Known as the land of the rising sun, Japan has a line-up of top-quality universities and a high standard of living meaning it’s not the cheapest place to study. However, it has a global reputation for innovation and degrees gained in the country are highly regarded
Made up of thousands of islands, of which more than 400 are inhabited, Japan is a friendly, safe and welcoming Asian country that’s easy (and affordable) to travel around. Students will enjoy the remarkable Japanese culture that seamlessly combines its ancient traditions with the technological advancements of a modern society.
The Japanese government is committed to increasing the number of foreign students enrolled at its universities and its higher education system places importance on personal development, so you’ll get many opportunities to pick up new skills, including learning to speak Japanese, which will prove useful as only a small proportion of Japan’s inhabitants can communicate in English.
Popular student destinations include Tokyo (the capital city and also the largest), Osaka and Kyto.
Japan is the third largest economy of the world, glory of discoveries of cutting-edge technology with diverse landscape, loaded nature and beautiful seasons. It is an island nation of East Asia; its democracy is stable compared to other world economies. It consists of approx 120 million people with half per capita of G7 citizens. Japan universities have world class research facilities. It has hub of cultural powerhouse that introduces exported technology culture and more around the world. With the globalization scheme, Japanese government encourages to accept more foreign students for higher education in Japan. The tuition and living expenses are considerably more affordable than other countries. Foreign students not only can learn Japanese language but also can learn about the culture, tradition and high technology of Japan. The encouraging academic environment, top notch infrastructure, and top-quality education and institutions captivate students from worldwide.
Here are some points to show how Japan is suitable for study:
In Japan, higher education starts upon the completion of 12 years of education: elementary education (6 years of elementary school) and secondary education (3 years of lower secondary school and 3 years of upper secondary school). There are 5 types of higher education institutions that international students can be admitted to, which are 1) Colleges of technology, 2) Professional training colleges (postsecondary course of specialized training colleges), 3) Junior colleges, 4) Universities (undergraduate) and 5) Graduate schools. Depending on the founding bodies, these higher education institutions are categorized into three types: national, local public and private.
| Program | Degrees or Titles | Required Study Period | |
| Graduate School | Doctoral Program*1 | Doctoral degree | 5 years |
| Master’s Program | Master’s degree | 2 years | |
| Professional Degree Program | Master’s degree (professional degree) | 2 years | |
| Juris Doctor (professional degree) | 3 years | ||
| Master of Education (professional degree) | 2 years | ||
| University (Undergraduate) | General faculties and faculty of pharmacy (4-year program) | Bachelor’s degree | 4 years |
| Faculties of medicine, dentistry, veterinary and pharmacy (6-year program) | 6 years | ||
| Professional and Vocational university | － | Bachelor’s degree (professional) | 4 years |
| Junior College | － | Associate degree | 2 or 3 years |
| Professional and Vocational Junior College | － | Associate degree (professional) | 2 or 3 years |
| College of Technology | － | Associate degree | 5 years or 5 year and 6 months. *2 |
| Professional Training College | Specialized training colleges postsecondary course | Diploma | 2 years or more |
| Advanced Diploma | 4 years or more |
Having a permanent residency (PR) visa lets you stay in Japan indefinitely. This visa is not dependent on your job or spouse and you do not have to worry about renewing it every time. It will also be easier to qualify for the loans from Japanese banks.
To qualify for a permanent residency, you need to have lived in the country for 10 years or more, with 5 or more of those years on a work visa or any other resident visa, out of which working holiday or student visas do not really count.
You will also need to prove that you can support yourself without any public assistance, are a regular tax payer and have no history of any issues with the law like non payment of taxes or visa overstays.
In some cases, you can qualify for a permanent residency in less than 10 years e.g. If your spouse is a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident and you have been married for 3 years or more, you can apply for the PR after living in Japan for 1 year or more.
You can also apply for the PR if you have lived in Japan for 5 years or more with long term resident or refugee status. You can also qualify for a PR after 5 years if the Japanese government decides that you have made substantial economic, social, cultural or diplomatic contributions to Japan.
Scholarships and awards are available after 1 year of study, for excellent students based on grades and attendance.
