Get an orientation about the structure of the higher education system in the country of your choice. Understand how universities and their levels are organised.
Structure |
Higher education is provided by Universities (daigaku), Junior Colleges (tanki-daigaku), Colleges of Technology (koto-senmongakko), as well as professional training colleges (senmon- gakko). These institutions may be public (national, prefectural or municipal) or private. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) must approve the foundation of higher education institutions, and they remain under its control (except professional training colleges). Some 75 per cent of the daigaku and 90 per cent of the tanki-daigaku are private institutions. Universities include one or more faculties offering 4-year courses in a variety of subjects. Public universities are mainly financed by national and local funds. Private universities and colleges are mainly financed by tuition fees and financial aid to private schools. The national government provides private institutions with grants for about one-third of current expenditures. Junior colleges and colleges of technology do not grant university-level qualifications, but students holding the title of Associate may pursue their studies at universities. |
Stages |
Non-university level (S0)
Junior Colleges offer 2-year, sometimes 3-year courses to upper secondary school graduates. The minimum credit requirement is 62 and, for 3-year Junior Colleges, students are awarded an Associate degree (Tankidaigakushi). Credits obtained may be counted as part of the credits leading to a degree. Graduates may apply for admission to the third year of an university course. The purpose of junior colleges is to provide in-depth learning and research in specialized disciplines, and to develop the necessary skills for future employment and daily life.
Colleges of technology offer 5-year courses, the last two at post-secondary level. They train technicians, but do not grant university-level qualifications. Graduates are awarded the title of Associate and may apply for admission to the third year of a university course. The colleges aim to provide in-depth teaching in specialized subjects and to develop skills as required for vocational life. Main courses include Mechanical Engineering, Electric Engineering, Electronic Control, Information Technology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mercantile and Marine Management Information. Most of the students start a career right after graduation.
Professional training colleges offer a wide variety of courses with an aim of training future specialist in various fields. Graduates of professional training colleges endorsed by MEXT are awarded the title of specialist (Senmonshi) or high level specialist (Kodo-senmonshi). They are qualified to apply for transfer to universities and enter a graduate school.
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Undergraduate School (S1)
: Undergraduate level (first stage)
Higher education consists of a 4-year course (six years in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and pharmaceutics). Since 1990, applicants to national and public universities must take a national examination (the "National Center Exam") before passing entrance examinations. A credit system is used, with the minimum requirement for graduation set at 124 credits (except medicine, dentistry and pharmaceutical studies). The degree awarded at the end of the first stage is the Bachelor's degree (Gakushi). In 1991, the Ministry introduced a reform whereby those who had not graduated from a university could obtain a Bachelor's degree under certain circumstances, after screening by the National Institution for Academic Degrees.
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Graduate School (S2)
: Graduate level (second stage, specialization)
Specialization takes place in postgraduate schools (daigaku-in), which do not exist in every university, and leads after two years to a postgraduate diploma or Master's degree (Shushi). It requires a number of additional credits, a research thesis and a final examination. Postgraduate studies in the field of medical sciences lead directly to a Doctor's degree.
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University level third stage (S3)
: Postgraduate level (third stage, further specialization and personal research)
The highest university degree is the Doctor's Degree (Hakase). Studies last for a minimum of three years following the Shushi (four years in medicine, dentistry and pharmaceutical studies). PhD candidates must submit a thesis and undergo a final examination. The Katei-Hakase (Doctorate by course work) is conferred on those who graduate from a graduate school programme and the Ronbun-Hakase (Doctorate by dissertation) is conferred on those who successfully submit a dissertation.
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