Admissions & Exams
Securing a seat at a Japanese university begins long before you click “apply.” From mapping application windows to collecting certified documents and test scores, this page demystifies every milestone on the admissions timeline. You will learn how national regulations intersect with campus-specific rules, what scores truly open scholarship doors, and why early financial planning safeguards your visa. Read on to convert your study-abroad dream into a step-by-step action plan, from first research through packing your bags for arrival.
→ The Direct Route: How to Enter Japanese Universities Straight from Overseas
→ The Indirect Route: From Language School to Lecture Hall
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, then drill down into visas, language tests, and subject exams that many applicants overlook until the last minute.
本科生
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 if your originals are not in English or Japanese.
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 京都大学 often ask you to pre-arrange a supervisor via email before submitting forms. Standardized language benchmarks hover around JLPT N1 or TOEFL iBT 90, though some STEM labs accept lower if research is in English. Expect GRE or GMAT for business/economics tracks, plus proof you can finance two years of study.
PhD
Doctoral committees evaluate scholarly output first. A relevant master’s degree with distinction is the baseline, but a peer-reviewed article indexed in Scopus or Web of Science greatly improves 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.
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 carefully and keep screenshots of every requirement; immigration and admissions offices are 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 submit the CoE, passport, photo, visa form, and financial proof—typically bank statements showing at least ¥2,000,000 or a scholarship letter. Embassy processing takes five to ten working days; without a CoE it can stretch to three months. 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 EJU. JLPT N2 (approximately CEFR B2) is the floor for many Japanese-medium programs, while N1 makes you competitive for scholarships. Even for English-taught courses, basic Japanese helps with daily life. EJU scores combine reading, listening, and writing; a 260 earns eligibility, but scholarship cutoffs are usually 280–300.
| 测试 | Competitive Score |
|---|---|
| JLPT N1 | Required for top scholarships |
| 日本语能力测试 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
Academic Foundation (EJU Other Subjects)
The EJU Mathematics, Science, and Japan & the World modules test 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 results remain valid for two years. See sample papers on the JASSO 网站.
→ Mastering the EJU: Guide to Non-Japanese Sections
University-Specific Examinations
Even after clearing EJU and language hurdles, many universities hold their own exams. For undergraduates this 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, while PhD tracks may add data analysis tasks using provided datasets. Fees typically range from ¥30,000 to ¥40,000 and are non-refundable.
→ Undergraduate: Essays, Interviews, Extra Tasks
→ Master’s: How to Win University-Specific Screening
→ PhD: Cracking University-Specific Screening 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. A typical roadmap covers: 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.
| Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 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 |
本科生
Most undergraduate programs open online applications roughly nine months before the April or September intake. Using UTokyo PEAK as a benchmark, aim to finish EJU or SAT by June, assemble recommendation letters by September, and submit digital forms in November. Screening results usually release in January, followed by interviews in February. Final offers arrive by March.
→ Preparation Schedule for Undergraduate Applicants
Graduate
Graduate schools post admission calls twice a year and often require a professor’s informal consent before you can access the portal. For example, the Kyoto University schedule opens research-student registration in April, collects research plans in July, and conducts written exams plus interviews in August, with results in September.
→ Preparation Schedule for Master’s Applicants
PhD
Doctoral timelines mirror master’s but may add publication checks and research presentations. The UTokyo Agricultural Sciences guidelines require a peer-reviewed article or a conference abstract at application, with research presentations in midsummer and provisional acceptance shortly after.
→ Preparation Schedule for PhD Applicants
Other Opportunities
Universities actively promote events to help prospective students and foster cross-campus collaboration.
Campus Open Days & Webinars
Virtual tours, professor Q&As, and mock lectures give you a feel for facilities without a flight ticket.
→ Turning Campus Visits into Admissions Gold
→ Study-in-Japan Events Guide 2025
Inter-University Networking
Look for joint courses, consortium programs, and cross-registration options that let you take classes at partner universities. These pathways can expand course availability, diversify your peer network, and strengthen research opportunities across institutions.
