Study in Japan

With its unique culture and traditions perfectly blending with technology and advancement, Japan continues to fascinate people around the globe. Over the years Japan has grown significantly to occupy a prominent place in terms of innovation, progress and growth. 

Apart from being a country leading in technology, Japan is also known as the hub of education. The credit here goes to the excellent universities in Japan providing first class education, training and research opportunities. 

Today, more than 3 lakh international students from more than 170 countries have opted to study abroad in Japan. Along with academic excellence, international students are drawn to study in Japan because of its simplicity, diverse culture and work opportunities. 

Here’s an overview of all the factors that an international student must know about when pursuing higher studies in Japan:

Japan has everything to offer in terms of academics and career prospects. Be it technology, creative outlook or job opportunities, Japan has it all. Studying in Japan has been a rewarding and life changing experience for many international students till date. Here’s a quick look into why study abroad in Japan:

• Japan is a high-tech country with some of the best STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs in the world. 
• There are tons of programmes or courses to choose for international students to study in Japan. Each course is designed to deliver the best quality education to the learners. 
• Japan has an esteemed education system with some world famous universities. Many universities in Japan are ranked globally because of their excellence. 
• Japan, being a booming economy, opens doors to an array of job opportunities for international students. It is a favourable place for your career growth. 
• Japan has a unique culture and society. The simple lifestyle, healthy habits, hospitality and delicious Japanese cuisines are things to be relished.   

In Japan, the students who wish to continue with higher studies can enroll in the course of their choice in universities after completing their secondary education through entrance exams. The 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.

The detailed view of different types of higher education institutions in Japan is discussed below:

These educational institutions can be further categorized into three types: national, local, public and private, depending on the founding bodies. 

Credit System in Japan

• Most undergraduate degrees require between 120 and 150 credits. These are spread out over a progression of elective and required courses. For specific course requirements, do check with your university.
• Master’s degree courses require around 30 credits (except for MBAs that require close to 50), and courses are spread out across semesters the same as undergraduate studies. Master´s courses are usually worth 2 credits each.
• Along with coursework and research, students must obtain a minimum of 30 credits, draft a doctoral thesis and oral defense, and pass an examination, in order to receive the degree. 

The application process to study in Japan for Indian students and international students can be completed in online mode. A step-by-step process of getting admission in Japan university is discussed below:

1. Decide the course you want to pursue and look for the best universities that suit your needs and goals. 
2. Once the universities are shortlisted, check out the official university websites of each university and gather information about the requirements and eligibility criteria.
3. Start the application process. Fill the application form and upload all required documents and certificates. Pay the required application fees.
4. Wait for the universities to revert. 
5. Once selected you will be sent the letter of acceptance. It is the document that you will need to apply for your student visa. Your institute will act as a sponsor during your visa application process.

Japan University Requirements for International Students

To understand how to study in Japan, you must understand the admission requirements for different courses in Japan:

The cost of studying in Japan depends upon the choice of your course and university. The lifestyle you choose also has a significant impact on the overall cost. The total cost can be divided into two categories – Tuition Fees and Cost of Living.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee in Japan is much lower as compared to countries like the US and UK. If you wish to cut on your costs it is advisable to opt for a public university. Unlike other countries, the fees structure for international students and domestic students are almost the same in Japan.     

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students in Japan depends upon the kind of lifestyle one choses. If you have a tight budget, you must opt for student accommodations and apply for different scholarship programmes. But, there are some costs that are unavoidable. The main components of cost of living in Japan for international students is discussed below:

If you are planning to study in Japan, there are plenty of options available to you in terms of location. Given below are some of the best cities to choose in Japan for higher studies:

Once your admission to a university in Japan is confirmed, it’s time to start your student visa application process. A step-by-step method to follow to obtain student visa for Japan is: 

1. If you apply for a long term course, your institute will act as a sponsor for your student visa. Before that, you have to fill and send different visa application documents to your institute, which will then submit it to the immigration authorities in Japan. 
2. Within a month or so you will get your COE or Certificate of Eligibility. It is the document that you will need to apply for a student visa in Japan.
3. Once you have your COE, you may then start the visa application process at the Japanese Embassy of your home country by submitting all required documents. 
4. When you finally get your student visa and land in Japan, you will receive a Landing Permit and Residence Card. You need to report your stay to the local municipal authorities within two weeks after receiving both these documents. 

