Japan stands as one of the world's premier destinations for international students, offering a unique blend of cutting-edge education, rich cultural heritage, and unparalleled career opportunities. With its top-ranked universities, safe and welcoming cities, and a society that values both innovation and tradition, Japan provides an educational experience that extends far beyond the classroom. Whether you're drawn to its technological advancement, fascinated by its language and culture, or seeking to position yourself in one of Asia's most influential economies, studying in Japan can be a transformative step in your academic and professional journey. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from choosing the right university to navigating application requirements and timelines.
7 Reasons to Study in Japan in 2026
- Highly ranked schools: In the QS World University Rankings, there are 4 Japanese universities in the top 100 worldwide, with many more ranking in the top 500. All Japanese degrees are recognized worldwide, giving you credentials that open doors globally.
- World-class education system: Japan is well known for having extremely high quality academics. National scores for reading, math, and science are among the top in the world. Japanese society is also highly educated in general, with over 60% of adults aged 25-34 having attained a tertiary (post-secondary) education.
- Unique and influential culture: Japanese culture has made a huge mark on the world. From anime and music, to food and fashion, Japan has probably influenced your life even if you have never been to the country! Enjoy traveling to the homeland of sushi, Shinto and Buddhist culture, delicate pagodas, and breathtaking scenery from snowy mountains to charming cherry blossoms.
- Traditional values and history: Despite its powerful influence on the modern world, Japan also has a deep connection to its history, values, and traditions. Honoring family, harmony with self and society, humility, and etiquette are just some values that you will pick up through studying in Japan.
- Globally powerful economy: Earning a degree from a Japanese university sets the stage for an incredibly future career. That's because Japan is an economic and political leader in Asia and the world. The 5th largest economy in 2026, familiarity with Japanese language and culture will increase your future business opportunities.
- Study the beautiful Japanese Language: Of course, a major benefit to study in Japan is the opportunity to attain Japanese fluency! Knowing Japanese as another language will absolutely open many doors in your life: make new friends, read new literature, advance in your career, or get a prestigious internship.
- Clean, safe, and polite society: Japan is world-famous for its clean and well-run cities. Japanese trains are famous for never being late by even a few seconds! Throwing trash on the street and even blowing your nose in public are considered impolite. Japanese cities are famously safe from crime, even at night.
How to Choose a Japanese University
Before you study in Japan, think carefully about what major you want to study, what career you want to pursue, and what type of lifestyle you want while you are in university. Thinking about these questions may help you decide:
- What subjects are you excited to study in school?
- What jobs do you want to have in the future?
- Do you want to study Japanese language first, or go straight to a degree?
- Do you want to study in a city or suburban area?
- Do you want to study at a school with a large international population, or immerse yourself in a Japanese-language and cultural environment?
- What is your budget to study abroad? Japanese public universities are much cheaper than private ones.
- Does the school ranking matter to you?
- What climate do you want to study in? Warm, or with cold winters?
You can search programs at Japanese Universities through education platforms and university websites to find the best fit for your goals.
Age Requirements to Study in Japan
How old do you need to be to study in Japan? Japanese universities require that all students have completed 12 years of education, which means most students are age 18-19 when they start a Bachelor's degree. For Master's or other postgraduate programs, you must have completed at least 16 years of education, which includes completion of a Bachelors degree.
If you are under 18 and have not completed a full 12 years of education, it may be more difficult for you to find enrollment in Japanese universities. We recommend applying with Global Admissions so we can give you personalized help!
English-Language Requirements to Study in Japan
International students studying in Japan are required to demonstrate proficiency in English, particularly for English-taught programs. The requirements vary by program—some may not require high levels of Japanese, while programs taught entirely in Japanese may have different English requirements.
Here are the accepted English language exams and typical minimum scores in Japan:
- TOEFL iBT: 80+ IELTS Academic: 6.0+
- TOEIC: Accepted by some institutions
- Cambridge English: Accepted by some institutions
As usual, if you want to go to a top university, a higher score is better. Many competitive programs prefer TOEFL scores of 90-100+ or IELTS scores of 6.5-7.0+.
Japanese-Language Requirements to Study in Japan
To study in Japan as an international student, you will need to have some level of competency in Japanese. Your Japanese ability will be assessed through two important exams:
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
This exam tests your Japanese language ability through questions about grammar and vocabulary. A score of at least N2 is necessary for students who want to study in Japanese. At an N2 level, you will be able to read newspapers and simple essays in Japanese, present class projects, and follow most conversations--a good level for university students!
The JLPT is an in-person language exam, usually offered at least twice per year (July and December) in countries outside of Japan. Here is the list of places to take the exam in your country. You will need to register with the authority in your country to take the exam.
The JLPT is approximately 2-3 hours. Here are the test levels and score breakdowns: N1 is the highest level of fluency, and N5 is the lowest level (beginner).
Examination for Japanese University Admissions for International Students (EJU)
The EJU tests your Japanese level, but it is also a general examination for entrance into Japanese universities. Most Japanese universities require you to take the EJU. Here are some facts about the exam:
- The EJU is offered in-person twice per year in June and November
- It is comprised of four subject areas: Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Japan and the World, and Mathematics
- Students select the subject tests they want to take based on the requirements of the university
- The EJU is offered primarily in Asian countries, so if you are outside of Asia, you may need to travel to take the exam
- The EJU website is www.jasso.go.jp/en
- Here is a list of schools that use the EJU
- Here is a list of examination sites
A basic score of at least 300 in required subject tests is typically expected. Each university may have slightly different requirements, so always check with your specific program.
Sample Test Requirements from Japanese Universities
The test requirements may be confusing. Here are some real-life examples of what Japanese universities will require:
Waseda University does not require Japanese language exams for English-taught programs, and accepts national exams such as SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level, GAOKAO, GSAT, etc. The School of Political Science and Economics requires the English-language EJU with the subjects “Japan and the World” and “Mathematics Course 1” or “Mathematics Course 2.”
The University of Tokyo College of Arts and Sciences Programs in English at Komaba (PEAK) does not require either the JPLT or the EJU for English-taught programs, and instead requires that you have been education in a language other than Japanese and have one of the following exams: GCE A-level, IB diploma, French Baccalaureate, or the German Abitur.
Osaka University International Undergraduate Program in Science (IUPS) is a bilingual Japanese/English program accepts national test scores from many countries, but if yours is not accepted you will need to take the EJU. A JLPT score of N3 or higher is required.
Have questions? Leave us a comment, or check the requirements for programs here:
Application Timeline to Study In Japan
The deadlines to apply for university in Japan typically follow these patterns:
Intake Period | Application Deadlines |
Spring Intake | October/November |
Summer Intake | Feb-April |
Fall Intake | April-July |
Some universities may only have 2 intakes (Spring and Fall) and others have 3 (Spring, Summer, Fall). It's crucial to check the specific deadlines for your chosen programs well in advance, as popular programs can have earlier deadlines.
6 Steps to Study In Japan
How can you study in Japan? On Global Admissions, applying is easy and convenient! Just follow these steps.
- Book a call with us
- Talk with our admissions counselors about your plans, timeline, and budget. We'll help guide you to good programs and universities.
- Find a program
- Check your eligibility
- Make sure you meet the entry criteria and have the required examinations!
- Submit application documents
- On Global Admissions, you can use one platform to apply for multiple universities in Japan or around the world
- Pay the application fee
- We will send in your application!
After completing these steps, you just need to wait for your university acceptance and then you can apply for a student visa!
Start your journey to Study in Japan with us today...
