Opportunities in Japan

Japan's best-known route for international students is the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, which has several programmes, including research student, undergraduate and teacher-training categories. Applicants usually apply through a Japanese embassy or consulate in their own country, although some universities also nominate candidates. Many recipients start as research students before moving into a degree course. Other support, such as JASSO awards and local government or foundation scholarships, is mostly awarded after arrival through the university and usually covers only part of the costs.

Admission is handled university by university. April is the traditional start of the Japanese academic year, and English-taught programmes often add an October intake. Programmes taught in Japanese typically expect proof of Japanese ability or the EJU exam, while English-taught ones may not. Deadlines differ widely, so each university's own calendar is the reference.

Graduate hiring follows a shared national recruiting calendar, with job hunting for an April start beginning about a year before the final year. International students compete in the same process as Japanese students, with written tests, several interviews and often application materials in Japanese. Graduates without a job can move to a job-hunting status of limited length, and those who secure work apply to change to a work status such as Specialist in Humanities/International Services or Engineer. Common mistakes include assuming English alone is enough for corporate hiring, starting the job search late, and missing embassy deadlines that vary by country.