Basic Guide 2025 English
Basic Guide 2025 English
2025-2026
Basic Guide
[Link]
rd rd
Yahiko-jinja Shrine Sumo Ring ©Yahikomura Mount Fuji and autumn leaves by Lake Kawaguchi ©Koichi_Hayakawa
nd
rd
Government continues to heritage by UNESCO,
school_search.php?lang=en STEP
Gather information Check necessary language skills and costs
Research & Study Practical Skills & Experience
Age
27
9 STEP <12 months before>
Graduate School (Ph.D.) Choose a school Request school information and application forms
8 Japanese or Confirm admission requirements and examinations
English [Doctor’s Degree]
I studied in English
I want to study my
subject of interest
through high school, College of ★ I want to enter university STEP
from the foundation
so I want to study in Technology after learning Japanese! eceive the enrollment certificate
R
to the practical level.
English at university
as well!
(Standard Course) ★ I studied for 11 years Entry process Pay tuition fees
[Associate’s Degree] in my country. I want
to study in a university
preparatory course
for one year and then
STEP
progress to university.
pply for visa
A
18
12
Travel preparations Purchase flight ticket and insurance
High School
Secondary Education
10
15
GOA L
Elementary /
9 F
Junior High School I want to start
7 learning advanced
12 theories and practical
6
skills as early as University Preparatory Courses
Elementary School possible!
1
6
What are university preparatory courses?
Years of
study
preparatory courses
Notes: 1. Years of study for each educational institution vary by department and course. To advance to a university or other institute of higher education in Japan, [Link]
2. Degree or title is displayed in brackets [ ].
applicants must first complete 12 years of standard school education. If the education/highered/title02/detail02/
standard school system in your home country (up to completion of secondary sdetail02/[Link]
school) is less than 12 years, you can complete any university preparatory course
• Higher education in Japan begins after completing six years of elementary, three years of junior high, and approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
three years of high school (total 12 years). (MEXT) to become eligible for university admission. In these preparatory courses,
• International students wishing to enter a Japanese higher education institution must complete 12 years of students study the Japanese language as well as basic subjects necessary for
formal education.
university admission. The MEXT website lists Japanese-language education
• Those with less than 12 years of formal education must first complete a university preparatory course lasting
institutions that offer these preparatory courses.
one to two years before entering a higher education institution.
Prepare thoroughly to realize your dreams of studying in Japan!
Be sure to research the Japanese education system and entrance
exam system, and plan accordingly.
Exam sessions Exam venues To assess the basic liberal arts skills
Offered twice a year Japan: 17 cities Japan required for studying at Japanese
Basic and the universities and other institutions, 80 0-200 Choose either
Outside Japan: 17 cities in 13 countries and regions academic World particularly thinking and logical Japanese or
First Second skills abilities. English
Where to Learn the Japanese Language The course (curriculum) you choose will vary depending on your purpose for learning Japanese.
When choosing an institution, be sure to gather information through school brochures, etc.
to ensure that the institution/course suits your purpose.
There are three main types of institutions that teach Japanese to non-native speakers.
Japanese-language schools Preparatory courses offered at private Japanese-language Useful websites for researching Japanese-language
These are schools established by educational universities and junior colleges courses at specialized educational institutions
institutions, corporations, etc. In addition to Among the special courses established to provide special skills education
training colleges
Japanese-Language Education Association for the
basic Japanese-language studies, they offer a offered by universities, those primarily designed to educate international These courses are established Institution Accreditation Act Promotion of Japanese
variety of courses, including ones to prepare students are generally referred to as preparatory courses for international in specialized training colleges Portal (MEXT) Language Education
[Link] [Link]
students for higher education and business students. approved by prefectural
[Link]/top org/search/index_e.html
Japanese courses. The length of study also There are various types of preparatory courses for international students, governors. In addition to basic
varies widely, from a few weeks to a maximum such as those focused on nursing care, international studies, and the Japanese-language studies, they
List of schools designated by Japanese-Language
of two years. Japanese language. The course content varies depending on the school, offer courses to prepare students the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) School Association
but most preparatory courses provide education on the Japanese language, for higher education. The length of [Link] (JaLSA)
basic academic subjects, and Japanese culture necessary for advancing to study is from one to two years. applications/resources/ [Link]
universities or other institutions. The length of study is from one to two years. nyuukokukanri07_00217.
html?hl=en
Let’s calculate the expenses for studying in Japan.
