Everything you must know before studying in Japan—Universities, fees, and everything in between

Studying in Japan has become increasingly popular among international students for several strong reasons. Here’s a clear and student-friendly breakdown of why Japan is attracting more students from around the world:

1. Japanese universities are known for strong academics, especially in:

• Engineering

• Technology

• Robotics

• Medicine

• Business

2. Degrees from Japan are globally respected.

3. Research facilities are advanced and well funded.

4. Japan has expanded English-medium degree programs, especially at top universities. So students can study without full Japanese fluency at first.

5. Many universities offer free Japanese language classes alongside degrees.

6. Affordable Compared to Other Top Destinations like the UK or USA.

7. Strong Scholarship support.

8. Career and Work Opportunities: Japan faces a shrinking workforce, creating opportunities for international talent., Students can work part time jobs while studying. Companies increasingly hire global graduates.

9.  Government supports more Internationalization.

10. Simple visa process.

Higher Education System in Japan

1. Undergraduate (Bachelor’s): 4 years (Medicine, Dentistry: 6 years)

2. Graduate Programs: Master’s: 2 years

3. PhD: 3–5 years

Universities

• National Universities- Government Funded

• Public Universities : (local government)

• Private Universities:(most common)

Main intake April

Japanese language schools (6 months–2 years)

Recognized Universities

1. University of Tokyo (Todai / UTokyo) – Japan’s top university with a strong reputation worldwide

2. Kyoto University – Known for research strength in science & engineering

3. Osaka University – Large research university with diverse programs

4. Tohoku University – Excellent in materials science & engineering

5. Nagoya University – Strong in engineering and natural sciences

6. Hokkaido University – Offers broad academic fields and research

7. Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) – Focus on science and engineering

8. University of Tsukuba – Known for international programs.

9. Kyushu University – Major research university in southern Japan

10. Tokyo International University

11. Lakeland University in Japan

12. Yamanashi Gakuin University

13. Kundan Institute of Japanese Language

Admission Requirement

• Relevant Academic Qualification for the chosen program

• Valid Passport

• Research Proposal ( if required)

• Statement of Purpose

• Letters of Recommendation

• Language Proficiency: English Test

• Japanese Proficiency for Japanese taught program

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• MEXT Scholarship (very competitive, fully funded)

• JASSO scholarships

• University-specific scholarships

• Many schools offer tuition reductions

Early application is crucial.

Cost of Studying & Living

Tuition (approx.)

• Language school: INR 344,653-459,537/year

• Public universities: INR 4,00,000- 5,00,000/per year

• Private universities- INR 5 lacs- 10 Lacs /per year

Living expenses

¥80,000–¥150,000/month depending on the city Tokyo is more expensive than smaller cities

Part time work opportunities while studying

Common student jobs:

• Convenience stores

• Restaurants ○ Factories

• Tutoring (English)

Japanese language skill greatly affects job options and pay.

Student visas allow part-time work up to 28 hours/week.

Language Requirements

Japanese is very important for daily life. Many universities offer programs in English, but; part-time jobs like: Housing, Government paperwork usually require basic Japanese.

• Learning Hiragana, Katakana, and Basic Kanji beforehand is strongly recommended.

JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) levels:

• N5–N4: Basic daily communication

• N3+: Helpful for work and school life

Student Visa & Legal Rules

• You must get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) first- Official document issued by immigration services Bureau confirming eligibility for student residence status.

• University Application- The admitting institution applied for COE on behalf of students.

Visa Application Process

Apply to a recognized Japanese Institution COE Application: Institution applies for Certificate of Eligibility

Visa Application- Submit application at Japanese Embassy with passport, COE and required documents.

Post Study Visa Options

Work Visa (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services)

This is the most common post-study visa.

Who can apply:

• Graduates of Japanese Bachelor’s or Master’s programs

• Must have a job offer related to your field of study

Eligible jobs include:

• IT & Software Engineering

•  Mechanical / Electrical Engineering

•  Business, Marketing, HR

•  Translation & Interpretation

•  Education, Design, International Sales

Validity

• 1, 3, or 5 years (renewable)

• No Japanese language law requirement, but N3–N2 level is strongly preferred by employers.

Designated Activities Visa (Job-Hunting Visa)

If you graduate but don’t yet have a job, this visa allows you to stay and job hunt.

Key points:

• Valid for 6 months, extendable up to 1 year

• Requires:

  Graduation from a Japanese university

  Recommendation from your university

• You can work part-time while job hunting

This option is very popular with international graduates.

Final Advice

If you plan to work in Japan after studying:

• Start job hunting 6–12 months before graduation

• Learn Japanese early

• Use your university’s career support services

Accommodation

• Dormitories

• Share houses

• Apartments (often require: ○ Guarantor ○ Deposit & key money)

Many schools help arrange housing for international students.

Healthcare & Insurance

• Students must enroll in National Health Insurance.

• Covers about 70% of medical costs.

Healthcare quality is very high.

Conclusion: Benefits of Studying in Japan for International Students

Studying in Japan offers international students a unique combination of academic excellence, affordability, safety, and global career opportunities. Japanese universities are internationally recognized for their high-quality education, especially in science, technology, engineering, business, and research, while increasingly offering English-taught programs to welcome students from around the world. Japan stands out as a study destination because of its reasonable tuition fees, wide range of scholarships, and the ability to work part-time while studying. Students benefit from living in one of the safest and most well-organized countries, with advanced infrastructure, excellent healthcare, and reliable public transportation Beyond academics, studying in Japan provides rich cultural exposure, helping students develop discipline, adaptability, and a strong work ethic—skills highly valued worldwide. With clear post-study work visa options and growing demand for global talent, Japan also offers promising career pathways after graduation.