Study in Japan for Indian Students: Universities, Fees, Eligibility

Why Study in Japan for Indian Students?

So, why study in Japan? Well, to begin with, Japan has one of the most highly regarded higher education systems in the world. In fact, around 47 of the Japanese universities rank highly in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with around 4 ranking in the top 100.

But what else will you get when you study in Japan from India? Read below:

1. High Quality Education: The universities in Japan offer students hands-on experience in fields like Robotics, AI, Mechanical Engineering, and Biotechnology through their cutting-edge labs.
2. English-Taught Programs: International students can choose from more than 1,500 courses, which are taught primarily in English. This removes the need for having Japanese language proficiency.
3. Great Post Study Opportunities: Japan has welcoming immigration policies that aim towards bringing highly skilled international talent into the workforce. This makes study in Japan from India highly viable.
4. Affordable Education: The average annual fee of Japanese national/public universities is around ¥535,800 - ¥820,000 or INR 3 – 46 lakhs. This is more affordable than in many G7 nations.
5. Safe and Secure: Lastly, Japan has exceptionally low crime rates and high levels of public trust. This makes study in Japan for Indian students extremely safe.

Education System in Japan

The higher Japan education system is structured in a way to provide international students a balance of traditional Japanese-medium tracks with English-taught programs. Indian students who are planning to study in Japan after 12th can enrol in one of the five main types of institutions.

1. Graduate Schools: These offer master’s programs that are usually 2 years long and Doctoral programs, which can take 3 to 5 years to complete.
2. Universities (Daigaku): For undergraduate/bachelor’s degrees that are usually 4 years long. However, professional tracks like medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science require around 6 years.
3. Junior Colleges: Provide a 2 to 3-year program which generally leads to an Associate degree.
4. Colleges of Technology (Kosen): These are vocational institutions which mainly focus on engineering. However, international students typically enter in the 3rd year.
5. Professional Training Colleges: Lastly, specialised training colleges in Japan offer vocational diplomas and advanced diplomas, which are usually 2 – 4 years long.

Credit System in Japan

Apart from the institutions, the Japan education system follows a standardised credit system for higher education, which is defined by the government. This system focuses on the total “workload” which is needed to complete the course you study in Japan. Check out the details below:

1. One Credit Meaning: One credit is used to refer to 45 hours of total study time and includes lectures, practicals, and self-study time.

• For lectures/seminars, you need 15–30 hours of classroom teaching and 15–30 hours of preparation and revision.
• For experiments/practicals, you need a total of 30–45 hours of actual laboratory or practice time.

2. Credit Requirement for Graduation: The minimum credit requirement to complete your education from a university is as follows:

• Bachelor’s Degree: At least 124 credits completed over four years.
• Master’s Degree: At least 30 credits completed over two years.
• Junior College: At least 62 credits for a two-year program.
• Specialised Programs: The dentistry and Medicine programs usually require students to have 188 or more credits over six years. Veterinary medicine requires at least 182 credits.

3. Grading and GPA: Most of the universities in Japan follow a 4 or 5-tier scale (S, A, B, C, F). In this, the minimum passing score is Grade C, which is around 60%. And around 98% of the graduate programs in Japan follow a GPA system on a scale of 4.0.

Top Universities in Japan for Indian Students

The universities in Japan are divided into three types based on their ownership and funding structure. These are National, Public, and private institutes. Below is a list of some of the best university in Japan for Indian students.

Popular Courses to Study in Japan for Indian Students

Japan is known for providing courses in STEM and business fields, especially in tech, robotics, AI, and other in-demand fields. Moreover, to study in Japan after 12th and choose a desired course, you can explore all the institutions which provide English-taught degrees on the Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) or Japan Study Support (JPSS).

Japan Scholarship for Indian Students

To make education more affordable and accessible, there are a number of scholarships to study in Japan for Indian students. These are usually given either by the government, private foundations, or the university itself. Take a look at some popular Japan scholarship for Indian students below:

Admission Process for Studying in Japan in 2026

The admission process to study in Japan in 2026 is pretty simple and begins around 9 to 12 months with research and university selection. As someone from India, you can follow the process below with the mentioned timeline:

1. 10-12 Months Prior: Start by researching the programs and universities. For this, you can gather the required information and prepare all the necessary documents.
2. 6-8 Months Prior: Around this time, most of the universities open their applications. So, fill out this admission form on the official university website.
3. 3-5 Months Prior: If you get selected, the university will send you an admission acceptance letter. Your university will then apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), which is a crucial document needed for your visa application.
4. 1-2 Months Prior: After you get your COE, you can apply for a Japan student visa by either visiting the Japanese embassy or consulate in India. Just note that this might take at least 1-2 weeks.
5. 1 Month Prior/Enrollment: Lastly, make all the necessary travel arrangements and arrive in Japan to start your course. 

