Study in Japan

Why Japan

World class education

There are many universities, junior colleges and vocational schools in Japan where students can receive World-class education in different fields. In addition, Japan has produced the most non-Western winners of the Nobel Prize, 24 people as of 2015. 21 of those are in the fields of physics, chemistry and medicine.

Relatively low Tuition fees

Studying in Japan is much cheaper than going to the America or Europe. Also, if you study in Japan, students are allowed to work part –time, so students do not worry in order to pay the tuition fee and living expenses. If you work in the field that you’re interested in, it may be useful experience that you can rely on in your future career.

Friendly people

Japanese people are very friendly towards international students. Many events are organized by the universities so that the international students can acclimatize to the Japanese student lifestyle and make friends. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. The streets are clean and well organized, so it’s very easy to travel around. There are convenience stores and vending machines within walking distances, so the student can save time and utilize on studies and other activities.

Easily accessible and Inexpensive medical care

International students have very easy access to medical care in Japan and as they are usually required to enroll in the national health insurance program; they are obligated to pay only 30% of the full medical costs as the rest will be covered by the insurance. It’s very cheap, especially in comparison to private healthcare systems like in many other countries. Some universities have health clinics on campus, so students can easily get simple treatments, consultations, and medical tests for free. It gives international students peace of mind.

Japanese culture and food

International students can enjoy Japanese culture, the delicious food, and the beautiful seasons in their everyday life. Students will also be able to easily travel and explore the various cities while in japan as it is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural terrain — four seasons out of the year. And speaking of diverse and extraordinary, no discussion of Japan is complete without mention of its cuisine. From sushi and sashimi to ramen and soba, life in Japan offers an epicurean adventure like no other.

Experience internationally renowned cultural properties

Japanese cities are full of surprises. Especially, if you are an international student in Tokyo, the capital city, it is full of the leaders of gourmet, fashion, art, and subculture. You can experience the very best that these worlds have to offer. On top of it being a city full of leading businesses, it’s also full of nature such as Yoyogi Park, historical sites such as temples and shrines, as well as sightseeing spots like Skytree and Tokyo Tower.

Education System In Japan

In Japan, the higher education starts upon the completion of 12 years of education: elementary education (6 years of elementary school) and secondary education (3 years of lower secondary school and 3 years of upper secondary school). There are various types of higher education institutions where international students can be admitted to. Depending on the founding bodies, these higher education institutions are categorized into three types: national, local public and private. The various institutions in Japan include:

• Japanese language schools: The Japanese language is the gateway to Japan, whether you want to study, work or just get the most out of your stay. Therefore most students start by studying Japanese at a language school. Language schools usually teach four semesters of 10 weeks per year. If you are a beginner you can study 80 weeks at a Japanese language school and that might be needed if you want to continue in a higher education program taught in Japanese. Once you master the Japanese language you can continue your studies at a Japanese university or a Senmon Gakko – a Japanese vocational College.
• Universities: Japanese universities offer 4-year undergraduate programs, 2-years graduate programs, and 3-4 years of doctoral programs. The academic year starts in April and ends in March, with summer vacation from mid-July to the beginning of September, and winter vacation from the end of December to the beginning of January. Most programs are taught in Japanese but nowadays universities often offer some programs in English as well.
• Vocational college – Senmon Gakko: Another popular school form in Japan is vocational schools, also known as junior colleges/Senmon Gakko, with a focus on practical training in specialized professions. International students often attend these schools to study practical subjects such as game design, anime, manga, music, dance, illustration etc. However, Senmon Gakkos also teach subjects such as industry, agriculture, nursing, education and social welfare, business, and homemaking. Most Senmon Gakko programs take two years and give you a Diploma that allows you to transfer to a university. Three-year programs give you an Advanced Diploma which gives you eligibility to graduate school.

INTAKES

There are 4 major intakes for language schools in Japan:

• April
• July
• October
• January

The other vocational and university courses always start from April.

Cost Of Education In Japan

Tuition fees at Japanese universities depends on what type of university an international student is planning to attend and the program they are enrolled in. Most students are also required to pay a fee for admission, but this varies by university as well.

Be sure to check with your program for the exact amount you will be required to pay!

Public and National Universities

Public universities have unified prices: annual tuition fee of 535800 Yen, admission fee of 28200 Yen, plus other minor fees, about 850000 Yen (about $8000 USD) in total for the first year of undergraduate programs.

Private Universities

Private universities can, at times, be more expensive than Public or National universities where they charge up to twice as much, about 1600000 Yen (about $15000 USD) per year, but prices differ from school to school.

The monthly living expenses (including tuition) in Japan for international students on average nationwide comes to about 138,000 yen.

Admission Procedure

Most universities in Japan recruit twice a year, for the spring semester starting in April, and the autumn semester in September. There is not a unified admission platform for students to apply centrally. Each university sets its own schedule, so the application deadline can be different from school to school, usually 6 months before the start of the semester.

The documents you need to submit with your application are usually:

• Application form
• Personal statement
• Official transcript from high school and/or university
• Graduation certificate
• Japanese Proficiency language scores
• Letters of Recommendation
• Passport photocopy

More about Visa Application to Japan:

Accommodation

Accommodations for international students are diverse. There are accommodations operated by local governments and universities. When looking for private housing, you can inquire from your school’s international student office, through Internet, Information Magazines or you may get a real estate agent to look for a place in the area you plan to stay in.

When renting an apartment, a rental contract has to be signed with the landlord or the real estate agent. At the signing of the contract, the “shiki-kin” (returnable deposit), “rei-kin” (non-returnable deposit) are paid. Pre-payment of rent is a norm in Japan. Though the names for “shiki-kin” or “rei-kin” or their amount differs by area, at the signing of the contract, these “shiki-kin” and “rei-kin” amounting to a few months of the rent as well as the first rent have to be paid.

Accommodation In Japan:

Work Prospects

Students that have obtained a work permission are allowed to work part time in Japan. As an international student you can work 28 hours per week on school weeks and 40 hours per week during semester breaks. Most students work in shops or restaurants where you can earn around 1000 Yen per hour. However it can be hard to find a job before you speak decent Japanese.

The work permit is a sticker in your passport. To obtain it you must be in Japan on a student visa. The easiest way to get the permit is to apply directly at the immigrations in the airport when you first arrive in Japan. Then you can get it immediately. Otherwise you will be stuck in the Japanese bureaucracy where you will need several visits to the Immigration Bureau and at least 3 weeks processing time before you can get your work permit.

Permanent Residency

As a general rule, one must have lived in Japan for a period of ten years before they are eligible to apply for permanent residency. If someone’s spouse is Japanese, however, this period can be as little as three years. Before applying for a permanent residency, the applicant must have a visa valid for the entire length of the application process (usually several months).

Learn more about Permanent Residency in Japan:

UseFul Links

• Embassy of Japan in Nepal:
• Study in Japan:
• Complete Guide for Studying in Japan:
• Scholarships in Japan: