Education in Japan

In 2008, the Government of Japan announced the "300000 Foreign Students Plan," which calls to increase the number of foreign students in Japan from the 140,000 to 300,000 students by 2020. It is aiming to make a significant increase in the number of foreign students studying in Japan in the next five years.

As a result, universities are doing all they can to make life easier for foreign students, from the application process all the way through to finding a job after graduation.

One thing that will certainly make life easier for many international students is the introduction of more courses taught partly or entirely in English. Other schemes to attract more overseas students include:

Hiring special staff to support international students,

Allowing students to start courses in September (instead of April, which is when Japan’s academic year usually starts),

Recruiting more teaching staff from outside Japan,

Increasing exchange programs with universities in other countries.

Aware that living and studying in Japan is expensive compared to many countries, the government has also introduced additional financial support for foreign students. Various university scholarships and grants are available through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).

Japan has approximately 780 universities, of which about 80% are private. There are also specialized schools and colleges that provide more vocational types of degree.

In the 2015 QS World University Rankings, the highest ranked Japanese universities are the University of Tokyo at 31st, Kyoto University at 36th and Osaka University at 55th.

University of Tokyo

‘Todai’, more formally known as the University of Tokyo, is not only number one in Asia for arts and humanities in the eyes of academics, but it also boasts the region’s strongest academic reputation in all of the other subject areas assessed – with the exception of social sciences and management, where it falls into second place behind the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Kyoto University

Based in Japan’s old capital city of Kyoto, Kyoto University boasts a place among 29 out of 36 subject rankings this year. Of these, Kyoto University is ranked within the world's top 50 for 17 subjects, including biological sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil & structural engineering, history & archaeology, modern languages and physics & astronomy.

At universities in Japan, undergraduate degrees last four years, with the exception of subjects such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, which take six years. The academic year runs from April to March, with a summer break (July-August), winter break (December-January) and spring break (February-April). There have been discussions lately to move the start to the academic year to fall.

Some (not all) universities in Japan require international applicants to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU). This includes four subject tests: Japanese as a Foreign Language, Science (chemistry, biology and physics), Mathematics, and ‘Japan and the World’. The EJU can be taken at locations in 14 countries worldwide.

Applicants may also be asked to submit scores from an English proficiency test such as TOEFL, or to travel to Japan to sit university entrance examinations.

Visa requirements for Japan

Once you've met all the university requirements, you need to consider the visa requirements for Japan. After you’ve received an offer of a place, the university should apply to the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau for a Certificate of Eligibility for Residence Status on your behalf. You can then take this to your country’s Japanese embassy or consulate to support your visa application.

On arrival, you have 90 days in which to apply for an Alien Registration Card (not the little green man kind, obviously). If you’re planning on looking for a part-time job, you’ll need to get permission from the nearest Regional Immigration Bureau. Foreign students can only work for up to 28 hours per week (or eight hours per day outside of term time).

Celebrated for its fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, traditional elements and modern competitiveness, Hong Kong has established itself as one of Asia’s dominant economic powers – and is also emerging as one of the region’s leading study destinations. With three universities in Hong Kong ranked within the global top 50 and another three in the top 300, this dynamic and diverse city-state boasts one of the world’s most impressive concentrations of internationally ranked institutions – a significant factor behind its inclusion among the world’s top 10 cities for students.

Link: http://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/asia/japan/guide