International students planning to enroll in the Department of Japanese within the Faculty of Languages and Cultures at Meikai University in Chiba can apply for a four-year Bachelor's degree program taught entirely in Japanese. Prospective students have access to multiple evaluation pathways, including pre-arrival entrance examinations for candidates residing outside Japan, score submission from the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) or the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), document screening, and an oral interview. Understanding recruitment quotas, language qualification thresholds, and housing arrangements ensures a smooth academic transition to Japan in 2026.
What program does Meikai University offer for international students?
Meikai University is a private university located in Chiba Prefecture that provides undergraduate education tailored to language and cultural studies. Within the Faculty of Languages and Cultures, the Department of Japanese offers a comprehensive four-year Bachelor's degree program. The medium of instruction across all courses in this department is 100% Japanese, designed to build professional fluency and deep cultural comprehension.
For foreign admissions, the university sets a recruitment quota of 15 international students per entry cycle. In addition to standard first-year entry, Meikai University operates a transfer system that uses a unified examination structure for both Japanese nationals and foreign students wishing to transfer from another educational institution. Detailed institutional requirements and listings can be reviewed on the official Study in Japan Website.
What are the score and language requirements for application?
To ensure that foreign students are fully equipped to succeed in a 100% Japanese-instructed curriculum, Meikai University establishes clear language test benchmarks:
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): Candidates presenting JLPT qualifications are required to hold at least an N2 level certification.
- Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU): Candidates using EJU results must take the Japanese language subject and meet specific baseline scores, including 250 points in the reading and listening sections combined, alongside 250 points in the writing section.
- Additional EJU Subject Selection: Applicants submitting EJU results must also take either "Japan and the World" (Comprehensive) or Mathematics (Course 1).
- Japanese Written Statement: All applicants are required to draft and submit a formal statement of reason for applying, which must be completed entirely in Japanese.
How is the entrance selection process structured?
Meikai University organizes its admission screening into defined categories based on residency status and testing methodology:
- Category A Track: Aimed at applicants residing in Japan or candidates abroad using pre-arrival testing, this track evaluates EJU scores (Japanese plus either Japan and the World or Math Course 1) together with the mandatory Japanese statement of purpose.
- Category B Track: Evaluates candidates through university-administered criteria or applicant scores on the EJU examination.
- Screening Methods: Selection across these pathways relies primarily on comprehensive document screening and an oral interview that includes a candidate presentation. Independent written exams in English, science, or mathematics, as well as short essays, are not required as part of the school's unique exam subjects.
How do pre-arrival admissions and intake schedules work?
For students residing outside Japan, Meikai University offers a pre-arrival entrance examination option. This mechanism allows international candidates to complete the screening process from their home countries without needing to travel to Japan before acceptance. All successful applicants enter the university during the April intake period. Because official documents, language certification results, and written statements must be verified carefully, students should prepare their application materials well in advance of official deadlines.
Finding a place to stay
When preparing to study at Meikai University, arranging accommodation is a critical step that should be handled after receiving your admission confirmation and securing your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or visa, prior to traveling to Japan. Many international students prefer settling into flexible temporary housing upon arrival while getting accustomed to campus life and searching for permanent residence around Chiba or Tokyo. OHAYO Stay offers furnished monthly apartments and rooms in Tokyo, giving arriving students a convenient and secure living environment. Most homes have a minimum stay of 30 nights (shown on each listing). Booking requires no guarantor, no key money, and no agency fee; booking is online with a passport or ID and a credit card.
FAQ
What degree and recruitment quota does Meikai University offer for international students?
Meikai University offers a 4-year Bachelor's degree in the Department of Japanese (Faculty of Languages and Cultures) with a recruitment quota of 15 international students.
What EJU scores are required for admission to Meikai University?
Applicants submitting EJU must score 250 points in reading/listening and 250 points in writing for Japanese, plus complete either Japan and the World or Math Course 1.
Can international students apply to Meikai University from outside Japan?
Yes, Meikai University provides a pre-arrival entrance examination system allowing international candidates living abroad to apply and complete evaluation before coming to Japan.
Sources
- Study in Japan(JASSO)「Search for schools｜Study in Japan Official Website」(checked 2026-10-12)
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.