Cost of Studying in Japan

With a uniquely designed education system, Japan is home to some of the internationally acclaimed universities in Asia. With scores of international students choosing the Land of the Rising Sun to pursue higher education, Japan has emerged as a sought-after study destination with an inclusive culture and rich historical heritage. When you think of studying in Japan, the most popular universities to consider include the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Tohoku University, to name a few. But while planning your higher education journey in Japan, it is also essential to consider the varied types of costs and expenses. Read this blog to know all about the cost of studying in Japan, from the tuition fees to living costs, visa expenses, among others.

Cost of Studying

The most fundamental heads that are to be considered are elements like tuition fees, visa requirements, living costs, travel, etc. while talking about the cost of studying in Japan. Some of the core elements that you have to incur while studying in Japan are mentioned below in detail.

Tuition Fees

The most vital element of estimating the cost of studying in Japan is the tuition fee which can vary as per your chosen program and university. To help you consider the tuition fees for the different universities in Japan, we have divided them into the following: 

• National Universities (Akita University, Fukushima University, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Nagasaki University, etc.)
• Public Universities (The University of Tokyo, Kyushu University, Tokyo University of the Arts, etc.)
• Private Liberal Arts Universities (Waseda University, Sophia University, etc.)
• Private Science Universities

When compared to European and American countries Japan is relatively affordable but the program fee can make a sizeable difference between these universities in Japan. Check out the following table to see the average cost of studying at these universities in Japan:

Thus, public and national universities offer more affordable programs as compared to private universities. When it comes to the type of courses, the average tuition fee for UG courses can be estimated around 12,40,000 YEN to 28,30,000 YEN (roughly 8,50,000- 20,00,000 INR). For postgraduate courses and master’s degree, you can expect to pay around 12,50,000 YEN – 44,00,000 YEN (roughly 9,00,000- 31,00,000 INR) per year.

For pursuing a doctoral degree in Japan, the cost of studying can be somewhere close to the tuition fee of postgraduate programs but you can avail varied PhD scholarships to minimise the same. In line with this, if you choose an English language course, the estimated cost is around 19,000 YEN – 1,20,000 YEN (roughly 13,000- 85,000 INR). Apart from this, universities may require additional funding in terms of tuition fees or operating costs and enrollment fees will also be charged at the time of application which can range from 2,80,000-3,90,000 YEN (roughly 1,93,300-2,69,000 INR). 

Note: The aforementioned tuition fees are only average costs. The actual tuition costs completely depend upon the choice of university and program. If you aim to study an affordable degree program, then consider opting for a National or Public university in Japan and find the best scholarships available for your chosen course to lessen the overall cost of studying.

Student Visa Costs

Japan has a “general visa exemption arrangement” with a total of 68 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Middle East and Africa. So, the citizens of these countries will only require a valid passport to study at a Japanese university for up to 3 months. When it comes to Indian students planning to study in Japan, a student visa will be essentially required to enter the country. The university or institute in Japan which you have chosen will be your sponsor and will lend assistance in obtaining the student visa.

You will have to apply for a long-term visa as an Indian student planning to study in Japan. The application fee for Japan Student Visa for Indian nationals as of April 2020 is as follows:

• Single or Multiple Entry Visa: 550 INR [797.22 YEN]
• Transit Visa: 50 INR [72.47 YEN]

If you are not an Indian citizen and apply for Japan Student Visa from India, then the visa fee is as follows:

• Single Entry: 1900 INR [2754 YEN]
• Multiple Entry: 3850 INR [5850 YEN]
• Transit Visa: 450 INR [652.27 YEN]

The visa fee will be collected in the currency of the country where the Embassy / Consulate General is located. Students have to keep in mind that the application fee for a student visa is different for all countries, and depends on the nationality of the student and course chosen by the student. You can visit the official website of the Embassy of Japan in India for more information.

Cost of Living in Japan

The second most crucial factor when you are planning to study abroad is living costs. These include accommodation, food, travel, recreational and other miscellaneous expenses. These costs of studying in Japan are extremely variable as they can vary as per the city, individual preferences, lifestyle and other factors. Check out the following sections to know about the average accommodation costs as well as food, utility and travel expenses you can expect while studying in Japan.

Accommodation Costs 

For accommodation costs, you can either choose on-campus or off-campus accommodation. If you are opting for dormitory accommodation by the university, then you can expect to pay around 12000 YEN/month (8300 INR) for a single room while off-campus accommodation for major cities like Tokyo can be around 60000 YEN/month (42000 INR).

Food, Utility & Travel Costs

Another unavoidable factor to consider while estimating the cost of studying in Japan are the expenses related to food, utility and travel. The average food costs can range from 800-1000 YEN and can vary depending on your preferences. For travel and transportation costs, the average expenses can be somewhere around 10000YEN/month (INR 7000) and you can also get a JR Rail Pass for 21 days which will be 60000 YEN (INR 42000) and you can avail unlimited travel on all national trains in Japan including bullet trains and buses. The utility costs can be estimated at around 18,000 YEN per month [12,140 INR]

Note: The aforementioned costs are only indicative expenses on an average basis. Actual costs can vary as per different factors.

Click here to check out our exclusive Cost of Living Calculator for estimating the living costs of different study abroad destinations!

Cost of MBBS in Japan

Japan is often opted by the Indian students when it comes to pursuing MBBS abroad owing to advance medical techniques that are followed in the country. For the students willing to pursuing MBBS in Japan, the average cost will be around 535,800 YEN (INR 3,50,000). Along with this, extra fee in terms of application, examination and accoommodatio charges of almost 90,000- 1,50,000 YEN (INR 60,000- 1,00,000).

Cost of Masters in Japan

Masters are generally considered as a hard toll to take when it comes to the financial aspect. But considering Japan, pursuing a masters seems like a piece of cake. The country offers a variety of masters in various fields from medical and management to hospitality and fine arts. On an average, you will be expected to spend an amount of 250,000- 550,000 YEN (INR 1,60,000- 3,70,000). 

Cost of MBA in Japan

The average cost of your chosen MBA will vary from one university to another. Along with the university chosen, your fees for the MBA course will vary as per the specialization you have chosen. Another crucial factor that affects the cost of an MBA in Japan is the duration of the program. The courses which last for a longer duration usually cost more than shorter ones. Generally, the tuition fee of an MBA will be around 450,000- 4,700,000 YEN (INR 3,00,000- 32,00,000). 

Cost of Japanese Language Course in Japan

If you have fallen for the Japanese language and are looking forward to learning the insights of it, then, you will easily find solutions for the same. There are many academic institutions and universities that offer short and long term language courses for Japanese. The estimated cost for it is around INR 150,000-200,000 YEN (INR 1,00,000- 1,30,000).

Scholarships and Financial Aid

While studying in Japan, international students with a student visa are not allowed to work, if and only if they take the permission of the school and the immigration office for a set maximum number of hours per week. To provide financial aid to foreign students, the government of Japan has established scholarships for international students and some of these are as follows:

Apart from these, you can also explore the following scholarships:

• Japan Study Support Scholarships
• The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students
• Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan)
• ADB-Japan Scholarship Program for Developing Countries in Asia-Pacific
• UNU-INWEH Scholarships in Integrated Drylands Management for Developing Country Students

Hence, we hope that this blog has answered all your queries regarding the cost of studying in Japan. Planning to pursue higher studies in Japan? Reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu and we will help you find the best course and university as well as guide you throughout the application process along with exploring the best scholarship options available. Sign up for a free session with us today!

The post Cost of Studying in Japan appeared first on Leverage Edu.