1. Types of Higher Educational Institutions and Study Programs in Japan

1) Undergraduate Programs at Universities

Generally Japanese undergraduate programs take four years to complete, while Japanese graduate programs need six years in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary sciences is six years. In those programs, degree-programs and long-term research programs as weell as non-degree and short-term programs are available.

The following qualifications must be satisfied
the students must: have completed 12 years of school education overseas including secondary education. Those who have completed 10 or 11 years of school education must either 1) study for another one or two years in a higher educational institution such as a university in their home country; or 2) study in the specific course called "University Preparatory Course" for 1-2 years.

More information about Japanese universities is available on JASSO's website:
http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/schinfo_e.html#U

2) Graduate Programs at Universities

Each university demands different qualifications. However, the followings are the minimum requirements:

①Master's Programs
* the students must: have completed a four-year undergraduate program, or be recognized as having equivalent or better academic abilities
* the students must: have completed 16 years of education overseas including secondary school and undergraduate level studies
* the students must: have completed 15 years of school education overseas including secondary school and undergraduate level studies with excellent achievements
* the students must: be aged 22 or older and be recognized as having academic abilities equivalent to, or better than university graduates in independent admission eligibility assessments conducted by the graduate school.

②Doctorate Programs
* the students must: have a master's degree or be recognized as having academic abilities equivalent to or better than master's level
* the students must: have been awarded with an overseas degree equivalent to a master's degree
* Students aged 24 or older recognized as having academic abilities equivalent to or better than master's level in independent admission eligibility assessments conducted by the graduate school.

"Japanese Universites -Graduate Programs for Foreign Students-" is published by JASSO.

3) Research Students at Universities

A research student is defined as a short-term international student enrolled in a course under the Inter-university Exchange Agreement. Reseach Students devote their time to preparation for admission a regular graduate school. Most research students are granted admission for based on the results of examining the documents of application. In order to obtain the "College Student" status of residence, research Students will have to attend classes at least 10 credits hours a week.
*Academic advisers
Academic advisers assist students in acquiring infomation to enable them to formulate and complete their accademic goals. There are cases where regular research students are required to have informal consent for acceptance from an academic adviser before the application procedure. It is suggested that they write to the academic adviser, stating your achievements, your future research plan, and the reasons why you chose that particular academic adviser. It is highly advisable to attach a letter of recommendation from your academic adviser at your home university. If an academic adviser is required, you can find one in the Directory Database of Research and Development Activities (ReaD). http://read.jst.go.jp/

4) Junior Colleges

Normally, two-year courses are offered in junior colleges while some courses which deal with medical technology and nursing require three years. Junior colleges focus on education that allows students to learn skills which will be utilized immediately after graduation. One third of the junior colleges are women's institutions where the majority of courses offered are in the humanities, home sciences, education, and social sciences.

5) Professional Training Colleges

Training colleges that focus on highly specialized skills while offering post-secondary education courses are called "Professional Training Colleges," and belong to the institutions classified under higher educational institutions. These colleges provide vocational education for future careers. There are various colleges in different fields such as medical care, technology, business, fashion, and agriculture.
http://www.zensenkaku.gr.jp/index.shtml (Japanese only)

6) Colleges of Technology

Colleges of Technology are institutions for the students who have completed their lower secondary education (called junior high school in Japan, generally up to the age of 15). These colleges provide five-year comprehensive education programs with practical and specialized knowledge and skills for each profession. Most colleges of technology are in the industrial fields but there are also colleges dealing with different areas. Students graduating from Colleges of Technology are awarded an "Associate Degree". The details are available on the website of the Institute of National colleges of technology. This organization shall provide information about Colleges of Technology. http://www.kosen-k.go.jp/english/index.html

7) Japanese Language Institutions

There are about 400 Japanese language institutions in Japan. You can find the information about them on the website of the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education. http://www.nisshinkyo.org/index.html

8) University Preparatory Courses for Admission to Japanese Universities

These courses are preparatory Japanese language programs run by private universities and junior colleges for the prospective students. You can study Japanese language and Japanese culture through basic programs designed to meet the requirements for admission for Japanese universities. http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/documents/bekka_e.pdf