Admissions & Exams
Requirements
Admission requirements combine national standards with school‑specific rules. The big three are proof of academic readiness, proof of language proficiency, and proof of finances—usually at least ¥2,000,000 in bank statements. Official minimums are published in each university’s “Application Guidelines,” but competitive scores are often significantly higher. Below we separate undergraduate, graduate, and PhD criteria so you can see what changes as you climb the ladder, then drill down into visas, language tests, and subject exams that many applicants overlook until the last minute.
Licenciatura
For first‑year applicants universities look for 12 years of formal education or an approved alternative such as the International Baccalaureate. Many schools, including Musashino University, also accept A‑Levels or GCE scores. A minimum EJU total of 260 or JLPT N2 is common, but high‑ranking campuses expect higher. Documents include transcripts, a personal statement under 800 words, two teacher references, and evidence of funds covering one year’s tuition and living costs (roughly ¥1,500,000–¥2,000,000). Keep certified translations on standby if your originals are not in English or Japanese.
→ Cinco requisitos clave para la admisión en las universidades japonesas
Graduate
Most master’s courses demand a four‑year bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 2.5/4.0, a concise research proposal, and at least one academic paper or thesis excerpt. Schools such as Kyoto University insist that you pre‑arrange a supervisor via email before submitting forms. Standardized language benchmarks hover around JLPT N1 or TOEFL iBT 90, though STEM labs sometimes accept lower if research is in English. Expect to upload GRE or GMAT scores for business and economics tracks, plus a certificate showing you can finance two years of study.
→ Cinco requisitos clave para acceder a un máster en las universidades japonesas
PhD
Doctoral committees evaluate scholarly output first and foremost. A relevant master’s degree with distinction is the baseline, but a peer‑reviewed article indexed in Scopus or Web of Science will greatly improve your odds. The UTokyo GIRS notice caps the research plan at 2,000 words and asks for two potential referees outside Japan. English programs set TOEFL iBT 100 or higher; Japanese‑medium streams expect JLPT N1. Anticipate uploading a 10‑page dissertation outline, methodology chart, and ethical clearance form along with proof of at least ¥3,000,000 in available funds.
→ Cinco requisitos clave para acceder a un máster en las universidades japonesas
Requirement Deep Dive
Some conditions cut across all degree levels yet require special attention, so we unpack them here. Student visas hinge on the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), language scores determine scholarship breadth, and foundational subjects decide whether entrance exams are waived. University‑specific tests are where many strong candidates stumble because formats vary from multiple‑choice logic to open‑ended essays delivered on‑campus. Read each prospectus twice and keep screenshots of every requirement; immigration and admissions offices are increasingly strict about consistency between uploaded and mailed documents.
Student Visa
A Japanese student visa is usually valid for two years and can be renewed inside Japan. According to the MOFA Student Visa page, applicants must submit the CoE, passport, photo, visa form, and financial proof—typically bank statements showing at least ¥2,000,000 or a scholarship letter. Processing at embassies takes five to ten working days, but if you apply without the CoE it can stretch to three months. Remember that holders may work up to 28 hours a week after obtaining a part‑time permit at immigration.
→ Japanese Student Visa Complete Guide — Eligibility, April-Entry Timeline & Staying Compliant
Language (EJU Japanese, JLPT)
The most common language proofs are the JLPT and the Japanese section of the UEJ. JLPT N2 (approximately CEFR B2) is the floor for many programs taught in Japanese, while N1 makes you competitive for scholarships. For courses delivered in English, universities still ask for basic Japanese to help with daily life. EJU scores combine reading, listening, and writing; a 260 earns eligibility, but the scholarship cutoff is usually 280–300. Exam fees are ¥7,500 in Japan and roughly ¥16,000 overseas, so budget for at least two attempts.
| Test | Competitive Score |
|---|---|
| JLPT N1 | Required for top scholarships |
| JLPT N2 | Minimum for admission |
| EJU Japanese 300+ | Scholarship threshold |
| EJU Japanese 260 | Basic eligibility |
→ JLPT Demystified: Essential Certification for Japanese University Admissions
→ EJU Japanese Test: Complete Guide for International Students Applying to Japanese Universities
Academic Foundation (EJU Other Subjects)
The EJU Mathematics, Science, and Japan & the World modules test basic academic readiness. Engineering faculties often demand Math Course 2 plus Physics or Chemistry scores above 65%, while humanities require Japan & the World above 60%. Your highest score from the past two sessions counts, and the results remain valid for two years. Sample papers on the Página web de JASSO show that question style resembles AP or A‑Level exams. Investing in a good prep book (around ¥3,000) early saves costly retakes later.
