Study in Japan

Most Japanese higher-education institutions run an April-to-March academic year, and April is the main admission period. Some universities also offer September or October admission. Always check the exact programme calendar.

Yes. Selected universities and graduate schools offer degree programmes taught fully in English. Availability is programme-specific, and English-test scores may still be required. Japanese remains helpful for daily life and employment.

Official first-year undergraduate averages are about JPY 820,000 at national universities, JPY 910,000 at local public universities and JPY 1,300,000 at private universities excluding medical, dental and pharmaceutical programmes. The cited average for those private specialist fields is about JPY 3,800,000. Confirm the exact programme fee and additional charges.

The official Study in Japan site cites an average of JPY 105,000 per month excluding tuition and research costs, based on JASSO's 2023 lifestyle survey. Tokyo and other major cities can be higher.

The cited survey average is JPY 41,000 per month nationally and JPY 57,000 in Tokyo. Dormitories can be cheaper, while private apartments may involve deposits, key money, agent fees, guarantors and setup costs.

Applicants normally need 12 years of formal education or an accepted equivalent route. Institutions commonly request an application form, school-leaving certificate, transcripts and language evidence, and may require the EJU, other tests or an interview.

The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students assesses academic Japanese and/or subjects such as science, Japan and the World, and mathematics, depending on the university's requirements. Scores are valid for two years.

Not always. English-taught degrees may not require Japanese. For Japanese-taught or bilingual programmes, the official guidance describes JLPT N1 or N2 and around 250 on the EJU Japanese section as a common guideline, but each school sets its own rules.

Master's applicants commonly need a four-year degree or 16 years of formal education. Graduate schools may also request transcripts, references, language evidence, a research proposal, an interview and prior contact with a supervisor.

After admission, the student or a proxy—usually the accepting school—applies in Japan for a Certificate of Eligibility. Once the COE is issued, the student applies for the visa at the responsible Japanese embassy or consulate.

MOFA states that visa issuance normally takes about five working days from the day after an accepted application when there is no particular problem. The earlier COE process is separate, and additional examination or missing documents can extend the overall timeline.

The fee depends on nationality, visa type, application channel and the responsible embassy or consulate. Check the current local mission fee immediately before applying; do not rely on an older general amount.

With permission for activities outside Student status, part-time work is generally limited to 28 hours per week during term and up to 8 hours per day during long school holidays. Work must not interfere with study and prohibited adult-entertainment work is excluded.

Foreign residents staying three months or more generally enroll in National Health Insurance after resident registration. For covered treatment, NHI normally pays 70% and the student pays 30%.

Options include the MEXT Scholarship, JASSO scholarships, exchange support, institution and local-government awards, private foundations and tuition reductions. Eligibility, deadlines and benefits vary, and awards are not guaranteed.

It is a Japanese Government scholarship with several applicant categories and embassy- or university-recommendation routes. Benefits and eligibility depend on the category; not every university has a recommendation quota.

Eligible graduates who have not secured a job may be able to change from Student to Designated Activities and continue job hunting for up to one year. Eligibility and institution support requirements must be confirmed.

No. A graduate must change to an appropriate work-authorized residence status before starting full-time employment in Japan.

Search the institution in NIC-Japan's official recognized-institution directory. Where possible, search using the Japanese legal name. Programme-specific professional recognition may require an additional check.

Universities and colleges of technology must undergo institutional Certified Evaluation and Accreditation once within seven years through a MEXT-certified organization. Professional institutions also have relevant field-evaluation requirements.

Receive the residence card where applicable, determine your address, register as a resident at the municipal office within 14 days, enroll in required health insurance and follow the institution's orientation and immigration guidance.

Call 110 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance. Students should also register for local disaster alerts and learn their institution's earthquake and severe-weather procedures.