Hiroshima University

What you'll study

The programme is a six-year, integrated curriculum combining foundational biomedical science with progressive clinical exposure. Early years focus on anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics and the principles of pharmacology and pathology. These basic sciences are taught alongside clinical communication skills, medical ethics and early patient contact.

• Pre-clinical modules: anatomy and histology, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology and immunology, medical genetics, foundations of pharmacology.
• Systems and organ-based teaching: integrated modules covering cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, musculoskeletal, nervous system and reproductive health.
• Clinical skills and clerkships: progressive ward-based learning, outpatient clinics, emergency medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, surgery and community medicine.
• Professional and public health topics: medical ethics and law, health promotion, epidemiology, preventive medicine and disaster/community health.
• Research and capstone: supervised research project or clinical case study, training in evidence-based medicine and critical appraisal of literature.

Clinical training takes place in teaching environments including Hiroshima University Hospital and affiliated community hospitals, with simulation-based education and structured clinical assessments preparing students for the national medical licensing examination and postgraduate training.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education with strong performance in science subjects (biology and chemistry are typically essential; physics and mathematics are advantageous). Admission routes include national and university entrance examinations and interviews.

• Academic: high school diploma with high achievement in science; applicants from international systems should have equivalent qualifications.
• Examinations: successful performance in the university's entrance examination process (or equivalent national testing where applicable).
• Language: proficiency in Japanese is required for clinical training and patient interaction; international applicants usually need to demonstrate Japanese language ability at an advanced level.
• Other: interviews, letters of recommendation and a demonstrated motivation for medicine are used to assess suitability. Some applicants may be required to undergo practical or aptitude assessments.

Career prospects

Graduates who complete the programme and pass the national medical licensing examination proceed to postgraduate clinical training and residency to become licensed physicians. Career pathways include general practice, hospital-based specialties (such as internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and emergency medicine), public health, academic medicine and clinical research.

Outside direct clinical practice, alumni also work in medical research, healthcare management, pharmaceutical and biotech industries, medical education and international or community health organisations. The programme’s emphasis on community and disaster medicine equips graduates to contribute to public health planning and emergency response roles.

Why study at Hiroshima University

Hiroshima University has a long-standing medical faculty with close links to a major university hospital and a network of regional teaching hospitals, offering a broad range of clinical teaching sites from tertiary care to community practices. The faculty is active in biomedical research and translational medicine, giving students opportunities to participate in laboratory and clinical research projects.

Students benefit from structured bedside teaching, simulation facilities, and a curriculum that integrates community health and disaster preparedness into medical education. The university’s location and partnerships enable diverse clinical experiences and a focus on patient-centred care and public health that prepare graduates for medical practice in Japan and international contexts where Japanese language proficiency and local certification permit.