The third-largest economy in the world, Japan is home to numerous significant automotive and technology companies, including Sony, Nikon, Mitsubishi, and Hitachi. Discovering a foreign culture from your own provides up opportunities in life that you never would have imagined. Absolutely think about going to Japan to study abroad.
The excellent reputation and amenities of Japanese educational institutions are well-known. The fact that more than 40 of their institutions are ranked among the top 200 universities in the world is evidence of their reputation for innovation and research on a worldwide scale. This page assists you in investigating all of your possibilities for studying in Japan so that you can maximise your time there as an international student.
Education System in Japan
The Japanese university system offers degrees in a range of courses and fields at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Higher education is offered in Japan through junior colleges and private or public universities. The government body in charge of matters pertaining to education, culture, and language is the Japanese Ministry of Education and Culture (MEXT).
Japan’s university system is renowned for its egalitarianism, excellence, and effectiveness. Japan ranks among the best nations in the world for student abilities and talents, with an average student scoring 540 on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in reading, literacy, math, and science.
The Japanese university system uses a four-tiered grading system:
A: yū (優) Very Good (80-100%)
B: ryō (良) Good (70-79,99%)
C: ka (可) Average, Pass (60-69,99%)
F: fuka (不可) Fail (0-59,99%)
Top universities in Japan
The Japanese government has set a goal of 300,000 international students by 2020 in an effort to draw more foreign students. Because of this, educational institutions are working to simplify everything for overseas students, from the admissions procedure to locating employment after graduation. The following is a list of some of the top universities in Japan:
- University of Tokyo
- Kyoto University
- Osaka University
- Waseda University
- Tokyo Institute of technology
- Keio University
- Kobe University
Tuition fees
For overseas students pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, tuition in Japan is reasonably priced when compared to other well-known study countries like the United States or the United Kingdom. Every academic year, tuition in Japan ranges from 20 to 23,000 USD for bachelor’s degrees, 12,000 USD for master’s degrees, and 5,000 USD for doctoral degrees.
Additionally, keep in mind that there is an application fee associated with each university application, which varies depending on the programme and institution. Due to the prolonged study period, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes in medicine and pharmacy are significantly more expensive.
All international students studying in Japan must pay an additional fee to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI). National Health Insurance is essential since it reduces medical costs in the event of an accident. In Japan, you can register for the insurance at the nearest local municipal office once you have received your visa and authorization to remain there.
Accommodation & other living Expenses
Since Japan is recognised as one of the safest countries in the world with extremely low crime rates, the safe environment is one of the main benefits of studying there. The cost of living in Japan is high when compared to other places to study, particularly if you decide to reside in the capital, Tokyo. But ultimately, everything comes down to the way you live.
Japan’s most accommodating cities for students include Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Yokohama, which provide options for every budget. Living on campus is a great option if you’re an international student trying to cut your living costs in Japan.
Scholarships to study in Japan
You may be qualified to apply for scholarships to study in Japan as an international student. Grants and scholarships with private funding are both available. The following list of scholarships is provided by Summit Spire for foreign students attending Japanese universities:
- Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
- International Postgraduate Scholarship – Japan and South Korea
- Japan Student Services Organization
- Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program
- Joint Japan/ World Bank Graduate Scholarships
Student Visa
More than 50 nations worldwide have general visa waiver arrangements with Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the list in hand. You can enter Japan without a visa for 90 days if you are a citizen of one of these countries and need to go there for a brief period of time.
However, in order to study in Japan, all international students must obtain a Japanese student visa. To be eligible for a study visa, your sponsoring university must be your place of enrollment. Remember that you can only work a limited number of hours per week and must acquire permission from the university or the immigration office in order to work throughout your education.