The academic year at Japanese language schools works differently from what you may be used to. Admission happens four times a year, and choosing an intake is not a question of convenience — it is a question of how much time you will have with Japanese before your next step.
How the intakes differ
| Intake | Typical maximum length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| April | up to 2 years | The main intake, aligned with the Japanese academic year |
| July | about 1 year 9 months | Fewer schools admit students |
| October | up to 1.5 years | Second most popular |
| January | about 1 year 3 months | The shortest, with the fewest places |
Exact durations depend on the school — confirm before you submit your documents.
Choosing for your goal
If your goal is a Japanese university or senmon school. Entrance exams take place in autumn and winter. Count backwards: you need to finish language school and still have time to prepare for the EJU and each university's own exams. Most people choose the April intake with its maximum duration for this.
If you are starting Japanese from zero. Take the longest option available. Getting from zero to a level where you can study at university in Japanese within a single year is realistic for very few people.
If you already have a foundation (N4–N3). A shorter intake — October or July — may be enough.
Application deadlines
Documents are usually accepted 5–7 months before the start date. Roughly:
- April intake — apply in the autumn of the previous year;
- October intake — apply in winter or early spring.
Schools announce their exact dates themselves and close the intake once places run out.
Practical advice
Start earlier than feels necessary. Between "I have decided" and "I have submitted my documents" there is almost always a month or two more than planned: translating documents, obtaining certificates, waiting on the bank. A time buffer costs nothing; not having one pushes your start three months later.
