Japan is known for its strong education system and internationally recognized universities, making it a popular study destination in Asia.
Prestigious Japanese universities are open to international applicants. The latest Times Higher Education Japan University Rankings include more than 100 Japanese institutions, and the QS Asia University Rankings also feature many universities in Japan. This means there is no shortage of excellent institutions to study in Japan.
Although the country is known for its high cost of living, international students may offset this by choosing affordable universities. National universities in Japan remain among the most affordable options, with the standard annual tuition set at JPY 535,800 for many undergraduate and graduate programs, although some professional programs and private universities charge different fees. Many national universities also provide high-quality education and English-taught degree options for international students.
If you are interested, you can also apply for scholarships in Japan, which may reduce or fully cover tuition and, in some cases, help with living costs. In this article, we will look at affordable universities in Japan, mostly national universities.
Affordable Schools in Japan for International Students
1. Kyoto University
Kyoto University was founded as an imperial university in 1897. It is one of Japan’s oldest and most internationally recognized national universities. Kyoto University is also one of the more affordable options for international students at a national university, with standard annual tuition of around JPY 535,800 for most undergraduate and graduate programs.
The university’s main campuses are Yoshida, Uji, and Katsura. It has 10 undergraduate faculties and 18 graduate schools, and its international community includes students from more than 100 countries and regions.
At Kyoto University, students may take undergraduate degrees in Integrated Human Studies, Letters, Law, Education, Science, Economics, Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
At the graduate level, Kyoto University has schools in areas such as Letters, Education, Law, Economics, Science, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Human and Environmental Studies, Energy Science, Asian and African Area Studies, Informatics, Biostudies, Global Environmental Studies, Government, Management, Law, and Public Health.
2. Tohoku University
Founded in 1907, Tohoku University is known as Japan’s third Imperial University. It remains one of the country’s leading national universities.
Tohoku University’s main Sendai-area campuses include Katahira, Kawauchi, Seiryo, and Aobayama. Its faculties and schools cover fields such as Letters, Education, Law, Economics, Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, and Agriculture.
According to its recent academic data, Tohoku University has more than 17,000 students, including more than 2,000 international students from over 90 countries and regions.
3. Nagoya University
Nagoya University traces its roots to a temporary hospital and medical school founded in 1871 and was established as Nagoya Imperial University in 1939, the last of Japan’s seven imperial universities.
NU’s undergraduate schools and faculties cover fields such as Medicine, Law, Engineering, Humanities, Science, Economics, Agriculture, Education, and Informatics.
At the graduate level, Nagoya University offers programs in areas such as Humanities, Education and Human Development, Law, Economics, Informatics, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Bioagricultural Sciences, International Development, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies.
As of 2025, Nagoya University had more than 16,000 students, including more than 2,300 international students.
4. Osaka University
Founded as Osaka Imperial University in 1931 and drawing on academic traditions that include Tekijuku and Kaitokudo, Osaka University is now officially known in English as The University of Osaka as of April 2025. It remains a designated national university and one of Japan’s major research institutions.
The university has campuses in Suita, Toyonaka, and Minoh, and it offers education through 11 undergraduate schools and 16 graduate schools.
The University of Osaka also offers English-medium undergraduate degree programs, which help make it accessible to international students who want to study in Japan.
5. Kyushu University
Kyushu University traces its roots to Fukuoka Medical College, established in 1903, and Kyushu Imperial University was founded in 1911. Today, Kyushu University is a leading national university in Fukuoka.
Kyushu University has about 20,000 students and offers education through 12 undergraduate schools and 20 graduate schools.
This affordable university in Japan for international students is known for undergraduate programs in fields such as Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation, Education, Law, Letters, Science, Economics, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Design, Engineering, and Agriculture. It also offers graduate programs in fields such as Humanities, Human-Environment Studies, Engineering, Design, Information Science and Electrical Engineering, and Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences.
6. University of Tsukuba
The University of Tsukuba traces its roots to the Normal School founded in 1872 and was established in its current form in 1973 when the Tokyo University of Education relocated to Tsukuba. Since then, it has become one of Japan’s leading research universities.
Based in Ibaraki, Japan, the university offers programs across many fields, including Medicine, Mathematics, Engineering, Technology, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Art and Design.
As of May 1, 2025, the University of Tsukuba had 16,684 students, including 1,945 international students.
7. Kobe University
Known in Kansai as Shindai, Kobe University is one of the most affordable national universities in Japan for international students. It was established in 1949 and traces part of its history to Kobe Higher Commercial School, founded in 1902.
Kobe University has 11 faculties and schools, including Letters, Global Human Sciences, Law, Economics, Business Administration, Science, Medicine, Engineering, System Informatics, Agriculture, and Ocean Science and Technology.
Kobe University also offers graduate programs in areas such as Humanities, Intercultural Studies, Human Development and Environment, Health Sciences, Engineering, System Informatics, Maritime Sciences, and International Cooperation Studies.
8. Chiba University
Chiba University, also known as Chiba-dai, was established in 1949. Located in Chiba Prefecture, it has 11 undergraduate schools and faculties, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Letters, Faculty of Law, Politics and Economics, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Informatics, Faculty of Horticulture, School of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and School of Nursing.
Chiba University also offers graduate programs through schools such as Humanities and Studies on Public Affairs, Education, Science and Engineering, Horticulture, Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing, Global and Transdisciplinary Studies, and Informatics.
Chiba University has more than 13,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs.
9. Sophia University
Sophia University is a private Catholic Jesuit university based in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1913, this Japanese institution is known for international education and offers programs and courses in both Japanese and English.
Sophia enrolls more than 12,000 students, including many international students from around the world.
Sophia’s undergraduate programs are organized in the Faculties of Theology, Humanities, Human Sciences, Law, Economics, Foreign Studies, Global Studies, Science and Technology, and Liberal Arts. It also offers graduate programs through 10 graduate schools.
10. University of Yamanashi
The University of Yamanashi, or Nashidai, is a national university established in 2002. It has a small student population of 4,823 students as of May 1, 2025, including 235 international students.
The University of Yamanashi has four faculties: Education, Medicine, Engineering, and Life and Environmental Sciences.
This affordable university in Japan also offers graduate programs through the Graduate School of Education and the Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences.
FAQs: Studying in Japan
What Are the General Requirements to Study in Japan?
For prospective students applying for an undergraduate degree, they generally need to have completed 12 years of formal school education or an equivalent pathway recognized for university admission in Japan. Some programs also set age, language, examination, and document requirements.
Depending on the program, applicants may need to provide a copy of their valid passport and proof of proficiency in Japanese, such as the JLPT, or English, such as IELTS or TOEFL, for English-taught programs.
For graduate students, a bachelor’s degree is typically required for master’s programs, while a master’s degree is typically required for doctoral programs. Other documents may include letters of recommendation, a research plan, academic transcripts, and proof of financial support. The required documents differ depending on whether you are applying for a master’s or a doctorate program, as well as by university and department.
Do Universities in Japan Offer English-taught Programs?
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Japan for international students was helpful. Learn more about studying abroad by reading valuable articles on the Study in Japan Page! If you are looking for courses, check out the Available Programs for international students!
