Want to study for a PhD in Japan but not sure where to start? This article introduces all you need to know about PhD in Japan, from what programs are like, admission requirements, and what English PhD programs in Japan there are.
First Published: 2021-05-17
Updated: 2024-05-31
Table of Contents
- Why should you study for a PhD in Japan?
- What are PhD Programs in Japan like?
- PhD Programs in Japan in English
- Visa, Tuition Fees and Scholarships for PhD in Japan
Japanese graduate schools are called 大学院 (Daigakuin). They consists of Master’s courses, 修士 (Shuushi Katei), to obtain a Master’s Degree, “修士号 (Shuushigo)” and PhD courses, 博士課程 (Hakushi Katei) to obtain a PhD, 博士号 (Hakushigo).
In this article, we will focus on PhD Programs in Japan, what they are like, and what English PhD programs are there for international students. A person who has graduated from a PhD course is called 先生 (Sensei) or 博士 (Hakase) - Dr. in Japan.
Why should you study for a PhD in Japan?
The reasons for why you should study for a PhD in Japan are pretty much the same reasons for choosing Japan to study abroad, whether it’s for undergraduate studies, Japanese language studies, or graduate school studies. The reasons include:
- World-Ranked Universities in Japan like University of Tokyo and Kyoto University and Nagoya University that rank among the Top 100 globally.
- Japanese universities excel at research and technology. Many universities are research-intensive which makes for a great study environment, especially for post-graduate education and post-doc.
- There are Japanese graduate schools offering English PhD programs. Many universities offer Japanese classes (in many cases mandatory, but higher levels optional) to help international students integrate into life in Japan.
- Scholarships for international students, including for PhD courses.
- Helpful if you are planning to continue working in Japan after completing your PhD. Also good for career prospects outside Japan.
- Endless opportunities to expose yourself to Japanese culture and tradition. There’s no better way to learn about Japan than being at the source. On weekends and holidays, take the chance to explore.
Are you convinced to study for a PhD in Japan yet? From hereon, we will introduce in detail PhD programs in Japan.
Writer's Pick
What are PhD Programs in Japan like?
The doctoral program, better known as PhD, is the highest level of education to exist. A PhD is an advanced degree earned in various fields after successfully completing a research thesis. An individual can generally opt to study for a PhD after completion of a Master’s program.
In Japan, PhD is called 博士号 (Hakushigo). PhD stands for “Doctor of Philosophy”, and graduates are bestowed the title of “Doctor (Dr.)”. In Japan, Doctor (Dr.) is called 博士 (Hakase), though most people go by 先生 (Sensei).
Program Types, Their Durations, and Admission Requirements
The duration of a PhD program depends on your choice of subject and research thesis. Typically, a PhD program takes around 5 years to complete for those who graduated from a 4 years long undergraduate program. Specialized fields like medical, veterinary, pharmaceutical and dental have 6 years long Bachelor’s degree programs and no Master’s program, and therefore their PhD programs are 4 years long.
In Japan, PhD programs are commonly split into 2 phases. Depending on their highest level of education (Master’s or Bachelor’s), students have an option of starting from the first phase or skipping to the second phase.
First Phase is called First Half of a PhD Program (2 Years)
Called 博士前期課程 (Hakushi Zenki Katei), the first phase’s curriculum includes studies to obtain a Master’s degree, which is a prerequisite requirement for most PhD programs. The first phase is a 2 Years long program.
According to JASSO, one of the following admission requirements must be satisfied to be eligible to join this program:
- Graduates from 4 Years long university program (Japanese university)
- Graduates with Bachelor’s degree from at least 3 Years long foreign university program; 5 Years for medical, dental, pharmaceutical or veterinary
- Graduates of Bachelor’s degree from the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education
- Graduates from National Defense Academy of Japan, Japan Coast Guard Academy, Meteorological College, or any ministry or agency established academy or college
- Graduates from international schools in Japan that are officially recognised as being equivalent to an overseas university
- Those who have completed specialized coursework at designated vocational schools
- Those who have completed 16 Years of formal study in their home country; 18 Years for medical, dental, pharmaceutical or veterinary
- Those who have completed 16 Years of formal study in Japan via online curriculum offered by an overseas institution; 18 Years for medical, dental, pharmaceutical or veterinary
- Those who have completed studies at school under Japan’s old education system
- Those aged above 22 who are admitted based on individual admission qualification selection
Second Phase is called Second Half of a PhD Program
Master’s degree holders can skip the first phase to join the second phase. Called 博士後期課程 (Hakushi Kouki Katei), the second phase is typically 3 Years long, but 4 Years for medical, veterinary, pharmaceutical and dental fields.
