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Study in Japan
Interested in studying abroad?
Study in Japan
Individuals of overseas nationality wishing to enter Japan must first apply for and be issued with a visa. Residential status for individuals entering Japan under such visas is determined by their planned activities, status and position in Japan.
The residential status for the purpose of studies at universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, specialized training colleges or Japanese language schools in Japan is designated as “Student.” The specific period of stay is determined by the Minister of Justice for each applicant, not exceeding 4 years and 3 months.
Universities and courses available
The different types of universities and junior colleges include national, public, and private. The number of private institutions is greater, as there are currently 86 national, 101 public, and 620 private undergraduate level universities, and 14 public and 295 private junior colleges.
Including the admission and tuition fees, the total cost of the first year is approximately 820,000 yen for national universities, 930,000 yen for public universities, and 1,100,000 yen for private universities (excluding medical, dental, and pharmaceutical programs).
The tuition for universities in the United States amounts to 3,600,000-4,900,000 yen (using the calculation 1 USD = 130 yen), and British universities charge approximately 1,800,000-3,600,000 yen per academic year (using the calculation 1 GBP = 150 yen), so comparatively speaking, the tuition for Japanese universities is much cheaper.
Classes at Japanese universities and junior colleges are generally held in Japanese, however, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of university (Bachelor’s) degree programs taught entirely in English.
In order to be accepted into a Japanese university or junior college program that is taught in Japanese, individuals must have passed the N1 or N2 JLPT examination in addition to scoring at least 250 points on the Japanese section of the EJU.
Fee, Scholarship, Cost of Living
Academic fees in Japan are not as high as those in the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, many Japanese schools provide scholarship programs and tuition exemption/reduction programs to international students.
Below mentioned table shows the average admission and tuition fees for the first year. In addition, you may be require to pay examination fees, teaching materials and practical training fees, etc. Admission fees, tuition fees, etc. vary from school to school. Also, tuition fees may differ depending on your place of residence, so please check the website and application guidelines of the school you are planning to apply to in advance.
Scholarships are not designed to supply all of the costs required for international studies, with most meant to provide partial support for living costs, tuition and other major expenses. Because of this, it is important to perform detailed computations of your total expected study abroad costs, then draw up dependable economic plans that do not rely only on scholarships, but also include your own personal financial resources.
Life in Japan
Estimated monthly living costs for international students in Japan are as follows. The rents in Tokyo and other large cities are higher than in other more rural areas. For monthly housing, while the national average is 41,000 yen, the level in Tokyo is 57,000 yen. In metropolitan areas, it is also difficult to rent apartments or other accommodations near schools, raising the level of commuting costs.
Study in Japan FAQs
Do I need a guarantor for entry into Japan?
The regulation that made a guarantor necessary to acquire entry and status of residence in Japan was abolished in December 1996. Therefore, you no longer need a guarantor to enter Japan as an international student. However, guarantors are required in various aspects of life in Japan. For example, you need a guarantor when you are renting a room, taking an entrance examination or gaining admission to a Japanese university or specialized training college. After enrollment, you may also be required to apply for scholarships and tuition fee reductions. Therefore, although you no longer need a guarantor to gain entry into Japan, there will be many situations when you need a guarantor after you arrive in Japan (these are also required of Japanese students).
What should I do if I come to Japan to take an entrance examination?
If a foreign national travels to Japan to take an exam, they must obtain a Temporary Visitor visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country by presenting the exam voucher of their school of choice. The period of stay can be 15, 30 or 90 days. However, if a foreign national is a national of a country under the Visa Exemption Arrangements, they will not need to apply for a visa.
How much Japanese language proficiency do I need?
An increasing number of university and graduate schools offer degrees in English. If you wish to enroll in a degree program in English, Japanese language proficiency is often not required.
If you wish to study at a university where classes are taught in Japanese or both Japanese and English, you will need to have at least an N2 level in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and a score of 2.50 on the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) (excluding the writing section). However, this is only a guideline.
The Japanese language proficiency requirements vary from school to school, so please inquire directly with the school you wish to enroll in.
What should I do if my primary and secondary education period is less than 12 years?
In principle, you must have completed 12 years of education to apply for admission to a university (undergraduate), junior college, or specialized training college in Japan. You must have completed 11 years of education to apply for admission to a college of technology, and 16 years of education for admission to a graduate school (master’s program).
What types of scholarships are available?
There are Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) scholarships, privately funded scholarships, and scholarships for students studying abroad under an agreement with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Please see the following page for more information.
Are there any scholarships that I can apply for from outside of Japan?
A small number of scholarships are available for students from outside Japan (before coming to Japan).
Can I apply for a scholarship extension or new scholarship while I study in Japan?
If you wish to extend your scholarship while studying in Japan, consult with the school or the scholarship organizer.
You may apply for new scholarships, but application deadlines and scholarship start dates vary among scholarship sponsoring organizations. Please consult the school you are attending or your scholarship organization as soon as possible.