study in Japan

Japan

800+

Universities

165

Courses
Yen
Currency

About Japan

Japan is the 11th most populous country in the world and has a population of nearly 126 million. Tokyo  is the most populous metropolitan area – home to more than 37 million residents.

It comprises about 6,852 islands. The main 5 being Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Okinawa and Kyushu.

Nearly 73 percent of Japan is mountainous and thus unsuitable for agricultural or residential purposes. Due to this, the coastal areas have very high population densities. The usual winter temperature is around 5°C, and the average summer temperature is around 25°C.

It has the second longest life expectancy at birth in the world, which is 84.67 years, for people born in 2020–2022. The population in Japan is rapidly aging due to the decrease in birth rates.

More than 99 percent of the population in Japan speaks Japanese as their first language. The Japanese cuisine is known worldwide for its seasonality of food, great quality of ingredients and unique presentation, with a lot of traditional recipes and ingredients.

It is recommended that students aspiring to study abroad take a deep dive into the entire journey, from the preparation, the courses and the admission process, to the paperwork and the visas.

Why study in Japan ?

  • High educational standards
  • Learn Japanese while earning a degree
  • Safe, peaceful place to study
  • Improving your employability
  • Low tuition fees and generous scholarships
  • Martial arts and culture
  • Discover Japan's rich cultural heritage
  • High standard of life
  • Second largest developed economy in the world
  • Japanese government open up to increased immigration

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Top Courses in Japan

    Courses in Japan Avg. Tuition Fees
    Business Management 2,500,000
    Architecture 500,000-1,500,000
    IT 550,000- 1,250,000
    Accounting and Finance 500000- 1,350,000
    Engineering 540,000- 1,400,000
    Health Management 6,00,00- 1,00,000

Japan : Industry and Economic Outlook

In Demand Job Sectors

  • Engineering
  • IT
  • Investment Banking
  • Teachers (English)
  • Food & Beverage (Restaurants, Hotels)
  • Japanese translator

Skill Shortages

  • Information Technology
  • Agriculture
  • Drivers
  • Security Personnels
  • Construction Workers
  • Restaurant Staff
  • Retail
  • Automobile

Quick facts

life

Avg Living costs / per year

2,500,000 (including tuition)

life

Avg Tuition Fee/Year

750,000

life

Indian students

1015+

life

International students

Around 242,000

life

Avg graduate
incomes / Year

3,800,000

life

Migration possibility

YES

life

Intakes

April, September

life

Scholarships Available

YES

Global Ed Process

Japan FAQ

There is a rapid increase in the students who are studying abroad. There are more than 6 million international students studying across the globe. Japan is increasingly becoming a popular students' choice due to its affordable tuition and high standard of education. This is also a great way to explore a country that has a great culture and diverse study environment. Many universities here offer courses that are taught in English and also provide language classes that help international students learn Japanese. The tuition fees in private universities in Japan is usually around US$13,000-21,000 per year, which is lower than the fees charged in the US and the UK. If on a budget, enrolling in a public university is a better option to save money. Tokyo is the most populous city on the planet and is home to international professionals and students from all around the world. It is ranked as the world’s third best city for international students. Japan has almost 50 universities that are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2021-2022. It is known for its great set of universities, good employment opportunities and high standard of living.
When it comes to both the countries, the USA and Japan, they both offer a wide range of activities with rich history, culture, natural scenic beauty and some great beaches. The USA is larger and more expensive. The lack of hostels and budget hotels in larger cities in the USA, along with the transportation costs, lead to higher costs. Japan has a deep history and culture with a great modern technology. It has numerous ancient temples and castles and is big on sci-fi anime film too. Outside the bigger cities, it has a great agricultural countryside where one can find various leisure activities like boating, biking, hiking or just relaxing on one of its many great beaches. Even though both the countries can be expensive, Japan has a better range of low budget hostels and hotels with more transportation options available, which reduce the costs to a great extent. Having a closer look, usually for a single person, a week in Japan can cost around $790 while a week in the USA can cost nearly $1,600. The differences are even more noticeable when spending longer time in the country. Compared to the USA, the accommodation is often cheaper in Japan, usually $60 vs. $110. Usually the budget travelers stay in less expensive hostels while the fancy hotels often appeal to upscale travelers. While comparing food in both the countries, they are not just different in the cuisine but also in the overall price. Restaurant costs in the USA are often cheaper than in Japan.

Japan is the third largest economy in the world and has massive opportunities  for people from across the world. It is interesting to note that  Japanese is a lingua franca for Asia and it  is really useful outside Japan and Asia as well.

There are numerous universities, colleges and language schools  that have courses which are specifically designed for English speakers who have no background in Japanese. One can easily get a English teaching job in Japan and study Japanese on the side.

