University admission in Japan

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2019. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• Upper secondary school, full day general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Upper secondary school, day/evening general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Upper secondary school, correspondence general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Upper secondary school, full day integrated course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Upper secondary school, day/evening integrated course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Secondary education school (upper division), full day general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Secondary education school (upper division), day/evening general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Secondary education school (upper division), full day integrated course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Secondary education school (upper division), day/evening integrated course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• Upper Secondary Department of Special Needs Education School, general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

• School for special needs education, upper secondary department, general course3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Certificate of graduation

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• University, undergraduate4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Professional and vocational university, undergraduate4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• University, advanced course1 years, from age 22

  Minimum entry: Completed bachelor's or equivalent (ISCED 660)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• University, undergraduate, correspondence course4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Professional and vocational university, advanced course1 years, from age 22

  Minimum entry: Completed bachelor's or equivalent (ISCED 660)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• Junior college, NIAD-QE validated advanced course1 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 540, 550)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• College of technology, NIAD-QE validated advanced course2 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 540, 550)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• bachelor's degree awarded to those who have successfully completed programs at those educational institutions operated by a government ministry or agency which are approved by NIAD-QE4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Junior college, NIAD-UE validated advanced coursefrom age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 540, 550)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• College of technology, NIAD-UE validated advanced course2 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 540, 550)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• programs at educational institutions other than universities that are recognized by NIAD-UE as providing education equivalent to a university undergraduate program4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• Junior college, regular course2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Junior college, advanced course1 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 544)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• Junior college, correspondence course2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Professional and vocational junior college, regular course2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Professional and vocational junior college, advanced course1 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 544)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• College of technology, regular course 4th to 5th Grade2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Associate

• College of technology, advanced course2 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 540, 550)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• Specialized Training College, Post-secondary Course (Professional Training College)1 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Diploma

• Junior college, regular course2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Junior college, advanced coursefrom age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 544)

  Awards: Certificate of completion

• Junior college, correspondence course2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 344, 354)

  Awards: Associate degree