Finance Schools and Programs in Japan

Finance Studies in Japan

The International University of Japan

Finance is the study of how households, companies and governments raise, invest and manage money, and how financial markets price assets and risk. In Japan it is usually taught inside economics, commerce or management faculties rather than as a separate degree, so students often choose a broader programme first and specialise in finance later.

Japan has a large university sector. According to the Study in Japan portal of the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), which cites the School Basic Survey 2025 of the Ministry of Education (MEXT), the country has 812 universities: 85 national, 103 local public and 624 private. SpainExchange lists 2 schools with finance programmes in Japan, both in Tokyo.

How finance degrees are organised

Japanese degrees follow a bachelor-master-doctorate structure. According to Study in Japan, a bachelor's degree takes 4 years and requires at least 124 credits. A master's programme normally takes 2 years, and a doctoral programme 5 years in total, including the master's stage. Most institutions run their academic year from April to March, although some universities also admit students in September or October.

At undergraduate level, finance is often a department or track within a faculty of economics. At graduate level, programmes become more specialised, for example in quantitative finance, where students learn the mathematics used to price assets and measure risk.

Admission and language

To enter a Japanese university, students normally need 12 years of formal school education, or a recognised qualification such as the International Baccalaureate, Abitur or GCE A-Level. Classes at Japanese universities are generally held in Japanese. For programmes taught in Japanese, Study in Japan states that applicants must have passed level N1 or N2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and score at least 250 points in the Japanese section of the EJU.

The EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) is held twice a year, in June and November. According to Study in Japan, 479 universities, over 60% of the total and including most national universities, require EJU scores. A growing number of universities offer degrees taught only in English; for these, Study in Japan gives a guideline of TOEFL iBT 71-80 or IELTS 5.5-6 for undergraduate study.

Where to study finance in Japan

Both schools listed on SpainExchange are in Tokyo:

• The University of Tokyo (UTokyo): established in 1877 as Japan's first national university. Its Faculty of Economics created an undergraduate Department of Finance in April 2007, alongside Economics and Management. At graduate level, the Department of Quantitative Finance teaches derivatives pricing theory, investment theory and programming, and offers special seminars for students who want to become actuaries. UTokyo's traditional undergraduate programmes are taught in Japanese.
• Tokyo Business School: a business school in Tokyo listed on SpainExchange; check its programmes, language of instruction and degree status directly with the school.

Costs, visa and work

Study in Japan gives the average first-year cost (admission plus tuition) of an undergraduate programme as about 820,000 yen at national universities, 910,000 yen at local public universities and 1,300,000 yen at private universities. Graduate schools cost about 820,000 yen, 900,000 yen and 1,100,000 yen respectively. Many universities offer scholarships and tuition reductions for international students.

Students from abroad need the "Student" status of residence. The first step is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which is requested from a regional immigration bureau in Japan, in most cases by the university on the student's behalf. With permission from immigration, students may work part-time for up to 28 hours a week, and up to eight hours a day during long school holidays.

Careers in finance

Finance graduates work in banking, asset management, insurance, corporate finance and risk management; graduates with quantitative training can work as quants or actuaries. Study in Japan notes that the hiring of international students is increasing but that finding a job is not easy. Graduates who have not found work before graduation can change their status of residence to "Designated Activities" and continue job hunting in Japan for one more year.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study finance in Japan in English?

Most university classes in Japan are taught in Japanese, but a growing number of universities offer degrees taught entirely in English. Check the language of each programme before applying.

How long does a finance degree take in Japan?

A bachelor's degree takes 4 years (at least 124 credits) and a master's degree normally 2 years.

How much does it cost to study finance in Japan?

According to Study in Japan, the first year of an undergraduate programme costs about 820,000 yen at a national university and about 1,300,000 yen at a private university, including the admission fee.

Can international students work while studying in Japan?

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