Japan offers hundreds of private, public, and national universities, as well as one of the world’s most competitive admissions processes. How competitive would it be for international students, though? Do they have to take the same tests as Japanese kids do?
Continue reading to learn how to apply to study at a Japanese university.
The Education System in Japan
Japan’s population is among the most educated and competent in the world. This is one of the main reasons behind the country’s strong postwar economic expansion.
From kindergarten to university, there are both private and state schools. Public schools provide minimal tuition and are a popular option for obligatory education up to the lower secondary levels (junior high school). A private school might be an investment for the strong competition for university admissions starting in upper secondary education. Your university degree is inextricably tied to job chances.
International education in Japan
Because Japan is witnessing a “super-aging” culture with a diminishing population, the country is attempting to internationalise education in order to attract foreign talent and refill the domestic workforce.
While more colleges are beginning to offer English-language programmes and courses, the Japanese language remains vital in all parts of life, from social integration to cultural assimilation to academic and professional contact.
Japanese language schools are crucial in culturally and socially preparing foreigners to operate in Japanese society, pursue higher education, and engage in the labour market.
Japanese language schools
The Japanese language is the key to getting around Japan, whether you want to study, work, or simply make the most of your time there. As a result, the majority of students begin their Japanese studies in a language school. You can enrol in a short-term language course (two to twelve weeks) or a long-term programme.
Japanese people are not fluent in English, and universities only offer a few English-language programmes. So, if you wish to study in Japan for a long time, you need start with learning the language. Language schools typically offer four 10-week semesters every year. If you are a novice, you can study for 80 weeks at a Japanese language school, which may be required if you wish to continue in a Japanese-language higher education programme.
You can continue your studies at a Japanese university or a Senmon Gakko – a Japanese vocational college once you have mastered the Japanese language. More information on Japanese Language Schools in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka may be found here.
Universities in Japan – with English programs
Universities in Japan provide four-year undergraduate programmes, two-year graduate programmes, and three- or four-year PhD programmes. Summer vacation runs from mid-July to the beginning of September, and winter vacation runs from the end of December to the beginning of January, with the academic year commencing in April and ending in March.
Tohoku University, Kyoto University, and the University of Tokyo are the top three universities in the country. On our Japan page, you’ll discover a list of the top 100 universities in the country.
The majority of programmes are taught in Japanese, but universities increasingly frequently offer some in English as well. However, at the undergraduate level, there are typically only a few degrees focusing on International Studies or Social Science. We can assist you in applying to Yamanashi Gakuin University’s undergraduate programmes in English (Global Business, Political Science, Arts, Japan Studies) and Kyoto University of Advanced Science’s Bachelor and Master degrees in Engineering (mechatronics, robotics, mechanics, electronics and IT).
Vocational college – Senmon Gakko
Vocational schools, also known as junior colleges/Senmon Gakko in Japan, are another popular school type that focuses on practical instruction in specific vocations. International students frequently enrol in these schools to study practical subjects like game design, anime, manga, music, dance, and drawing, among other things. Senmon Gakkos, on the other hand, teach courses including industry, agriculture, nursing, education, and social welfare, as well as business and homemaking.
The majority of Senmon Gakko programmes are two years long and result in a diploma that allows you to transfer to a university. Three-year programmes result in an Advanced Diploma, which qualifies you for graduate school.
Foreigners who want to stay and work in Japan after finishing their education must obtain either a Senmon Gakko diploma or a university undergraduate degree (in Japan or abroad). To work in a Japanese company or attend a Senmon Gakko, you must first learn Japanese, as described above.
Types of Degrees in Japanese Universities
- University Bachelor’s degree = 4 years
- Graduate School Master’s degree = 2 years
- Doctor’s degree = 5 years
- Professional degree = 2 years
- Junior College Associate’s degree = 2 or 3 years
- College of Technology Associate’s degree = 5 years
- Specialized School Specialist’s degree = 2 or 3 years
- High-level Specialist’s degree = 4 years
- Medicine, Dental Surgery, Pharmacy degree = 6 years
When and How to Apply
University application
Most Japanese colleges hire twice a year, for the spring semester, which begins in April, and the autumn semester, which begins in September. There is no centralised application platform for students to use. Because each university has its own calendar, the application date varies from school to school, however it is normally 6 months before the semester begins. Many institutions now accept applications online, and their application dates can be found on their websites.
Here’s an example of a Japanese university’s application timeline and procedures:
Schedule | Spring Semester | Autumn Semester |
Submit the initial application online and pay the application fee | November | March |
Post additional application documents to school | December | April |
Notice of admission | February | June |
Tuition payment and visa application | February-March | July-August |
School start | April | September |
The documents that will be needed with your application are usually:
- Application form
- Personal statement
- Official transcript from high school and/or university
- Graduation certificate
- Valid standardized test scores (SAT/ACT/TOEFL/IELTS/EJU)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Passport photocopy
Japanese language school application
The quarter method is used in Japanese language schools, with each quarter lasting ten weeks. The most common start dates are April and October, however many language schools also offer January and July start dates. Short-term courses begin every month at some schools, whereas more Westernized schools, such as GenkiJacs, have Monday start dates for non-beginner students.
Without a student visa, short term courses can last anywhere from a few weeks to three months. Due to the visa application that is done through the school, most language schools require you to start your application 6 months in advance for long term courses.