You will need your own funding to support your study in Japan. However, the good news is that there are plenty of scholarships available for international students to apply for. It is possible to get a scholarship that covers part of your costs on degree programs at Japanese Universities. However, it is much harder to get scholarships for Japanese language courses and exchange semesters.
Some scholarships are long term up to a year, paid monthly, while other scholarships are one time amounts covering 25-100% percentage of your semester tuition fee. Most scholarships are only eligible for enrolled students with a student visa, which means you will have a better chance to apply for after having started your study in Japan. The scholarships are usually awarded based on a combination of academic performance, extracurricular activities, and financial needs.
Here are some scholarships that international students can apply for to study in Japan:
Japan is a relatively expensive place to study for international students. Living costs (especially in Tokyo) are notorious for being among the world’s highest. However, students living outside of central Tokyo who adjust to a Japanese lifestyle and do not depend too heavily on food and products from their home countries (and who don’t eat out too much) will find Japan much more affordable. The general cost of living and accommodation varies depending on where students choose to stay.
Monthly Living Expenses
Depend up on the locations but generally 25, 000, 00 JPY to 45,000.00 JPY covers all the expenses per month for a student.
There are a huge number of higher education institutions in Japan spanning five different types and these include:
Junior colleges and universities constitute the core of Japanese higher education and the vast majority of institutions are private, although national and local public institutions do exist. Public universities are typically held in the highest esteem by the Japanese people.
This is especially true of the prestigious National Seven Universities – former imperial colleges that continue to lead the way in terms of research excellence. As Japan’s equivalent to the British Russell Group or the American Ivy League, it includes:
Japan has 48 institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2022. Five feature in the top 100:
What are the requirements to study in Japan?
To study in Japan, you must get a long-term visa after you obtain the Certificate of Eligibility as a student from the Immigration Bureau of Japan.
To obtain the Certificate of Eligibility, you will be asked for the following information:
– Do you really have intent to study in Japan
– Do you have necessary and sufficient Japanese language ability
– Do you have enough money to support yourself during your study abroad in Japan
How to apply for student visa?
International students who intend to study in Japan for more than three months will need to obtain a visa. Once a university has accepted you, the institution will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the Japanese Ministry of Justice on your behalf.
The document is only valid for three months from the date of issue, so you’ll need to visit your country’s Japanese embassy in person after obtaining it.
What is the “necessary and sufficient Japanese language ability”?
To enroll in Japanese language schools, you are required to have Japanese language ability equivalent to N5 in JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). It means you can read and understand typical expressions and sentences written in hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji, and also you can listen and comprehend conversations about topics regularly encountered in daily life and classroom situations, and you are able to pick up necessary information from short conversations spoken slowly. It will be an indication of N5 that you have studied Japanese for a total of about 150 hours.
To enroll in collage/university, you must have N2 in JLPT.
Please check the website below for the information of JLPT:
https://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html
To enroll in a Japanese school, what fees should I expect?
First, you need to make payment for the screening fee and the retainer including paperwork and translation fee for immigration. After your “Certificate of Eligibility” is approved, you have to pay the admission fee, tuition and other expenses to the school. You may have to make payment for your first 3 months rent at this time as well. Also you need funds for applying for a visa in your country and you must purchase airline tickets. You will have living expenses after you come to Japan.
What is the amount of “enough money to support myself during my study abroad in Japan”?
The Immigration Bureau doesn’t officially release the amount of money, but many Japanese schools give applicants a rough indication; 2,000,000 – 3,000,000JPY(18,100 – 27,200USD at the rate of 110JPY to a dollar) in your/your sponsor’s bank account is necessary. If you don’t have it, you can have your family or other relatives as your financial sponsor(s).
Are there any possible scholarships I can apply for?
Generally speaking, there are very few scholarships which fully cover the whole cost of studying in Japan. If there are any, they are for top performers and highly competitive. Also, most of the scholarships will cover a part of the tuitions or some living expense only. Therefore, it is very difficult to make a plan to study in Japan relying only on wining scholarships.
Can I have a part-time job during my study abroad in Japan?
If you are approved by the Immigration Bureau, you can work up to 28 hours per week with a student visa.
Is there an age limit to obtain a student visa?
