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Study in Japan

Japan is actively courting international students to close a skills gap in technology, engineering, nursing and hospitality. English-taught degree programmes have expanded sharply, and graduates who find relevant work can convert to a working visa.

Tuition
US$9,600/yr
Living
US$8,500/yr
Total
US$18,100/yr
Work rights
28 hours/week during term
Post-study
Job-seeking visa, convertible to work visa

Current position

Policy for international students

  • Japan continues to widen its intake of international students to meet demand for skilled workers and to internationalise its universities.
  • Students may work up to 28 hours per week during term and full-time during long holidays with permission.
  • Many universities now run full degree programmes taught in English, with broader scholarship provision and stronger academic and pastoral support.
  • Shortages in technology, engineering, nursing and hospitality make it comparatively straightforward for graduates to convert to a work visa after finding a matching job.

Cost

What a year in Japan costs

Adjust the level, city and scholarship percentage to see the effect on your annual total.

Scholarships: MEXT government scholarships, JASSO grants and university-specific tuition reductions of 30-100% are all open to international applicants.

Estimated annual cost

Tuition—
Living costs—
Scholarship—
Total per year—

US dollars, indicative

Indicative US dollars per year. Actual fees depend on the institution and programme; confirm before you commit.

Admission

Entry requirements

  • Completion of 12 years of schooling or an equivalent qualification — Japanese high school, IB, GCE A Level or Abitur
  • General subject knowledge appropriate to the intended field
  • Evidence of English proficiency, or Japanese depending on the programme

Funding

Scholarships & financial support

MEXT government scholarships, JASSO grants and university-specific tuition reductions of 30-100% are all open to international applicants.

Awards are almost always decided at the point of admission rather than afterwards, and most pools are allocated on a rolling basis. Applying early in the cycle is the single biggest thing within your control.

How scholarship rounds work

At a glance

Work during study
28 hours/week during term
After graduation
Job-seeking visa, convertible to work visa
Baseline tuition
US$9,600/yr
Baseline living
US$8,500/yr

Subjects

What Japan is strong in

  • Engineering & Technology
  • Business & Economics
  • Environmental & Life Sciences

Institutions

Where to study in Japan

1 institutions in our directory, across 1 categories.

Browse all 1 institutions in Japan

Immigration

The Japan student visa

  • Study in Japan starts with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), applied for by your institution at the regional immigration bureau.
  • With the COE in hand you apply for the student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in Vietnam.
  • The COE process takes roughly one to three months, so begin as soon as you receive your offer.
  • Students must apply separately for permission to engage in activity outside the scope of the visa in order to work part-time.

Questions

Frequently asked

Can I study in Japan without Japanese?

Yes. A growing number of universities deliver complete degree programmes in English. Learning Japanese still helps considerably with part-time work and graduate employment.

What are the entry requirements?

Twelve years of schooling for undergraduate entry, a relevant bachelor's degree for postgraduate, plus proof of English or Japanese depending on the programme.

How much does a year cost?

Roughly US$18,100 per year including tuition and living.

Do I need to prove finances?

Yes. The Certificate of Eligibility application requires evidence that you can cover tuition and living costs for the duration of study.

Can I stay and work after graduating?

Yes. Graduates may apply for a designated-activities visa to job-hunt and then convert to a work visa once they secure a relevant position.

Planning Japan for 2026–27?

We will check your profile against the entry requirements, size the real budget and map the scholarship rounds worth applying to.

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