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There is no denying that pursuing studies in Japan is a shared dream of many scholars around the world across different academic levels. A land rich in culture, with a robust infrastructure and being one of the safest countries, there is no denying that Japan is an ideal place to live in. To aid you in your academic journey to Japan, here is a detailed guide on How to apply to a Japanese University.

1. Determining your Level of Study

When considering studying in Japan, you'll navigate through various levels: undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate. In addition, you will also have the option to pursue an English-taught or Japanese-taught course depending on the institution. For undergraduates, entry can be from the first year or as a transfer student into the second or third year, given that you meet the academic requirements. Graduate or doctoral courses would typical require your transcripts from prior educations. However, connecting with professors in your desired university will be crucial as they can provide a recommendation letter, an essential element for application to graduate courses at Japanese universities. Do keep in mind that it's important for the recommending professor to belong to the same department as your major.

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2. Finding the university that suits you

Selecting the right university begins once you've chosen your course of study. This phase demands thorough exploration and comparison among potential universities. This includes finding the universities that offer your desired courses and comparing them based on the university ranking. In addition, it is also a good idea to consider the living standard of the region in which your university of choice is located, as it will help you estimate the living cost that you will likely need to prepare. This process of researching universities and their location can be exhausting and usually takes from one to three months based on the depth of your research. While agencies can aid in this quest, their assistance often comes with a substantial cost, though the task itself isn’t inherently challenging. Plus, most of the recommendations will tend to incline towards famous cities where they are located in cities with high living costs.

During my search for universities, I utilized the comprehensive university lists provided by JASSO. These lists encompassed courses offered by every university in Japan, whether public, private, or national. Navigating these resources can significantly streamline your search and help pinpoint universities that align with your academic pursuits and preferences.

However, there is a crucial fact that is not well known amongst aspiring students. The information presented on the Japanese version of the website is usually different in the English version. Always cross-reference both the Japanese and English versions of the university’s website. Why? Because the information on the Japanese site is often more detailed and up-to-date compared to the English version.

Fig: English Version of my University's Website.

Fig: Japanese Version of my University's Website.

The above images are the illustration of difference between the different versions of my university's website. As you can see there exists a few more faculties and research department in the Japanese version of the website compared to the english counterpart.

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3. Financing your Study

In Japan, the annual cost for national and public universities typically ranges from 500,000 to 800,000 yen for both undergraduate and graduate courses. However, tuition fees tend to be higher in private universities, starting from 1,000,000 yen for similar courses. These figures, alongside additional expenses for daily living and accommodation, can pose financial challenges for prospective students like yourself. That is why securing scholarships from either Japanese government or private institutions can significantly alleviate this financial burden.

It's important to note that while the notion of studying for free in Japan exists, it's dependent on several factors. Exceptional academic performance coupled with efficient financial planning is key to securing scholarship funds that not only cover expenses but also allow you to save extra funds during your academic journey. Achieving this balance can pave the way for a financially sustainable study experience in Japan.

Learn more on the average living cost and the types of scholarships available in Japan on my other blog post, [Financing your Study in Japan].

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4. Preparing for Requirements

Preparing to apply to a Japanese university involves understanding the specific requirements of each institution. This process includes gathering necessary documents like academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and any required test scores, and making sure that they're well-organized well before the application deadlines. If you are going for undergraduate programs taught in Japanese, the main requirement will often be the EJU Exam, which is designed for foreign students aiming to study undergraduate courses in Japan. It covers subjects like Math, Science, History, Japanese Society, etc. and applicants will need to select specific subject pairs based on the course requirements of their desired universities.

On the other hand, for graduate or master's programs in English, a JLPT certificate and previous academic transcripts will be the basic requirements. The final step in this prep phase is the entrance examination which depending on the institution, applicants maybe required to sit the test in Japan. In some cases, the entrance exam maybe administered in an online format (pre-arrival admission), so it's essential to follow the university's application guidelines carefully.

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5. VISA, Setting Foot in Japan

The process of applying for student visa will be swift as long as you have been admitted to a Japanese university. After confirming your admission, the university will mail you the essential documents for VISA application such as the COE (Certificate Of Eligibility) to your address, whether you are in Japan or overseas. There is no need to stress on the process of applying for VISA after being admitted, as the university will guide you through every necessary procedure. However, be aware that depending on your local consulate of Japan, you may require additional documents and procedures such as an additional interview. Thus, it is crucial for you to refer to the website of the embassy of Japan in your country to know all the necessary steps.

Once you've got that Visa in hand, it's time to head to Japan! Just make sure you've got all the things in check and like any vaccination requirements, you will have to follow the immigration requirement of Japan. (e.g. Vaccination Requirements and the use of Visit Japan Web)

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6. Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship (optional)

There exists a scholarship that can guarantee you stipends as soon as you begin your studies in Japan and its called Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship offered by Japan Student Service Organization (JASSO). To qualify for this scholarship, you will typically be required to score above 200 on the Japanese subject of the EJU exam or at least above N2 on the JLPT test. In addition, you will have to have been admitted to a Japanese institution at the time of the application.

In addition, it is possible to apply for the reservation program of this scholarship at the time of applying for the EJU examination. This would allow you to reserve for this scholarship even if you have not been admitted to a Japanese institution and of course, you will have to meet the requirements mentioned earlier to be eligible to receive it. The stipend amount is shown on the JASSO's website and for more information on other Japanese government sponsored or private scholarship foundations, read on my other blog post, [Financing your Study in Japan].

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7. Typical Processes after Getting to Japan

After coming to Japan, foreign students are typically required to register the residential address at the city hall, set up a bank account, enrolling in health insurance program, etc. But, rest assured, the institution that you are admitted to will definitely provide support and guidance for each of the steps. And depending on your institution, they may provide further assistance. For example, at Shizuoka university that I am currently enrolled in, they will pair up senior students as tutors to the newly admitted foreign students. With guidance from senior students, fresh-comers will have little to no difficulty going through virtually any processes when they first settle in Japan.

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Key Points to Remember

• Always cross-reference the websites of institutions. (The Japanese version are usually more informative)

• Do your best to score above 250 in EJU's japanese test. (For applying to scholarship)

• Get as much help from your admitted institution for smoother transition to your life in Japan.

Check out a free sample of my E-Book on how I am able to study in Japan free of costs.

Thanks for reading thus far!