Japanese higher education consists of universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, and specialized training colleges. The number of students who continue their study at universities is currently on a decline in response to falling birth rate. Recently, the demand/supply ratio for new graduates has passed 2, and Japanese graduates may now choose between at least 2 employers for their first job.

The term of study at universities is usually four years. The exceptions are courses for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, which require at least 6 years.

There are 87 universities managed by the central government, 86 public universities managed by local governments, and 553 private universities in Japan (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 2006).

For a helpful guide to Institutions of Higher Learning in Japan, please consult the Japan Student Service Organization (JASSO) website, an independent administrative Institution.

 Statistics: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

The academic year starts in April. Different qualifications will apply depending on the level of study and types of institutions. 

For a complete list of all universities in Japan, please see JASSO's website.

 Universities, Colleges and Japanese Language Institutes: JASSO

There are various types of scholarships available for Swiss students for their study and research in Japan. The followings are the major scholarships offered by the Japanese government.

• Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarships
  Applications for Japanese government scholarships are made either through Japanese embassies or general consulates overseas (embassy recommendations) or through a university in Japan (university recommendations). Applicants then have to pass two screenings before the final decision is made.
  
  For detailed information, please see the JASSO's webpage.
  
   A guide to scholarships: JASSO

 

• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
  JSPS provides a special program under which fellowships are granted to 1) postdoctoral researchers who conduct research activities at universities or research institutions on a non-employment basis and to 2) graduate students who conduct research in university doctoral programs.
  

For more detailed information, please refer to the JSPS's website.

 JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists

• Japan Student Service Organization 
  Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), an independent administrative institution, was inaugurated on April 1, 2004, as a unified organization to administer scholarship loans, provide support for international students, and promote the improvement of student guidance and counselling for students.
  
   Scholarships for Study in Japan: JASSO 
  
   
• University Scholarships
  Universities and schools have their own scholarship programs. Scholarship information can be found on each school's homepage.

 

• Additional Japanese Scholarships
  A list of 30 privately founded scholarships for foreign students in Japan.

The Japanese government also offers various types of research grants for international joint research activities.

•  Japan Science and Technology Corporation (JST)
•  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
•  New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)