How to Study in Tokyo for International Students
Tokyo, 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, Tokyo currently has 83 universities, from which 10 universities are a part of the public sector and 73 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 Tokyo you should definitely check out are Kokusai Junior College, University of Tokyo, and Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Being able to study in Tokyo 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 Tokyo, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Tokyo
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Tokyo, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 308,000 Yen to 3,800,000 Yen, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 240,000 Yen and 2,402,000 Yen.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Tokyo
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Tokyo, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Institute of Industrial Technology | 520,800 Yen | |
| Musashi University | 770,000 Yen - 970,000 Yen | 520,000 Yen |
| University of Tokyo | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen - 804,000 Yen |
| Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
| SANNO University | 772,000 Yen | |
| Tokyo University of the Arts | 643,000 Yen | 643,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Institute of Technology | 635,400 Yen | 635,400 Yen |
| Tokyo Medical and Dental University | 496,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
| Ochanomizu University | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen |
| Tokyo Metropolitan University | 520,800 Yen | 520,800 Yen |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Tokyo
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Showa University | 400,000 Yen | |
| Tama Art University | 1,187,000 Yen | 1,187,000 Yen |
| Tokyo University of Agriculture | 760,000 Yen | 660,000 Yen |
| Toyo Gakuen University | 900,000 Yen | 700,000 Yen |
| Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing | 1,200,000 Yen | |
| Tokyo Future University | 800,000 Yen - 840,000 Yen | |
| Tokyo University of Social Welfare | 761,000 Yen | 670,000 Yen |
| Tokyo College of Music | 2,312,000 Yen - 2,402,000 Yen | 2,312,000 Yen - 2,402,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Kasei-Gakuin University | 308,000 Yen | 480,000 Yen |
| Musashino Academia Musicae | 1,390,000 Yen | 1,220,000 Yen |
| Nishogakusha University | 796,000 Yen | 520,000 Yen |
| Seisen University | 780,000 Yen | 530,000 Yen |
| Mejiro University | 798,000 Yen - 864,000 Yen | 600,000 Yen - 780,000 Yen |
| J. F. Oberlin University | 914,000 Yen - 1,114,000 Yen | 870,000 Yen - 970,000 Yen |
| Teikyo University | 777,000 Yen - 956,000 Yen | 459,000 Yen - 530,000 Yen |
| Otsuma Women’s University | 695,000 Yen - 775,000 Yen | 415,000 Yen - 555,000 Yen |
| Sugino Fashion College | 800,000 Yen | 760,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Zokei University | 1,265,000 Yen | 300,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Kasei University | 370,000 Yen - 1,020,000 Yen | 660,000 Yen |
| Joshibi University of Art and Design | 1,866,200 Yen - 1,894,200 Yen | 1,695,500 Yen |
| Japan Women’s University | 600,000 Yen - 800,000 Yen | |
| Musashino University | 770,000 Yen - 1,100,000 Yen | 430,000 Yen - 600,000 Yen |
| Nippon Sport Science University | 800,000 Yen - 900,000 Yen | 738,000 Yen - 800,000 Yen |
| University of the Sacred Heart | 700,000 Yen | 540,000 Yen |
| Nippon Dental University | 3,800,000 Yen | |
| Digital Hollywood University | 980,000 Yen | |
| Rikkyo University | 1,121,000 Yen - 1,850,000 Yen | 683,000 Yen - 1,500,000 Yen |
| Sophia University | 390,000 Yen - 581,000 Yen | 240,000 Yen - 473,000 Yen |
| Gakushuin Women’s College | 860,000 Yen | 600,000 Yen |
| Showa Women’s University | 795,600 Yen - 855,600 Yen | 750,600 Yen - 780,600 Yen |
| Taisho University | 850,000 Yen - 1,000,000 Yen | 400,000 Yen - 700,000 Yen |
| Komazawa University | 759,000 Yen - 800,000 Yen | 540,000 Yen - 600,000 Yen |
| Takushoku University | 792,000 Yen - 1,000,000 Yen | 580,000 Yen - 790,000 Yen |
| Tokyo International University | 1,000,000 Yen | 1,100,000 Yen |
| Kokushikan University | 730,000 Yen - 954,000 Yen | 650,000 Yen - 874,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Woman’s Christian University | 760,000 Yen | 540,000 Yen |
| Kitasato University | 900,000 Yen - 1,200,000 Yen | 550,000 Yen - 650,000 Yen |
| Toyo University | 710,000 Yen - 1,100,000 Yen | 450,000 Yen - 600,000 Yen |
| Rissho University | 738,000 Yen | 563,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Keizai University | 768,000 Yen - 874,000 Yen | 614,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Polytechnic University | 1,060,000 Yen | 730,000 Yen - 1,020,000 Yen |
| Tokai University | 1,216,000 Yen - 1,227,000 Yen | 618,000 Yen - 868,000 Yen |
| Hosei University | 1,436,000 Yen - 1,569,000 Yen | 880,000 Yen - 1,427,000 Yen |
| Nihon University | 800,000 Yen - 1,150,000 Yen | 580,000 Yen - 750,000 Yen |
| Meiji Gakuin University | 438,000 Yen - 996,000 Yen | 340,000 Yen - 510,000 Yen |
| Tokyo City University | 1,130,000 Yen - 1,380,000 Yen | 1,100,000 Yen - 1,190,000 Yen |
| Tokyo University of Technology | 1,349,300 Yen - 1,673,300 Yen | 1,096,800 Yen |
| Kokugakuin University | 760,000 Yen - 800,000 Yen | 505,000 Yen |
| Tokyo Denki University | 1,361,000 Yen - 1,401,000 Yen | 1,010,000 Yen - 1,020,000 Yen |
| Gakushuin University | 776,000 Yen - 1,174,000 Yen | 508,000 Yen - 688,000 Yen |
| Meiji University | 841,000 Yen - 1,063,000 Yen | 560,000 Yen - 760,000 Yen |
| Aoyama Gakuin University | 833,000 Yen - 1,181,000 Yen | 666,000 Yen - 813,000 Yen |
| Tokyo University of Science | 710,000 Yen - 910,000 Yen | |
| Tokyo Medical University | 1,050,000 Yen | 400,000 Yen |
| Waseda University | 971,000 Yen - 1,446,000 Yen | 624,000 Yen - 1,373,000 Yen |
| Shibaura Institute of Technology | 1,662,000 Yen | 1,465,000 Yen |
| Toho University | 500,000 Yen - 700,000 Yen | |
| Juntendo University | 1,150,000 Yen - 1,550,000 Yen | 600,000 Yen |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Tokyo, check out the Cheap Universities in Tokyo!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Tokyo for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Tokyo, 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 Tokyo, 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 Tokyo and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Tama Art University
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Bunka Gakuen University
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Toyo Gakuen University
Bachelor’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 Tokyo
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Tokyo have online applications available on their websites, like Kokusai Junior College and University of Tokyo. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Tokyo.
Kokusai Junior College
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
Tokyo Institute of Technology
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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo.
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 Tokyo
If you’re going to study in Tokyo, 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 Tokyo, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Filled out visa application form from the embassy
- Recently taken photo
- Admission letter from the university
- 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:
- Contact the Japanese embassy or consulate near you to confirm required documents.
- Prepare the required documents for your visa application
- Submit the documents to the Japanese embassy, consulate, or travel and visa processing agency.
- Submit additional documents and attend an interview upon the embassy or consulate's request.
- 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 Tokyo. 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!