In Japan, "Daigaku" means university and refers to institutions offering higher education and research opportunities. The system includes universities, junior colleges, graduate schools, and technical colleges. Most undergraduate programs last four years, while medical fields require six years. Graduate schools provide Master's and Doctoral degrees.
There are three main types of universities: National, Public, and Private. National universities, such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, are prestigious and government funded. Public universities are managed by local authorities, while private ones, like Waseda and Keio, form the majority and are managed by educational corporation.
The academic year runs from April to March, with competitive entrance exams. Many universities now offer English-taught programs to attract international students. University life emphasizes academics, clubs or "circles," and the traditional culture. Students also engage in job-hunting (shūshoku katsudō) before graduation. Japanese universities combine academic rigor, cultural values, and global outlook.
Universities in Japan offer a wide variety of programs designed to provide both in-depth knowledge and overall personal development. Undergraduate studies usually last four years, except for fields like medicine, which take six years, and cover areas such as engineering, science, business, humanities, and health. Graduate programs, including Master's and Doctoral Degrees, focus heavily on research and advanced learning. While many courses are taught in Japanese, an increasing number of programs, especially at the graduate level, are available in English, making them accessible to international students.
Teaching methods are diverse, including lectures, seminars, hands-on projects, and research activities, often complemented by Japanese language support for non-native speakers. Leading universities offer credit transfer options, though these vary by institution.
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 4 years |
| Graduate | 2 years |
| Doctoral Degrees | 3/5 years |
For further career, one can either join to the company for job through job hunting process or can pursue Master's program for advanced knowledge and research skills. Admission requires transcripts, Bachelor's degree certificate, research proposal, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, language proficiency, and financial proof, with selection often including an interview. Following Master's, Doctoral (PhD) Program focuses on independent research, requiring a detailed research plan, publications, and supervisor discussion. Postdoctoral positions are research-focused for PhD holders. Students from language schools can also apply if academic and language requirements are met.