There is no age limitation to obtain a student visa. However, there are some conditions and one of them is: you must apply within 5 years from the graduation of your final education. If you graduated from school more than 5 years earlier, you have to submit an essay to explain why you want to apply for school in Japan.
What About Accommodation?
You can choose whether or not to add accommodation. The school can arrange various types for you, such as with a host family/home-stay, in a shared house, in the school dormitory, or in a private apartment. We can also assist you in securing your own. Further details will be provided when you have selected a course, as accommodation options will vary according to the school and its location.
What Is The JLPT?
The JLPT stands for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
It is a standardised test recognised internationally; testing reading, writing and listening skills (there is no speaking section).
The JLPT encompasses five levels wherein N1 is the highest level while N5 is the lowest level. The levels are-
At least JLPT N2 (the second highest level) is recommended to get a full-time job using Japanese, or enrolling in vocational colleges/university, as it is considered business-level Japanese.
JLPT N1 (the highest level) is more academic Japanese, and is more than what an average Japanese person would know! It is a great long-term goal to have. Students can study at this level in intensive courses also.
How much can a student earn in Japan?
Around 75% of international students in Japan are working part-time. While engaging in part-time work, it is important to abide by the conditions that are stated below. Failure to do so may result in punishment and even deportation from the country.
Is it interesting to note that every year, international students are forced to leave Japan since they are not able to extend their period of authorized stay due to their low school attendance which is due to working part-time and mostly neglecting their studies. A student has to be very careful not to let this happen.
It is imperative to not get distracted from the purpose of studying or working too hard that it results in damaging your health. Hence, while working part-time, it will be beneficial to keep certain questions in mind, like :
You can ask the school you are enrolled in, to provide you with some information on good potential part-time jobs that will be suitable for you.
Keeping in mind the number below is the bare minimum; (language teaching, modelling, plus jobs with higher requirements pay more). The average minimum wage (changes slightly depending on the region) is approximately 800 yen. The minimum wage in Tokyo (whether you are a foreign student or not) is 1,013 JPY/hour, as of August 2020.
Once you reach a higher level of language ability, your job opportunities will increase. You…
Of course, these are not your only options. You may meet the love of your life and get married (or not), find a business partner and start a business together, start your own business, or study towards higher education in Japan. You:
Can enter vocational college in Japan, where you can learn an in-demand profession and get a job in Japan. Some schools have 100% graduate employment rates.
Can enter university in Japan, which will help secure you a job before graduating. The graduate employment rate in top universities are over 98%.
How much does it cost to study in Japan?
There is a rapid increase in the students who are studying abroad. There are more than 6 million international students studying across the globe. Japan is increasingly becoming a popular students’ choice due to its affordable tuition and high standard of education. This is also a great way to explore a country that has a great culture and diverse study environment. Many universities here offer courses that are taught in English and also provide language classes that help international students learn Japanese. The tuition fees in private universities in Japan is usually around US$13,000-21,000 per year, which is lower than the fees charged in the US and the UK. If on a budget, enrolling in a public university is a better option to save money. Tokyo is the most populous city on the planet and is home to international professionals and students from all around the world. It is ranked as the world’s third best city for international students. Japan has almost 50 universities that are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2021-2022. It is known for its great set of universities, good employment opportunities and high standard of living.
Is Japan cheaper than the USA?
When it comes to both the countries, the USA and Japan, they both offer a wide range of activities with rich history, culture, natural scenic beauty and some great beaches. The USA is larger and more expensive. The lack of hostels and budget hotels in larger cities in the USA, along with the transportation costs, lead to higher costs. Japan has a deep history and culture with a great modern technology. It has numerous ancient temples and castles and is big on sci-fi anime film too. Outside the bigger cities, it has a great agricultural countryside where one can find various leisure activities like boating, biking, hiking or just relaxing on one of its many great beaches. Even though both the countries can be expensive, Japan has a better range of low budget hostels and hotels with more transportation options available, which reduce the costs to a great extent. Having a closer look, usually for a single person, a week in Japan can cost around $790 while a week in the USA can cost nearly $1,600. The differences are even more noticeable when spending longer time in the country. Compared to the USA, the accommodation is often cheaper in Japan, usually $60 vs. $110. Usually the budget travelers stay in less expensive hostels while the fancy hotels often appeal to upscale travellers. While comparing food in both the countries, they are not just different in the cuisine but also in the overall price. Restaurant costs in the USA are often cheaper than in Japan.