What are your expenditures? Will you receive a scholarship?
A financial plan with a little leeway is essential!
Scholarships
[Link]
Tuition Fees
Method 1 Apply for the scholarships granted by the Japanese Government
* The amount varies by type of scholarship. ** Amount for Japanese language school students
Average annual tuition for universities Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship Student Exchange Support Program
MEXT Scholarship for Privately-Financed International (Scholarship for Short-term Study in
National universities Public universities Private universities Students Japan)
Amount of
From 117,000 yen* 48,000 yen or 30,000 yen** 80,000 yen
monthly support
Undergraduate 535,800 yen 536,191 yen 1,124,476 yen
Tuition fee exemption
Master’s program 535,800 yen 536,789 yen 874,054 yen Free flight ticket
Free preparatory
education
Graduate
schools
Doctoral program 535,800 yen 536,789 yen 654,325 yen Payment period Entire period of study One year or six months Entire period of exchange program
• Guide for living expenses For inquiries and The Japanese embassy or consulate
Living expenses are more expensive in large cities. Example: 108,000 yen in Tokyo The school in Japan you intend to
in your country or the school The school you currently attend
applications: you currently attend
study at
Insurance,
medical expenses
3,000 yen
Method 2 Method 3
Other daily Student Private Rice (5 kg)
Commute
4,000 yen
expenses dormitory apartment 3,889 yen Apply to a local government or private Apply for an on-campus scholarship or use a
9,000 yen 28,000 yen 27,048 yen
foundation for a scholarship tuition fee exemption / reduction system
Hobbies,
entertainment Rent
• Apply after joining a school in Japan.
For university X For university Y
8,000 yen • There may be many specifications for home country, school
41,000 yen
you will attend, and field of study. Tuition fee exemption 82,000 yen per month
105,000 yen Ramen noodles Apples (1 kg) Cola (1 ) • This is available to up to a few hundred students each year.
(50% or 100%) scholarship
Utilities 704 yen 849 yen 255 yen (for four years)
(electricity / gas / per month Search from the site below.
Eligibility Eligibility
water) 8,000 yen
Students with excellent Students with excellent
Local government or private grades who would have entrance examination
foundation scholarships
difficulty in paying fees results
[Link]
for financial reasons
Food Coffee at a café Movie ticket Taxi (4 km) en/planning/scholarships/other-
33,415
25,000 necessary skills. in Japan, since my destination was Tottori Prefecture, a
I’m currently studying 3DCG animation at the Kobe Institute rural part of Japan with the lowest population in the entire
4 Management (non-executive) of Computing, which has been a very rewarding experience country.
so far. Initially, I was concerned about many things, such The first year was a struggle. I had to deal with cultural
20,000 as making friends, because I would be taking classes with shock because Tottori was so different from my
5 International trade Japanese students, unlike at Japanese-language schools. expectation of Japan, and I struggled to make friends
However, I have made many Japanese friends, and we here. However, I started realising that I should learn to
complete projects together, go out, and participate in school embrace my experience here, since everything is a bonus
15,000 6 Corporate sales
festivals, making my campus life very fulfilling. for me!
I want to add that the teachers have never treated me Now I’m on a scholarship from the Rotary Yoneyama
7 Planning (public relations, advertising) differently because I’m an international student. Instead, Memorial Foundation, and I’ve made a lot of new friends
12,958 they recognize my efforts and provide me with various with the locals. I’m utilising my multilingual ability
10,000 opportunities, for which I am truly grateful. and working closely with the prefecture and the local
8 Care worker Looking back at my experience so far, I’m filled with renewed communities to both help other foreigners here and to
joy and amazement at having been blessed with such a promote the beauty of Tottori outside Japan.
wonderful educational environment, supportive teachers, and
5,000 8 Accounting
wonderful friends.
10 Production management
0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
(Year)
Reference: “ Employment status of international students
in Japanese companies in 2022” (Immigration Campus Life
Services Agency of Japan)
8:45 Attend Japanese class
Enjoying a cross-cultural environment The university is about a fifteen-minute walk from
Interview
my dormitory, but when I wake up a bit late I can
with an insightful perspective focused bike to my first class in five minutes!