Intakes to Study in Japan for Indian Students

There are primarily two main intakes in Japan that Indian students can choose from. These are the Spring intake, which is around April, and the other is the Autumn/Fall Intake, which is around September/October. However, there are also some minor intakes; take a look below:

Admission Requirements to Study in Japan

To study in Japan in 2026, Indian students need to meet the following general admission requirements. 

1. Undergraduate: For UG admission, you will need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as IB, A-Levels, or SAT.
2. Graduate (Master's/PhD): For PG admission, you will need to have a Bachelor’s degree for the Master’s program. As for Doctoral programs, you will need to have a Master’s degree, a research proposal, and secure a prospective supervisor before applying.

Documents Required

During the application process, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. Academic Transcripts: You will need to submit class 10th and 12th mark sheets.
2. Language Proficiency: To get admission in English-taught programs, you will need to submit either IELTS (6.0+) or TOEFL iBT (85+) scores. And for Japanese-taught programs, you need JLPT (N2 or N1 level is usually required).
3. EJU Exam: While not always required, a lot of the Japanese National universities require international students to give the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU).
4. Proof of Financial Solvency: You will also need to provide proof of funds through documents like bank statements or scholarship letters, which can prove you can cover tuition and living costs during your course of study.
5. Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LOR).

Japan Student Visa for Indian Students

To get a Japan student visa to study in Japan, Indian students need to pass the following eligibility criteria first:

1. Admission to a recognised Japanese University.
2. Proof of Funds to support your education and living costs during the course of study.
3. A passport that has six months of minimum validity of six months that is beyond your intended period of stay.
4. Lastly, completion of a required education qualification, such as a bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

 How to Apply for a Japan Student Visa?

To apply for a Japan student visa, you can follow the steps below:

1. Receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from your university.
2. Submit your COE along with all the required documents, like a valid passport and a visa application, to either a Consulate in India or the Japanese Embassy.
3. If required, attend an interview at the consulate or the Japanese Embassy.
4. Submit biometric information like fingerprints and your photograph.
5. Pay the required Japan student visa fee of around INR 1,596.
6. The processing time for a Japanese student visa is around two to four weeks. Once it is approved, the embassy will issue you’re a visa.

Cost of Studying in Japan for Indian Students

The average living cost to study in Japan for Indian students varies based on the city and the type of university. But you can expect to pay around INR 8 lakhs to INR 22 lakhs per year. Below is a breakdown of the cost of living in Japan. Take a look:

Career Opportunities for Indian Students after Studying in Japan

After completing their education in Japan, Indian students can work in various in-demand and high-paying sectors. In fact, as of 2026, the career opportunities for Indian students in Japan are exceptionally strong, which is driven by the country’s ageing population and acute labour shortages in specialised sectors.

Part Time Work Options in Japan for Indian students

Unlike many countries, Japan offers a flexible work policy for international students. Students holding a “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” are allowed to work:

• Up to 28 hours per week during regular academic terms.
• Up to 8 hours per day (40 hours per week) during official long vacations, such as summer or winter breaks.

This enables Indian students to earn approximately ¥100,000–¥120,000 (INR 58,000 – INR 70,000) per month, which can often cover their living expenses.

Conclusion

Summing up, study in Japan for Indian students can be extremely beneficial as it not only provides great education quality but also amazing work opportunities. After you are done with your education in Japan, you can then transition your residency status to match your goals. You can either go for a job-hunting visa, a work visa conversion, or pursue higher education by enrolling in another school.

Excited for your education journey in Japan? Take the first step towards your education with Gradding’s study abroad consultants who can simplify the whole study in Japan process for you. Connect today!

FAQ

1. How to Study in Japan After 12th from India?

To study in Japan after 12th grade from India, students will have to first choose a course and a university. They will then need to meet the university’s eligibility criteria, like language proficiency (JLPT N2 or N1 level) and valid EJU scores (if required). After this, they can apply online, get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and finally apply for a student visa at the Japanese Embassy.

2. Is Studying in Japan Affordable for Indian Students in 2026?

In Japan, the tuition fee usually ranges between ¥535,800 – ¥1,500,000 per year, which is around INR 3 – 12 lakhs. This can be really affordable for Indian students in 2026, especially if you compare it with Western countries. Additionally, the average living cost is only ¥100,000 – ¥150,000 (INR 58,000 – 87,000) per month.

3. Do Indian Students Need to Know Japanese to Study in Japan?

Having Japanese language proficiency is not always a requirement to study in Japan, especially if you are going for an English-taught program. But you will need to have Japanese proficiency, preferably JLPT N3/N2, to study Japanese-taught programs. Learning Japanese is nevertheless recommended for better integration and everyday interactions.

4. How to Study in Japan from India for Free?

Indian students can study in Japan for free by getting fully-funded scholarships like the MEXT Scholarship. It covers all the expenses like tuition, travel, and living costs.

5. What are the Job and Work Opportunities After Studying in Japan?

After studying in Japan, Indian students can convert their student visa to a work visa and get access to Japan’s job market. Due to labour shortages and an ageing population, many of Japan’s companies are seeking international talent.