Looking for the best Japanese universities for international students? Well, here’s a guide about the best university in japan for international students. Read further to know more about it.
Discover the pinnacle of academic excellence with our guide to the best Japanese universities for international students.
These esteemed institutions offer a harmonious blend of traditional culture and cutting-edge research, providing a vibrant, cosmopolitan environment where scholars from around the globe can thrive and innovate.
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Which is the best Japanese university for international students?
Our team of in-house experts went to over 30 universities in Japan and rated them on their academic reputation, national ranking, and popularity among international students. We found the University of Tokyo to be the best.
Kyoto University is a public university located in Kyoto and is the second oldest university in Japan. It has three campuses, namely the Yoshida campus, the Uji campus, and the Katsaura campus. It is one of the former Imperial Universities and was known as Kyoto Imperial University.
With acceptance rates as low as 10%, getting into a Japanese university is no easy task. But once accepted, be assured that you are in for an experience of a lifetime.
If you are an international student looking to pursue your higher studies in the country of Sakunas, sushi, and anime, we have put together this list of the best Japanese universities for international students to help you.
Best Japanese Universities for International Students: Quick Summary
| Best Japanese Universities for international universities | University Type | National Ranking |
| University of Tokyo | Public university | 1 |
| Kyoto University | Public university | 2 |
| Osaka University | Public university | 3 |
| Keio University | Private university | 4 |
| Tohoku University | Public university | 6 |
| Waseda University | Private university | 8 |
| Kyushu University | Public university | 10 |
| University of Tsukuba | Public university | 11 |
| Kobe University | National university | 14 |
| Chiba University | National university | 16 |
| University of Yamanashi | National university | 56 |
| Meiji University | Private research university | 110 |
| Sophia University | Private research university | 124 |
Best Japanese Universities for International Students
University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 and is also known as UTokyo and Todai. The this university of Japan is extremely well known. I have visited the campus of UTokyo quite a lot of times and I think it’s amongst the top Japan universities for international students because of its infrastructure and education.
Besides being ranked as the best university in Japan, what makes this university a good choice for international students is that it has programs taught in English. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
It has three campuses (the Honga campus, The Komaba campus, and the Kashiwa campus) that students transition to throughout their course of study. It is also close to many tourist attractions so students can catch a glimpse of Japan.
Some of the notable alumni are Nobel Prize winners like Yasunari Kawabata (literature), Leo Esaki (Physics), Yoshinoi Ohsumi (Medicine), Field Medallists like Kunihiko Kodaira, and Pritzker Architecture Prize winners like Toyo Ito and Kenzo Tange.
Location: Bunkyo, Tokyo
Estd.: 1877
Type: Public University
Related: Best App For Learning Japanese
Kyoto University
Kyoto University is a public university located in Kyoto and is the second oldest university in Japan. It has three campuses, namely the Yoshida campus, the Uji campus, and the Katsaura campus. Kyoto University for international students is great.
It is one of the former Imperial Universities and was known as Kyoto Imperial University. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
My personal experience at Kyoto University was awesome when I interacted with a few professors from their university. They were extremely professional and kind.
This university has some of the best laboratories and provides students with hands-on experience, making it an ideal choice for students interested in research.
Kyoto University has a rich alumni that consists of Nobel Prize winners like Hideki Yukawa (Physics) and Susumu Tonegawa (Medicine), Prime Ministers like Osachi Hamaguchi, and Hayato Ikeda, and Fields Medal winners like Heisuke Hironaka and Shigefumi Mori.
Location: Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
Estd.: 1897
Type: Public University
Related: Why Learning Japanese is Difficult
Osaka University
One of the more affordable universities for international students is Osaka University. It is one of the former Imperial Universities.
It has three campuses, that are in Suita, Toyonaka, and Minoh. It also offers its students 11 undergraduate and 16 graduate faculties.
Osaka University is known for its highly competitive entrance exam and a low acceptance rate. Osaka University is one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
The university has an impressive alumni that consists of Nobel Prize winners like Hideki Yukawa (Physics) and Akira Yohino (Chemistry) and Crafoord Prize winners like Tadamitsu Kishimoto and Shimon Sakaguchi. Akio Morita, the co-founder of Sony is another notable alumni.
Location: Suita, Osaka
Estd.: 1931
Type: Public University
Keio University
Keio University is the oldest university in Japan for higher education and one of the best Japanese universities for international students. Its six major campuses are distributed between Tokyo and Kanagawa.
The university offers most of its graduate degree programs in English. The faculty of economics (PEARL) program, and the faculty of Policy Management, Environment, and Information Studies, (GIGA) provide their classes in English for undergraduates.
International students are offered dormitories and many scholarships while attending Keio University. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
The university also offers international students many ways in which they can get involved with the local community.
Location: Minato, Tokyo
Estd.: 1858
Type: Private University
Tohoku University
Tohoku University is the third Imperial University in Japan. The university has 10 undergraduate schools, 17 graduate schools, and 3 professional graduate schools.
This university is a good choice for international students because it is more affordable when compared to other universities and also has a decent sized international student population. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
Location: Sendai, Miyagi
Estd.: 1907
Type: Public University
Waseda University
Waseda has been attracting a large number of international students for many years now. It is a private research university and has 13 undergraduate schools and 23 graduate schools.
It is one of the more affordable private universities and the best Japanese universities for international students. Also uses English as the medium of teaching for many of its programs.
