Study in Japan

Why study in Japan?

There are many reasons that students want to study in Japan. 

One reason is the rich history. The abundance of traditional temples and famous cultural practices: wearing kimono, samurai, geisha performances and martial arts such as jujitsu, judo and karate are extremely popular among tourists and prospective students.  

Japan also has some beautiful natural landscapes with natural wonders such as mount Fuji, the country’s highest peak, and the Sakura cherry blossom trees attracting large crowds every year. Alternatively, for people who prefer cities, there are several to choose from with plenty of cafes and restaurants, shops, and nightlife. 

Despite its history and nature, Japan is well known for its technological advancements; something that proves attractive to IT and engineering students, in particular. Its innovations in the field of robotics and consumer electronics make it the perfect study destination for anyone looking to break into the industry. 

Japan is world-famous for its culinary traditions with national dishes such as sushi, sashimi, onigiri, miso soup, yakisoba, tempura, and udon noodles. The flavours are extremely popular and recreated in restaurants internationally. 

Japan is also very well-known for its media. Music, television series and movies from Japan are well-loved. Anime, hand-drawn animations often adapted from manga comics and graphic novels, is currently one of the most famous forms of Japanese media and are translated and enjoyed by many all over the world. 

Life in Japan

With a total population of around 124,000,000, Japan is home to 2,930,000 students and around 280,000 international students, according to Study in Japan. Most international students come from China, Nepal, Vietnam South Korea, and Myanmar but the country is also popular among students all over the world. 

There are plenty of things for students to do and see while studying in Japan. There are several cities to explore including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. There are also lots of outdoor and sporting activities to take advantage of while you are studying as well as famous sightseeing spots. You can learn more about all Japan has to offer here. 

Choosing a Japanese university

Japan is home to 51 of our World University Rankings top universities, including four which rank in the top 100 worldwide.  

Japan’s top-ranking university, The University of Tokyo places 28th in the world and receives its highest scores in the academic reputation and employment outcomes indicators, ranking first in the country for both. The school has three main campuses found throughout the city and plenty of facilities including three large libraries, botanical gardens, working hospitals for medical students, and eight museums specialising in fields such as history, art, architecture, natural sciences, medicine, agriculture and farming. They also have world-class athletic facilities and gyms where students can take part in a variety of sports. 

The entry requirements for international students vary slightly from domestic students. The first half of an application will include a form where students will submit their basic information, their most recent school transcripts and proof of language proficiency in Japanese and possibly English. The second half of the application process will include students sitting the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students). This exam will test students’ language skills as well as their academic ability. Subjects that could be included in the EJU include maths, Japanese, physics, chemistry, and biology. 

Most Japanese universities will require at least some knowledge of Japanese which can be officially examined by sitting the JLPT. The JLPT tests vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening proficiency to make sure that students can use and understand the language fully. Students can apply to take the JLPT in over 100 countries twice a year in July and December. It costs around 6,500 JPY (about $45 USD or £35 GBP). 

If you would like some help in finding a Japanese university, why not try a QS Event? Our Connect and Discover events allow you to speak to university partners from institutions all over the world. You can find more information about our upcoming events here. 

Tuition fees, visas and financial aid

Students can apply for a visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The documentation that they need as a part of the application include: 

• A passport 

• A completed visa application form 

• A photograph of yourself 

• A certificate of eligibility (issued by immigration authorities to confirm a foreign national meets the requirements for travel to Japan) 

Chinese students will also need to include the following documents: 

• A copy of their family register 

• A residence permit 

• A questionnaire (which can be obtained via the Japanese Embassy in Mainland China) 

• A graduation certificate 

• An employment certificate of the financial supporter 

Admission fees can vary greatly depending on the university, the programme and whether the student is domestic or international. Tuition fees for an undergraduate degree tend to be around 800,000 JPY (about $5,300 USD or £4,100 GBP) per year. It is important that students visit the university’s website and find out the exact fees for their programme before applying. 

Many universities will offer scholarship opportunities to domestic and international students. There are also government and private organisations, including QS, who supply scholarships to study in Japan. Read more about our ImpACT scholarships here. 

Career opportunities

Following graduation, if an international student would like to stay in Japan to begin their career, they will need a new visa and to change their status of residence from ‘Student’ to ‘Designated Activities’ and obtain the relevant work visa. See the Japanese Immigration Services Agency for more information. There are several different types of ‘Designated Activities’ visas. For those who are looking for work after graduation, they must change their status to ‘Job Seeking’ This visa status has a maximum stay of two years and requires proof of funds and a copy of the CV. For those who have been offered a job in Japan and wish to stay until their employment begins, they will need a ‘Gap Period Before Starting Work’ status. Applicants for this visa will need proof of a job offer from their company and all relevant contact details. For those who wish to stay until they enter graduate school, they will need a ‘Waiting for Graduate School Entrance’ status. This will require proof of placement on a graduate programme. For those who wish to pursue entrepreneurial activities, they will need a ‘Future Creators and Entrepreneurs’ visa. This allows a maximum stay of two years and requires proof of funds to ensure that you can support yourself. 

There are many job opportunities in Japan that would be highly attractive to students in many different subject areas. Electrical technology is a major industry in Japan with companies such as Sony, Panasonic, Nintendo, and Toshiba leading the way in technological innovation. Banking, pharmaceuticals, and tourism are also popular industries in Japan which may provide a range of job prospects to international students. 

Student support

Being a student, especially an international student, can come with a lot of difficulties. Many top universities in Japan will offer support services to help aid in the transition to student life. Although the exact services offered will vary from one university to another, universities will frequently offer financial services, mental health services, academic support, and accommodation services. 

For additional support from their peers, many students in Japan choose to join international student or expat groups online. Many students will use these groups when studying abroad alongside clubs on campus to socialise and make friends with other international students and expats.