Here are 10 great reasons why you should consider studying in Japan
All Japanese universities are regulated by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEXT) and therefore degrees from Japanese universities are recognized internationally. By choosing to study at a university in Japan, you can be assured of an excellent education.
- Japan has a high quality of education.
- Excellent employment opportunities for international students.
- Affordable tuition fees and generous scholarships
- Safe and secure with an excellent medical system.
- You can earn a degree and learn Japanese at the same time great quality of life with Japanese culture, history and nature.
One should seriously considered studying in Japan as its cheaper tuition fees for international students, lot of scholarship opportunities generous part time work allowances, ample graduate employment opportunity and welcoming immigration system.
It is a country that has continued to meld high technology into the fabric of its society whilst remaining true to its unique culture, Japan continues to fascinate people around the people. Over the last 10 years, the total no. of international students enrolled at universities in Japan has increased by 160%.
High-quality of education
All Japanese universities are regulated by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MEXT) and therefore degrees from Japanese universities are recognized internationally.
Excellent employment opportunities for international students
Japan is the world’s 3rd largest economy and home to many famous multinational companies in the technology, automotive and manufacturing sectors. With Japanese companies being active around the world, knowledge of the Japanese language and business culture can be extremely beneficial for your future career both in Japan and abroad. It is well known that Japan faces demographic pressures as its population continues to shrink and age rapidly. This is creating great employment opportunities for international students who graduate from Japanese universities.
Affordable tuition fees & generous scholarships
At many Japanese universities, international students pay the same fees as Japanese domestic students, this helps to make Japan a more affordable destination than many other G7 nations. The Japanese government supports international education through its JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) and MEXT scholarships. In addition to this most universities have their own academic merit scholarships that you can apply. International students in Japan also have the ability to work part time up to 28 hours a week during semester and up to 40 hours a week over vacations, again making studying in Japan a more financially viable option than many other countries.
Safe and secure, with an excellent medical system
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate in Japan is extremely low, with minimal rates of drug use. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks Tokyo and Osaka as the world’s 1st and 3rd safest cities respectively.
Japan was also the first country in the world to enshrine environmental protections into law and continues to have very strong food safety regulations. According to the World Health Organization, the Japanese have the longest life expectancy in the world, thanks in part to Japan’s excellent medical system which you will have access to as a student through the very affordable national health insurance system.
Earn a degree and learn Japanese at the same time
Traditionally, an international student seeking to study at a Japanese University would attend a Japanese language school to improve their Japanese to a JLPT N2 or N1 level.
At a university offering an English-taught degree like iCLA however, you can study Japanese as an elective while studying towards your major. iCLA’s Japanese language program is designed to assist you in gaining fluency in Japanese by the time you graduate.
Universities in Japan also have many clubs and societies where you can make friends and use your Japanese in real life situations.
Top 10 universities in Japan
| Rank | University name | Prefecture |
| 1 | Tohoku University | Miyagi |
| 2 | The University of Tokyo | Tokyo |
| 3 | Osaka University | Osaka |
| 4 | Tokyo Institute of Technology | Tokyo |
| 5 | Kyoto University | Kyoto |
| 6 | Kyushu University | Fukuoka |
| 7 | Hokkaido University | Hokkaido |
| 8 | Nagoya University | Aichi |
| 9 | University of Tsukuba | Ibaraki |
| 10 | International Christian University | Tokyo |
Japan As a Study Destination: Highlights
Here’s an overview of all the factors that an international student must know about when pursuing higher studies in Japan:
| Language of Instruction | English, Japanese |
| Average Cost of Study | ¥535,800 – ¥1,140,000/ Year |
| Average Cost of Living | ¥1,073,026 – ¥1,229,227/ Year |
| Sources of Funding | Scholarships, Grants, Fellowships |
| Exam Required | IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, EJU, etc. |
| Intakes | 3 times a year – Spring, Autumn, Summer |
| Types of Visa | Student Visa |
| Top Courses | Welfare and Health, Food Science and Technology, Business and Management, Electronics and Engineering, Biological Sciences, Fine Arts and Social Sciences, etc. |
| Types of Degrees | Undergraduate degree, Graduate degree, Doctorate degree, Associate degree |
| Best Student Cities | Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Yokohama, etc. |
Education System
Japanese universities primarily offer 4 types of degrees:
- Associate Degree: An associate degree is an undergraduate degree that typically lasts 2 years. The degree is generally awarded by community colleges, technical colleges and 4-year colleges.
- Bachelor’s Degree: The bachelor level programs generally span over a period of 4 years except for those in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Science, which require 6 years of study.
- Master’s Degree: After completion of their undergraduate programs, the students in Japan can opt for various master level courses in the field of their choice. The master’s degree spans over a period of 2 years.
- Doctoral Degree: A doctoral degree is a postgraduate degree in a specialized field. They are of 3-4 years duration.
Detailed view
| Type of Institution | Key Points |
| Junior Colleges | Provides various courses subjects such as Humanities, Home Economics, Nursing, Education and Sociology. Depending on the department, the duration of studies in these colleges ranges between 2 to 3 years. |
| Professional/Specialized Training Colleges | Trains the students to pursue a particular career. They provide 1 or 2 years courses that focus on enhancing the skills of the students in a particular field. |
| University (Undergraduate) | Provides undergraduate courses on various disciplines. |
| Graduate School | Provides opportunities for students to gain advanced knowledge through graduate schools. They offer masters and doctoral degrees. |
| Colleges of Technology | They are specially designed to impart knowledge in professional fields like Engineering Merchant Shipping and other related fields of study. |
Top Courses
The universities in Japan offer a wide range of courses in various disciplines. All of them are up-to-date and focus on overall growth. But there are some that are regarded as the best courses in Japan for international students:
- International Relations
- Finance
- Robotics and Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Business Management
- Biological Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Tourism and hospitality Management
Japan University Requirements for International Students
To understand how to study in Japan, you must understand the admission requirements for different courses in Japan:
| Degree | Requirements |
| Associate Degree | High school transcript or equivalent IELTS – 6 TOEFL iBT score 80 Japanese Proficiency Test may be required |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 12th standard certificate IELTS – 6.5TOEFL iBT – 85Japanese Proficiency Test may be required Motivation letterExamination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) |
| Master’s Degree | Bachelor’s degreeIELTS – 6.5TOEFL iBT – 100Japanese Proficiency Test may be required Entrance exam may be required GRE/GMATMotivation letterLOR |
| Doctorate Degree | Master’s degree in the related fieldProven research abilitiesIELTS – 6.5 TOEFL iBT – 85Entrance exam may be required |
The application process can turn out to be a long and complicated task. Hence, you may want to get in touch with our career counselor at DAVESAR CONSULTANTS to simplify the process for you.
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