Hokkaido is famous worldwide for its beauty, the melding of nature and modern communities, and Hokkaido University shares the same trait. The university, other than it being surrounded by beautiful autumn trees and its cold yet enjoyable winter, is also known for its educational attainments that extend even outside Japan.
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Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University may have only received this name in 1947, but it is an institution with a long history dating as far back as 1876. From its early beginnings as Sapporo Agricultural College, which was the first higher education institution in the country to give a bachelor’s degree, Hokkaido University has become one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Japan today. Currently ranked 139 on the QS Global World University Rankings, Hokkaido University is on its way to become a global hub for education and research.
※ Hokkaido University, About, "Discover Our History" ※ Top Universities, "Hokkaido University"
Central to Hokkaido University’s operations is a close engagement to its local community. It is instrumental in the development of a more sustainable future, thanks to projects like the Sustainable Low-Carbon Society Project, Comprehensive Research on the Sustainable Development of the Arctic, the Sustainability Weeks, and the Global Issues Forum for Tomorrow, to name a few. Undeniably, the university is also shaping the future of Japan and the world, as many of its alumni like Akira Suzuki and Riko Muranaka who have gone on to become Nobel laureates for their contributions in the sciences, as well as other alumni who became leaders in business, art, education, and many others.
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Education and Campus life
No description of Hokkaido University is ever complete without a vivid representation of its beautiful campuses.
Built in 180 hectares [1.77 million square meters] of land, the Sapporo campus is considered as one of the most beautiful campuses in all of Japan, thanks to its picturesque old growth forests, experimental farms, man-made creeks and paths that run through campus. Only 12% of the campus are actual buildings, and the remaining 88% remain as green spaces, making it a significant amount of the nature in Sapporo City.
※ Hokkaido University, About, "Sapporo"
Sapporo Campus is filled with places to go that attracts not only students but also visitors to visit. From the Hokkaido University Museum to the scenic Gingko Avenue, the various cafeterias to eat from, a preserved historical site called the “Old Village”, and many other attractions and facilities, the campus is a small world by itself.
The newer campus, opened in 1935 and located in Hakodate, is found near the sea. It is known for its research on fisheries, and is one of the largest of its kind in Japan. Being a student of Hakodate campus means being able to access what Hakodate City has to offer. From renovated forts being public parks to historical consulate offices being museums to one of the most beautiful night views in Japan, Hakodate can make you feel like a tourist and a student at the same time.
Just like its huge campus, student activities in Hokkaido University are diverse. Both local and international students have a lot of opportunities for socializing and learning outside the classroom, thanks to the 250+ student clubs and societies, and annual festivities hosted by the school. The university has also sanctioned two student groups to provide support to international students, as well as promote cross-cultural communication and exchanges among its studentry. A student life survey is launched annually to help the school administration determine how they can best support student wellbeing.
※ Hokkaido University, About,"Hakodate"
Undergraduate and Graduate Schools
All of Hokkaido University’s 12 undergraduate schools, 21 graduate programs, and 26 research institutes and centers cover almost all areas in the natural and social sciences and humanities. Thanks to its 2,000+ faculties, the university offers one of the most comprehensive curriculums in all of Japan’s National Universities. Its faculty and students continue to work outside of the classroom, and are involved in numerous international collaborations.
Whether you wish to pursue careers in government or industry, domestically, or internationally, there is a course that fits you. Some of the more notable undergraduate schools which are open to domestic and international students include Law, Medicine, Engineering, Humanities and Human Sciences, and Science, to name a few. Note, however, that international students may be required to learn Japanese prior to admission in some courses. In addition, graduate students may enroll at the schools of Infectious Diseases, Global Food Resources, Life Science, Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Public Policy, and many others.
Catering to international students, the university also offers numerous courses in English ranging from Engineering, Agriculture, Integrated Science Program, Environmental Science, Chemistry and Materials Science, their related programs and many other sciences.
※ Hokkaido University, “Degree Programs in English”
On- and Off-Campus Facilities
The campuses are also easily accessible to newcomers. Sapporo Campus is only a mere 5 minute walk from the Sapporo Station while the Hakodate Campus takes only around a 20 minute taxi ride from the Hakodate Station. Near its campuses are a variety of commercial businesses that offer everything a student may ever need – mobile phones, ATMs, bicycles, food, entertainment, etc. But students don’t even need to get out of the campus to find accommodation, medical support, sports, and recreation.
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Scholarship Opportunities
Because of the high quality education it offers, studying at Hokkaido University is not cheap. Fortunately, the University offers a number of scholarship opportunities for both current and prospective students. For example, self-supported students with excellent grades can be granted discounts from their tuition fees.
Other than the MEXT government scholarships and organizational scholarships from the likes of JICA and JASSO, Hokkaido University itself has a scholarship program for international students in doctoral programs, considering some criterias are met. There are 5 graduate schools to choose from, provided that the student has a smooth academic record and that they can prove that their topic of research can be considered important, not only in Hokkaido University but to the international fields of study.
More about Hokkaido and Sapporo City
Hokkaido is located at the northernmost part of Japan and is home to scenic views, snow filled winter, outdoor pursuits, culinary delights, and a dose of unique culture. Needless to say, it is a favorite among tourists, and draws in a huge crowd regardless of the season. Sapporo may be one of the youngest of all of Japan’s major cities, but it is also the fifth largest. It offers the perfect lifestyle for those who wish to live in the natural peace of the outdoors, without leaving behind the conveniences a city offers. It is this great combination of bustling city life and the well-preserved environment that draws tourists and students to Hokkaido University, which is located in the center of all these natural beauty, unique history, and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Summary
If you are looking for a school with a highly competent faculty, a competitive curriculum, and a beautiful campus in a natural setting, then this is the school for you. But more than the instruction you receive from teachers, perhaps the greatest joy in studying at Hokkaido University is being embedded in a traditional culture that reveres nature, and discovering that all the learning you do in school has its direct application to the immediate community. It is education at its best – a nourishment for the mind, body, and soul.