According to JASSO, one of the following admission requirements must be satisfied to be eligible to join this program:
- Graduates with a Master’s, professional degree, or equivalent foreign degree
- Graduates with a Master’s or professional degree from an overseas institution done via online curriculum while living in Japan
- Graduates with degrees equivalent to a Master’s or professional degree from international schools in Japan recognised as being equivalent to an overseas graduate school
- Graduates with Bachelor’s or equivalent degree who have completed minimum 2 Years research at university or research facility having the same academic prowess as a Master’s degree holder
- Those with a degree equivalent to a Master’s degree from United Nations University
- Those aged 24 or above who are admitted based on individual admission qualification selection
※ JASSO Study in Japan, “Graduate Schools”
PhD in Japan for International Students
Most graduate school programs in Japan are taught entirely in Japanese. For international students seeking to join these programs, demonstration of a high level of Japanese proficiency, at least N1, is required. This is to ensure that you are able to understand the curriculum in order to complete the course.
Fortunately, with the increasing number of international students in Japan, many universities have started internationalizing their programs with English-taught courses, including for PhD. There are programs taught mostly in English with supplementary Japanese, as well as programs taught completely in English.
For English-taught PhD programs, students may be asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency with English proficiency certifications like IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC. This requirement may be exempt for individuals whose undergraduate or Master’s degree shows high mastery in English.
PhD Programs in Japan in English
Different universities offer PhD programs in different fields of study, so you will need to do a thorough search to find one that matches your interest. JASSO’s Search for Schools tool is incredibly helpful for this. You can search for educational institutions that accept international students by degree (undergraduate, Master’s, PhD), school type (public, national, private), school location, field of study, medium of instruction, etc.
To further help you, we have curated a list of 6 PhD programs in Japan which are popular, along with the names of universities offering these programs.
Note: Information is accurate as of January 2024.
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Program / Field of Study / Major |
Offered By These Universities |
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Agriculture |
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Engineering |
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Humanities |
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Natural Sciences |
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Medicine and Health Sciences |
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Social Sciences |
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※ JASSO
Visa, Tuition Fees and Scholarships for PhD in Japan
What is the applicable Visa to study in Japan?
The applicable status of residence for international students in Japan is 留学 (Ryuugaku), aka “Study Abroad”.
Coming from Overseas
If you are coming from overseas to study for a PhD in Japan, you will need to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through your university in order to obtain a Visa to enter the country. Upon entering Japan, you will be bestowed a status of residence and a residence card, which acts as your identity card.
Read more about Japan Visa, Status of Residence, and Residence Card here.
Existing Resident in Japan
If you are an existing resident in Japan, you will not need a Visa or a Certificate of Eligibility, which are required for first entry into Japan.
If you are already an international student in Japan, and planning to advance your studies to Master’s or PhD, then you may need to apply for “Extension of Period of Stay”, which can be done easily online now. Learn how to do it step by step here.
If you are a resident in Japan, but on a different type of status of residence, say the most common “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” or some other type of work visa, then you will need to apply for a “Change of Status of Residence”. This can also be done online now with a My Number Card and IC card reader.
What is the cost to study for a PhD in Japan?
In Japan, universities and graduate schools can be divided into 3 types of institutions - national, public and private. The admission and tuition fees for each type of institution is different with national schools having the lowest cost.
In Japan, the first year’s cost for university and graduate schools is higher than the subsequent years. This is because applicants need to pay an admission fee in addition to the year’s tuition fee.
The first year, aka admission year, cost for PhD that consists of that year’s tuition fee and an admission fee is:
- Approx. 820,000 Yen for National Institution
- Approx. 900,000 Yen for Public Institution
- Approx. 850,000 Yen (medical studies) or 1,100,000 Yen (non-medical studies for Private Institutions
Tuition fees will vary between universities so be sure to check the particulars when applying.
【Helpful Reading】
- For differences between national, public and private universities in Japan.
- For the cost breakdown of studying abroad in Japan, including tuition fees and living costs.
Are there scholarships for PhDs in Japan?
Yes, there are scholarships for PhDs in Japan. According to JASSO, there are altogether 119 PhD program scholarships for international students for 2023 - 2024. Among the 119, 12 are available to apply before coming to Japan, and the remaining 107 can only be applied for after coming to Japan.
Read more about Japanese scholarships and how to apply for them here.
To Close
Education plays a crucial role in personal, social, and economic development. Achieving a PhD is sure to improve your confidence, greatly enhance your knowledge, and will make some higher level jobs available to you. After obtaining a PhD, many people choose to continue their research in universities or research centers as post-doc researchers. There are also many other consultation jobs available that requires your expertise.
