Information as of 18 September 2026. We work to keep it accurate, but details can change or contain errors. Always check the official websites for the latest, correct information.
Country guide: Japan
A starting point for international students who want an undergraduate degree in Japan, particularly those at international schools in Malaysia and elsewhere taking the IB Diploma or A-Levels. It sets out the main admission routes, who can apply, the EJU and typical costs. Every figure comes from MEXT, JASSO or a university's own admissions documents and links to its source.
International students usually reach an undergraduate place in Japan by one of five routes.
| Route | Japanese at entry | Main tests and selection | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privately financed international student admission | Required (taught in Japanese) | EJU subjects set by the university; some use JLPT | Students ready to study in Japanese[2][10][11] |
| English-taught degree programmes | Often not required | IB, A-Level or SAT results plus an English test | Students who want to study in English[5][3][4][12] |
| Special admission for students educated abroad | — | Varies by university (e.g. Tsukuba) | Students with many years of schooling abroad[13] |
| Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship | — | Apply through the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia | Students seeking fee waivers and a monthly allowance[14] |
| Preparatory course, then university | Learned during the course | University admissions after completing the course | Students whose school system has under 12 years[1][15] |
A dash means we could not confirm a general pattern from official sources. Requirements differ by university and programme, so always check the application guidelines.
One university may run separate admissions for its Japanese-taught faculties and its English-taught programmes. For 2027 entry, Sophia University sets EJU minimum scores by department in its Japanese-taught foreign student admission, while its English-taught SPSF asks for SAT, ACT, IB or A-Level results.[16][12]
Students can also come to Japan before university. The International College of Technology (ICT) is a five-year course that students apply to after nine years of schooling, and national KOSEN admit international students with 11 or more years of schooling into year 3. Schools that accept international students are covered on the page about studying at a junior high school, high school or KOSEN in Japan.[17][18][19]
The basic requirement is completing 12 years of school education outside Japan. MEXT means completing the 12th year of that country's formal school system, not simply adding up years spent in school.[1]
Malaysian qualifications: SPM, STPM, UEC and Matriculation
The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is run by JASSO. It assesses the Japanese language and academic skills of international students who want to study at undergraduate level in Japan. You choose which subjects to sit, and in which language, according to what your target university and faculty require.[2]
You cannot sit both Science and Japan and the World in the same session. Timings, score ranges and application windows are on the admission routes page.[2]
English-taught undergraduate programmes exist at national universities as well as private and public ones. We confirmed programmes at the universities below from their official admissions documents; the English-taught programmes page sets out the requirements and deadlines for each.[20][3][5][21]
Some programmes switch to Japanese later
The University of Tokyo's PEAK programme took its last intake in September 2026. Tohoku University's FGL programme has also taken its final intake; its English-taught successor, Gateway College, starts in 2027.[35][36]
Scholarships, fee waivers, the Student status of residence and the rules on part-time work are covered on the costs and visas page.
Yes, through English-taught programmes that do not require Japanese when you apply, such as Kyoto iUP, Nagoya University's G30 and Waseda's English-based programmes. Some, like Kyoto iUP, move to Japanese-taught classes in the later years.
Yes. Both make you eligible for university entry in Japan regardless of years of schooling. GCE and International A Levels both count, but AS Levels alone do not, and the IB Career-related Programme does not qualify.
Yes, in Kuala Lumpur. The 2026 test dates are 21 June and 8 November, and the fee in Malaysia is MYR 90.
MEXT's guidance does not say. It asks applicants to confirm foreign school systems with that country's embassy in Japan, so check with your chosen university before you apply.
The standard is JPY 535,800 a year in tuition plus a JPY 282,000 admission fee. Some universities set a different rate for international students; Tohoku University's Gateway College plans JPY 900,000 a year for 2027 entry.
Planning to apply to Japanese universities? Talk to Nansu Juku.
Tell us your year group, your subjects and grades, and where you want to study. We help you plan the scores, subjects and application steps. Consultations for families considering our courses are free.
Checked against each source on 2026-09-17. Entry requirements, deadlines and fees change every year, so always confirm with the official pages for the year you apply.
