Japan - A Dreamland for Masters Students?

Japan is popular not only for its old cultural traditions but also for its scientific advancements. The extent to which scientific research and technology have developed here is highly commendable. And this is what makes it among the best places for studying abroad. Over 100,000 students come to the nation for pursuing their studies.

So if you want to pursue your graduation here, let us tell you, Japan is a dreamland for master’s students. From creative and innovative ideas to academic performance, the universities in Japan focus on the entire spectrum to ensure that students are able to gain theoretical knowledge as well as apply it practically.

Now before you apply to colleges and universities to study masters in Japan, let us tell you a few things about it. Keep reading to find out what these are!

What Kinds of Universities are there in Japan?

To study masters in Japan, you must be aware of the options you have with regard to universities. While this will be based on the course you want to opt for, let us tell you the overall statistics of the country. There are 657 universities in Japan that offer graduate programs. These universities are of three types:

• Private Universities - 482
• Public Universities Established by Local Entities - 89
• National Universities - 86

Study in Japan: Tuition Fees

The tuition fees vary from one university to another and are also dependent on the course you opt for as well as the kind of university it is. Nonetheless, an overall estimate of tuition and admission fees combined for the first year of graduation in various types of universities is given below. This does not include pharmaceutical, dental, and medical programs - the fees for those programs are higher than the average mentioned here.

• Private Universities - 1,100,000 Yen
• Public Universities Established by Local Entities - 900,000 Yen
• National Universities - 820,000 Yen

If you have taken other options into consideration like studying in the US or in the UK, you might have noticed that compared to the tuition fees of universities there, the fees in Japan for graduation are lower. Do you know what this means? It means that they won’t bite your pocket. In fact, if you plan to take a student loan, you will not be in great debt! Not to mention, Japanese universities as well as the government offer a wide array of choices regarding loans and scholarships.

Study Masters in Japan: Duration of the Course

To study in Japan, you will be required to spend two years on your master’s degree. In case you are not proficient in the Japanese language, you may additionally be required to spend a year or two prior taking to admission to your graduate program. There are over 60 junior colleges and private universities that offer preparatory language classes to help non-native students become proficient in Japanese.

A majority of graduate programs are taught in the Japanese language. However, you can also study masters in Japan in English. As a matter of fact, there are newly emerging programs in the country that are completely taught in English.

The academic year in Japan generally starts in April and ends in March. There are two semesters each year. The first runs from April to September and the other from October to March. The following are the several breaks that students get during their academic year. While this varies from one university to another, you can expect the following breaks while you study masters in Japan.

• Summer break: Late July to late August
• Winter break: Late December to early January
• Spring break: Late February to early April

While almost all the universities in Japan begin their academic year in April, some universities have started offering fall admission as well. This begins in September or October. So if you wish to enroll in the fall session, we suggest you check which universities offer the same to study masters in Japan Proceed accordingly.

Opportunities After Graduation

Now comes the best part - return on investment. So you complete your master’s program in Japan but what next? You got to pay your bills and clear your debts, right? This is where studying in Japan is highly beneficial. There are a number of opportunities for students possessing master’s degrees. You can either conduct research or work in the industry once you are done with your graduation.

All you need to remember is that as an international student, you must have a certain job offer prior to applying for a change in residency status. Being employed in your field of choice in Japan sounds cool, right? Not to brag, but if you end up getting such an opportunity, you will be working with top experts in the industry.