Plan an exchange semester
Choose your route, compare the course, then check the current application guide.
Plan an exchange semester
Before nomination
Check your home institution’s agreement, GPA requirement and internal deadline. Build a provisional course list and request written credit approval. Confirm whether Japanese-taught classes need a language certificate or placement test.
Before departure
Confirm nomination and host acceptance separately. Check course availability, exam dates, housing, insurance and the host’s immigration instructions. Exchange students normally pay tuition to their home institution under the agreement; direct visiting students normally pay the Japanese host. Budget for living costs in either case.
Find a school
MEXT register: 1 May 2026, provisional; retrieved 26 October 2026. All 825 university, 292 junior-college and 58 KOSEN records without a closure marker are included, plus 2,957 specialised training-school records. Universities include graduate-only schools. Training-school course levels vary. Names and addresses follow the register; current programmes and admissions must be checked with each institution.
Official school names are Japanese. English search aliases are available for selected universities; use a prefecture filter or the official programme finder for other English names.
Official programme finderQuestions
When does university start in Japan?
The academic year usually starts in April. Some universities also admit in September or October; exchange calendars and application deadlines are programme-specific.
Do I need JLPT N2 or N1 to study in Japan?
The requirement depends on the programme. Japanese-taught degrees may use JLPT and/or EJU with other tests; English-taught degrees and exchange programmes set separate language rules. Check the current faculty guidance.
Is SPI a university admission test?
SPI is used in recruitment. Prepare for the university’s specified entrance assessments when applying, and use SPI practice for relevant internship or job selection later.
How do I choose a university in Japan?
Shortlist courses you can enter, compare their language, total cost and graduate destinations, then check campus support. For exchange, confirm partner eligibility and credit transfer first.
Sources
- MEXT · school-code register, 1 May 2026 (provisional)
- JASSO · universities and junior colleges
- National university admissions
- Common Test · official application guidance
- JASSO · schools using EJU
- JASSO · short-term and exchange programmes
- JASSO · academic fees
- JASSO · living costs (2023 student survey)
- MEXT, JASSO and other scholarships
- JASSO · specialised training colleges
- JASSO · colleges of technology
- QS 2027 · published comparison (Hiroshima University)
- THE World University Rankings 2027 · Japan
- JASSO · employment in Japan
- Recruit · official SPI information
- JASSO · programme and school search