Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Ikoma, 🇯🇵 Japan Public
#58 National #1401 QS World
#58 National #1401 QS World #901 ARWU
1,223 students 25% international Suburban $6.1k - $6.4k/yr
About Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) is a leading national graduate university located in Ikoma, Japan, established in 1991. It is dedicated to advanced research and education in science and technology, offering world-class graduate programs without undergraduate studies. NAIST aims to cultivate global leaders and innovators through its flexible, interdisciplinary approach to education and research.
NAIST's academic structure focuses on three core areas: Information Science, Biological Sciences, and Materials Science, which are integrated into a single Graduate School of Science and Technology. Within this framework, students can choose from five specialized education programs: Information Science and Engineering, Biological Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Data Science, and Digital Green-innovation. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary research and offers curriculum that allows students to pursue advanced specialties while aligning with their career aspirations.
NAIST actively welcomes international students, with over 300 students from more than 40 countries and regions as of April 2020. The university provides comprehensive support services, including one-on-one career consultations in English and Japanese language classes. NAIST offers English-taught programs, allowing students to earn degrees solely in English. Cultural integration is fostered through campus activities like Japanese language partners, tutoring, host families, and cultural events.
NAIST's campus is situated in Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, offering a suburban environment with access to urban amenities. The campus itself features a library, cafeteria, health care center, and sports facilities. Ikoma City is rich in temples and shrines, providing opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture. Excellent transportation links connect Ikoma to major cities like Nara (15 minutes from Gakuemmae Station), Osaka (30-40 minutes from Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station), and Kyoto (35 minutes from Takanohara Station).
NAIST boasts high employment rates for its graduates, with 98.0% for master's students and 96.1% for doctoral students. Notably, a significant portion of doctoral graduates secure positions in Japanese companies or academia within Japan. The Division for Career Development offers extensive support, including individual consultations, seminars with NAIST alumni working in Japanese companies, and company visits. NAIST actively promotes a startup culture through its Division for Innovation Education, which supports entrepreneur development and aims to strengthen the university's startup ecosystem.
Academics
NAIST's academic structure focuses on three core areas: Information Science, Biological Sciences, and Materials Science, which are integrated into a single Graduate School of Science and Technology. Within this framework, students can choose from five specialized education programs: Information Science and Engineering, Biological Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Data Science, and Digital Green-innovation. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary research and offers curriculum that allows students to pursue advanced specialties while aligning with their career aspirations.
International Students
NAIST actively welcomes international students, with over 300 students from more than 40 countries and regions as of April 2020. The university provides comprehensive support services, including one-on-one career consultations in English and Japanese language classes. NAIST offers English-taught programs, allowing students to earn degrees solely in English. Cultural integration is fostered through campus activities like Japanese language partners, tutoring, host families, and cultural events.
Campus & Location
NAIST's campus is situated in Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, offering a suburban environment with access to urban amenities. The campus itself features a library, cafeteria, health care center, and sports facilities. Ikoma City is rich in temples and shrines, providing opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture. Excellent transportation links connect Ikoma to major cities like Nara (15 minutes from Gakuemmae Station), Osaka (30-40 minutes from Gakken Kita-Ikoma Station), and Kyoto (35 minutes from Takanohara Station).
Career Outcomes
NAIST boasts high employment rates for its graduates, with 98.0% for master's students and 96.1% for doctoral students. Notably, a significant portion of doctoral graduates secure positions in Japanese companies or academia within Japan. The Division for Career Development offers extensive support, including individual consultations, seminars with NAIST alumni working in Japanese companies, and company visits. NAIST actively promotes a startup culture through its Division for Innovation Education, which supports entrepreneur development and aims to strengthen the university's startup ecosystem.
Highlights
- Graduate-only, advanced research focus
- Three core science areas
- High international student population
- English-taught degree programs
- Interdisciplinary education and research
Subject Areas
Information ScienceBiological SciencesMaterials Science
Student Life & Support
Visa Support Campus Housing Work Placements Sports Facilities Disability Support Scholarships Available
Photos
Programs Offered at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (23)
Offers programs in:
Master Programs (18)
Master's
STEM
Biological Sciences Program (Master's)
Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences
biologicalbiological sciencesbiological sciences program (master's)graduateinternational student
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Graduate Program in Computational Biology (Master's)
STEM Unique
Computational Biology
Computational Biology
computational biologycomputational biology in japangraduate computational biologygraduate graduate program in computational biology (master's)graduate program in computational biology (master's)
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Computational Biology Program (Master's)
STEM Unique
Computational Biology
Computational Biology
biologycomputationalgraduatejapanma
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Cybersecurity Program (Master's)
STEM
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
cybersecurity program in ikomanara institute of science and technology masters programstudy cybersecurity in japancybersecurity degreecybersecurity program (master's)
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Data Science Program (Master's)
STEM
Data Science
Data Science
english-taught master data sciencemasters in data scienceenglish-taught master data science in japandata scientist degreemsc data science
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Graduate Program in Data Science (Master's)
STEM
Data Science
Data Science
data science master JapanNAIST data science graduatemachine learning master Japangraduate data science JapanAI research Japan
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Green Innovation Program (Master's)
STEM
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
master in environmental scienceenvironmental science masterstudy environmental science in japanmaster environmental science in japanenvironmental science program in ikoma
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Technology (Master's)
STEM
Environmental Science and Technology
Environmental Science and Technology
environmental science and technology program in ikomaenvironmental science degreestudy environmental science and technologyenglish-taught msc environmental science and technology in japanenglish masters environmental science and technology abroad
