Picture this. You are strolling through a university campus where robotics labs are next to gardens, where professors with international patents are giving you your morning lecture, and where your degree has some value not only in Asia but in all the big economies of the world. This is not a dream, this is how it looks like to study engineering in Japan from India.

Japan is home to various engineering innovations such as bullet train, industrial robotics, consumer electronics and advanced automotive manufacturing. And now it’s opening its gates for Indian students to learn and create various innovations for the world.

So, if you are an Indian student looking to pursue engineering in Japan. Then you find the right guide – it includes everything from the best engineering colleges in Japan, cost of engineering in Japan for Indian student, Japan scholarships for Indian students, to career opportunities and how you can begin your application process without having to pay a single rupee on consultancy.

Why should Indian Students prefer Japan to choose as their engineering destination?

It is essential to answer the biggest question before leaping into universities and fees, why Japan and why now?

Japan Is an Engineering Powerhouse.

Japan continues to be one of the leading countries in the world in terms of research, patent applications and technological advancement. Engineering here is studying in the very system that has led to engineering breakthroughs in the world such as through automotive, semiconductor, robotics and civil infrastructure industries.

English-Medium Programs are increasing at an alarming rate.

The language barrier was a real impediment ten years ago. The government and universities of Japan have today drastically increased the number of BTech MTech in Japan for Indian students taught in English. Although many of the best engineering colleges in Japan are currently providing full degree programs in English, eliminating one of the largest reservations that Indian students used to have.

Low Cost.

Indian students find the cost of engineering in Japan much less than similar programs in the US, UK or Australia - but the quality of education can be as good (or sometimes better). Along with scholarships for Indian students in Japanese engineering courses, Japan is becoming one of the most economically viable choices for the serious engineering applicant.

Post-Graduation Opportunities

Japan is striving to retain foreign talent after graduation. In Japan, the average salary of fresh graduates in the field of software engineering is INR 24-36 lakhs and experienced engineers have an even higher salary. Japan has plenty of software engineer positions, and is rapidly opening the visa routes to talented foreign graduates.

Best Japanese Engineering Universities among the Indian students.

These are the top universities in Japan that Indian students can closely consider with good academic background, where English is spoken, and with a well-established international system of supporting the student.

1. University of Tokyo (UTokyo)

When individuals are discussing the top engineering university in Japan, the University of Tokyo nearly always takes the centre stage. The Faculty of Engineering at UTokyo is consistently rated as one of the top five Asian universities, and offers courses such as mechanical and civil engineering, aerospace, electrical, and information engineering.

The PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) and other graduate level courses in English are available at UTokyo under its Graduate School of Engineering. Among Indian students planning research-focused MTech or PhD courses, UTokyo is the place to study.

Fees: About INR 3.2 to 3.5 lakh/yr.

2. Kyoto University

Kyoto University is one of the best engineering universities in the world, and its name has an academic excellence and Nobel laureate faculty that has earned it a name worldwide. It especially has a graduate school of engineering which is strong in environmental engineering, chemical engineering and materials science.

The leading universities of Kyoto University in Japan, together with its Global 30 project which provides graduate programs in English, has given it a good opportunity to be the choice of Indian students in the quest to have the admission process of the MTech in Japan in a world-renowned university.

Fees: Approximately INR 3.2–3.5 lakhs/yr.

3. Osaka University

Osaka University is one of the Seven Imperial Universities in Japan and a giant in engineering research. It is specifically famous in mechanical engineering, biotechnology and information science, therefore, making it a good option to Indian students posing the question of the best universities in Japan to study mechanical engineering.

The fact that Osaka University has many graduate programs in English and a high population of international students makes the process of relocating to India a little easier and comfortable.

4. Tohoku University

Tohoku University in Sendai has always been rated one of the best universities in Japan among international students not only in terms of quality of the academic studies, but also in the way it accommodates international students and serves them in a very welcoming and systematic manner. It has a world-class Graduate School of Engineering in materials science, electronic engineering and applied physics.

Tohoku has already had several Nobel Prize winners, and has a good record of international research collaboration, so it would be a good choice by Indian students aiming at research-intensive MTech or doctoral degrees.

5. Nagoya University

Nagoya University is the right choice among students who specifically aim at automotive and mechanical engineering, where Japan takes the lead in the world. Nagoya is situated in the centre of the automotive sector (Toyota has its headquarters close by) in Japan, providing unparalleled industry exposure and tough academics.

It has consistently ranked highly on science and technology ranking among the leading universities in Japan and has good infrastructure in the support of study engineering in Japan-India.

Indian Student Cost of Engineering in Japan

Now, we can discuss numbers, as the cost of engineering in Japan for Indian students is one of the most popular.

