5 Steps to Study Abroad in Japan
Step (3)
Research Entrance Exams
- Step (1)Understanding Japan’s Education System
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Step (2)Search for Schools
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Step (3)Research Entrance Exams
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Step (4)Researching Cost and Scholarship
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Step (5)Status of Residence
Procedure
After deciding on where to study at, please research entrance exam of said institution. Entrance exam details differ depending on education institute type (university, professional training college, Japanese language school). Additionally, many schools implement entrance exams for international students. Please prepare upon research since entrance exam method and type depends on which school you want to study at.
Details of Entrance Exams
Most schools have entrance exams for Japanese examinees and a separate entrance exam for foreigners (international students). Schools will select students upon considering multiple items from below. Exams differ depending on the school so please check your school catalogue.
(1)Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
The EJU is an examination designed for international students who wish to enroll and study at Japanese universities (undergraduate), etc. to evaluate international students’ Japanese language ability and basic academic knowledge.
90% of national universities, 60% of public universities, and 71% of private universities require the submission of EJU scores as part of university undergraduate entrance exams. Applicants will select and take the examination subjects specified by the university the applicant would like to enter.
- 1.
- Japanese: 125 minutes 450 points
- 2.
- Science or Japan and the World
- Science (Physics / Chemistry / Biology) : 80 minutes 200 points
- Japan and the World (Civics (Politics and Economics) / Geography / History) : 80 minutes 200 points
- 3.
- Mathematics Course 1 (Humanities course) or Course 2 (Science course) : 80 minutes 200 points
*You cannot select both "Science" and "Japan and the World.” Additionally, you will need to select 2 subjects from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology if you choose to take Science test.
List of Schools using EJU
https://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/eju/examinee/use/index.html (Japanese version only)
Exam Times and Sites
Examinations will be held twice a year, in June (application period is from February to March) and in November (application period is from the beginning to end of July). You can apply online or through posting. Main test sites for EJU are in Japan but you may also take the test in many other Asian countries.
< Testing location >
Japan Student Services Organization
https://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/eju/examinee/site/index.html (Japanese version only)
(2)Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) under joint organization of the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (previously Association of International Education, Japan) is a test to measure and certify the Japanese-language proficiency of those whose native language is not Japanese.
Exam Times and Sites
Examinations will be held twice a year, in July (application period is from beginning to end of April) and in December (application period is from the beginning to end of September). You can apply online or through posting.
Main test sites for JLPT are in Japan but you may also take the test in many other Asian countries.
< Testing location >
Japan Educational Exchanges and Services
https://www.jlpt.jp/e/application/overseas_list.html
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Level
The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest level is N5 and the most difficult level is N1. You would need Japanese level equivalent to level N2 if you are entering higher education institution in Japan (based on Japanese standard).
Japanese-Language Proficiency Test Website
(3)Unified University Entrance Exam
This is an exam necessary for Japanese students to enter national and public universities, and for some private universities (undergraduate). For foreign international students, most universities do not require this test but some schools may require you to take this test for some undergraduate courses (Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry).
The unified university entrance exam is when students taking an entrance exam takes the unified university entrance exam and then applies to take university’s test using such result. Each university will inquire the applicant’s test result to National Center for University Entrance Examinations and decide whether the applicant has passed the exam. The test is only implemented in Japan.
< For more information >
National Center for University Entrance Examinations
https://www.dnc.ac.jp/kyotsu/index.html (only Japanese language)
