushima City.
Which faculties are part of the university?
Undergraduate units include Integrated Arts and Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, together with engineering and technology programmes. Its graduate schools cover medicine, oral sciences, pharmaceutical sciences and health sciences, among others.
Which Nobel laureate is associated with the university?
Shuji Nakamura studied electrical engineering at Tokushima and earned his doctorate there in 1994. He received the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes.
Is Tokushima University a national university?
Yes, it is a national university. Applicants should check the admissions pages for the current fee schedule and scholarships.
What fields is the university known for?
The directory profile lists engineering fields from mechanical to optical, plus pharmaceutical sciences and applied biosciences.
Where can international students look for information?
The English-language website provides programme lists, exchange agreements and contacts for international students. Details such as application dates change by year, so the current page should be consulted.
Bioengineering, Biomedical Sensors, Engineering, Process Improvement
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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