How to Study in Japan for International Students

Another great country to consider if you're planning to study abroad is Japan. This country is globally recognized as they place a high value on education, producing one of the best educational systems in the world. Additionally, as you study here, you'll have the opportunity to see Japan's rich culture and heritage. From riding high-speed bullet trains to eating sushi while pursuing your degree, you'll surely have an enriching student experience!

When it comes to the choices that are available, Japan currently has 705 universities, from which 181 universities are a part of the public sector and 524 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Japan you should definitely check out are University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Osaka University.

Being able to study in Japan as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Japan, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Japan

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Japan, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 250,000 Yen to 3,800,000 Yen, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 215,000 Yen and 3,500,000 Yen.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Japan

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Japan, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Japan

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Japan, check out the Cheap Universities in Japan!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Japan for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Japan, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Japan, English and Japanese are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting JLPT for Japanese.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Japan and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Miyazaki International College

Bachelor’s degree

• TOEFL: No minimum scores
• Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page

Hagoromo University of International Studies

Bachelor’s degree

• JLPT: N2
• Bachelor's Japanese Language Requirements Page

Elisabeth University of Music

Master’s degree

• CEFR: N5
• Master's Japanese Language Requirements Page

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Japan

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Japan have online applications available on their websites, like University of Tokyo and Kyoto University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Japan.

University of Tokyo

• Official Website
• Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
• International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• Domestic Master's Admissions Page
• International Master's Admissions Page

Kyoto University

• Official Website
• International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• International Master's Admissions Page

Osaka University

• Official Website
• International Bachelor's Admissions Page
• International Master's Admissions Page

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Japan differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Japan.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Japan

Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Japan. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Japan as an international student.

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Japan. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa .

To start your student visa application in Japan, you will need to present the following:

1. Valid passport
2. Filled out visa application form from the embassy
3. Recently taken photo
4. Admission letter from the university
5. Certificate of Eligibility

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Japan is 3000 JPY for Single Entry, 6000 JPY for Double or Multiple Entry.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

1. Contact the Japanese embassy or consulate near you to confirm required documents.
2. Prepare the required documents for your visa application
3. Submit the documents to the Japanese embassy, consulate, or travel and visa processing agency.
4. Submit additional documents and attend an interview upon the embassy or consulate's request.
5. Once your application is approved, pay the application fee and collect your passport and visa.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Japan. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!