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    Study in Japan

    Higher Education Structure in Japan

    Study In Japan

    Japan has one of the most extensive higher education systems in the world, with more than 800 Universities, of which over 75% are private institutions. Approximately 3 million students are enrolled in the higher education system, with approximately 8% of these being from outside Japan.

    As a country, Japan has a very high standard of living and a flourishing economy, making it an attractive destination for international students and tourists alike. Most foreign students in Japan are either enrolled in a University or in a Japanese language school; in both cases, they have several attractive job options, either in one of the country's several corporations, or as an interpreter or teacher in their home country. Japan is composed of five main islands, and is home to more than 120 million people, with Tokyo being the capital and largest city.

    The Perks of Studying in Japan

    Japan is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

    • The country is ranked #6 in the world in the US News “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
    • The country is ranked #10 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review in 2023.
    • The country is ranked #47 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2022.
    • The country is ranked #30 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

    Higher Education Framework in Japan

    Japan has a highly developed higher education system, with more than 1,200 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in total, of which over 800 are Universities of various kinds. There are five types of HEIs in the country:

    1. National Universities: There are 86 such HEIs in the country; they are of prime importance, and receive extensive funding from the Japanese Government. The highest ranked HEIs in Japan (e.g. Tohoku University) are National Universities.

    2. Public / Local Universities: These are also partly funded by the government, but are smaller and less prestigious than National Universities. Japan has approximately 100 Public Universities.

    3. Private Universities: These are funded by corporates or individual educational trusts, and number more than 600.

    4. Junior Colleges: They act as bridges between Japanese High Schools and Universities. There are more than 300 such HEIs in the country, with multiple Junior Colleges in each prefecture.

    5. Colleges of Technology: There are more than 50 such HEIs in Japan. They focus on professional training, primarily in healthcare, engineering, and language teaching.

    Vocational Programs

    Most vocational degree programs in Japan last two years, and focus on skills needed to succeed in the job market. Candidates may join directly after high school or after completing an undergraduate degree. There are eight categories of vocational degrees based on subject: Industrial, Agriculture, Medical, Hygiene, Social Welfare, Commercial Practice, Home Science, and Cultural.

    Undergraduate Programs

    There are two kinds of undergraduate degree programs in Japan. Junior Colleges award Associate degrees, which can be completed in two years. Universities award Bachelor's degrees, which take either four or six years (the latter is reserved for medical and dental courses). They are much more intensive than in many other countries, and students must demonstrate academic mastery and complete a Bachelor's thesis before being allowed to graduate.

    Postgraduate Programs

    Master's degree programs in Japan are usually taught in Japanese, though there are a few programs (e.g. international business) which are taught in English. These degrees typically take two years to complete, and many students choose to combine it with a doctoral program (in which case they immediately start their PhD after completing two years, without needing to present a detailed Master's thesis). The topics are usually highly specialized, and the cost of postgraduate education is slightly less than in the US or UK, without compromising on quality.

    Doctoral Programs

    Doctoral degree programs in Japan usually take three years to complete (if combined with a Master's degree), or five years (if undergraduate degree holders join from scratch). Research work starts from the first year, and candidates will only be allowed to receive their degree if they are able to successfully defend their thesis before a panel of external examiners at the end of their tenure.

    Popular Disciplines Available in Japan

    The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Japan are-

    Materials ScienceAerospace EngineeringHumanities and Social Sciences
    Civil Engineering and ArchitectureRoboticsTeaching Japanese as a Second Language
    Pharmaceutical SciencesMechanical EngineeringGeophysics
    Health SciencesDentistryApplied Chemistry
    EconomicsBusiness AdministrationLaw

    Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Japan

    Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Japan.

    The name of the city No. of Universities 
    Tokyo144
    Yokohama31
    Osaka58
    Nagoya52
    Sapporo37
    Kobe35
    Kyoto34

    Average Monthly Expenses in Japan for International Students

    Tuition fees for graduate students in Japan are slightly lower than in the US and UK. For example, national universities charge 820,000 yen per year for Master’s programs; with Private Universities charging tuition fees that are 30% higher, on average. Given that this is much higher than the average amount that students can earn from part time jobs, most international students apply for scholarships.

    Accommodation costs are significantly higher in Tokyo (50,000 yen per month) than in smaller cities and rural areas of Japan (38,000 yen per month). The total living cost, including accommodation, is 91,000 yen per month on average, with the other contributors to the monthly budget being food, utilities, entertainment, and insurance.

    Students Visa Requirements

    The first step to obtain a Japanese student visa is submission of documents to the University which has sent the candidate an offer. The University will submit the documents to the Immigration Bureau in Japan, who will issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) if the documents are in order. After this, the visa can be collected from the Embassy in the candidate's home country.

    Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Japan.

    The documents that must be submitted to qualify for the COE are as follows:

    • Application Form.
    • Eight passport size photographs.
    • A photocopy of a valid international passport.
    • Academic documents (degree certificates and detailed transcripts).
    • Proof that the student has paid the first semester's tuition fees.
    • Proof of financial stability; most candidates must attach bank statements to show that they have access to at least 2 million yen.
    • Letter of Sponsorship from a local resident of Japan.
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    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Applicants for a long term multiple entry Japanese student visa must pay the visa processing fee of 6,000 Yen to the embassy authorities. Students who apply via a visa processing company (e.g. VFS) must pay additional registration fees that vary by country. For example, this fee is INR 500 in India.

    The photographs submitted with the COE and Japanese student visa application must be 4 cm (height) by 3 cm (width). The entire face must be clearly visible, with no headgear or sunglasses. The photo must be recent; taken within three months of the application submission. No other people or objects should be present in the picture.

    The Japanese Embassy authorities do not provide specific reasons for rejection of student visa applications. Therefore, students should be very careful while filling up the application. Candidates whose applications are rejected cannot apply again for a period of six months, and will hence have to wait one academic year before pursuing their higher studies in Japan. During the second application, most students spend more time on the sponsorship section, to prove that they have access to the funds required to complete their University studies in Japan.

    International students in Japan may supplement their studies with part time employment. During the semester, the total hours worked in all temporary jobs may not exceed 28 hours per week. During summer and winter vacations, students may work up to 40 hours per week in full time internships. Most international students work in part time restaurant hospitality or sales jobs.

    International students who wish to apply for a Master’s degree in Japan must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline. They may also have to satisfy minimum performance criteria, and prove their proficiency in either Japanese or English, depending on the medium of instruction.

    The Japanese Higher Education system is very well developed, and the institutions are recognized internationally. In the QS 2023 rankings, there are 5 Japanese Universities in the top 100. They are the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tokyo Tech, Osaka University, and Tohoku University.

    Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Architecture are popular disciplines in Japan, due to the importance of civil engineering in urban construction and earthquake-proof housing. All national and public Japanese Universities have famous architecture programs, and international students must display their knowledge of basic engineering and drafting skills, while Master’s aspirants may have to submit an architectural portfolio.

    Medical and Dental degree programs in Japanese Universities last six years, on average. They are associated with significantly higher tuition fees than other courses of study. For example, the annual tuition fees in Tokyo Medical University are almost 3 million yen, or 20,000 USD. with additional amounts payable under the Admission Fee and Facilities Enrichment Fee heads. These are in line with the medical program fees in most European countries.

    Most graduate programs in Japanese Universities are taught in Japanese. Students who wish to apply for these courses must prove that they are fluent in the language, at either B2 or C1 level, depending on the admission entry requirements. However, the larger universities have a few programs that are taught in English; knowledge of Japanese is not among the eligibility criteria for these courses.