You can earn a Japanese degree without taking exams in Japanese, but at bachelor's level the choice is narrow. According to Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT), in 2023 students could complete a bachelor's degree entirely through English-taught courses at 46 universities (6% of the total) across 104 faculties, and a master's or doctorate at 116 universities across 286 graduate schools. English-taught programmes at national universities start at $3,410 (¥535,800) a year, private ones cost roughly $8,100–13,300 in the first year, and from April 2027 some national universities raise fees for international students. MEXT recognises Russia's 11-year school leaving certificate for university entry, but individual programmes may still ask for 12 years of schooling.
This guide covers where to find the official list of programmes, which universities run them and what they cost, what admissions look for, when to apply, scholarships available without Japanese and why you will still want to learn the language. Figures are converted at the ECB rate of 29 September 2026: $1 ≈ ¥157.1.
How many English-taught programmes there really are
MEXT regularly asks universities whether a degree can be completed through English-taught courses alone. The latest published data are for the 2023 academic year:
| Level | Universities | Faculties or graduate schools | 2019 for comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 46 (about 6%) | 104 | 45 universities, 90 faculties |
| Master's and doctoral | 116 (about 18%) | 286 | 114 universities, 290 graduate schools |
The conclusions are simple. At bachelor's level there are few programmes and most are small. At graduate level English is common, especially in engineering and the natural sciences. If you are choosing between a bachelor's and a master's in Japan without Japanese, the master's gives you many times more options. More in our master's in Japan guide.
Where to find the official list
Study in Japan, the portal run by JASSO, has a "Degree Programs in English" section and a school search that filters by language of instruction: English only, or English with Japanese as a supplementary language. The portal itself warns that universities supply the data and that not all institutions are included. Results mix undergraduate and graduate programmes, so confirm the level, language and deadlines on each programme's own site.
It is often quicker to work from university to programme: at national universities an English-taught bachelor's is usually a separately named programme (G30 at Nagoya, FGL at Tohoku, MJSP at Hokkaido), while private universities run English tracks within faculties or whole liberal arts colleges. Examples with prices are in the table below.
English-taught bachelor's degrees: examples and fees
| University and programme | Type | Annual fee | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tokyo, UTokyo College of Design | National | The college has not published a separate fee; the university's standard undergraduate fee from 2025 is $4,090 (¥642,960) | Opens September 2027, 100 places, five years leading to a master's, all courses in English; about 20% of students receive grants |
| Nagoya University, G30 programmes | National | $3,410 (¥535,800), same as Japanese students | Automotive engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, social sciences, Japan-in-Asia cultural studies |
| Hokkaido University, Modern Japanese Studies Program (MJSP) | National | $3,410 (¥535,800) | First-year tuition and admission fee waived for April 2028 entrants (except MEXT scholars); starts with a semester of intensive Japanese |
| University of Osaka, International Undergraduate Degree Program in Human Sciences | National | $3,410 (¥535,800) | Half or full tuition waivers available on application |
| Hiroshima University, Integrated Global Studies (IGS) | National | $3,410 (¥535,800) at the current rate | $1,910 (¥300,000) first-year scholarship for students with "Student" status; the university is preparing higher fees for international students |
| Tohoku University, Future Global Leadership (FGL) | National | Currently $3,410; $5,730 (¥900,000) for international students entering from 2027 | Molecular chemistry, mechanical and aerospace engineering, marine biology; starts in October |
| Okayama University | National | $8,530 (¥1,339,500) for international students entering from April 2027 | Same fee at every level |
| Akita International University | Public | $5,700 (¥896,000) + $2,690 (¥423,000) matriculation fee | Housing with meals $3,960 (¥622,900) a year |
| Waseda, six schools with English tracks | Private | First year $8,200–12,040 (¥1,288,000–1,891,000) at 2027 rates | Political Science and Economics, Social Sciences, SILS, Culture, Media and Society, two engineering schools; September start |
| Keio, PEARL and GIGA programmes | Private | First year $9,551 (Economics) and $11,280 (SFC campus) at 2026 rates | Fees indexed every year |
| Sophia University, English-taught SPSF programmes | Private | The exact amount is set in September of the year before enrolment | A new-student scholarship can be requested with the application |
| International Christian University (ICU) | Private | $9,680 (¥1,521,000) + $1,910 (¥300,000) matriculation fee | For 2026 entrants the fee rises on a schedule to $10,180 (¥1,599,000) in year four |
| Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) | Private | Year one $9,260 (¥1,455,000), then $10,530 (¥1,655,000) | 30–100% reductions at admission at the university's discretion |
Notes. Tohoku raises fees for international students with "Student" status entering from April 2027; Okayama and Tsukuba follow the same principle. Students who entered earlier keep their fee until graduation. When UTokyo College of Design opened admissions, it was still under MEXT review; in September 2026 the Mainichi reported that the new five-year format had been approved. For Japanese-taught alternatives and a detailed budget, see the cost of studying in Japan. Profiles: Waseda and the English-language liberal arts college iCLA.
