Japan With Adi
There are three routes to study in Japan from India: a scholarship such as MEXT, direct admission to a university, or a Japanese language school first. First-year fees average about ¥820,000 at national universities, and students may work part-time up to 28 hours a week with permission.
By Aditya Dewangan · Updated 10 October 2026
What are the routes?
- Scholarship: MEXT and other awards cover some or all of your costs. How to study in Japan for free.
- Direct admission: you apply to a university yourself and pay tuition, sometimes with a partial scholarship or fee reduction.
- Language school first: you study Japanese in Japan, then apply to a university or college from there. How language schools work.
How much does it cost?
These are official first-year averages for admission and tuition together:
- National universities: about ¥820,000.
- Local public universities: about ¥910,000.
- Private universities (excluding medicine, dentistry and pharmacy): about ¥1,300,000.
- Japanese language institutions: about ¥610,000 to ¥1,900,000, depending on the course.
How much Japanese do I need?
Most degrees are taught in Japanese, and universities check your level through tests such as the JLPT or the EJU. Some universities offer degrees taught in English, but daily life, part-time work and most jobs after graduation still run in Japanese.
What are the steps?
- Choose your route and level: after 12th, master’s or PhD.
- Start Japanese now. It takes the longest and helps on every route.
- Shortlist universities and scholarships, and note each deadline.
- Prepare documents and take the required tests.
- Apply. Once admitted, your school applies for your Certificate of Eligibility and you get a student visa.