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Securing Your Japanese University Spot from Abroad: EJU Pre-Arrival Admission Guide for 2026

Securing Your Japanese University Spot from Abroad: EJU Pre-Arrival Admission Guide for 2026

If you want to enter a Japanese university without traveling to Japan for exams, you can secure your spot from abroad using the EJU pre-arrival admission system. By taking the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) in your home country, you can apply to participating schools and receive an official admission offer before you ever board a plane. This pathway also opens doors to monthly scholarship reservations to help fund your studies.

What is Pre-arrival Admission?

The pre-arrival admission system allows international students living outside Japan to apply for and secure admission to Japanese higher education institutions without traveling to Japan for entrance exams. According to the Study in Japan Official Website, over 60% of Japanese universities—totaling 479 institutions, including most national universities—require EJU scores for their application process. A select group of these schools offers this convenient pre-arrival pathway. Because the list of participating schools changes constantly, you should check directly with your target institutions to confirm their specific procedures.

Understanding the EJU Structure

The EJU evaluates your academic foundation and Japanese language skills. There are no age restrictions or limits on how many times you can sit for the exam, and your scores remain valid for two years. The exam consists of the following subjects:

  • Japanese as a Foreign Language: Evaluates academic Japanese through reading comprehension, listening, and listening-reading comprehension (400 points total), plus a writing section (50 points).
  • Science: You select two subjects from physics, chemistry, and biology (200 points).
  • Japan and the World: A unique subject combining high school-level civics (politics and economics), geography, and history (200 points).
  • Mathematics: You choose either Course 1 for general courses or Course 2 for advanced academic tracks requiring higher-level math (200 points).

Note that you cannot take both Science and Japan and the World. The academic subject exams are available in both English and Japanese, but you must select the language and subjects specified by your chosen university.

Step-by-Step Pre-arrival Admission Process

To successfully navigate this process from abroad, follow these essential steps:

  1. Gather University Information: Search online for your chosen university's entrance exam bulletin. Review their specific requirements for privately financed international students.
  2. Verify EJU Requirements: Check which EJU subjects, exam language, and exam session (June or November) the university requires. For example, a school might require you to take the November session in Japanese, covering Japanese as a Foreign Language, Japan and the World, and Mathematics Course 1.
  3. Register for the EJU: Submit your EJU application with the exact subjects and language required by your university. Double-check your choices, as you cannot make changes after submission. Once registered, keep your examination voucher safe; you need it to enter the test site and to apply to the university. Note that registering for the EJU does not mean you have applied to the university.
  4. Apply to the University: Request the official application form from the university. Pay the application fee by the deadline and mail the completed form along with your high school graduation certificate (or expected graduation certificate) and academic transcripts.
  5. Receive Acceptance and Prepare: The university will evaluate your documents. Once you receive an official acceptance notification, you can begin your enrollment and visa preparation.

EJU Schedule and Testing Locations

The EJU is held twice a year:

  • First Round (June): Applications are accepted in February and March, with results released around July.
  • Second Round (November): Applications are accepted in July, with results released around December.

If you live outside Japan, you can take the exam in 17 cities across 13 countries and regions:

  • East & Southeast Asia: Republic of Korea (Seoul and Busan), Taiwan (Taipei), Hong Kong (offered since the second session of 2010), Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai), Indonesia (Jakarta and Surabaya), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Philippines (Manila), Myanmar (Yangon), Singapore, Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar).
  • South Asia: India (New Delhi), Sri Lanka (Colombo).

Currently, the EJU is not administered in the United States, Europe, or Africa. If the exam is not offered in your country, you can travel to another testing location if you can arrange your own entry visa, understand the local test site language, and have a local representative handle your application and voucher. Neither JASSO nor overseas representatives can assist with visa documentation. You must consult your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to confirm visa requirements.

Funding Your Studies: The Honors Scholarship

High-achieving EJU examinees who plan to enroll as privately financed students in Japanese universities, junior colleges, specialized training colleges, or the third year and above of colleges of technology can secure financial aid. By indicating your interest on your EJU registration, you apply for the Reservation Program for Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students. Selected recipients receive a monthly stipend of 48,000 yen (subject to change each school year).

Arriving in Japan

Once you secure your pre-arrival admission and obtain your visa, it is time to plan your move. Many newcomers choose to stay in a furnished monthly apartment first when they arrive to settle in smoothly while they get used to university life. For more detailed guides on EJU testing guidelines, visit the JASSO Pre-arrival Admission portal.

Sources

This article was created by OHAYO Stay based on the sources above (edited, reorganized and translated). It is not an official publication.

Rules and dates can change. Always confirm with the official source before you apply.