Choosing study in Japan for Indian students can turn out to be an expensive affair. This is where scholarships come to the rescue. The Japanese Universities and Government of Japan offer many scholarships for international students every year. Most of the scholarships are fully funded and available for students from all nationalities. Some top scholarships offered at the universities of Japan are:

Special Scholarship In The PhD Program At Otani University 2022

• Meritorious international students pursuing PhD at Otani University under any discipline.
• Amount/ Benefit: Equivalent to half monthly stipend provided by Student Services Organization.

Super KUAS-E Scholarship

• Students with excellent performance in the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University of Advanced Science. 
• Amount/ Benefit: ¥1,200,000 (stipend) + tuition exemption + admission fee exemption.

KUAS-E Scholarship

• Students with excellent performance in the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University of Advanced Science.
• Amount/ Benefit: Tuition fee reduction (100%, 50% or 30%) + Admission fee reduction (100%, 50% or 30%)

MEXT Asia Pacific University Japanese Government Scholarship 

• Meritorious students at Asia Pacific University pursuing full time bachelor’s, master’s or PhD programs. 
• Amount/ Benefit: 100% Tuition Fee, Monthly Stipend and Airfare Tickets

ADB Scholarship University of Tokyo

• Meritorious students pursuing a 2 year master degree program at University of Tokyo.
• Amount/ Benefit: Tuition Fee, Books, Accommodation, Stipend, Airfare Tickets, Medical Allowance.

Tokyo Institute of Technology Scholarship

• Meritorious students pursuing master’s or doctoral programs at Tokyo Institute of Technology 
• Amount/ Benefit: ¥147,000/Month for Master’s Program and ¥148,000/Month for Doctoral Program

kGU Graduate School International Scholarships

• Meritorious students pursuing postgraduate courses at Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan. 
• Amount/ Benefit: 50% annual tuition fees

Students having work permits are eligible to take up different part time jobs in Japan. The work permit is pasted on your passport in the form of a sticker, for which you must acquire a valid student visa. 

International students having a work permit are allowed to work for 28 hours per week on working days, and 40 hours per week during semester breaks.   

Some popular part time jobs for students in Japan are – 

Post Study Work Options For International Students In Japan

The Government of Japan has eased the post-study work visa restrictions for international students. This has made it easier for international students to stay back in the country after completing their studies.

Job Outlook for International Students after Studies

The job market in Japan favours certain kinds of fields. Here’s a quick look at top sectors for seeking jobs after MS in Japan-

Work Visa & PR in Japan

Graduates passing out from Japanese Universities are allowed to work in any role as long as they meet the income threshold of 3 million yen. International students have to change their status of residence from “Student” to “Designated Activities.”  This can be done by visiting the Regional Immigration Services Bureau or its branch office. 

You may apply for a PR in Japan by fulfilling the following requirements:

• Must have any type of work visa that is listed in one of the Highly Skilled Professional sub-categories (Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Intra-Company Transferee, Business Manager, Research Professor).
• Must have lived and worked in Japan for 1 to 3 years.  
• Must have paid all necessary taxes.
• Has a local guarantor or a non-Japanese national with Permanent Residency in Japan. The guarantor should be able to provide required documents relating to his/her identity and income. 

Choosing to study abroad in Japan for college students is no less than an investment that is sure to pay off in the long run. The strong education structure, good employment opportunities and high quality of life makes Japan a go-to study destination for many international aspirants. In case you need further guidance on how to study in japan for international students