Study and find schools in Japan

Studying in Japan

Japan offers international students a wide range of options, from Japanese language schools to research universities. According to the Ministry of Education's School Basic Survey 2025, as published by JASSO's Study in Japan portal, the country has 812 universities (85 national, 103 local public and 624 private), 292 junior colleges, 58 colleges of technology and 2,658 specialized training colleges.

Japanese is the language of most teaching, and many international students spend a year or more at a language school before entering a university or vocational college. A growing number of universities and graduate schools also offer full degree programmes taught only in English.

The education system in Japan

Higher education starts after 12 years of schooling. International students can be admitted to five types of institutions, run by the national government, local governments or private bodies:

• Universities (undergraduate), awarding a bachelor's degree after four years and at least 124 credits; medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and some pharmacy programmes take six years
• Graduate schools, with two-year master's programmes, doctoral programmes of a standard five years, and professional degrees such as the Juris Doctor
• Junior colleges, awarding an associate degree after two or three years
• Colleges of technology (kosen), five-year technical programmes that accept international students from the third year
• Specialized training colleges (senmon gakko), with vocational post-secondary courses leading to a diploma or advanced diploma

Most institutions run their academic year from April to March, with a long summer break from late July to early September. Most schools admit students in April, but some also have an autumn intake.

Admission and language requirements

Students apply directly to each school. Many universities use the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), held twice a year, in June and November; according to JASSO, 479 universities, over 60% of all universities in Japan and most national universities, require EJU scores. Universities may also ask for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or English tests such as TOEFL.

To keep up with classes taught in Japanese, students need JLPT level N1 or N2, which JASSO estimates takes about 600 to more than 900 hours of study. English-taught degree programmes exist at universities and graduate schools, but not at colleges of technology or specialized training colleges.

Japanese universities require at least 12 years of formal education. Students from countries where school lasts fewer than 12 years, as in some Latin American countries, must first complete a university preparatory course designated by the Ministry of Education (MEXT).

Student visa and residence

The status of residence for study in Japan is called "Student", and the period of stay is set for each applicant, up to four years and three months. The procedure, as described by JASSO (checked October 2026), is:

• Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a regional immigration services bureau in Japan; in most cases the school accepting the student applies as proxy
• Show that you can pay all expenses during your stay, for example with a savings balance certificate and an income certificate for the past year from you or your sponsor
• Once the COE is issued, apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate with your passport, application form, photograph and COE
• On arrival, receive a residence card (zairyu card) and register your address at the municipal office within 14 days

Students at Japanese language institutions qualify for the Student status only if the school is designated by the Minister of Justice, so check this before enrolling in a language course.

Costs

JASSO puts the average first-year admission and tuition fees for undergraduate programmes at about 820,000 yen at national universities, 910,000 yen at local public universities and 1,300,000 yen at private universities (about 3,800,000 yen for private medical, dental and pharmaceutical programmes). Japanese language institutions charge about 610,000 to 1,900,000 yen a year, depending on the course. Many schools offer scholarships and tuition reductions for international students, and the Japanese government (MEXT) and JASSO run their own scholarship programmes.

For living costs, JASSO's 2023 survey of privately financed international students gives an average of 105,000 yen a month, excluding study costs. Rent is the main variable: the national average for monthly housing is 41,000 yen, against 57,000 yen in Tokyo.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists universities, language schools and colleges across Japan, for example:

• Tokyo: The University of Tokyo, Aoyama Gakuin University and Tokyo Business School, and the Sendagaya Japanese Institute in Takadanobaba
• Kyoto: Kyoto University, founded in 1897 as the second university in Japan
• Fukuoka: Japanese language schools such as Genki Japanese and Culture School and WAHAHA Japanese Language School
• Nagoya: Nanzan University
• Other cities: the International University of Japan in Minami Uonuma, the University of Yamanashi, Yokohama Design College and Osu No Sushi School in Miyazaki

Working and practical life

The Student status of residence does not allow work on its own. Students who obtain permission to engage in activities other than those of their status, which can be requested at the airport on first arrival or later at a regional immigration bureau, may work part-time for up to 28 hours a week, and up to eight hours a day during the long school holidays. The work must not affect studies and is prohibited in adult entertainment businesses.

All foreign residents staying three months or more must join the National Health Insurance at their municipal office; it covers 70% of medical costs, so patients pay 30%. Most schools also offer accident insurance for students.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak Japanese to study in Japan?

For most programmes, yes: classes in Japanese require JLPT level N1 or N2. Some universities and graduate schools offer full degree programmes in English.

How much does it cost to study in Japan?

Average first-year fees for a bachelor's degree are about 820,000 yen at national universities and 1,300,000 yen at private ones, according to JASSO. Living costs average 105,000 yen a month, more in Tokyo.

Can international students work in Japan?

Yes, with permission from the immigration authorities: up to 28 hours a week during term and up to eight hours a day in the long holidays.

What is the Certificate of Eligibility?

The COE is the document issued by the immigration services in Japan that you need before applying for a student visa. Usually your school applies for it on your behalf.

Can I enter a Japanese university with 11 years of schooling?

No, Japanese universities require 12 years of formal education. Students with fewer years must first complete a university preparatory course designated by MEXT.