TRIn Japan, the academic year starts in April at most universities. Some schools also take students in September or October. Many universities use the EJU exam for bachelor's applications. The exam is held in June and November. Except for the Japanese language section, the sections can be taken in Japanese or English, and the number of bachelor's programs taught fully in English is growing.
Photo: Roméo A., Unsplash
For programs taught in Japanese, most schools ask for an EJU score. According to JASSO, 479 universities use this score. The EJU is held twice a year, in June and November. Türkiye is not among the 2026 test centers, so the student needs to take the exam in Japan or in another country on the list. English-taught programs such as Keio PEARL and Waseda SILS take applications directly, on their own calendars.
At most Japanese universities, the school year starts in April and ends in March of the next year. Some schools also take students in September or October. For example, the enrollment date for Waseda SILS September 2027 entry is 21 September 2027. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years and a master's degree two years.
The number of bachelor's programs taught fully in English is growing. The University of Tokyo plans to open its College of Design, with 100 students and all classes in English, in September 2027. The project is still waiting for approval from the Ministry (MEXT). The same university's English-taught PEAK program took its last students in September 2026.
According to JASSO's 2023 survey, an international student who pays for their own studies spends 105,000 yen a month on average. Rent averages 41,000 yen across Japan and 57,000 yen in Tokyo. A student who has permission from the immigration office can work up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day during long holidays.
A graduate who is looking for a job in Japan can get a six-month residence permit with the recommendation of their school. As a rule, this period can be extended once. When you find a job, you apply to change from Student status to a work status.
The universities are the country's top three schools according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Examples from current fees for international students, as published on the schools' own pages.
Rikkyo University (Admissions, 'Plan Your Budget' page) estimate, Tokyo, year not stated; the page has a note: 'As of October 2025, 1 USD = 150 JPY'
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry. Official date Our suggestion
Choose the program. Waseda's summer Japanese course is for students who have completed 12 years of schooling and have a basic knowledge of Japanese.
When the school publishes its 2027 guide, check the application dates and the document list.
Applications for Waseda's 2026 summer program were open from 20 February to 5 March 2026. A similar period can be expected in 2027, but wait for the official dates.
Arrange accommodation. Waseda does not provide accommodation. The guide lists dormitories, homestays and shared houses.
Confirm the short-stay entry and visa rules with Japan's embassy in Türkiye, and buy your plane ticket only after that.
The Waseda summer course ran from 2 to 21 July in 2026. We will update this when the 2027 dates are announced.
University of Tokyo College of Design application period (September 2027 entry, last day 5 November, 17:00 JST). The program is waiting for MEXT approval.
Keio PEARL Period I application period. The application fee is 35,000 yen.
Keio PEARL Period II application period (last day 15:00 JST).
Waseda SILS application. The Early Admission deadline is 12 January, 23:59 JST, and the Regular Admission deadline is 28 January, 17:00 JST.
Keio PEARL Period III application period (last day 15:00 JST).
Waseda SILS Regular results. Accepted students submit their visa documents between 13 April and 7 May 2027.
The school applies for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at the immigration office. For a student abroad, this usually takes 1 to 2 months. When the COE arrives, the visa is obtained from the Japanese embassy or consulate.
Waseda SILS September 2027 entry enrollment date.
Research the target programs and the options for an advisor professor. Plan your language test score.
Waseda Graduate School of Information, Production and Systems, February exam application period (September 2027 entry).
Waseda Graduate School of Sport Sciences master's application period (September 2027 entry).
Waseda IPS interview. The final result is on 19 February 2027.
Last day for the first enrollment steps for students accepted through the Waseda IPS February exam.
Waseda IPS May exam application period. The interview is on 22 May and the final result on 28 May 2027.
Waseda Graduate School of Sport Sciences result announcement.
The school submits the COE application. When the COE arrives, the visa application is made to the Japanese embassy or consulate.
The EJU is run by JASSO and has four sections: Japanese, Science (physics, chemistry, biology), Japan and the World, and Mathematics. Students take the sections that their target university asks for. The Japanese section is only held in Japanese. The other sections can be taken in Japanese or English. The exam is also held outside Japan.
To study Japanese with Student status, you need to enroll in a language school that the Minister of Justice has set by official notice. Japanese language schools usually start in April and October, and some start in January or July.
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts can change. We check the current situation together before you apply.
To study Japanese with Student status, you need to enroll in a language school that the Minister of Justice has set by official notice. Japanese language schools usually start in April and October, and some start in January or July.
A bachelor's degree usually takes four years. Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and some pharmacy programs take six years. You apply to each school separately. Schools may use document review, interviews, the EJU exam or entrance exams made for international students. The EJU is held twice a year, in June and November.
Master's programs normally take two years. Graduate applicants usually need to find an advisor professor for themselves.
Most classes at Japanese universities are taught in Japanese, and the number of bachelor's programs taught fully in English is growing. For Japanese-taught programs, schools usually ask for JLPT N1 or N2 and at least 250 points in the EJU Japanese section.
For study in Japan, the 'Student' residence status is given. This status is recognized only for study purposes.
After getting permission for activities outside the status from the immigration office, students can work up to 28 hours a week, and up to 8 hours a day during long school holidays.
Japan does not have a separate post-graduation work visa. Those who look for a job after graduation can get a six-month residence permit, which as a rule can be extended once, with a recommendation letter from the school. When a job is found, an application is made to change from Student status to a work status.
At most higher education institutions, the academic year starts in April and ends in March of the next year. Some universities also take students in September or October.
According to the 2026 guide, no. The overseas test centers are in 13 countries and regions, such as India, Korea and Thailand. The Japanese section of the exam is held only in Japanese, and sections such as mathematics and science can also be chosen in English. If you aim for a school that asks for the EJU, plan your travel and dates early.
Yes, there are programs taught fully in English. Keio PEARL and Waseda SILS are taking applications for September 2027 entry. The University of Tokyo also plans to open its College of Design, with all classes in English, in September 2027. This program is still waiting for Ministry approval.
We could not find a single amount announced for all of Japan. The school sets the amount. For example, Doshisha University asks for at least 1.2 million yen in living costs on top of one year of school fees. After admission, the school applies to the immigration office for the Certificate of Eligibility. For a student abroad, this usually takes 1 to 2 months.
At Kyoto University, the first year costs 817,800 yen including the enrollment fee (April 2025 figures). At private Keio University's English-taught PEARL program, the 2026 yearly academic fee alone is 1,308,350 yen, and a 200,000 yen entrance fee is added to it.
Yes. To study Japanese with Student status, you need to enroll in a language school announced by the Ministry of Justice. These schools usually start in April and October. For Japanese-taught fields of study, schools mostly ask for JLPT N1 or N2 and at least 250 points in the EJU Japanese section.
21 subjects, 3 schools. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. Tap a subject to see what you study, what graduates do and the options in other countries.
Loading the calendar.
Let's build the school list, budget and timeline around the student together.