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Human-Computer Interaction Program (Master's)
STEM
Human-Computer Interaction
Human-Computer Interaction
computergraduatehumaninteractioninternational students
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Information Science Program (Master's)
STEM
Information Science
Information Science
informationjapanknowledge managementlibrarymaster
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Global Education Program for Frontier Leaders in IT (Master's)
STEM
Information Technology
Information Technology
masters in information technologymasters information technologymsc information technologystudy information technology in japanmasters in information technology in japan
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Materials Science Program (Master's)
STEM
Materials Science
Materials Science
masters in materials sciencemasters materials sciencestudy materials science in japanmasters in materials science in japanmasters materials science ikoma
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Materials Science and Engineering Program (Master's)
STEM
Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
engineering degree abroadengineering program internationalenglish-taught master materials science and engineering in japangraduate materials science and engineeringgraduate materials science and engineering in japan
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Graduate Program in Advanced Photonics (Master's)
STEM
Photonics
Photonics
study photonics in Japanphotonics courseMSc photonicsmasters in photonics Japanphotonics degree
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Quantum Computing and Information Program (Master's)
STEM
Quantum Computing and Information
Quantum Computing and Information
masters in Quantum Computing and Informationstudy Quantum Computing and Information in JapanQuantum Computing and Information in IkomaQuantum Computing and Information at Nara Institute of Science and Technologymaster of Quantum Computing and Information
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Graduate Program in Quantum Information Science (Master's)
STEM
Quantum Information Science
Quantum Information Science
masters in quantum information sciencequantum information science in Ikomastudy quantum information science in Japanquantum information science at Nara Institute of Science and Technologymaster of quantum information science
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Graduate Program in Robotics and AI (Master's)
STEM
Robotics and AI
Robotics and AI
study robotics and ai in japanmaster robotics and ai ikomarobotics and ai program abroadmasters in robotics and aienglish-taught master robotics and ai
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Robotics and AI Program (Master's)
STEM
Robotics and AI
Robotics and AI
Robotics and AI programstudy Robotics and AImaster in Robotics and AImasters Robotics and AImasters in Robotics and AI
24 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
PhD Programs (5)
Biological Sciences Program (Doctoral)
STEM
Biological Sciences
Science
biologicaldoctoraldoctoratejapanphd
36 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Information Science Program (Doctoral)
STEM
Information Science
PhD in Information Science
doctoralinformationjapannaraphd
36 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Global Education Program for Frontier Leaders in IT (Doctoral)
STEM
Information Technology
Information Technology
phd in information technologystudy information technology in japanstudy information technology in ikomadoctorate information technologydoctoral information technology
36 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Materials Science Program (Doctoral)
STEM
Materials Science
Materials Science
degreedoctoraldoctoratejapanmaterials
36 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Materials Science and Engineering Program (Doctoral)
STEM
Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
phd in materials science and engineeringdoctorate materials science and engineeringstudy materials science and engineering in japanphd materials science and engineeringengineering degree program
36 months English Full-time
$535,800/yr
Nara Institute of Science and Technology Admissions Requirements & Acceptance Rate
2.3+ GPA
Acceptance Rate Selective (20-40%)
Intakes Spring, Fall
Application Deadline Varies by program and examination period
Tuition (per year) $6.1k - $6.4k/yr
Housing (monthly) ~$10000
Application Fee $30000
Teaching Language English, Japanese
Student : Faculty 5:1
Accreditation
National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Common questions from international students considering Nara Institute of Science and Technology.
What is the acceptance rate at Nara Institute of Science and Technology?
Nara Institute of Science and Technology is classified as "Selective (20-40%)" by admissions selectivity. Acceptance rates vary by program — competitive programs and graduate degrees typically have lower acceptance rates than undergraduate programs.
How much does Nara Institute of Science and Technology cost for international students?
Tuition at Nara Institute of Science and Technology ranges from $6.1k - $6.4k/yr per year. Costs vary by degree level and program. International students may also need to budget for housing (approximately $10000/month), books, and living expenses.
What is Nara Institute of Science and Technology ranked globally?
Nara Institute of Science and Technology holds the following rankings: QS World #1401, ARWU #901, #58 in Japan. Rankings vary by methodology and subject area — for the most accurate picture, check the specific subject rankings for your intended field of study.
Are scholarships available at Nara Institute of Science and Technology?
Yes, Nara Institute of Science and Technology offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities for international students. Available aid varies by program, nationality, and academic merit. We recommend checking each program's funding page and applying early — many scholarships have separate deadlines from the main admission application.
When does Nara Institute of Science and Technology start its semesters?
Nara Institute of Science and Technology has intakes starting in Spring, Fall. Application deadlines typically fall 3-6 months before the semester start date. International students should apply earlier due to visa processing times — we recommend submitting applications 6-9 months ahead of the intended start date.
How many English-taught programs does Nara Institute of Science and Technology offer?
Nara Institute of Science and Technology offers 23+ programs taught in English, accessible to international students without local language proficiency. These span Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels across multiple disciplines.
Where is Nara Institute of Science and Technology located?
Nara Institute of Science and Technology is located in Ikoma, Japan 🇯🇵. The city offers an international student-friendly environment with access to academic facilities, accommodation, and cultural amenities.
What are the admission requirements for Nara Institute of Science and Technology?
For specific details about Nara Institute of Science and Technology, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.
What programs does Nara Institute of Science and Technology offer?
For specific details about Nara Institute of Science and Technology, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.
How does Nara Institute of Science and Technology compare to other universities?
Nara Institute of Science and Technology is a strong choice that compares favorably to peer institutions (QS World #1401). Each university has different strengths — we recommend comparing specific programs, location, cost, and graduate outcomes for your field rather than overall rankings alone.
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