Over 250,000 international students enrol at Japanese universities every year, which is a testimony of the high quality of education provided by Japan, as well as the overall attractive society, lifestyle, and culture.
If you want to study a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme in Japan, you should first take a look at the university application steps. With a few exceptions, they are similar to what you’d normally expect from any international higher education institution.
1. Find a Japanese university to apply to
Here are some of the top-ranked universities in Japan:
- The University of Tokyo
- Tohoku University
- Hokkaido University
- Kyoto University
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
Find other universities in Japan.
2. Learn where to submit your university application
There is no unified online application platform, which means that international students need to visit the website of their preferred Japanese university to submit an application.
3. Meet the university entry requirements
These are some of the most common documents students need to submit during their application at a Japanese university:
- completed application form
- proof of paying the application fee (if applicable)
- high school diploma (to apply for a Bachelor’s)
- Bachelor’s diploma (to apply for a Master’s)
- transcript of records
- passport-sized photo(s)
- copy of valid passport and/or personal ID
- motivation letter
- letter(s) of recommendation
- personal statement
Depending on your chosen study programme, the university can ask for additional documents. Keep in mind that these documents need to be translated into Japanese or English before being submitted.
Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students
Many Japanese universities use the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) to determine if an international student has the necessary academic and Japanese language skills to enrol in one of their undergraduate (Bachelor’s) programmes.
The EJU evaluates 4 subjects:
- Japanese as a foreign language
- Science (basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Japan and the world (basic skills in Liberal Arts, critical thinking, and logical abilities)
- Mathematics (basic skills in Math)
Find out which higher education institutions use the EJU.
4. Find out about the language requirements
To study in Japan, you might need to prove both your English and Japanese skills. This is determined by each school individually. For English proficiency, you can send test results from:
To prove your Japanese proficiency, you need to pass the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
5. Apply before the application deadlines
Japanese universities have different application deadlines depending on the system they use. The official university website is the best place where you can learn more about these important dates. To give you a general idea, here are a few examples:
For universities with two intake periods
- application deadline for the spring intake: November
- application deadline for the autumn intake: April
For universities with three intake periods
- application deadline for the spring intake: October/November
- application deadline for the summer intake: February/April
- application deadline for the autumn intake: June/July
6. Final steps after receiving your acceptance letter
- confirm your enrolment after receiving the acceptance letter/university offer
- apply for a student visa in Japan
- apply for medical insurance
- search for scholarships and grants. You can also apply for our Studyportals Scholarship: International Distinction Awards.