Top Universities & Colleges in Japan

Read university reviews, ranks, tuition fee, courses, eligibility and more

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Showing 4 universities. Show All.

The University of Tokyo (Utokyo)

Estd. 1877 25 Courses

Public University

¥535,800 Tuition*

N.A Admits

Tokyo, Japan

Waseda University (Waseda)

Estd. 1882 10 Courses

Private University

¥535,800 Tuition*

N.A Admits

Tokyo, Japan

Kobe University (Kobe)

Estd. 1949 17 Courses

Public University

¥535,800 Tuition*

N.A Admits

Hyogo, Japan

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Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU)

Estd. 1949 27 Courses

Public University

¥520,800 Tuition*

N.A Admits

Tokyo, Japan

Why Study in Japan?

While the usual considerations of safety, comfort, opportunities, etc., are all checked by the education system in Japan, there are a few unique reasons that make Japan a popular choice for education at both Bachelors and Masters level programs. Given below are the points that highlight the same:


  1. You get to compete with the best: Japanese schools are known to produce the best minds, especially as far as science and mathematics are concerned. If you are a student stimulated by intellectual expertise, Japan is a good option. The peers you meet and engage with during your student years eventually grow up to be your professional network. This is an excellent chance to make a choice that promises a firm footing in that regard.
  2. The government lends a warm welcome: Very few countries in the world provide the same amount of care and facilities for international students as Japan does. Starting from extensive information on living and studying in Japan, collated by the country’s administration in this introductory guide, growing by encouraging more courses in English and backing it up with extensive scholarships and monetary exemptions, Japan is making genuine efforts to globalize the Japanese education system. One can only imagine the support that might be made available to students, once they start living there.


While personal experiences are varied and dependent on individual preferences, if you are choosing to study in Japan, you must be aware of the limitations as well.


  1. Massive cultural difference: In your time in Japan, you will be eventually expected to move beyond the Konichiwa bow to understand Japanese culture better. Most of the rules are rigid and create a wall between student-teacher interactions, alongside interactions with your fellow classmates. Learning Japanese is difficult for most, but still necessary, especially if you are going to choose to live in Japan for a job as well.

  2. Difficult Entry: Most students who have studied in Japan will tell you that though there is much pressure while being admitted into a college, such as Ora university, the educational experience that follows it up is much more. Almost anyone who makes it to a college is likely to graduate from it. This structure loosens the essence of courses and can be a turn off for many.


If you are seriously considering studying in Japan, you must consider both these aspects and make an informed decision. It will be ideal if you also consider other options in Asia and the rest of the world before you narrow down to Japan and initiate the application process.

Education System in Japan

The Japanese education system prides itself on uniqueness. It boasts of the fact that besides providing modern-day education that creates professional opportunities for the students, it also nourishes the inner personalities of the children so that they can emerge as better human beings. In Japan, students are supposed to reach the education institutions either by public transport or walk to the building; there are no school buses in Japan. Another unique fact about the Japanese education system is that the students have to clean their own classrooms to encourage a sense of cleanliness and responsibility from a young age. The culture has a unique impact on any student planning to study here and if that is one of your priorities, you can consider Japan as a lucrative option.


In Japan, primary education lasts for six years, secondary for three, higher for three and finally, university lasts for four years. Until high school, education is guaranteed free for every student. It is worth mentioning that right from an early age, there is ample stress on certain subjects, such as mathematics, languages and social sciences. One unique fact is that despite age, students have to partake in examinations in order to enter schools. Students planning for undergraduate education must take note. Typically, the academic year in Japan begins in the month of April, and a student planning to study here must plan his applications and academic life accordingly. 


A high percentage of Japanese students pursue undergraduate level education. Boasting of a good 700 varsities and colleges, the country is able enough to provide and promote a diverse educational environment for its students. Many of these colleges also accept exchange programs, which enhance the student-to-student-connect between countries. This is furthered by the fact that in Japan, there is a substantial amount of premium put on the study of the English language. Just like India, students from a very early age are encouraged to study the English language. The examination system is designed in such a manner so that students can compete at international levels too. This makes the education system in Japan competitive yet inclusive, thereby making it a good option to study in Asia. However, if you would like more exposure to global trends and would want to be a part of the world scenario in your field, it might make sense to check out options in Europe and Americas as well.

Cost of Studying in Japan

Japan provides a variety of grants and scholarships in an attempt to attract more international students and strengthen their educational foundation. You can visit the websites of MEXT to find out more information about the kind of funds available for the courses you are interested in. You can also check if you are eligible for any government scholarships available in Japan. Read more about cost of studying in Japan.

Life in Japan, Health and Safety

The Japanese way of life is one that is marked by kindness, brotherhood, cleanliness, and a sense of thankfulness. As a result, it stands out as one of the safest countries to live in.


Japan boasts of a low crime rate and a very high level of maintaining public safety. As many not know, one does not need any vaccination before setting foot in Japan. The quality of drinking water and food is also very high. The safety standard is, in fact, so high that one can safely consume the street food without much deliberation.


Japan takes matters of health and general safety very seriously. As a result of this, a national policy of universal health coverage has been designed and implemented for the denizens of the country. The Japanese government provides 100% public health coverage to the population, including social health insurance and national health insurance.


The sense of healthfulness is one of the keen interests for the Japanese people. This is the result of their traditional way of life and a strong belief in clean eating, which is further strengthened by an inclination towards the modern medical system. From putting high stress on maintaining hygiene at a personal level to extending the same towards everywhere around in the neighbourhood makes the Japanese people come across as a community that is serious about promoting a good and healthy lifestyle. This helps them to sustain even during the stressful 21st-century lifestyle.


To amplify this, the government spends heavily in the medical sector. Today there are hundreds of medical colleges and hospitals to take care of the patients as well as well-trained and world-class doctors. Perhaps, this is why the Japanese people are blessed with the longest life expectancy in the world.

Popular Cities and Courses

Before you dig into research about the courses in your stream, it is important to remember that Japan doesn’t employ English as a medium of instruction for all courses. So after your preference of subjects, you must filter courses by language. Considering Japan’s wide spectrum, it is difficult to indicate a particular direction with respect to universities or courses, but this is just to brush up on the basic possibilities once you are in Japan.


The popular cities, both from a lifestyle and an educational standpoint are -

  • Tokyo
  • Osaka
  • Kyoto
  • Yokohama
  • Sapporo
  • Fukuoka

Each of these cities boasts of a good university, well within the top 100 institutions of the world.Some of them are -

  • Tohuku University
  • Osaka University
  • The University of Tokyo
  • Kyoto University

Meanwhile, the most sought out streams in Japan are -

  • Liberal Arts & Liberal Studies
  • Modern Languages
  • Mechanical, Civil & Chemical Engineering.
  • Material Sciences
  • Business Studies & Global Entrepreneurship
  • Biological & Life Sciences
  • Earth Sciences & Astrophysics
  • Disaster Mitigation and Environmental Studies

Most courses in Japan are a mix of fieldwork and in-class activities with the curriculums reflecting their global exposure. The undergraduate courses mostly span over four years while post-graduate programs take two years to complete on an average. Japan is a growing economy that balances its fast pace with strong cultural exposure. Both these things are important in the life of an evolving professional. Choosing the right university in Japan can give you a great push in your career.