Why study in Japan

Japan is a country of contrasts, preserving old traditions related to the unique Japanese culture, like the Buddhist heritage, and, at the same time, the nation is a leader in scientific research, mostly technology, famous for manufacturing robots. More than 100,000 international students from every corner in the world enrol in Japanese universities and colleges every year. Higher educational institutions here focus on academic performance based on innovative and creative ideas, but they also set much value in developing human quality.

The Japanesee Education System

The basic school system in Japan is composed of elementary school (lasting six years), middle school (three years), high school (three years), and university (four years). Education is compulsory only for the nine years of elementary and middle school, but 98% of students go on to high school. Students usually have to take exams in order to enter high schools and universities. Broadly speaking, there are three types of higher education institutions in Japan.

• Senmon-gakko (specialist schools) Senmon-gakko (専門学校) are specialist schools that offer 2-year courses. The courses are typically vocational (hairdressing, fashion, caring, etc.); although there are schools that offer more generalist courses such as “business”. Senmon-gakko are much easier to enter than universities, and many accept students on the basis of submission materials alone (no interviews or entrance examinations).
• Short-term universities Short-term universities (短大) are similar to specialist schools (2-year courses) but less vocationally focused (like universities, students will be required to study other subjects outside of their chosen one). There are around 400 short-term universities in Japan and in terms of cost they are slightly more expensive (around 20%) than senmon-gakko.
• Universities Most students entering higher education will opt to go to university (大学). As you might expect, for entry to the major corporations and international companies a degree from a respected institution is a must. There are around 800 universities in Japan, and they can be further broken down into three types: National, Public and Private Universities.

The cost of studying in Japan

National schools and universities will have the lowest tuitions, and tuition will be the same regardless of the subject taken. Public universities will cost slightly more. Private schools may have different tuition costs for different subjects, and compared to public institutions, on average, law and economics courses cost 1.4 times more, arts courses cost 2.3 times more, and dentistry is the most expensive, at 6.2 times as expensive as a public institution program. The direct enrolment tuition fees can range from less than $3,000 to almost $20,000 for one semester. If you're on a budget, consider studying at a public university in a lesser-known city or small town to save money.

Employment opportunities in Japan

As a student you can work up to 28 hours a week. This is a combination of all the places you work, so if for example you work two jobs, you can only work 14 hours at each one. If you leave your school, since you will no longer doing activities related to being a student, your work permit will become invalid. "Student" visa holders can work up to 8 hours per day when school is not in session. As a student you can apply for almost any kind of job posting but you are not allowed to partake in those that are related to adult entertainment. These types of jobs would include the following: ⦁ Bars (restaurants that serve alcohol are fine) ⦁ Hostess bars or host clubs ⦁ Video game arcades ⦁ Pachinko parlors ⦁ Love hotels ⦁ Adult goods or video stores ⦁ Massage parlors ⦁ Anything related to the sex trade You get the picture. Even if you are not involved in any kind of inappropriate acts, just working in the same venue is illegal. This includes working as a janitor, kitchen staff or server! If you have any questions at all about your job, contact your school and they’ll let you know if it is allowed or not.