What admissions look for
Requirements vary by programme, but the same checks come up again and again:
- Twelve years of school or a recognised equivalent. Japanese universities generally require 12 years of schooling. MEXT added Russia's general secondary education course to its list of recognised foreign programmes in 2009, Kazakhstan's in 2007, Belarus's in 2011 and Uzbekistan's in 2017. Programmes may still set their own terms: Tohoku's FGL states that eligibility for 11-year graduates depends on their educational history. If in doubt, contact admissions before applying. UTokyo College of Design, for instance, took such queries until 25 September 2026 and can run an individual eligibility review for applicants who are 18 by August 2027. More in our guide to entering a Japanese university after 11 years of school.
- English. FGL, for example, asks for TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS Academic 6.0. UTokyo College of Design accepts scores from tests taken on or after 1 January 2025.
- Standardised tests or international qualifications. Many programmes ask for SAT, ACT, IB, A-levels or equivalents. At UTokyo College of Design, applicants without Japan's national entrance test apply via Route B, using IB, A-levels or other tests the university recognises from their country. FGL's chemistry and engineering courses need scores in mathematics, physics and chemistry.
- Essays, references and sometimes a video or interview. UTokyo College of Design's video assignment was due between 13 and 16 November 2026.
- Japanese. Usually not required for admission to English-taught programmes.
The EJU, Japan's admission exam for international students, is usually not needed for English-taught programmes. If you are considering a Japanese-taught track, see our EJU guide and applying to Japanese universities.
Timeline: when to apply
The Japanese academic year starts in April, but English-taught programmes more often start in the autumn:
| Programme | Start | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| UTokyo College of Design | September 2027 | Eligibility queries by 25.09.2026; applications 15 October–5 November 2026; video assignment 13–16.11.2026 |
| FGL, Tohoku | October | For the October 2025 intake, the guide was published in May 2024, first-stage results in February 2025 and second-stage results in April |
| MJSP, Hokkaido | October for intensive Japanese, April for the degree | The first round doubles as MEXT scholarship selection |
| Waseda English tracks | September; SILS and CMS also take April entrants | As announced by the admissions office |
As a rule, applications close 9–12 months before the start of study. If you are aiming for September or October 2027, have your test scores ready by autumn 2026.
Scholarships for English-taught programmes
- UTokyo College of Design grants. A needs-based grant of $15,270 (¥2,400,000) a year plus the admission fee and a one-way flight, and a merit grant of $3,820 (¥600,000) a year; both for up to five years, and any applicant may apply for the first.
- MEXT via university recommendation. Tohoku recommends up to 8 top applicants across the three FGL courses for the MEXT scholarship. At Hokkaido's MJSP, about 4 first-round students receive MEXT. A MEXT scholar pays no tuition and receives $745 (¥117,000) a month at bachelor's level. More in our MEXT scholarship guide.
- Admission discounts. APU offers 30–100%. Waseda awards scholarships based on admission results with no separate application.
- First-year scholarships. Hiroshima pays $1,910 (¥300,000) to IGS students. The University of Osaka pays high achievers $510 (¥80,000) a month.
- Tuition waivers at national universities, full or half, applied for each semester.
Why learn Japanese anyway
English covers your studies, not your life. Almost every programme includes Japanese classes, for good reasons:
- Part-time work. Without Japanese, options narrow to kitchens, warehouses and factories. See working while studying in Japan.
- Housing. Leases, agencies and the municipal office all work in Japanese.
- Jobs after graduation. In JASSO's survey, 54.4% of international students want to work in Japan, and most Japanese employers recruit in Japanese.
In addition, Waseda said in December 2025 that it is considering an extra charge for students who have not learned Japanese; no decision or date has been announced.
