The best universities in Japan are known for their strong academic standing and research. The University of Tokyo and Kyoto University lead the country, followed by other top institutions such as the University of Osaka and Tohoku University.
Japan has more than 800 universities, so students have a wide choice across national, public, and private institutions. Many of these offer courses in areas like Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Law, and Business, with selected English-taught programs also available for international students.
In the sections below, we will look at the best universities in Japan, their fees, admission requirements, scholarships, and the best options for different courses.
10 Best Universities in Japan for International Students
Japan hosts many universities that rank at the top levels according to the QS World University Rankings.
4 universities are ranked in the top 100, while 8 of them are ranked in the top 180.
As per the latest rankings the top university in Japan is the University of Tokyo, which took the 39th position in the 2027 ranking, while Kyoto University secured the second position on the list, ranking 64th.
Let us now look at the top universities in Japan as ranked in the latest QS University Rankings:
Now, let us have a detailed understanding of each of these universities.
The University of Tokyo
Founded in 1877, the University of Tokyo is Japan’s first national university. At present, it has 10 undergraduate faculties and 15 graduate schools, with studies in nearly all major fields.
The institution is also quite popular for research as well, having 13 Nobel Prize winners as professors and alumni.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 642,960 (INR 3.86L), fixed across UG courses
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 520,800–804,000 (INR 3.12L–4.82L), depending on the program
Admission Test
EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students)
This university was founded in 1931. It presently has over 15,000 undergraduate and more than 8,000 graduate students, making it the national university with the highest number of undergraduates in Japan.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 535,800 (INR 3.21L), fixed across UG courses
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 535,800–804,000 (INR 3.21L–4.82L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
EJU; SAT, ACT, AP, IB or A-Level, depending on the program
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT ~80–85+, IELTS ~6.0–6.5+, can vary by program
Popular Programs
Engineering, Medicine, Science, Economics, Law, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information Science
Tokyo's Institute of Science is relatively new. It was established in 2024 because of the merger between the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
As a result of this merger, the university has managed to unite science and engineering with medicine and dentistry in a single institution.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 535,800–635,400 (INR 3.21L–3.81L), depending on the field
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 535,800–635,400 (INR 3.21L–3.81L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
GSEP: written test in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry; EJU, SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level or AP can also be submitted, depending on the program
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.5+; TOEIC L&R also accepted (can vary by program)
Popular Programs
Engineering, Computing, Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Life Sciences
Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship, JASSO Scholarship, Scholarship for Outstanding International Undergraduates
Admission Fee
JPY 282,000 (INR 1.69L)
Tohoku University
This university was founded in 1907 in Sendai. One thing that stands out in its history is that in 1913, it became the first university in Japan to admit female students. It is also well known for research in materials science, engineering, medicine, and environmental science.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 535,800 (INR 3.21L), fixed across UG courses
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 535,800–804,000 (INR 3.21L–4.82L), depending on the program
Admission Test
EJU; SAT, ACT, IB or A-Level for some admission routes
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT 79+ for regular international UG admission; some programs may accept different scores/tests
Popular Programs
Engineering, Materials Science, Medicine, Science, Information Sciences, Agriculture
Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship, JASSO Honors Scholarship, Tohoku University International Excellence Scholarship
Admission Fee
JPY 282,000 (INR 1.69L)
Nagoya University
This university was founded as an Imperial University in 1939. It is based in the Tokai region, one of Japan’s main manufacturing areas, and is especially known for science and engineering.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 535,800 (INR 3.21L), fixed across UG courses
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 535,800–804,000 (INR 3.21L–4.82L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
SAT, ACT or EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students), optional but recommended for G30
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.0+, Duolingo 110+(can vary by program)
Popular Programs
Automotive Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Science, Economics, Law
This university was founded in 1911 and is based in Fukuoka. It has around 19,000 students and is known mainly for research in engineering, science, medicine, agriculture, and related areas.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 535,800 (INR 3.21L), fixed across all UG courses
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 535,800–804,000 (INR 3.21L–4.82L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
EJU, SAT, ACT, A-Level, AP or IB, depending on the program
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.5+(can vary by program)
Popular Programs
Engineering, Science, Medicine, Agriculture, Economics, Information Science
Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship, JASSO Scholarship, Kyushu University Friendship Scholarship, Yamakawa Prize and Grant
Admission Fee
JPY 282,000 (INR 1.69L)
Hokkaido University
This university traces its history back to Sapporo Agricultural College, founded in 1876.
