OOHAYOMonthly Stay
← All articles
Undergraduate admission

Getting Into a Japanese University as an International Student: Admission Route and 12-Month Timeline

Most international students enter a Japanese university (undergraduate level) by applying directly to the school through its "privately financed international student" admission, usually with Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) scores plus the university's own screening. The official Study in Japan site suggests starting about 11–12 months before the course begins. The academic year starts in April, although some universities also admit students in September or October.

Step zero: check that you are eligible

Japanese universities generally require 12 years of formal school education before entry. According to Study in Japan, the main ways to qualify include:

  • Completing 12 years of schooling in your home country or region
  • Holding a recognized university-entrance qualification such as the International Baccalaureate, Abitur, Baccalauréat or GCE A-Levels
  • Passing a high school equivalency exam that is equivalent to 12 years of education (age 18 or older)
  • If your school system is shorter than 12 years, completing a university preparatory course designated by Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT)

If you are unsure how many years your schooling counts as, the official guidance is to ask the Japanese embassy in your country or region.

What a Japanese undergraduate degree looks like

  • Length: usually 4 years; 6 years for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and some pharmacy programs
  • Types of schools: Study in Japan currently lists 86 national, 101 public and 620 private undergraduate universities
  • Language: most programs are taught in Japanese, but the number of degree programs taught entirely in English is growing
  • First-year cost (admission plus tuition): roughly 820,000 yen at national universities, 930,000 yen at public universities and 1,100,000 yen at private universities, excluding medicine, dentistry and pharmacy

Language expectations

For programs taught in Japanese, Study in Japan gives a guideline of JLPT N1 or N2 together with at least 250 points on the EJU Japanese section. For English-taught bachelor's programs, its guideline is around TOEFL iBT 71–80 or IELTS 5.5–6. Each university sets its own requirement, so treat these as a starting point rather than a rule.

How selection works

There is no single national admission test for international students. Each university publishes its own guidelines and chooses its own mix of:

  • Document screening: application form, high school diploma and transcript, a recommendation letter from your principal or teacher, and language certificates (some schools ask for Japanese or English translations)
  • EJU scores: many universities name the exact subjects, the question language and which test session they accept
  • The university's own exam and/or interview: some of these take place in Japan, so check early whether you will need to travel

Japan's Common Test for University Admissions, taken by Japanese students, is usually not required for international applicants, although some programs (mainly medicine and dentistry) may ask for it.

Pre-arrival admission

Some universities offer pre-arrival admission: they decide on admission using EJU scores, school records and documents, so you can receive an offer without coming to Japan first. JASSO publishes a list of these schools. One trap to note: registering for the EJU is not the same as applying to the university. You still have to submit a separate application and pay the university's screening fee.

A 12-month timeline (applying directly from your home country)

This plan follows the official Study in Japan timeline for students entering a university directly from abroad. Count backwards from your intended start month.

  • 11–12 months before: request admission materials from several universities and confirm their requirements
  • By 10 months before: decide which schools you will apply to
  • About 9 months before: register for the EJU and take any other tests you need (JLPT, TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC)
  • 6–8 months before: send your application documents to the university
  • 2–5 months before: document screening, EJU, the university's own exam or interview
  • About 3 months before: receive your letter of admission and pay tuition and other fees
  • After admission: once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy, then book flights and insurance and arrange housing

Many students arrive a little before term and stay in a furnished monthly rental for their first weeks while they register their address, open a bank account and look for longer-term housing near campus.

The language-school route

If your Japanese is not yet at university level, Study in Japan also describes a two-stage route: enroll in a Japanese language institute first (courses start in April, July, October or January and last one to two years), then follow the same university timeline from inside Japan. In that case, you will also need to extend your period of stay before university starts.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Taking the wrong EJU subjects or question language: universities specify these, and you cannot change your EJU application after submitting it
  • Assuming every university accepts every EJU session: some accept only scores from specific dates
  • Leaving document translations and certificates until the last month
  • Using a study abroad broker without checking fees and track record: Study in Japan specifically warns against brokers who suggest forged documents or rush you to apply

Sources

Facts are summarized in our own words; see the linked pages for the official details.

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