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Route guide

Master's degree in Japan

Study a 2-year English-taught Master's, then job-hunt with campus support.

Who it's for

Degree holders who want the most reliable way in.

Time to a job
2–3 years
From starting this route to your first job in Japan.
Visa path
  1. Student
  2. work visa (+ up to 1 year job-hunting status)
The visas you hold, in order.
How secure
Secure
How likely you can stay if plans change.
Japanese needed
  • Often none for English programs
  • N2 helps job hunting
To get in, and to get hired.

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree (16 years of schooling)
  • English score (TOEFL or IELTS) for English-taught programs
  • Often a professor's consent before you apply
  • For MEXT: born on or after April 2, 1992; apply at the Japanese embassy from about mid-April
Check it on the official site
MEXT 2027 guidelines ↗Study in Japan: graduate schools ↗

Timeline

  1. 1
    12–18 months before

    Apply for MEXT and programs

    Embassy route opens around April–June.

  2. 2
    Years 1–2

    Study + internships

    Use the career center and campus recruiting.

  3. 3
    After graduation

    Job-hunting status if needed

    Up to 1 year with a university recommendation.

Master's in Japan

Every way into a Master's in Japan

9 English-taught programs, checked against each university's official page. Fees, how you get in, and how to get it funded.

Pick your way in

Find a professor first

Many national universities want a supervisor's consent before you apply. Email a professor your CV and a short research proposal well ahead. Science Tokyo and Nagoya's G30 work this way.

Show 2 programs

Apply on your documents

Sophia decides M.A. places on your documents alone. APU adds a video interview and online tests. A strong statement and English score matter most.

Show 3 programs

Fully funded: MEXT

Japan's government pays tuition, ¥144,000 a month and your flights. Apply at the Japanese embassy from about mid-April; you must be born on or after April 2, 1992.

Compare all programs

Research student first

Join a lab as a non-degree research student with a professor's acceptance, then sit the master's exam. Cheaper (Tohoku: ¥84,600 + ¥29,700 a month), but it is not a degree.

Show 5 programs

Compare all 9 programs Research plan and interview prep →

Loading costs…

Do's and don'ts

✓ Do

  • Apply for MEXT and school scholarships at the same time
  • Start job hunting in year 1

✕ Don't

  • Don't ignore Japanese just because classes are in English
Check if this fits meNext route: MBA in Japan →