Universities in Japan

Japan has a large and varied university system. According to the Ministry of Education's School Basic Survey 2025, the country has 812 universities offering undergraduate degrees, of which 85 are national, 103 local public and 624 private, and 669 graduate schools. Institutions are grouped by founding body into national, local public and private, and private universities are by far the largest group.

For international students the official information portal is Study in Japan, run by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). Most degree programmes are taught in Japanese, but the number of bachelor's and master's programmes taught entirely in English is growing.

How Japanese universities work

Higher education follows a bachelor-master-doctorate structure, measured in credits:

• Bachelor's degree: four years and at least 124 credits; six years for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and some pharmacy programmes
• Master's degree: normally two years and at least 30 credits
• Doctorate: normally five years in total, sometimes split into a two-year first phase and a three-year second phase
• Associate degree at a junior college: two or three years

The academic year runs from April to March, and most universities admit students in April. Some also have an autumn intake in September or October. Many universities use semesters, with long holidays in summer and in February and March.

Admission for international students

To enter a Japanese university you normally need 12 years of school education. Foreign qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, the Abitur, the French baccalauréat or GCE A-levels are accepted. If school education in your country lasts less than 12 years, you must first complete a university preparatory course designated by the Ministry of Education (MEXT).

Each university sets its own selection process. Many use the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU): 479 universities, more than 60% of the total and including most national universities, ask for EJU scores. The EJU is held twice a year, in June and November, and scores are valid for two years. For programmes taught in Japanese, Study in Japan advises that you usually need level N1 or N2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and at least 250 points in the Japanese section of the EJU. Some universities offer pre-arrival admission, so you can receive an offer without travelling to Japan.

Once admitted, you need the "Student" status of residence. The university usually applies on your behalf for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at a regional immigration bureau, and you then apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate. You may be asked to prove that you can cover your expenses during your studies. Students staying more than three months are issued a residence card, which they must carry at all times. With permission from the immigration authorities, students may work part-time for up to 28 hours a week, or up to eight hours a day during long holidays; JASSO puts the average hourly wage at about 1,300 yen.

Costs and funding

Tuition in Japan is lower than in the United States or the United Kingdom. According to Study in Japan, the average first-year cost of admission and tuition fees at undergraduate level is about 820,000 yen at national universities, 910,000 yen at local public universities and 1,300,000 yen at private universities, rising to about 3,800,000 yen for private medical, dental and pharmacy programmes. Fees vary between universities, so check each university's guidelines.

The main government scheme is the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, which has seven categories, including undergraduate and research students. You apply either through the Japanese embassy in your country or through a Japanese university. Students with high EJU scores can also be selected for a MEXT honours scholarship for privately financed students of 48,000 yen a month. Many universities offer their own scholarships and tuition reductions.

Examples of universities

The University of Tokyo was formed by merging Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School, creating the Faculties of Law, Science, Letters and Medicine, and has three main campuses: Hongo, Komaba and Kashiwa. Kyoto University was founded in 1897 as Kyoto Imperial University, the second university established in Japan. Among private universities, Nanzan University in Nagoya, founded in 1946, has eight faculties, six graduate schools and more than 500 international students from around 30 countries, and teaches about 200 subjects in English. Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo runs a two-year International Master's Program in science and engineering taught entirely in English, started in 2017.

How to choose

• Language: a Japanese-taught degree with JLPT N1 or N2, or one of the English-taught programmes
• Type of university: national, local public or private, which affects fees
• Admission route: EJU scores, the university's own exam or other selection methods
• Intake: April for most programmes, September or October for some
• Location: a large city such as Tokyo, Kyoto or Nagoya, or a smaller regional city

Frequently asked questions

Can I study at a Japanese university in English?

Yes. Most programmes are taught in Japanese, but a growing number of universities and graduate schools offer degrees taught only in English.

How much does a Japanese university cost?

According to Study in Japan, first-year admission and tuition fees average about 820,000 yen at national universities and 1,300,000 yen at private universities, excluding medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

What is the EJU?

The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students, held in June and November. Many universities, including most national universities, require it.

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 during long holidays.