If you fancy studying in Japan, the homeland of the bullet train, Nintendo Wii, instant noodles and karaoke, you’ll be pleased to know Japan wants you too.
The government is keen to attract more international students, and has set a target of having 300,000 foreign students in the country by 2020 (it reached the 100,000 mark in 2003). As a result, universities are focusing on making life easier for foreign students, from the application process all the way through to finding a job after graduation.
One thing that will certainly help to attract international students is the introduction of more courses taught partly or entirely in English. Other schemes to attract more overseas students include:
- Hiring special staff to support international students
- Allowing students to start courses in September (instead of April, which is when Japan’s academic year usually starts)
- Recruiting more teaching staff from outside Japan
- Increasing exchange programs with universities in other countries
Aware that living and studying in Japan is expensive compared to many countries, the government has also introduced additional financial support for foreign students. Various university scholarships and grants are available through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).
There are approximately 780 universities in Japan, of which about 80 percent are private. There are also specialized schools and colleges that provide more vocational types of degrees.
The nation’s strongest global ranking is currently claimed by the University of Tokyo, which ranks 24th in the QS World University Rankings® in 2021. Close behind are Kyoto University (38th) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (56th), with a further 38 Japanese universities ranked among the world’s best.
Apply Now