How to Study in Okayama for International Students

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Okayama, one of the beautiful cities in Japan, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Okayama currently has 9 universities, from which 1 universities are a part of the public sector and 8 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 Okayama you should definitely check out are Okayama University, Okayama University of Science, and Shujitsu University.

Being able to study in Okayama 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 Okayama, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Okayama

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Okayama, 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 950,000 Yen, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 215,000 Yen and 800,000 Yen.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Okayama

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

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Okayama University 535,800 Yen 535,800 Yen

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Okayama

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Chugoku Gakuen University 250,000 Yen - 295,000 Yen
Sanyo Gakuen University 650,000 Yen
International Pacific University 800,000 Yen
Okayama Shoka University 546,000 Yen 555,000 Yen
Shujitsu University 920,000 Yen - 950,000 Yen 215,000 Yen
Notre Dame Seishin University 560,000 Yen
Okayama Gakuin University 535,800 Yen 535,800 Yen
Okayama University of Science 845,000 Yen 800,000 Yen

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

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

2. Requirements to Study in Okayama for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Okayama, 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 Okayama, 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 Okayama and their required minimum scores for each program level.

International Pacific University

Bachelor’s degree

Okayama Gakuin University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Okayama University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

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 Okayama

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

Okayama University

Okayama University of Science

Shujitsu University

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 Okayama 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 Okayama.

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 Okayama

If you’re going to study in Okayama, you will need to apply for a student visa in Japan

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 Okayama, 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 Okayama. 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!