Can I study in Japan without knowing Japanese?
Japan is the third largest economy in the world and has massive opportunities for people from across the world. It is interesting to note that Japanese is a lingua franca for Asia and it is really useful outside Japan and Asia as well.
There are numerous universities, colleges and language schools that have courses which are specifically designed for English speakers who have no background in Japanese. One can easily get a English teaching job in Japan and study Japanese on the side.
It is normal to work in Japan without speaking Japanese, but there are chances that you are missing out on a lot of opportunities that would require you to have knowledge of Japanese language. If you are working, the lack of understanding of the language might be the reason to not get promotions. In some cases it can even affect the job offers. Being in Japan and learning the Japanese language can help out a lot, but if you cannot for some reason, obviously it is not the only way out.
According to the 2015 Survey on Career and Retention for International Students by METI, the Japanese language skill is one of the most important traits considered when hiring foreigners in Japan.
How can I study in Japan for free?
The Japanese culture highly values excellence and education, which is the reason why they have some of the best educational institutions in the world. The cultural values make studying here an even more interesting experience for the students.
The best way to study in Japan for free is to receive scholarships from the Japanese universities. It is recommended to apply to as many as possible, for a greater chance of studying at a reduced cost. Some scholarships usually cover the full tuition fees and accommodation. Some of the other ways would include bagging local scholarships and having a part-time job as per your schedule. In this way, you will work and be able to pay for your personal expenses.
Also, the local governments are involved in offering financial aid to the international students. Therefore, it will be a good idea to choose the city in which you want to study as per the scholarship opportunities present. There are nearly 20 available options across the country for international students.
In addition to this, there are private scholarships available to students too. To name some, these scholarships are The Bridging Project, the Boren Scholarships, Fulbright Japan scholarship.
Japan is considered to be a great destination for higher education because it is one of the most advanced countries across the globe with cutting-edge technology and ongoing innovation.
How can I permanently move to Japan?
Having a permanent residency (PR) visa lets you stay in Japan indefinitely. This visa is not dependent on your job or spouse and you do not have to worry about renewing it every time. It will also be easier to qualify for the loans from Japanese banks.
To qualify for a permanent residency, you need to have lived in the country for 10 years or more, with 5 or more of those years on a work visa or any other resident visa, out of which working holiday or student visas do not really count.
You will also need to prove that you can support yourself without any public assistance, are a regular tax payer and have no history of any issues with the law like non payment of taxes or visa overstays.
In some cases, you can qualify for a permanent residency in less than 10 years e.g. If your spouse is a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident and you have been married for 3 years or more, you can apply for the PR after living in Japan for 1 year or more.
You can also apply for the PR if you have lived in Japan for 5 years or more with long term resident or refugee status. You can also qualify for a PR after 5 years if the Japanese government decides that you have made substantial economic, social, cultural or diplomatic contributions to Japan.
How can I plan to go to Japan for study?
If you are planning to study in Japan for more than 3 months, you will need to get a student visa which involves a lot of form filling, application processing and trips to the embassy. However, the good news is that the Japanese student visa is one of the easiest student visas to obtain. If you are currently living in Japan, you can change it to a student visa. However, changing your visa as a tourist is not highly recommended. Some of the steps for applying for higher education in Japan include :
1. Choosing a school
You will want to find a school that fits your style since every school has its own environment and course structure.
2. Understand the application process
It usually takes 2 to 3 months for Immigration to approve a visa application and then issue the COE (Confirmation of Enrolment), so patience is required. Once the COE is received, take it along with the visa application form, photos and a valid passport to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your city. The Embassy will issue the student visa, which can take 3 – 7 days.
3. Preparation of all the documents required for the COE
4. After receiving the COE
After receiving the COE, make an appointment at the nearest Japanese embassy in the city to apply for the actual visa. If you are changing your current visa to a student visa, your school should be able to assist you. If you currently have a tourist visa, you will be required to go back home and apply at the embassy. Following will be the required documents: