Studying at a Japanese University: Application Basics for International Students

A friendly walk through the steps, exams, fees and timing that international students meet when applying to a Japanese university.

Published October 26, 2026 at 9:47 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Most international students apply to a Japanese university by showing 12 years of completed schooling or an equivalent, proof of language ability, and often a score from the EJU, the national admission exam for international students, which is held in June and November. Each university sets its own rules, so check its guidelines first. The academic year usually begins in April.

Applying to a Japanese university can feel like a big puzzle at first, because each school publishes its own rules, deadlines and exam requirements. The good news is that the overall path is fairly consistent. Students choose a school, meet an eligibility rule, prove their language skills, and submit documents before a deadline. This guide walks through the main pieces in plain language, from school types to exams, fees, scholarships and the first steps after an offer arrives. Use it as a map, then confirm every detail with the official guidelines of the universities on your list.

Start with the kinds of schools

Japan offers several types of post-secondary schools, and picking the right type shapes everything that follows. The official Study in Japan site lists universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, specialized training colleges, graduate schools and Japanese language institutes. A standard university bachelor's degree takes four years, while medicine, dentistry and veterinary science usually take six. Junior colleges offer shorter programs, typically two or three years, which lead to an associate degree.

Universities also differ by who runs them. National, public and private universities all accept international students, and each group tends to publish its own application calendar and fee schedule. Some newer institutions are called professional universities and focus on practical training, with degrees at the bachelor's level. If you are not sure where to begin, think first about the subject you want to study and the language you can study in, then narrow the list by school type.

The eligibility rule behind most applications

The most common basic requirement is that an applicant has completed 12 years of school education, or holds an equivalent qualification. The Study in Japan site names examples of equivalents such as the International Baccalaureate, the German Abitur and the French Baccalaureate. Other routes exist for applicants who are 18 or older and meet certain conditions, which each university explains in its own guide.

Because education systems vary around the world, applicants with a different number of school years should read the eligibility section of each target university carefully. Some students bridge a gap by completing a preparatory program, and Japanese universities decide individually whether that satisfies their rule. When in doubt, the admissions office of the school is the final authority, and many offices answer questions by email in English.

The EJU and why it matters

The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students, called the EJU, is a central exam for many applicants. It is run by the Japan Student Services Organization, known as JASSO, and it measures academic Japanese along with basic ability in fields such as science, mathematics and the study of Japan and the world. The test is given twice a year, in June and November, and it is offered in cities across Japan and in a number of other countries and regions.

The subjects are Japanese as a foreign language, science (physics, chemistry or biology), Japan and the World, and mathematics. A university decides which subjects its applicants need, and some subjects can be taken in Japanese or English depending on the school. According to JASSO materials, a strong EJU score is one input among several, since universities review the score report together with other criteria. Some schools do not require the EJU at all and run their own exams instead, so confirm this before you register.

How the application flow works

JASSO describes a simple order of events for EJU based admission. The university first announces its requirements, including which subjects and which language option it wants. The student then takes the EJU, receives results, and applies to the university with the EJU registration number. The university requests the score report from JASSO and reviews it with the rest of the file before telling the applicant its decision.

Other routes exist beyond the EJU. The Study in Japan site notes that many schools run their own entrance exams for international students, and formats can include document screening, academic tests, interviews, short essays and aptitude tests. Typical documents include an application form, a graduation certificate, transcripts, a letter of recommendation and proof of language ability. Build a checklist for each school, because the lists differ and some schools ask for documents in a particular language or format.

Language proof: Japanese and English

Language ability can be shown in several ways. For Japanese, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, called the JLPT, is the best known. It has five levels from N5 (basic) to N1 (advanced) and is held twice a year, in July and December. Many Japanese taught programs ask for a level in the middle to upper range, but the exact level depends on the school and department.

For English, universities often accept scores from tests such as TOEFL or IELTS for English taught programs, though accepted tests vary. Japanese language institutes offer a path for students who want to study in Japanese but need more time to prepare. These schools run full time courses that help students reach the level their target universities ask for. Plan the timeline carefully so that your test score arrives before the application deadline.

English taught programs and October entry

Students who prefer to study in English can look at degree programs taught in English. Japan has supported these through national initiatives over the years. The Global 30 project funded 13 universities to build English-only undergraduate programs, and the later Top Global University Project, which ran from 2014 to 2024, selected 37 schools to expand international education.

A well known example is Nagoya University, whose English taught International Programs start each October and include Japanese language training from the first year. Most Japanese universities begin the academic year in April and end it in March, so October entry is a special feature of certain programs. If you want an English path, compare program lists on university websites and note that places can be limited and selective.

Costs and fees in stable ranges

Study in Japan lists approximate first year costs that combine admission and tuition fees. For national universities the figure is roughly 820,000 yen, and for most private university programs it is roughly 1.3 million yen. Medical, dental and pharmaceutical programs at private universities cost much more, at roughly 3.8 million yen for the first year. These are averages, and individual schools can charge extra for materials or practical training.

Living costs come on top of tuition and vary by city, so Tokyo and Osaka tend to cost more than smaller cities. Applicants should add application fees, exam fees, and travel for any in person tests to their budget. The official site publishes living cost information, and each university gives estimates in its guide for international students. Always rely on the current figures published by the school.

Scholarships, visas and the first steps after admission

Several scholarships exist for international students. JASSO runs a scholarship for privately financed international students at universities and other institutions. According to the Study in Japan site, it provides a monthly payment of 48,000 yen for most eligible programs, usually for one year or six months at a time, and strong EJU scorers can be selected as reservation holders before arriving. The Japanese government's MEXT scholarship is another well known option, and universities and private foundations offer their own awards.

After admission, the usual next step is the visa process. Study in Japan explains that students typically obtain a Certificate of Eligibility through the university, then apply for the student visa, and later receive a residence card and an Individual Number after arrival. Schedules differ, so start early and keep every document in a folder. A calm, organized approach turns a long checklist into a series of small steps.

Putting your plan together

A simple plan makes the process manageable. Pick a few schools, read each admission guide, mark the exam dates, and set personal deadlines well before the official ones. Study for the EJU or JLPT early, request transcripts and recommendation letters in good time, and ask the admissions office whenever a rule is unclear. International students enroll every year, so the path is well worn.

Remember that rules change, and every figure here is a general range. Confirm everything on the official pages of the Study in Japan site, JASSO and each university before you apply. With patience and good preparation, the application becomes a stepping stone to a rewarding experience of living and learning in Japan.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book TokyoPaul's Guide to Japanese Universities is available on Amazon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EJU required to apply to a Japanese university?

Not always. A large share of Japanese universities use EJU scores, including most national universities, but each school and department sets its own rule. Some run separate exams, interviews or document screening instead. Read the admission guidelines of every school on your list and confirm which subjects and which language option they require before you register.

When does the academic year start in Japan?

The Japanese academic year normally begins in April and ends in March. Some universities also offer October entry, especially in English taught programs, such as the International Programs at Nagoya University. Application deadlines come many months earlier, so check each school's calendar well in advance and plan around the exam dates.

How much does the first year at a Japanese university cost?

According to the official Study in Japan site, the first year at a national university averages roughly 820,000 yen including admission and tuition, and most private university programs average roughly 1.3 million yen. Medical, dental and pharmaceutical programs cost more. Living costs are separate, and each university publishes its own current figures.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: The JLPT: A Guide to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, Learning Japanese in Japan: Language Schools, Community Classes and Self-Study and Studying in Japan: Trends for International Students.