Handling your own study abroad procedures is economical and has many advantages,
such as developing your decision-making skills and improving your language skills.
If you are too busy or unsure about your language skills, however, using a study abroad
agent is an option. Be careful, though, because some agents charge excessive fees or
provide incorrect information.
Before you decide to use one, be sure to consider your options carefully.
Total
Are the fees reasonable compared Does the agent introduce schools that match your goals for
studying abroad?
to other agents?
Do not use an agent that commits immoral/illegal acts,
such as encouraging you to enter the country with forged
documents.
Does the agent provide satisfactory answers to your
questions and updates on the progress of procedures?
Does the agent have sufficient
Do not let an agent pressure you into applying quickly.
experience in assisting students
wanting to study in Japan? Does the agent explain not only the advantages of studying
abroad but also the difficulties you may encounter?
An individual with a student visa may engage in part-time work for up to 28 hours a
week by applying for a “Permission to engage in activity other than permitted under
China Graduate school the status of residence previously granted” at a regional immigration bureau or the like.
Nepal Approximately 65 percent of privately funded international students work part-time,
University (undergraduate)
with an average monthly income of around 81,000 yen (US$540). Part-time work alone
Vietnam
is not sufficient to cover all tuition and living expenses, so be sure to draft a financial
Junior college
Myanmar plan that does not rely on part-time work when planning to study in Japan.
South Korea College of technology
Mongolia
Source: “JASSO Annual Survey of International Students in Japan” (as of May 1, 2024)
Study in Japan Website
Q. I have attended a Japanese school. Can I apply to Q. Please tell me about the process of
The Study in Japan website provides the information you need to study in Japan, including how to prepare, life the international student entrance exam? entering graduate school.
as a student in Japan, and scholarship information. You can also search for a school that meets your needs
according to your major of choice, language used in classes, and school location.
In addition to those who wish to study in Japan or wish to find a school to attend, we also recommend this
A. Whether you can take the international student
entrance exam or not is decided by the school. Those
A. Check the entry requirements, create a research proposal,
and confirm what documents need to be submitted.
website for those still not sure whether they wish to study abroad, or are still choosing which country to study who have graduated from a Japanese high school, Generally, you must find an academic supervisor yourself.
in. and those who hold both Japanese and another Some institutions require you to have informal acceptance
nationality should inquire about the entrance exam before application, so confirm this with your chosen
before applying to the school. institution as soon as possible.
Q. How should I search for information Q. Please tell me about the high school international
Study in Japan Website regarding the application period, exchange program and scholarship.
[Link]
[Link]/en/
necessary documents, and entrance
examination?
A. The groups below offer support for high school international
Study in Japan Fairs exchange.
A. Details of the application process and entrance
examination can be found on the school’s website
• AFS Intercultural Programs
URL: [Link]
These are valuable opportunities where you can speak directly with
school representatives. or admission guidelines. Once you have decided Note: Use the “Find AFS in your Country” function to inquire at your local
Study in Japan office.
on a school, check their website or admission
The Study in Japan Fair is held online and in-person every year. [Link]
[Link]/ guidelines. • YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING
For more information, visit the Study in Japan website. URL: [Link]
en/events/
Thailand
Facebook : [Link]
Thailand
Web : [Link] University Admission for International Tel : (+81) 3-5520-6111
Vietnam Facebook : [Link] Web : [Link]
Instagram : [Link]
thailand/
Vietnam Students (EJU) Facebook : [Link]
php?id=100092715664950
#702 Garden Tower, 84 Yulgok-ro,
A-7-5, Northpoint Offices, Mid Valley • Collection and provision of information Instagram : [Link]
Jongno-gu, Seoul 03131 REPUBLIC
City, No.1, Medan Syed Putra Utara,
59200 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
on studying abroad in Japan
OF KOREA
Tel : (+82) 2-765-0141
Tel : (+60) 3-2287-0812
E-mail : enquiry@[Link]
• Japanese language education
E-mail : jasso@[Link]
Web : [Link]
Korea
Web : [Link]
Facebook : [Link]
Malaysia
Facebook : [Link] • Housing support
KL/
Korea
Instagram : [Link]
korea/