Applying to a Japanese University as an International Student: Routes and Timeline
Updated: 2026-09-16
Quick answer
Hi, I'm Miya, and I help newcomers settle into life in Japan. This guide is for people who hope to study for a degree at a Japanese university and are wondering how admissions actually work for international applicants. It's a general orientation rather than a list of requirements, and it doesn't rank or recommend any university — each school sets its own rules, so its admissions office always has the final word.
The short version: there are three common routes. You can apply to a Japanese-taught programme, usually with scores from the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU) plus the university's own screening; you can apply to an English-taught degree programme with its own separate process; or you can study at a Japanese language school first and apply from inside Japan. Whichever you choose, start early, because application windows can open a year or more before your intended start date.
Japanese-taught programmes: the EJU and each university's own tests
Most undergraduate programmes taught in Japanese have a separate admissions track for privately financed international students. Many of them ask for EJU scores, an exam designed for international students that covers Japanese as a foreign language and, depending on your field, subjects such as science, mathematics or a general subject about Japan and the world. It is usually held twice a year, in early summer and late autumn, both in Japan and in a number of other countries and regions.
EJU scores are rarely the whole picture. Universities typically add their own screening on top, which might be a written exam, an essay, an interview, a review of your documents, or a combination. Which EJU subjects are required, how long scores remain valid, and whether a separate Japanese-language test is also expected all differ by university and faculty, so read each school's application guidelines carefully before you register for anything.
English-taught degree programmes
A growing number of Japanese universities offer full degree programmes taught in English, at both undergraduate and graduate level. These generally don't require Japanese ability on entry, and many don't use the EJU at all. Instead, you may be asked for proof of English ability, academic records, essays and recommendation letters, with an interview for shortlisted applicants.
These programmes often run on their own calendar, and some offer an autumn start as well as, or instead of, the April start that is standard in Japan. Places can be limited and application windows may close earlier than you'd expect. Even if your classes are in English, it's worth picking up everyday Japanese before you arrive — it makes life outside the classroom, from part-time work to dealing with your landlord, much easier.
Language school first, then university
Many people choose to spend one or two years at a Japanese language school before applying to university. This route gives you time to build your Japanese to the level a Japanese-taught degree requires, to sit the EJU in Japan, and to get used to daily life here before university starts. Many language schools also offer guidance on university applications, from choosing where to apply to practising for interviews.
It does add time and cost to your plans, and a place at a language school doesn't mean a place at a university — you still go through the university's admissions in the usual way. Choosing the school itself is a topic of its own, so give that decision proper attention. If you go this way, plan your applications around the school's timetable and your residence status renewal, and check with the Immigration Services Agency if anything about your status is unclear.
A realistic application calendar
The Japanese academic year starts in April, and for April entry many international student application windows fall somewhere between the summer and the winter before. If you plan to use EJU scores, you'll usually need to have sat the exam before the application deadline, which can mean taking it well over a year ahead of your start date. English-taught programmes with an autumn start often take applications in the preceding autumn to spring.
Working backwards helps. Allow time to request transcripts and certificates from your current school, to get translations if they are needed, and to prepare language test scores. After you're accepted, the university usually applies for your Certificate of Eligibility for your student status, and you then apply for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate — a process that itself takes a while. Exact dates change every year, so check each university's current guidelines rather than relying on past years.
Documents, interviews and online exams
The documents requested vary, but applications commonly include an application form, ID photos in a specified size, a copy of your passport, academic transcripts and graduation certificates, proof of language ability, a statement of purpose or study plan, and sometimes recommendation letters or exam score reports. Some universities also ask about how you'll fund your studies, as this is relevant to your visa. Note any rules on certified copies, translations and photo sizes — small details like these can hold up an application.
Many universities now hold interviews by video call for applicants abroad, and some run written tests online, while others still ask you to come to Japan for an exam. For an online interview, try the video tool beforehand, find a quiet room, have your ID ready, and double-check the time — schedules are usually given in Japan time. Answering calmly about why you chose that programme and what you hope to study tends to matter more than polished phrasing.
From application to campus life: a Japanese phone number
Throughout the application process, much of the communication happens online: portals send login codes by email or text message, and interview slots and results usually arrive by email, so keep contact details you check often and can receive messages on. Once you're enrolled and living here, the university portal, applications for part-time work and housing contracts all tend to ask for a Japanese phone number, so having one with data in place early makes your first weeks much smoother.
Setting it up is refreshingly simple — you apply online with your residence card, verify with a quick eKYC, and eSIM-capable phones can connect the same day, often within about fifteen minutes. Have a look at our setup guide for eligibility and the step-by-step, and confirm current terms on the page before you apply. Choose your route, keep an eye on the calendar, and I'll be right here to help when you arrive.
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