Here’s an example of a Japanese Language School application timetable and procedures:
Course Start | April | July | October | January |
Application document preparation | August-October | December-February | February-April | June-August |
Deadline for submission and application fee payment | End of November | Middle of March | Beginning of June | Middle of September |
Notice of Result | End of February | End of May | End of August | End of November |
Tuition fee payment and final visa application | March | June | September | December |
Example of application documents needed:
- Application form ( School prescribed )
- Personal record ( School prescribed )
- Letter of financial support ( School prescribed )
- Diploma / degree copy of the highest level education
- Passport copy ( Photo page and all Japan entry stamp pages if applicable )
- Photos <6 – 8 photos> Size : 4cm X 3cm (Passport photo size)
- Guarantor’s bank balance certificate (Amount should be enough for your total cost).
- Guarantor’s employment and income certificate.
- Relationship certificate between you and your guarantor.
JLPT and EJU Exams
JLPT – Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is the most representative Japanese language test (JLPT). The test is divided into five stages, starting with N5 and ending with N1. These levels generally correspond to CEFR levels A1 to C1 on the CEFR scale.
The test is held twice a year for non-native Japanese speakers who want to use Japanese in academic and professional settings. The July test is solely for advanced N1 and N2 levels, while the December test is for all levels. In certain nations, however, the test is only given once a year in July, and at that time, all levels can be taken.
It is estimated that approximately 700-1000 study hours, or about a one-year course in a Japanese language school, are required to pass the N3 intermediate level, and approximately 1200 – 1600 study hours, or 1,5 – 2 years of study, are required to pass the N2 level of academic and professional sufficiency.
For vocational schools, the JLPT N2 is necessary (Senmon Gakko).
EJU – the Japanese University Exam
The EJU is a section of the entrance test for overseas students who intend to study at universities or other higher educational institutions in Japan. It was established in 2002 by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
This examination is held twice a year in Japan, in June and November, and is slated to take place in roughly 17 places throughout the world, mostly in Asia. Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science, Japan and the World, and Mathematics are the examination subjects.
There are questions in both Japanese and English. Applicants will take the exam on the subjects and in the language that the schools or universities have chosen.
Some universities take the result into account, as well as marks from senior high school, without needing students to take the university’s own entrance exam.
If you apply to such a university, you may be granted permission to attend without having to leave your native country.
How much will it cost to study at a Japanese Universities
Tuition fees in Japan
In Japan, schools charge an entry fee the first year, as well as tuition and other modest costs each semester. Domestic and international students pay the same tuition at all Japanese schools, according to the legislation.
A one-year term at a Japanese language school costs around 700,000 Yen, plus a 50, 000 Yen first-semester enrollment fee. In total, about 750000 Yen (about $7000 USD) were spent.
For the first year of undergraduate programmes, public institutions have unified prices: annual tuition of 535800 Yen, admittance fee of 28200 Yen, and various minor expenses, totaling roughly 850000 Yen (about $8000 USD). Private universities charge up to twice as much as public universities in tuition fees, about 1600000 Yen (about $15000 USD) per year, however costs vary by school.
For the first year, Senmon Gakko (vocational college) costs on average 1240000 Yen (about $11700 USD). Medicine, health, and art programmes are roughly 10% more expensive, whereas humanity programmes are about 10-15% less expensive.
Living costs
In addition to school fees, you will likely require around 100000-150000 Yen per month to cover living expenditures such as housing, food, and travel, among other things. You might be able to get by on less if you study in a smaller city with cheap accommodation and travel costs, but it is simple to spend much more in Tokyo, especially if you live in your own apartment.
Many people believe Japan is prohibitively costly, although this is not totally accurate. Shopping and eating out are frequently less expensive than in Europe, especially when compared to the quality. In Tokyo, on the other hand, student housing can be quite expensive depending on the size and standard of the room.
Student visa to study in Japan
Many nationalities are eligible to take a 90-day visa-free language course in Japan. Some nationalities have the option to extend their stay by another 90 days.
You will need to apply for a student visa if you intend to study in Japan for a longer amount of time. This process begins with applying to and being accepted by a Japanese school, which includes delivering a number of visa-related paperwork to the school. Approximately 6 months before to the start of the course, you must apply to your institution. Then, about a month before your course begins, they will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility. You can apply for a visa at the Japanese Embassy in your home country using this paper.
Scholarships for studying in Japanese Universities
To support your studies in Japan, you will need to raise your own funds. The good news is that international students can apply for a variety of scholarships. It is possible to receive a scholarship to cover a portion of your degree programme expenditures at a Japanese university. Scholarships for Japanese language classes and exchange semesters, on the other hand, are significantly more difficult to come by.
Some scholarships are for a year and are paid monthly, while others are for a one-time payment covering 25-100 percent of your semester tuition charge. Most scholarships are only open to enrolled students with a student visa, so you’ll have a greater chance of receiving one after you’ve begun your studies in Japan. Scholarships are typically given out based on a combination of academic achievement, extracurricular activity, and financial need.
Here are some scholarships that international students can apply for to study in Japan:
- Scholarships by Mext: for degree students only
- Scholarships by Jasso: for degree students, japanese language students, and exchange students
- Scholarships by local governments
- Scholarships by international associations
- Scholarships by private foundations
- Scholarships by language schools and universities
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