English track or Japanese track
| English-taught programme | Japanese-taught programme | |
|---|---|---|
| Language for admission | TOEFL or IELTS | EJU in Japanese and subjects, often JLPT |
| Preparation | Tests and school documents | Usually 1–2 years of Japanese, often at a language school |
| Choice | About a hundred faculties at bachelor's level | Nearly every programme at every university |
| Start | Usually September or October | April |
| Fees | The university's standard fees; private universities up to $12,090 (¥1.9 million) in year one | Same |
| Working in Japan after graduation | Possible, but Japanese is close to essential | Easier |
If you have no Japanese and little time, an English track is the fastest route. If you can spend a year or two on the language, the Japanese track opens far more universities and subjects. Compare routes in our guides to bachelor's degrees in Japan and Japanese language schools.
Common mistakes
- Searching only Study in Japan's official list and missing programmes that universities did not register.
- Relying on old articles claiming you cannot enter after 11 years of school: MEXT recognises the Russian certificate, though a specific programme may set its own condition.
- Choosing a national university without checking its international fee for your year of entry.
- Applying for next September without SAT and TOEFL scores in hand.
- Expecting an English-taught degree alone to secure a job in Japan.
FAQ
Yes. In 2023, 46 Japanese universities offered bachelor's degrees that could be completed entirely in English, and 116 offered master's degrees. Japanese is usually not required for admission, but you will need it for daily life, part-time work and job hunting.
At national universities from $3,410 (¥535,800) a year plus a $1,786 admission fee. Private: Waseda $8,200–12,040 in the first year, Keio $9,551–11,280, ICU about $11,500 including the matriculation fee, APU $10,530. From 2027, international students on English-taught programmes at Tohoku and Okayama will pay more than Japanese students.
Yes: MEXT recognises school leaving certificates from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Uzbekistan for university entry. Some programmes, however, assess 11-year education case by case, so check early.
Usually IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT around 80: Tohoku's FGL, for example, asks for TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.0. Popular private programmes may ask for more; check the programme's own requirements.
Yes: MEXT through university recommendation, APU admission discounts, scholarships at Waseda, Hiroshima and Osaka, and tuition waivers at national universities. MEXT and the universities decide, and nothing is guaranteed.
Master's and doctoral: 286 graduate schools at 116 universities, against 104 faculties at 46 universities for bachelor's degrees, according to MEXT data for 2023.
Yes. Under a service agreement we shortlist programmes for your profile and budget, check eligibility based on your schooling, prepare documents and manage your applications. Admission and scholarship decisions are made by the university or MEXT. For an overview of the country, see studying in Japan.
Sources
- MEXT: 2023 survey of educational reform at universities, section on teaching in foreign languages (PDF, Japanese) — checked 24.09.2026
- Study in Japan: Degree Programs in English and school search — filter checked 24.09.2026
- MEXT: designated foreign upper secondary courses (Russia from 06.10.2009) — checked 24.09.2026
- UTokyo College of Design: 2027 admissions, routes and dates and grants; Mainichi on programme approval (11.09.2026); University of Tokyo: fees — checked 24.09.2026
- Tohoku: FGL programme and international fees from 2027; Nagoya: G30 programmes and fees; Hokkaido: MJSP fees and scholarships; Osaka: Human Sciences programme; Hiroshima: IGS fees and scholarship; Okayama: fees from 2027 (PDF) — checked 24.09.2026
- Waseda: English-based undergraduate programmes, 2027 fees (PDF) and statement on international fees; Keio: 2026 fees (PDF); ICU; APU; Akita International University; Sophia: SPSF — checked 24.09.2026
- Study in Japan: MEXT scholarship; JASSO: 2023 survey of international students (PDF, Japanese) — checked 24.09.2026
- Exchange rate: ECB, 29.09.2026, €1 = $1.1355 and €1 = ¥178.41, so $1 ≈ ¥157.1
Next steps
- Bachelor's in Japan for International Students: Programmes, Requirements, Costs and 2027–2028 Timelines
- EJU Exam Guide: Subjects, Scores, 2026–2027 Dates and Where to Sit It
- Master's in Japan: How to Apply, Find a Supervisor and Budget for 2027–2028
- Japanese University After 11 Years of School: the 12-Year Rule, Exceptions and Routes for 2027–2028
- Studying in Japan for international applicants
- International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA)
