Study in Japan

Japan offers research-led universities, safe cities and a growing number of degrees taught in English. Most students from Bangladesh either join an English-taught programme or study at a Japanese language school first, and graduates can stay for up to a year to look for work.

• Research and technology

  Strengths in engineering, robotics, materials science and medicine, with well-equipped laboratories.

• The MEXT scholarship

  A Japanese government scholarship covering tuition, a monthly allowance and air fare, open to students from Bangladesh.

• Safe, well-run cities

  Low crime, reliable public transport and a high standard of living.

• A route to a career

  Graduates can stay for up to a year to look for work, and Japanese employers recruit international graduates, especially those who speak Japanese.

Also on our list

• Hiroshima University
• Hokkaido University
• Keio University
• Kobe University
• Kyushu University
• Nagoya University
• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
• Sophia University
• University of Tsukuba
• Waseda University

• April

  Classes start

  April

  Apply

  August to November

  The start of the Japanese academic year, and the main intake for language schools.

• October

  Classes start

  September or October

  Apply

  December to April

  Most English-taught degrees start in the autumn.

National universitiesThe standard fee. A few, such as the University of Tokyo, now charge more.

¥535,800 a year

Private universities

¥800,000 to ¥1,500,000 a year

Language schools

¥700,000 to ¥900,000 a year

Living costsIncluding rent. Tokyo costs the most.

¥80,000 to ¥150,000 a month

• English-taught programmes

  • IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5, or TOEFL iBT
  • Some programmes also ask for the SAT or GRE

• Japanese-taught programmes

  • JLPT N2 or above for most degree programmes
  • The EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission) for many bachelor’s programmes

• Academic

  • Bachelor’s: 12 years of schooling, so HSC qualifies
  • Master’s: a relevant bachelor’s degree and, often, a supervisor who agrees to take you

• Student visa

  • A Certificate of Eligibility, applied for by your school in Japan
  • Proof that you or a sponsor can pay tuition and living costs

1. 01

   Choose your route

   An English-taught degree, or a language school followed by a Japanese-taught degree.

2. 02

   Take a test

   IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programmes; the JLPT or EJU for Japanese-taught ones.

3. 03

   Apply

   With documents, an essay and often an interview. For a master’s, contact a supervisor first.

4. 04

   Receive your Certificate of Eligibility

   Your school applies to immigration in Japan; this usually takes one to three months.

5. 05

   Apply for the visa

   At the Japan Visa Application Centre in Dhaka, with your certificate and passport.

6. 06

   Arrive and apply for permission to work

   Your residence card is issued at the airport, where you can also apply to work part time.

• While you study

  Up to 28 hours a week, and up to eight hours a day during long school holidays, with permission from immigration.

• After you graduate

  A designated activities visa to look for work: six months, renewable once, for up to a year in total.