How can I tell whether a Japanese engineering university is international-student friendly?
Judge “international-student friendliness” by checking the specific faculty and program—not just the university name—for the teaching language and Japanese requirements, pre-arrival and on-campus advising, housing and residence-procedure guidance, scholarships, academic and daily-life support, and laboratory and career support. Where possible, also consult current students’ experiences, and ask the university directly about differences by year or personal situation.
Key points
- Check whether classes and research are mainly in English, and how much Japanese is required, including for laboratories and administration.
- Look for a dedicated international office, orientation, help with course registration and daily life, and medical or emergency support.
- Check whether information on housing, residence procedures, costs and payment, and scholarships is specific and up to date.
- Compare laboratory supervision, career support, and opportunities to interact with international and Japanese students.
Things to check
- Policies and support can differ by university, faculty, program, laboratory, and academic year, so confirm current official information.
- A statement that a program is available in English does not necessarily mean that every course, experiment, or administrative procedure is in English.