Study Abroad in Japan “The Land of the Rising Sun”: A Complete Guide

Japan boasts a long track record of academic excellence. Moreover, the country is a leader when it comes to technological innovation, making it an ideal place for start-ups and businesses to thrive. Students from around the world frequently choose Japan as their study-abroad destination due to its strong emphasis on rigorous academic standards and deep respect for education. Keep reading this blog if you want to study abroad in Japan. We will dive deep into every aspect of pursuing your education in the country. Learn about the top universities, programs, admission fees and more. 

Why Study Abroad in Japan?

A quarter of a million students from more than 170 countries choose to pursue their education in Japan. Well, considering its great reputation for high academic performance, it doesn’t come as a surprise.

Here are some of the main reasons why you should study abroad in Japan:

Affordable Tuition 

The universities in Japan charge a lower tuition fee when compared to other developed countries. This allows you to receive top-notch education at an affordable price. 

Abundance of Job Opportunities

Japan is a world leader in technological innovation, especially in robotics, electronics, and automotive engineering. Prominent companies including Toshiba, Sony, and Toyota are located in Japan. Hence, you can expect to have a wealth of job opportunities in these sectors in Japan. 

Adherence to Rules

Japan boasts well-maintained facilities, efficient transportation systems, and strict adherence to rules and regulations. This allows students to focus on their studies without being worried about daily life’s practicalities.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Japan: A Guide

Top Universities in Japan

Japan is home to some of the best universities in the world, renowned for their high-quality education. So, if you study abroad – Japan edition, you will unlock the gates to a bright future. Here are some of the top universities in Japan along with their tuition fees: 

University	QS World University Rankings 2024
University of Tokyo	28
Hokkaido University	196
Osaka University	80
Nagoya University	176
Keio University	214
Tokyo Institute of Technology	91
Kyoto University	46
University of Tsukuba	355
Kyushu University	164
Waseda University	199
Yokohama National University	951-1000
Kanazawa University	851-900
Saitama University	1201-1400
The University of Aizu	–
Chukyo University	–

Eligibility Criteria

While the eligibility requirements slightly vary from university to university, the typical admission criteria to study abroad- Japan edition are as follows:

• You need to complete your class 12 when applying for a graduate degree. On the other hand, you must finish your bachelor’s level course when applying for a postgraduate degree.
• You also need to submit your scores in TOEFL iBT/PTE Academic/IELTS Academic.
• Moreover, you must submit the following documents during your admission process:

1. A Valid Passport,
2. A Visa application form from the Japanese embassy or consulate,
3. One photograph was taken within the past 3 months,
4. A certificate of Eligibility – for the original document and one copy, 
5. Certificate of Admission, given to you by the school, and
6. Other additional documents the specific consulate may ask for, depending on the country.

Also Read: MBA in Japan

Admission Process

The application process to study abroad in Japan can become confusing for you. Fortunately, Leverage Edu can make your application process a lot easier. We can help you with your application in the ways given below: 

• Our AI Course Finder will help you in selecting the program you wish to take.
• Leverage Edu Experts will subsequently start the application process for the university you chose on your behalf. 
• Your application needs to have SOPs, TOEFL, IELTS, LORs, essays, and some other necessary documentation. Hence, collect and assemble all the documents needed for the application. 
• Then the Leverage Edu team will start your application for scholarships, housing, and student loans as soon as you finish your application and all the necessary paperwork. 
• Now, just watch out for your offer letter, which normally reaches within 4-6 weeks.

Future Scope

Japan boasts a booming economy, creating a wide range of job opportunities for graduates. You can expect to have a bright future and earn a high salary as a professional in Japan. 

Here are some of the highest-paying job profiles you can assume after you study abroad in Japan:

Job Profile	Average Annual Salary
Doctor	JPY 21,891,127
Engineer	JPY 7,194,055
Marketing Manager	JPY 6,067,822
Investment Banking Analyst	JPY 1,11,43,178
Business Analyst	JPY 70,97,351

Also Read: MBBS in Japan

Scholarships in Japan

If you think that you cannot fulfil your dream of studying in Japan due to financial constraints, then you are wrong. Various scholarships provide you with financial aid to pursue your education in Japan. 

Here are some of the top scholarships to study abroad in Japan: 

Scholarship	Monthly Stipend
MEXT Research Students Scholarship	JPY 143,000 for a non-degree program, JPY 144,000 for a master’s program, and JPY 145,000 for doctoral program
MEXT Japanese Studies Student Scholarship	JPY 117,00
JASSO Student Exchange Support Program	JPY 80,000

Student Visa for Japan

You need to possess a Japanese Student Visa to study abroad Japan. The country’s educational institutes accept this visa. Contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate near you to apply for the visa. You will be required to submit certain mandatory documents for your visa application, which are as follows:

• A valid passport,
• Passport-size pictures,
• Letter of Admission,
• Letter of Sponsorship, and
• Bank or income statements

Student Life in Japan

Japanese universities are different from other universities across the world in some important ways. One of them is their teaching method. Classes in Japan traditionally depend on one-way teacher-centred lectures for courses in Japanese and a very interactive student-centred approach for international programs in English. 

