Japan is a popular tourist destination. Aside from the rich culture it offers, there are also a lot of universities that make students want to study there. This list of the best schools in Japan highlights the excellent technical facilities and good employment opportunities that can be accessed through each school. In this guide, you’ll learn about some of the best universities in Japan and how these Japan schools ranked globally.
What Attracts Students to Universities in Japan?
Students are attracted to universities in Japan for a variety of reasons, but most often because of the exciting experience that study abroad opportunities provide. It’s also enlightening to experience Japan’s rich cultural heritage, which is another reason international students are attracted to universities in Japan.
Japan Schools Ranked: An Overview
| Japan Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35 | 77 | University of Tokyo |
| 2 | 61 | 127 | Kyoto University |
| 3 | 301-350 | 263 | Osaka University |
| 4 | 351-400 | 324 | Nagoya University |
| 5 | 501-600 | 336 | Kyushu University |
| 6 | 501-600 | 441 | Hokkaido University |
| 7 | 601-800 | 536 | Keio University |
| 8 | 601-800 | 548 | Kobe University |
| 9 | 801-1,000 | 520 | Waseda University |
| 10 | 1001-1,200 | 813 | Chiba University |
The Best Universities in Japan, Explained
Below is a list of the best schools in Japan, starting with the best. This list provides you with some of the best options you should consider if you want to study in Japan. It’s also worth noting that all of the information listed below has been sourced from the universities’ websites.
1. University of Tokyo
- Campus Location(s): Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane, Nakano
- Acceptance Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 77
This prestigious institution merged with various institutions and schools to become a large research university. The school has 10 faculties, 11 affiliated research institutions, 15 graduate schools, 13 university-wide centers, three libraries, and two institutes for advanced study.
Local and international students can choose from different divisions of interest, including pharmaceutical science, medicine, law letters, agriculture, arts and sciences, education, engineering, and more.
2. Kyoto University
- Campus Location(s): Yoshida, Uji, Katsura
- Acceptance Rate: 37%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 127
Kyoto University is a national university founded in 1987. It has a unique approach toward education and research that inspires creativity and dialogue that are critical in making groundbreaking discoveries and research. This educational institution has state-of-the-art research facilities and labs that give students a great learning experience.
Kyoto University also provides students with fundamental knowledge and hands-on training activities that foster creativity among scholars. The school also offers several degree courses taught in English that many international students would appreciate.
3. Osaka University
- Campus Location(s): Suita, Toyonaka, Minoh, Nakanoshima
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 263
The university was founded in 1931 and now has 11 undergraduate schools, 16 graduate schools, and five research institutes. It has programs for foreign studies and other subjects. Osaka has 15,000 undergraduate students and 8,000 graduate students. The primary language for undergraduate programs in Japanese, while English is more commonly used in graduate studies.
4. Nagoya University
- Campus Location(s): Higashiyama, Daiko, Tsurumai
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 324
Nagoya University, also known as Meidai, is a public university with nine faculties, 13 graduate schools, and 18 research centers. Some of the school’s bachelor’s degrees are automotive engineering, chemistry, biological science, law, and economics. The school hosts an annual festival in June that draws 50,000 visitors each year and inspires the country’s artistic culture.
5. Kyushu University
- Campus Location(s): Ito, Maidashi, Ohashi
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 336
Kyushu University is a public university that belongs to Japan’s National Seven Universities. It was founded in 1903 with the goal of providing the highest level of education. The school is active as a research institution that is funded by government and corporate partners.
6. Hokkaido University
- Campus Location(s): Sapporo, Hakodate
- Acceptance Rate: 36%
- Graduation Rate: 97.88%
- US News Country Rank: 441
This university is one of the National Seven Universities that was founded in 1876. It welcomes international students from more than 85 countries as they combine best practices and encourage cultural exchange. It has 34 faculties, including medicine, law, economics, and business administration.
7. Keio University
- Campus Location(s): Shinanomachi, Yagami, Mita, Shiba-Kyoritsu, Shoan Fujisawa, Hiyoshi
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 536
Keio University is one of Japan’s oldest private universities since it was founded in 1858. The university is home to more than 33,000 students. It offers a wide range of academic study programs in engineering and technology, physical sciences, life sciences, business, and economics. It also offers 14 degree programs taught in English.
8. Kobe University
- Campus Location(s): Rokkodai, Kusunoki, Myodani, Fukae
- Acceptance Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 548
This university was established in 1940 and is considered one of the largest national universities in the country, with 16,000 local and international students. The school is composed of 14 graduate schools and 11 undergraduate faculties. Kobe University also offers scholarships to qualified students.
9. Waseda University
- Campus Location(s): Tokyo
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 520
This was first established as Tokyo College in early 1882 and changed in 1902. This university’s majors include education, engineering, commerce, natural science, literature, and more. Many important things have happened at the school, such as alumni becoming prime ministers.
10. Chiba University
- Campus Location(s): Chiba
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Graduation Rate: Unknown
- US News Country Rank: 813
This school is known by its students as Chiba Daigaku, featuring 10 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs. Students who attend this school gain beneficial experience not just from their academics but also from membership in one of its 170 clubs.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in Japan
We followed the Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings to create our list. This ranking was created by evaluating teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry outcomes of over 1,600 institutions worldwide. Complementary information was retrieved from the US News Best National University Rankings.
Is a Top University in Japan Right for You?
A top university in Japan is right for you if you want to study in Japan. Each one offers a plethora of different programs and specializations for students to concentrate in. A lot of these universities also have high-tech facilities and provide students with recreational activities. If you’re ready for a challenge, then a top university in Japan is right for you.
Best Universities in Japan FAQ
The University of Tokyo ranks first among schools in Japan. This can be a good school for international students because the students and administration are friendly and accommodating. Aside from that, Tokyo offers an excellent and creative education that helps students become qualified and skilled in their chosen field.
The hardest college to get into in Japan is University of Tokyo, which has a 35 percent acceptance rate. There are specific requirements that students need to fulfill ahead of time, such as passing the national university entrance examination.
Prospective students will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for consideration at Tokyo University. Students are encouraged to make sure that they maintain good grades and study hard. Universities in Tokyo are quite competitive, so they expect the best from their students.
Yes, it can be challenging to study in Japan because of the language barrier. Students may also experience culture shock if they’re coming from cultures that are quite different. While some students might struggle to study in Japan, others would describe it as one of the most exciting experiences they’ve ever had.
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