It is normal to work in Japan without speaking Japanese, but there are chances that you are missing out on a lot of opportunities that would require you to have knowledge of Japanese language. If you are working, the lack of understanding of the language might be the reason to not get promotions. In some cases it can even affect the job offers. Being in Japan and learning the Japanese language can help out a lot, but if you cannot for some reason, obviously it is not the only way out.

According to the 2015 Survey on Career and Retention for International Students by METI, the Japanese language skill is one of the most important traits considered when hiring foreigners in Japan.

The Japanese culture highly values excellence and education, which is the reason why they have some of the best educational institutions in the world. The cultural values make studying here an even more interesting experience for the students.

The best way to study in Japan for free is to receive scholarships from the Japanese universities.   It is recommended to apply to as many as possible, for a greater chance of studying at a reduced cost. Some scholarships usually cover the full tuition fees and accommodation. Some of the other ways would include bagging local scholarships and having a part-time job as per your schedule. In this way, you will work and be able to pay for your personal expenses.

Also, the local governments are involved in offering financial aid to the international students. Therefore, it will be a good idea to choose the city in which you want to study as per the scholarship opportunities present. There are nearly 20 available options across the country for international students.

In addition to this, there are private scholarships available to students too. To name some, these scholarships are The Bridging Project, the Boren Scholarships, Fulbright Japan scholarship.

Japan is considered to be a great destination for higher education because it is one of the most advanced countries across the globe with cutting-edge technology and ongoing innovation.

Having a  permanent residency (PR) visa lets you stay in Japan indefinitely. This visa is not dependent on your job or spouse and you do not have to worry about renewing it every time. It will also be easier to qualify for the loans from Japanese banks.

To qualify for a permanent residency, you need to have lived in the country for 10 years or more, with 5 or more of those years on a work visa or any other resident visa,  out of which working holiday or student visas do not really count.

You will also need to prove that you can support yourself without any public assistance, are a regular tax payer and have no history of any issues with the law like  non payment of taxes or visa overstays.

In some cases, you can qualify for a permanent residency in less than 10 years e.g.  If your spouse is a Japanese national, permanent resident or special permanent resident and you have been married for 3 years or more, you can apply for the PR after living in Japan for 1 year or more.

You can also apply for the PR if you have lived in Japan for 5 years or more with long term resident or refugee status. You can also qualify for a PR after 5 years if the Japanese government decides that you have made substantial  economic, social, cultural or diplomatic contributions to Japan.

If you are planning to study in Japan for more than 3 months, you will need to get a student visa which involves a lot of form filling, application processing and trips to the embassy. However, the good news is that the Japanese student visa is one of the easiest student visas to obtain. If you are currently living in Japan, you can change it to a student visa.  However, changing your visa as a tourist is not highly recommended. Some of the steps for applying for higher education in Japan include :

1. Choosing a school

You will want to find a school that fits your style since every school has its own environment and course structure.

2. Understand the application process

It usually takes 2 to 3 months for Immigration to approve a visa application and then issue the COE (Confirmation of Enrolment), so patience is required. Once the COE is received, take it along with the visa application form,  photos and  a valid passport to the Japanese embassy or consulate in your city. The Embassy will issue the student visa, which can take 3 – 7 days.

3. Preparation of all the documents required for the COE

4. After receiving the COE

After receiving the COE, make an appointment at the nearest Japanese embassy in the city to apply for the actual visa.  If you are changing your current visa to a student visa, your school should be able to assist you.  If you currently have a tourist visa, you will be required to go back home and apply at the embassy. Following will be the required documents:
  • A Valid Passport
  • Visa application form from the Japanese embassy
  • Photographs taken within the past 3 months
  • Certificate of Eligibility
  • Certificate of Admission- given by the school
  • Other additional documents specified by the embassy

Around 75% of international students in Japan are working part-time. While engaging in part-time work, it is important to abide by the conditions that are stated below. Failure to do so may result in punishment and even deportation from the country.

  • People entering Japan for the first time having “Student” status of residence and who plan to reside in the country for more than 3 months can apply to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence which is previously granted at an airport etc. when landing permission is issued.
  • The part-time job does not affect your studies.
  • The income is meant to supplement the academic cost and necessary expenses and is not for saving or remittance overseas.
  • The part-time work engaged should not be in adult entertainment businesses which is prohibited by the law.

Is it interesting to note that every year, international students are forced to leave Japan since they are not able to extend their period of authorized stay due to their low school attendance which is due to working part-time and mostly neglecting their studies. A student has to be very careful not to let this happen.

It is imperative to not get distracted from the purpose of studying or working too hard that it results in damaging your health. Hence, while working part-time, it will be beneficial to keep certain questions in mind, like :

  • Will this job hinder my studies in any way?
  • Will I be affected the following school day by working long hours or late in the night?
  • Are my taxes being paid? Are my wages paid in cash or bank transfer?
  • Is my working environment safe? Are there any on-the-job insurances?

You can ask the school you are enrolled in, to provide you with some information on good potential part-time jobs that will be suitable for you.

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