The university is especially known for its work in science, agriculture, environmental studies, and field research, supported by facilities such as experimental forests, farms, and marine stations.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 535,800 (INR 3.21L), fixed across all UG courses
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 535,800–804,000 (INR 3.21L–4.82L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
EJU, SAT/AP, ACT or IB, depending on the admission route
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT 79+, IELTS 6.5+(can vary by program)
Popular Programs
Agriculture, Engineering, Science, Medicine, Environmental Science, Veterinary Medicine
Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship, JASSO scholarships, university tuition-fee waivers
Admission Fee
JPY 282,000 (INR 1.69L)
Waseda University
This university was founded in 1882 in Tokyo. In 2025, it had around 8,000 international students from 117 countries, and it offers English-based degree programs across 6 undergraduate and 15 graduate schools.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 1,051,000–1,584,000 (INR 6.31L–9.50L), depending on the school
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
JPY 448,000–1,765,000 (INR 2.69L–10.59L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
SAT ~1410–1480, ACT ~32–33, IB ~36–39/42(average successful scores; can vary by school)
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT ~95+, IELTS ~7.0+(can vary by program)
Popular Programs
Political Science, Economics, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, International Liberal Studies
JPY 200,000–300,000 (INR 1.20L–1.80L), depending on the program
Keio University
Established in the year 1858 by Yukichi Fukuzawa Keio University is Japan's pioneer modern institution for higher education.
The institution has about 34,000 students, 10 bachelor faculties in its educational structure, and holds a total of 14 graduate schools.
What to Check
University Details
Approx. Annual UG Tuition
JPY 990,000–3,040,000 (INR 5.94L–18.24L), depending on the faculty
Approx. Annual PG Tuition
Around JPY 1,070,000–1,510,000 (INR 6.42L–9.06L), depending on the program
Admission Tests
SAT or IB for PEARL; requirements can vary by program
English Language Scores
TOEFL iBT and IELTS accepted; some programs use TOEFL iBT 100+ / IELTS 7.0+(can vary by program)
Popular Programs
Economics, Business, Law, Medicine, Science and Technology, Policy Management
Scholarships
MEXT, JASSO, Keio University Scholarship, “Design the Future” Award
Admission Fee
JPY 200,000 (INR 1.20L) for undergraduate students; graduate students are exempt
Best Universities in Japan by Course
The universities listed above are known for different subjects. The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, The University of Osaka, Institute of Science Tokyo, and Tohoku University are strong in areas like engineering, technology, science, and medicine, while Waseda University and Keio University are also popular for business, economics, and management.
So, apart from the overall university ranking, it is also useful to check which university performs better for the course you want to study.
Below, we will compare the top universities in Japan for Engineering, Technology, Medicine, Computer Science, and Business and Management:
Best Universities in Japan for Engineering
Engineering is one of the strongest study areas in Japan, and quite a few of the universities we covered above rank well for it.
The University of Tokyo leads Japan at #18 in the QS Engineering & Technology Rankings 2026.
Let us now find the 5 top options you can consider while planning to study engineering in Japan:
Law is a popular choice at several leading universities in Japan. Students can find strong options in areas like legal studies, international law, public policy, and corporate law.
Among them, The University of Tokyo ranks highest in Japan at #24 for Law & Legal Studies in the QS Subject Rankings 2026.
Here are the 5 universities you can consider for studying Law in Japan:
Computer Science is another good option tostudy in Japan, with universities offering courses in areas such as AI, data science, software, and information systems.
For this subject, Institute of Science Tokyo ranks the highest in Japan at #18 globally in the QS Computer Science & Information Systems Rankings 2026.
Here are the 5 top universities you can consider for Computer Science in Japan:
University Name
QS Computer Science & Information Systems Ranking 2026
Best Universities in Japan for Business and Management
Business and Management is another popular study area in Japan, especially at universities in Tokyo. Courses usually cover areas like management, finance, marketing, strategy, and international business.
The University of Tokyo ranks the highest in Japan for Business & Management Studies at #72 in the QS Subject Rankings 2026.
