The academic year at a Japanese
school normally begins in April and ends the following March.
Some classes are run year-round, but classes are usually divided
into semesters, lasting through the first semester (April -
September) or the second semester (October - March). Students
normally enroll in April, but some universities permit students
to enter at a different time, such as in October.
There are usually three long vacations at Japanese institutions
of higher education during the academic year: the summer break
(late July - late August), winter break (late December - early
January) and spring break (late February - early April).
Qualifications for admission
Undergraduate Level:
A student who has completed his or her secondary education
(include high school) and school education for 12 years or more
outside of Japan will qualify for admission to a Japanese
university. A student educated in a country where primary and
secondary education (include high school) lasts for less than 12
years will become qualified for admission if he or she completes
a college preparatory course designated by the Japanese Minister
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and if
the student is over 18 years old. Those who have qualifications
such as an International Baccalaureate or Abitur and are aged at
least 18 years are also qualified for admission to a Japanese
university.
Graduate Schools:
A student who has completed prescribed courses at an institute
of higher education outside of Japan will qualify for admission
to a Japanese graduate school if the student has completed 16
years of school education (18 years for those enrolling in
doctor's programs in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science).
Those who are recognized as having academic ability equal to or
above that of a college graduate and are at least 22 years in
age (24 years in the case of doctor's programs in medicine,
dentistry or veterinary science) also qualify for admission to a
graduate school.
