Are you on the brink of deciding on your career but are confused about which program to select? Then fret not! Since Japan has some of the best cheap programs for international students.

According to the latest statistics, about 243,000 international students are studying higher education in Japan, and the numbers are expected to increase every year. Also, Japan has made a concerted effort to attract international students in recent years.

It is considered one of the cheaper places to go for higher education since it offers many scholarship programs for international students and options for part-time work. Therefore, let’s look at the top 5 cheapest programs to study in Japan for international students.

What is the Most Affordable Program to Study in Japan for International Students?

The Global Studies Program is one of the cheapest programs to study in Japan for international students. As a non-degree program, it does not force students to pay hefty tuition fees. Instead, the students pay for necessities like housing, food, and transportation. In this program, you can study international relations, environmental studies, and intercultural communication, among other topics.

It is considered one of the popular programs among international students since the Japan Student Services Organization runs a scholarship program that helps cover education costs for deserving international students. The best part of this program is you can complete it in as little as a few months to a year, making it a more viable option for financially constrained international students.

Affordable Programs to Study in Japan

If you don’t want to pursue your career in global studies, you still have many other options left. So, let’s look at Japan’s top 5 cheapest programs for international students.

1. International Business

  • Tuition Fee Range: $8,000 to $18,000 annually

Japan’s international business programs are among the most affordable in the world, all thanks to the availability of financial aid and scholarships for international students. The program is well known for giving students a thorough understanding of internal business procedures and cross-cultural management.

Graduates of this degree are well-prepared to seek positions in multinational firms and international organizations. Universities offering this program have a comprehensive study guide and give students a collection of international e-commerce, corporate strategy, and supply chain management. Some of these universities include Waseda University, Hitotsubashi University, and Keio University.

Furthermore, the fact that Japan is a big economic power is one of the main advantages of studying business there. With a significant presence in sectors like technology, automotive, and electronics, Japan allows students to develop insightful knowledge of the business environment.

2. Environmental Science

  • Tuition Fee Range: $5,000 to $12,000 annually

Another cheap program to study in Japan is environmental science. If you love sustainability, pursuing a career in such a field is your best bet! In the environmental science program, students are taught about the environment, environmental problems, and solutions in Japanese environmental curricula. Among other things, students study themes including natural resource management, biodiversity, and pollution control. Due to its long history of environmentalism, Japan is regarded as the best place in the world to study environmental science.

The duration of this program typically ranges from 2-4 years, depending on the institution. Among the Japanese universities that offer environmental science programs are the University of TokyoNagoya University, and Kyoto University. Graduates from this program can also intern in various settings, such as the public sector, corporate sector, and nonprofit groups, to name a few. Moreover, if you wish to do full-time jobs, you can be an environmental scientist, engineer, and consultant.

As an international student, studying environmental science in Japan is a dream come true. It is so because the country’s distinctive natural environment and cutting-edge technology give students in-demand knowledge.

3. Humanities

  • Tuition Fee Range: $4,900 to $11,000 annually

If you are interested in history and literature, the humanities program offered by Japanese universities is an excellent choice. Students enrolled in this cheap Japanese program gain a thorough understanding of the history, philosophy, and language that make up human civilization. The program is intended to foster students’ critical thinking, analytical abilities, and cross-cultural abilities. Moreover, graduates of humanitarian sciences can work in academia, media, or any other profession that values good communication and analytical abilities.

The program is taught in English and Japanese, so Japanese proficiency is not mandatory. Furthermore, students must actively participate in class discussions and debates to eradicate the language barrier. And for further students’ understanding of Japanese culture and history, many humanities programs involve fieldwork and experiential learning opportunities. To give you a better idea, you can have a closer look at the humanities programs offered by these universities: the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Waseda University.

As a graduate of humanitarian sciences in Japan, you would have the knowledge and abilities to succeed in a globalized society. Yet, the reasonable tuition fee makes it a viable choice for international students looking for a top-notch education overseas.

4. Engineering

  • Tuition Fee Range: $5,000 to $12,000 annually

The universities in Japan offer 4-year engineering programs that are among the best in the world. Electrical, mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering are just a few technical specialties you can enroll in Japanese universities. In engineering programs, students are exposed to cutting-edge research and technology, preparing them for several employment opportunities in the industry.

The best part of engineering programs is that universities provide instructions in English, easing the transition to Japan for international students.  Moreover, it is one of the renowned programs among international students since many global corporations have offices in Japan. These corporations provide numerous employment opportunities for engineering graduates, so it’s a win-win situation for international students.

Generally, undergraduate engineering degrees in Japan last four years with an extra two more years for a master’s degree. Apart from studies, in Japanese universities, there is an emphasis on producing well-rounded graduates with strong ethical beliefs and leadership abilities. Students are advised to be proactive in extracurricular activities, such as sports, cultural clubs, and community service programs. Some of these universities are the University of Tokyo and Osaka University.

5. Computer Science

  • Tuition Fee Range: $5,000 to $12,000 annually

As the world is taking a 360° turn with the Japanese excelling at it, it’s high time you choose a computer science program in Japan. These programs aim to provide students with the information and abilities needed to create solutions to challenging technological issues.

The affordable program to study in Japan is taught with combined classroom instructions, hands-on laboratory exercises, and collaborative capstone projects. However, the duration of computer science programs in Japan is normally the same length as those in other countries, requiring four years for an undergraduate degree and two years for a master’s.

Moreover, in this program, international students can learn about programming languages, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, and computer networks. Also, the graduates of this degree can do part-time internships in software development, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence. Some Japanese universities that offer computer science programs are Kyoto University and Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Japan is a popular choice among international students studying abroad since it offers many scholarship programs and part-time job opportunities. Therefore, students looking for cheap program opportunities in Japan can consider international relations, humanities, and engineering programs since these programs usually range from $4,800 to $18,000 per year.

 

We hope that this article on the cheapest programs to study in Japan was helpful and informative! If you want to explore more program options, check out these Available Programs in Japan. You can also visit our Study in Japan page for more insightful articles and tips to get you ready for your study abroad journey!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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