TYPE NO. 1

Japanese language institutes designated by the Ministry of Justice

Japanese courses only

• One to two years (normally)

Japanese courses as well as preparatory courses in subjects tested in university

• One to two years (normally)

“Student”
if taking a postsecondary course at specialised training colleges

“Student”
if taking other courses, for example at miscellaneous schools

In most cases, the qualification for entering an institution providing Japanese language education is to have completed at least 12 years of school education or to have attained an equivalent level of academic ability.

In the case if a foreigner with the aim of just learning the Japanese language studies in Japan without the intention to proceed to higher education institutions in Japan, he / she entitled to study at a general course or other courses at any of the Japanese language institutes accredited by the Ministry of Justice regardless of his / her educational background.

Most institutes select students through documentation based screening, interviews, and/or academic proficiency examinations. Some Japanese language institutes might required the students to have a contact person in Japan.

Status of “Student” is not granted for studying at Japanese language institutes which are not notified by the Ministry of Justice. It is therefore very important to check if the Japanese language institutes are publicily notified by the Ministry of Justice of Japan when choosing a language school.

>> for more information, please click

TYPE NO. 2

“University Preparatory Course”
【大学入学準備教育課程】

For Malaysian Form 5 and O-Level graduates who only have 11 years of formal education, they can meet the requirements of admission into higher education institutions in Japan, if they take a year of “University Preparatory Course”, inclusive of learning Japanese language, in one of the Japanese language institutes designated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

At this moment, there are

• 24 schools in Japan
• 1 school in Kuala Lumpur

which are designated by the MEXT to offer the “Uiversity Preparatory Course” for international students without 12 years of formal education
for more information, please click

• 1 year / 18 months / 20 months / 2 years

Status of residence of “Student” is given to international students studying in “University Preparatory Course ”

International students without 12 years of formal education are advised not to seek university entrance status from Japanese language institutes whose preliminary study courses are not endorsed by MEXT. Qualifications to enter Japanese higher education institutions cannot be obtained by attending general Japanese language courses.

TYPE NO. 3

Preparatory Japanese language programmes offered at private universities and junior colleges

• Offered by private universities / junior colleges in Japan
• The programmes are reqular courses by private universities, defined by law in Japan as a part of university education.

• 1 year ~ 2 years
• Study the Japanese language, the culture and society in Japan or basic subjects to prepare for entrance examinations to enter a university undergraduates course

Status of residence of “Student” is given to international students studying in these programmes

International students in these programmes have the advantage of facilities, such as part-time work, accommodation and welfare programme, such as medical fee subsidies

>> Federation of Japanese Private Colleges and Universities Associations (link to course)