Japan offers a very safe and welcoming environment to international students. Studying in Japan is a great opportunity to expand your cultural horizons by immersing yourself in the Japanese lifestyle. Apart from a high-quality education, Japan also offers students convenient public transport systems that enable them to get around easily. 

Education System in Japan

The Japanese education system has a traditional approach to educating students and imparting the necessary knowledge and skills. Before you study abroad in Japan, let’s understand its education system. 

Education Levels

The table below shows you the structure of the Japanese education system with the respective age groups:

Education Level	Sub-Level	Duration	Age
Primary	Nursery (Yōchien)	6 Years	3 to 6 Years
	Elementary school (Shōgakkō)		6 to 12 Years
Secondary	Lower Secondary (Chūgakkō)	3 Years	12 to 15 Years
	Upper Secondary (Kōkō)	3 Years	15 to 18 Years
Higher	University (Daigaku)	2-4 Years	18 Years

Key Points about Japan’s Education System

Here are some of the key facts about the Japanese Education System: 

• Japanese education emphasises quality over quantity.
• Punctuality is taken very seriously in Japan, so it is very rare for students to be late in class. 
• Many Japanese students take after-school workshops to build other skills than academic education.
• Reportedly, about 91% of the students in Japan say that they don’t ignore lectures offered by their teachers.

Top Student Cities in Japan

Japan boasts highly developed cities that provide a plethora of academic and job opportunities to both nationals and internationals. Before you go on to study abroad in Japan, check out some of the best student cities in the nation below:

CIty	QS Best Student Cities 2024
Tokyo	2
Osaka	14
Kyoto	14
Sendai	–
Nagoya	113
Fukuoka	–
Tsukuba	–
Sapporo	–
Kobe	14

Cost of Education in Japan

Before you apply to study abroad in Japan, make sure that you are aware of the cost of education in the country. So, let’s look at the educational and living expenses in the country. 

Cost of Tuition

This is what the average tuition fee looks like in Japan: 

Course Type	Average Annual Tuition Fees
Undergraduate	JPY 500,000 – 580,000
Postgraduate	JPY 533,484
PhD	JPY 820,000 – 900,000

Cost of Living

The table below shows the average cost of living in Japan: 

Price of Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	JPY 1,000
Price for One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	JPY 220
Basic Utility Cost (Electricity, Cooling, Water, Heating, and Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	JPY 24,928.97
Cost of Internet (Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or More, Cable/ADSL)	JPY 4,932.61
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	JPY 4,035.13
Rent Per Month	JPY 56,910.3 – 173,358.57
The price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in the City Centre	JPY 832,594.96
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	JPY 517,205.21

Accommodation in Japan

If you are planning to study abroad in Japan and are confused about your accommodation, then we have great news for you. You can take the help of FlyHomes to find student accommodation that best suits you. We have 24×7 dedicated support and over 1.5 million listed rooms. 

Top Courses to Pursue in Japan

Japanese universities offer numerous degrees in a wide range of fields. Some of the top courses in Japan are listed below.

• Bachelor of International Liberal Arts: Global Business and Economics
• Bachelor in Liberal Arts
• Bachelor in International Relations
• Bachelor in Business Studies
• Master of Business Administration – Study in Japan in English
• Master of Mathematical and Systems Engineering
• Master of Architecture
• MEng in Information Design and Communication

Intakes in Japan

In this section, we will see the intakes in Japan for the year 2024. The anticipated application timeline to study abroad in Japan is given below:

Start Date	Deadline
Spring Intake	October/November 2024
Summer Intake	February-April 2024
Fall Intake	April-July 2024

Work While Studying in Japan

Japan gives part-time work opportunities to students, which allow them to gain experience and help them pay their tuition. You work up to 28 hours a week as a student. This time is a combination of all the places you work. For instance, if you work two jobs, you can only work for 14 hours at each one. 

How to Find Jobs in Japan as an International Student?

Here is a list of some of the best online platforms that help international students find jobs:

• Mynavi for Non-Japanese Students
• Career-tasu for Foreign Students
• Global Leader
• Glassdoor
• Connect-job 
• JPort Journal
• Daijob.com

FAQs

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Study in Top Schools in Japan: Education in Japan	Engineering Universities in Japan
Top 20 Animation Schools in Japan	Study in Japan for Indian Students

So, this was all about how you can study abroad in Japan. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.