→ Mastering the EJU: Your Guide to Non-Japanese Sections for a Successful University Entry in Japan
University‑Specific Examinations
Even after clearing EJU and language hurdles, many universities hold their own exams. For undergraduates that can mean a short essay and a 20‑minute interview on campus or online, as outlined in the UTokyo PEAK portal. Graduate schools prefer a written subject test related to your research plus an oral defense of your proposal, while PhD tracks sometimes add data analysis tasks using provided datasets. Fees range from ¥30,000 to ¥40,000 and are non‑refundable. Read the past‑paper archives carefully—question patterns change less often than you might think.
→ Japan Undergraduate Admissions: How to Ace University-Specific Essays, Interviews, and Extra Tasks
→ How to Win Japan’s University-Specific Screening for Master’s Admission
→ Cracking University-Specific PhD Screening in Japan: A Tactical Guide for International Applicants
Choosing a Japanese university is exciting, but the admission and examination process can feel like a maze when you first look at it. Each institution follows Ministry of Education guidelines yet sets its own deadlines, exams, and document formats. This page walks you through the big picture first—when to do what, and why—then breaks down the concrete requirements for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral candidates. Bookmark the links, print the tables, and come back as you move from exploration to application and finally to arrival in Japan.
Schedule
Navigating Japan’s academic calendar requires thinking about two intakes—April and September—and multiple preparation milestones that start at least 18 months out. Below you will find a typical roadmap that our counselors use: initial research, document preparation, standardized testing, application upload, screening, interview, result release, visa paperwork, and arrival. While every university sets its own dates, the window from online application launch to arrival in Japan often spans nine to twelve months. Mark each deadline early; missing one normally means waiting an entire year.
| Period | Hito |
|---|---|
| Apr – Jun (Y‑1) | University & scholarship research |
| Jun – Aug (Y‑1) | EJU / SAT / GRE / JLPT testing |
| Sep – Oct (Y‑1) | Collect references & draft essays |
| Nov – Dec (Y‑1) | Online application submission |
| Jan (Y) | Document screening results |
| Feb (Y) | Interview / subject test |
| Mar (Y) | Offer letter & CoE paperwork |
| Apr or Sep (Y) | Arrival & orientation |
Licenciatura
Most undergraduate programs open online applications roughly nine months before the April or September intake. Using UTokyo PEAK’s 2026 schedule as a benchmark, aim to finish EJU or SAT by June, assemble recommendation letters by September, and submit digital forms in November. Initial document screening results are usually released in January, followed by an online or on‑site interview in February. Final offers go out by March, leaving a narrow window to secure your student visa and housing before orientation. Plan your flights early to take advantage of student discounts.
Graduate
Graduate schools post admission calls twice a year and typically require a professor’s informal consent before you can even log in to the portal. For example, the Kyoto University 2025 timeline opens research‑student registration in April, collects research plans in July, and conducts written exams plus interviews in August. Results are announced in September so that successful applicants can process Certificates of Eligibility (CoE) by December. If you target the October cohort, shift every step forward by six months and keep proof of funding ready.
→ Calendario de preparación para los estudiantes internacionales que solicitan un máster en Japón
PhD
Doctoral submission windows mirror graduate timelines but add an external publication review. The UTokyo Agricultural Sciences guidelines require a peer‑reviewed article or a conference abstract at the time of application. Candidates upload manuscripts in May, give a two‑hour research presentation in July, and receive provisional acceptance in August. Formal admission is contingent on passing the ethics seminar and securing a full‑time advisor by early October. Because grant awards like JSPS arrive irregularly, build a three‑month buffer into your financial planning.
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