Tuition Fees (National Universities): Around INR 3.2-3.5 lakhs/Yr. The national universities in Japan are state-subsidised and exceptionally cheap.
Tuition Fees (Private Universities): Around INR 6-9 lakhs per year. Even the private institutions are less expensive than the Western ones.
Accommodation: Student dormitories cost INR 12,000–24,000 per month. In Tokyo, private apartments cost 50,000 to 80,000 / month, and cheaper in other cities.
Food & Daily Expenses: Eating in Japan is cheap due to the convenience stores (konbini) and university cafeterias. Estimate INR 18,000-30,000/month on food, transport, and other miscellaneous costs.
Estimated Annual Budget: Indian students need to budget in INR 8 to 15 lakhs annually as a real number in a national university including living and tuition expenditure.
Part-Time Employment: Japanese International students are allowed to work a maximum of 28 hours per week which gives them a substantial source of income that can be used to finance a substantial part of living expenses.

Scholarships in Japan in Engineering

The news is even better. Scholarships for engineering in Japan are abundant and some of them are particularly aimed at Indian and other Asian students. Here are some scholarships:

MEXT Scholarship (Japan Government Scholarship)

The Japan scholarship for Indian student that everybody is talking about- and they have a reason to. The most renowned government scholarship program in Japan is the MEXT scholarship (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). It includes complete tuition, monthly living allowance of about INR 70000-870000 and round trip airfare.

The MEXT scholarship is the most potent financial instrument in terms of engineering in Japan for Indian students. Application takes place in two routes: the Japanese Embassy in India or directly to a Japanese university (University Recommendation route).

JASSO Scholarship

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) provides monthly grants of INR 28,000 to 30,000 to international students who have enrolled in Japanese universities. In contrast to MEXT, JASSO scholarships are given once students are enrolled and are accessible to a large number of students.

University-Specific Scholarships

International students in all major best engineering colleges in Japan, such as UTokyo, Kyoto University, Tokyo Tech, Osaka University, and Tohoku University have their own scholarship programs basing on the academic merit. Apply to these in addition to your general application - most Indian students get half- or full-tuition waivers under these programs.

JICA Scholarships and Private Foundation grants.

Scholarships for Indian student in Japan engineering programs are also offered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other Japanese private foundations. It is especially applicable in the students of engineering related to development such as civil, environmental, and infrastructure engineering.

Is It Necessary to go to Consultants?

Technically, Yes. Why?

These consultants offer you end-to-end support, guiding you throughout your journey, helping you in your application process, visa process and even shortlisting universities.

But they charge a lot?

Not all, Yastudy is a study abroad consultancy that does not charge a single penny from the students meaning zero consulting charges, zero application processing fees, no hidden charges, nothing!

This is what makes Yastudy different, they provide you end-to-end support, personalised consultancy according to your needs, goals and budget that too in free - with no hidden charges.

Career after engineering?

Let’s talk about the career and scope after doing engineering from Japan. Is it worth it?

Jobs and salary in Software engineering.

Japan is undergoing a tremendous digital transformation and in dire need of software talent. The number of software engineer jobs in Japan is abundant across industries - fintech and e-commerce to automotive software and AI research. The software engineer salary in Japan is INR 24-36 lakhs per year in the case of fresh graduates and INR 48-72 lakhs in the case of experienced employees.

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

The automotive and manufacturing industries of Japan, headed by Toyota, Honda, Panasonic, and Mitsubishi, are highly aggressive in hiring engineering graduates. The students in the top universities in Japan for mechanical engineering for Indian students can expect a good placement pipeline into these industries.

Research and Academic.

The level of investment on R&D is one of the highest in Japan. Students who like research have outstanding post-graduate opportunities in Japan to work in university research, national research institutes, and corporate research and development laboratories.

International Transferability of a Japanese Degree in Engineering.

Japanese universities are ranked among the best schools in the world and a degree earned at one of the top universities in Japan (UTokyo, Kyoto, Tokyo Tech, Osaka, Tohoku) is a very important parameter to other countries. Japanese engineering qualifications are greatly valued by international employers to Indian students who go home or relocate to third countries.

Final Verdict- Is Japan Good to Study Engineering as an Indian Student?

Is engineering in Japan good for Indian students? Certainly-- and the facts do the talking.

In Japan, there are world-class best engineering universities. Low cost of engineering in Japan for Indian students. Good scholarships for Indian students in Japan engineering programmes such as the life-altering MEXT scholarship. Blasting software engineer employment in Japan. An apparent Japan study visa route. And a cultural experience that not only changes your resume but your worldview.

Japan is not only a good engineering destination to Indian students but can be the smartest engineering destination in India to Indian students.

And with Yastudy there with you-- absolutely free, absolutely open, zero charges of any kind-- there has never been a better time to make that first step.