r/studyinjapan

Hi everyone, I recently got rejected from both Waseda SPSE and SILS, and now I’m getting a bit worried about my options in Japan. I’m still waiting for my Sophia SPSF result, but in case that doesn’t work out, I’ve been trying to look for other universities that might fit my profile better.

here's my stats: SAT1390(600RW, 790M) TOEFL95(best score: 101) Gpa3.3/4.0(which is a bit low

Right now I’ve been looking at Ritsumeikan (GS / CRPS), Nagoya University (G30), Yokohama National University. And I was wondering if those schools are realistic for my stats? or any other Japanese universities you would recommend? Appreciate it if you could share your experiences or advice.

Hi everyone,

I’m from Algeria and I'm interested in applying for MEXT, and I wanted to ask about the social side of life as a graduate student in Japan.

For people who went through MEXT, especially master’s or PhD students, how was your social life? Was it mostly lonely and lab-focused, or was there a strong MEXT/international student community where people actually got to know each other?

I’m also curious about housing. Do MEXT scholars usually live alone, in dorms, or with roommates? Does this depend a lot on the university?

I’m especially interested in hearing about student life at Tohoku University, Kyoto University, and the University of Tokyo. I’m asking more about the student/international community experience rather than general Japanese society as a whole.

Basically, I want to know what daily life feels like outside of research: making friends, meeting other international students, dorm life, events, and whether it feels isolating or not.

Thanks!

Recently, I’ve been looking at university application submission dates. Most of the schools want you to submit your EJU results by September (earliest) November (latest), followed by entrance exam in January. That’s the normal flow it seems.

Given that results are requested and needed by October on average why is there even a EJU test for November. In my case, I think I might need to retake it since it’s not looking good so far for June however, if I take the November test, I most likely won’t make it in time for my desired schools. Now I’m a bit stressed out as it seems that my only option is to do good at June as November test might not be viable.

What is the real purpose of that test in November, does it provide anything you could give to the school admission in case you missed the deadline?

I’m thinking about studying in Japan and my current plan is to go to a language school first, then apply for undergrad there.

For people who already did this — was language school worth it? Did it actually help you get into university and adjust to life in Japan?

I’m also worried about tuition fees. My family and I have enough savings, but I really don’t want to become a burden to my parents financially. How hard is it to get tuition reduction/scholarships after language school? Is it realistic if you have good grades and Japanese level?

Would really appreciate honest advice or experiences 🙏

Got admitted to the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS), Japan for undergraduate studies, enrolling September 2026.

Looking to connect with Indian students already enrolled, or students of any nationality joining the same batch.

Have general questions around student life — things like how the engineering program is structured, academic workload, documentation and visa/immigration process, what to keep in mind before moving to Japan, and how daily life looks as a foreign student in Kyoto.

If you've been through this or are currently at KUAS, any guidance would be appreciated. DM me or comment below. Also happy to join any existing WhatsApp/Telegram group if one exists.

There is a new student visa requirement that says incoming students must prove basic Japanese fluency over a zoom/skype interview. I’m not necessarily worried about passing (I’m N4/N3) but it would be nice to know what kind of questions to expect, as I tend to get very nervous.

Hey everyone, I’m in Grade 11, from Indonesia, and honestly stuck between two very different paths for uni. I need a reality check on the career side of things.

Options:

1. UK: Schools like Edinburgh, Durham, or Warwick for Civil Engineering or Architecture. My parents are pushing for this because of the prestige/ranking.

2. Japan: International (English-taught) programs at Waseda or Sophia. This has been a dream of mine forever.

Context:

My parents are cool with the cost of either, but they think the UK is the "safer" bet. Although I know 0 japanese now, I have already contacted several japanese language lessons and can reach a predicted N3 level by the time apply.

The big things I’m worried about:

Jobs in Japan: Do companies actually hire from the English-taught tracks, or am I going to be at a massive disadvantage? Is N3 even enough to land an internship, or is it N2/N1 or bust?

Leaving Japan: If I get my degree there and decide to move elsewhere later, will employers in the West take a Waseda/Sophia degree seriously compared to a UK Russell Group uni?

The "Vibe" of the degree: Are these international programs seen as high degrees in Japan, or are they viewed differently than the regular Japanese-taught ones?

My Major: For Architecture/Civil Engineering specifically, which country actually has the better reputation for tech and industry links?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s actually done the international route in Japan or knows the engineering scene in both places. Thanks!