Tokushima Prefectural Medical College, forerunner of the University of Tokushima School of Medicine, was established in 1943 in answer to a crying need for more doctors in the Island of Shikoku. In accordance with extensive reforms of the Japanese educational system after the Second World War, the College was incorporated into the newly established the University of Tokushima as the School of Medicine in 1949.
Since then, the School has developed steadily to provide excellence and leadership in medical education, research and service which is community-oriented and directed to needy areas. The School was the only medical school in Shikoku until 1973.
The School of Medicine admits 105 undergraduate students annually and offers 6-year education program leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The curriculum covers a wide area of basic and clinical medicine in addition to the university-wide programs of general education. The clinical training is supported by the 710-bed University Medical and Dental Hospital equipped with modern facilities for diagnosis and treatment.



In view of the importance of nutrition in promoting health, the former Japanese Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health decided to establish a center for education and research in nutrition science in the national university system. The University of Tokushima was chosen to be the site of the new School of Nutrition in 1964. Since then, the School has boasted many leading nutrition scientists as well as practicing nutritionists. The School is now recognized as the leading institution in nutritional science in Japan.
The School of Nutrition admits 50 undergraduate students annually and offers a 4-year education program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. Under the "diet and nutrition teacher System" put into effect by the government and with an additoinal curriculum approved in 2006 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, it can also offer students a Class I License to be a Diet and Nutrition Teacher in the primary and junior high schools.
The School has 7 departments with specialties ranging from molecular nutrition to clinical and public health nutrition. Students receive training in clinical nutrition in association with the University Medical and Dental Hospital.



On October 1, 2001, the Junior College of School of Medical Sciences was incorporated into the Faculty of Medicine. The newly established School of Health Sciences aims at training staff who can support advanced and specialized medical treatment according to the needs of national health, medical care and welfare. The School of Health Sciences, comprising 3 majors in Nursing, Radiologic Science, and Laboratory Science, admits 124 undergraduate students annually and offers a 4-year education program leading to the Bachelor's degrees of Nursing and Health Science.

The Major in Nursing includes departments of Fundamental Nursing, Adult & Gerontological Nursing, Maternal & Pediatric Nursing, and Community & Psychiatric Nursing. The Major in Radiologic Science has departments of Radiologic Science & Engineering and Radiologic Technology. The Major in Laboratory Science has departments of Functional Laboratory Science and Morphological Laboratory Science. The School provides basic and clinical courses in each specialty in addition to university-wide programs of general education. Students receive practical training in the University Medical and Dental Hospital.