Location: Shijuku, Tokyo
Estd.: 1882
Type: Private University
Kyushu University
Another former Imperial university of Japan is Kyushu University. This prestigious university has been attracting students from all over the world and has an international student population that makes up 13% of the total student body.
This university is known for its vast international research network and has many notable alumni. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
Location: Fukuoka, Kyushu
Estd.: 1903
Type: Public University
University of Tsukuba
With a high percentage of its student population being foreign nationals and an affordable fee structure, the University of Tsubaka has become a popular choice for students looking to study in Japan.
The university boasts of having some of the best research institutes in Japan. It offers its students undergraduate and graduate programs in English and many research opportunities. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki
Estd.: 1973
Type: Public University
Kobe University
Also known as Shindai in the Kansai region, Kobe University has been providing students with top class education since 1949.
This university has become a popular choice among international students because it is one of the most affordable universities. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
Kobe University boasts of its world class undergraduate degrees such as law, medicine, science, engineering and much more. It also offers students graduate programs in humanities, health science, system informatics, and international cooperation studies.
Location: Kobe, Hyogo
Estd.: 1949
Type: National University
Chiba University
Also known as Chibadai, Chiba University is a national university located in the Chiba prefecture. It is known for being the first national university to establish a college of liberal arts and sciences in Japan.
It currently has 10 undergraduate schools and 15 graduate schools. It also offers its students doctoral degrees in education along with Tokyo Gakugei University, Saitama University, and Yokohama National University.
This is a comparatively affordable university to attend for international students and has a medium sized student population, out of which around 5% is of international students. It’s one of the best japanese university admission for international students.
Location: Chiba
Estd.: 1949
Type: National University
University of Yamanashi
Established in 2002, the University of Yamanashi is much younger when compared to the other universities on our list. However, it has already made a name for itself as one of the best universities in Japan.
This university is also much more affordable when compared to other top ranking universities in Japan. Even with a small student population, it has highly competitive entrance exams and graduate programs.
Location: Kofu and Tamaho, Yamanashi
Estd.: 2002
Type: National University
Meiji University
Meiji University is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious institutes for higher learning. It’s one of the best Japanese universities for international students.
It has four campuses- the Surugadai campus, Izumi campus, Ikuta campus, and the Nakano campus. It currently has 10 undergraduate schools, 12 graduate schools, and 4 professional graduate schools.
This university offers students many of its programs in English, making this a suitable choice for international students without Japanese language ability. There are several courses in Japan for foreigners in this university.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Estd.: 1881
Type: Private Research University
Sophia University
Sophia University has a reputation for excellent education and is one of the top ranking private universities in Japan. This is one of the best universities in Japan.
The university has worked hard to make internationalization in Japan possible by offering educational opportunities to the world. It’s one of the cheap universities in Japan for international students.
It has been offering many of its programs in English for over 60 years now, making it a popular choice among international students.
Some of the prominent alumni from Sophia University are Morihiro Hosokawa (79th Prime Minister of Japan), Tadatoshi Fujimaki (Manga artist and creator of Kuroko’s Baseball), and Agnes Chan (ambassador of the Japan Committee for UNICEF).
Location: Chiyoda, Japan
Estd.: 1913
Type: Private Research University
Reasons to Choose Japanese Universities for International Students
- Quality Education: Japan provides top-quality education and takes the filed pretty seriously whether it’s public or private universities. The country has been consistently ranking in the top 10 for its exceptional education.
- Job opportunities: Japan has great opportunities for people who are looking for jobs especially foreigners due to its economy. So, you can stay back after completing your studies to pursue a job in the country.
- Amazing food: Japan has amazing food and most of them are healthy as well as delicious. They’re made with fresh ingredients, easy to digest, and would also satisfy your belly. Sushi, tofu, and edamame are some of the top famous foods in Japan.
- Welcoming foreign students: Japan takes a great interest in welcoming foreign students and has also made the admission process easier and increased exchange programs.
- Unique culture: Japan’s culture is quite unique related to manga, anime, technology, festivals, rituals etc. You’ll get to learn a different side of the country whole together.
Best Japanese Universities for International Students: FAQs
Is Japan good for international students?
Besides its high educational standards, Japan is known for its rich culture and friendly locals. For students who are looking for a cultural experience like no other, Japan is a great choice. Japan is also an affordable and safe option for international students.
Which university has the most number of international students?
Waseda university is known for having one of the highest numbers of international enrollments. It offers its students many programs taught in English and also many opportunities for international students to get involved in the community.
Besides this, The University of Tokyo, Japan University of Economics, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Kyushu University, Osaka University, Tsukuba University, Kyoto University also attract many international students.
Can I study in Japan without knowing Japanese?
Yes, you can. Many Japanese universities offer their programs to international students with English as their medium of teaching.
Do Japanese universities accept foreigners?
Japanese universities do accept foreigners with a valid passport, study visa, 12 years of school in your home country, or an International Baccalaureate diploma as well as financial proof.
Are universities in Japan free for international students?
There are a few colleges that provide scholarships that cover 100% tuition fees where international students can also apply. Sophia University is one of the colleges in Japan that provides full-tuition fees scholarships.
Is studying in Japan expensive?
Japan is an expensive country to study and the tuition fees for international students for a year. It can cost up to $12,000 – $15,000 USD per year which is quite similar compared to US or UK.
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