Here are the 5 top universities you can consider for Business and Management in Japan:
The universities we covered above are all good options, but the right one will depend on what you want to study, how much you can spend, and the kind of place you want to live in. Rankings can help you shortlist universities, but they shouldn't be the only thing you check.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing a university in Japan:
Check your course first: Look at the subjects, specialisations, and course structure offered by the university. A university with a lower overall rank may still be better for your chosen subject.
Look at the language of study: Japan has both Japanese-taught and English-taught programs. Check this carefully, along with any JLPT, TOEFL, or IELTS requirements.
Compare the fees: Tuition can differ between national and private universities, and even between programs. Also include the admission fee and living costs while planning your budget.
Check the admission requirements: Universities may ask for exams such as EJU, SAT, ACT, IB, TOEFL, or IELTS. The tests and required scores can change by course.
Think about the location: Tokyo has many university options, but cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Sendai, Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Sapporo can offer a different student experience and cost of living.
Look for scholarships: Check options such as MEXT, JASSO, and university-specific scholarships. Some universities may also offer tuition fee reductions or exemptions.
Need help choosing the right university in Japan? Book a free 1:1 session with upGrad experts to compare your options and find a university that fits your course, budget, and plans.
Conclusion
Japan gives students a good mix of national and private universities, with strong options across Engineering, Law, Medicine, Computer Science, and Business. The universities covered on this page also differ in their fees, course strengths, admission tests, and language requirements, so the right choice can be different for every student.
Rankings can help you shortlist a few names, but the final choice should come down to what you want to study, how much you can spend, the language you are comfortable with, and what you want to do after graduation. Comparing these points side by side will make it easier to find a university that works for you, not just one that looks good on a ranking list.
FAQs
1. Which are the best universities in Japan for international students?
Some of the best universities in Japan for international students include The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda University, Keio University, and Tohoku University. The right option depends on your course, language preference, tuition budget, and admission profile.
2. Can I study at a Japanese university without knowing Japanese?
Yes, but your options may be limited. Some universities offer degree programs taught fully in English, especially for international students. Regular undergraduate programs, however, are often taught in Japanese, so you should check the language of your chosen course before applying.
3. Do all top universities in Japan require the EJU?
No. The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used for many international undergraduate admissions, but it is not required for every course. Some universities or English-taught programs may accept SAT, ACT, IB, A-Level, or other qualifications instead.
4. Are national universities in Japan cheaper than private universities?
Generally, yes. Many national universities charge similar annual tuition of around JPY 535,800, while private universities such as Waseda and Keio can have much higher fees depending on the faculty. Medicine and other specialised courses can also cost more.
5. Which is better, The University of Tokyo or Kyoto University?
The University of Tokyo ranks higher overall, but that does not automatically make it better for every student. Kyoto University may suit a particular course or research area better. Compare the subject, fees, admission route, location, and study environment before choosing.
6. Which top Japanese universities are private?
Among the universities covered on this page, Waseda University and Keio University are private universities. The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Kyushu University, Hokkaido University, and The University of Osaka are national universities.
7. Can Indian students apply to universities in Japan after Class 12?
Yes. Indian students can apply for undergraduate programs after completing Class 12, provided they meet the university’s academic and admission requirements. Depending on the course, students may also need EJU, SAT, ACT, English-language scores, or Japanese-language proficiency.
8. What English test scores do Japanese universities usually accept?
Many Japanese universities accept TOEFL iBT and IELTS, while some also accept Cambridge English or TOEIC. The required score varies by course. For example, some English-taught programs may look for around TOEFL 80–100+ or IELTS 6.0–7.0+.
9. Do universities in Japan offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. International students can find options such as the MEXT Scholarship, JASSO scholarships, university-specific awards, and tuition-fee reductions. The eligibility and amount are different for each scholarship, so students should check the latest rules before applying.
10. Which is the best engineering university in Japan?
The University of Tokyo is one of the top choices for students looking for the best engineering university in Japan. Other strong options include Kyoto University, The University of Osaka, Tohoku University, and Institute of Science Tokyo.
11. Which is the best technology university in Japan?
For students looking for the best technology university in Japan, Institute of Science Tokyo is a major option, especially for science, engineering, and technology-focused study. The University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, and Osaka University are also strong choices.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4889 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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