WHY STUDY IN JAPAN

Japanese universities have a global reputation for excellence and innovation, with 8 institutions ranked in the world top 200 by the QS World University Rankings 2022. High quality education and cutting-edge research make Japan an appealing study abroad destination. Now that Japan has accomplished its goal of welcoming 300,000 overseas students annually by 2020, you will find more opportunities to interact not only with Japanese students but other international students from around the globe.

Japan has it all — bustling cities with state of the art technology and fashion, serene snow- capped peaks, tropical beaches and 25 World Heritage Sites, not to mention the world-renowned cuisine, hot springs, cherry blossoms and summer festivals. If you want an extraordinary experience in an incomparable setting, then Japan is the country for you.

You may ask, “But I don’t speak Japanese, so how can I study in Japan?” Not a problem! Even if you don’t speak a word of Japanese, there are still hundreds of study options available as Japanese universities now offer short-term programs and full-time degrees delivered entirely in English — and the number of courses grows every year. You will, of course, have the opportunity to take Japanese classes on the side, and, with a little effort, reach a high level of proficiency by the time you complete your studies. Many international students acquire level N2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) before they graduate.

Studying in Japan not only provides a chance to broaden your horizons and experience a new culture, it will also equip you with a marketable skill set. Reports consistently show that candidates with study abroad experience are highly valued by employers as they develop key soft skills such as cultural awareness, adaptability, determination, and patience — all attributes that are transferable into the workplace. Those who acquire Japanese language skills while studying abroad further boost their career opportunities and earning potential. If you want to stay in Japan to gain work experience, the good news is that Japanese companies from small-scale start-ups to world-famous brands are looking to recruit international employees to support their global strategies, meaning there are more work opportunities for international graduates than ever before!

Tuition fees in Japan are competitive with most other study abroad destinations, and, despite what you might think, living expenses are also surprisingly affordable. According to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), international students spend an average of ¥93,000 (US$820) monthly excluding their tuition. Total academic fees for the first year in an undergraduate program in Japan total around ¥820,000 (US$7,200) at a national university and ¥1,100,000 (US$9,700) to ¥1,640,000 (US$14,400) at a private university (excluding medical, dental and pharmaceutical schools). There are also a wide variety of scholarship opportunities available to international students, including full ride packages, partial tuition fee waivers, or even monthly stipends. One popular option is the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) known for their fantastic scholarship programs and generous monthly stipend.