Saga University

About Saga University

Saga University (佐賀大学 - Saga Daigaku, widely known across Kyushu as Sadai) is a prestigious Japanese National University Corporation (国立大学法人) located in Saga Prefecture on the vibrant island of Kyushu. Established in 1949 under the National School Establishment Law through the integration of the historic Saga High School (founded 1920), Saga Normal School (founded 1874), and Saga Youth Normal School, the university significantly expanded in October 2003 through a momentous merger with the Saga Medical School (founded 1976), creating a comprehensive national research and healthcare institution. Operating under the university philosophy of "A Regional Core University Committed to Cultivating Independent, Creative Global Citizens and Contributing to World Sustainable Development," Saga University enrolls approximately 7,200 students across 6 undergraduate faculties and 6 graduate research schools, distributed across three distinct, specialized campuses: 1. Honjo Main Campus (Saga City): The expansive flagship campus spanning lush parklands in southern Saga City. Houses the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, and the Faculty of Art and Regional Design, alongside the University Library, Saga University Art Museum, and the Kikunan Schreiber Historical Archive. 2. Nabeshima Medical Campus (Saga City): Located in northern Saga City, hosting the Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, and the tertiary Saga University Hospital—a flagship clinical care and medical research center serving northwestern Kyushu. 3. Arita Ceramic Campus (Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District): Situated in the historic town of Arita—the birthplace and world capital of 400-year-old Japanese porcelain (Arita-yaki). Hosts the Ceramic Art and Design department of the Faculty of Art and Regional Design, the Ceramic Research Center, and the specialized international SPACE-ARITA educational initiative. Saga University is globally renowned for specialized scientific breakthroughs, notably as home to the Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University (IOES in Imari)—the world's foremost research institution for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and marine renewable technologies. International students enjoy low regional living costs in Saga, guaranteed national university tuition exemption opportunities (100% or 50% tuition waivers for qualifying self-financed students), MEXT government fellowships, and an outstanding 98.2% career placement rate with leading enterprises across Fukuoka, Tokyo, and international markets.