MBBS admissions in Japan

A medical degree in Japan is a six-year programme at universities across the country. It includes basic medical sciences, clinical training and clinical practice in university hospitals.

Japan has national, public (prefectural or municipal) and private medical universities. National and public universities generally charge lower tuition fees, while private universities are considerably more expensive. There is also a defence medical college operated by the Ministry of Defense. Our directory lists medical universities across these categories.

Most medical programmes in Japan are taught in Japanese. Applicants are generally expected to have a high level of Japanese, typically demonstrated through tests such as the JLPT, and clinical training involves direct communication with patients and staff in Japanese. English-medium medical degree places for international students are rare; confirm whether any specific university currently offers one and whether it leads to Japanese licensing. If you do not speak Japanese, you should plan for intensive language study before you can even apply.

The process commonly includes some combination of:

• Academic qualifications meeting the university's requirements for international students
• Japanese-language proficiency evidence
• Scores from tests such as the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), where required
• University entrance examinations, which are competitive and often include interviews and written tests

Each university sets its own rules, so confirm the requirements directly with the admissions office.

Tuition at national universities is lower than at private ones, but you must also plan for living costs, which can be high in major cities. Some scholarships exist for international students, including government and university-based awards, but they are competitive. Only rely on information from official Japanese government or university sources.

You need a student visa. After you are accepted, the university helps with the documents, and you apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate. Check the current rules for your country.

To practise in Japan, graduates must pass the national medical licensing examination, which is conducted in Japanese. If you intend to practise in your home country or elsewhere, check that regulator's rules for foreign graduates. Japanese degrees are well regarded, but recognition and licensing processes vary by country.

Pros: strong research and clinical standards, high-quality facilities and a respected education system.

Cons: a high Japanese-language barrier, competitive entrance exams and high living costs.

Japan is best suited to students who are willing to invest several years in learning Japanese, who are comfortable with a very competitive admissions system, and who are planning long-term careers connected to Japan. If your priority is an English-medium MBBS at a lower cost, other countries on our site may be a better fit.

Japan offers excellent medical education, but it is a demanding route for international students. Explore our Japan university directory and contact each university directly to confirm language, entrance and eligibility requirements.