EJU (Singapore) 2026: Who Needs It for Japan University Admissions (and How to Verify Requirements)
TL;DR
Official starting point: https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/index.html Don’t assume “everyone needs EJU” or “English programmes never need EJU”. Verify on the programme’s admissions page (requirements differ).
20 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** I’m in Singapore. Do I need EJU to study in Japan?
> \
> **A:** It depends on the programme and pathway. The safe rule is: check your target university’s official admissions page. This guide helps you understand what EJU is (officially) and how to verify whether it applies to you.
> **TL;DR**
> - Official starting point: https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/index.html
> - Don’t assume “everyone needs EJU” or “English programmes never need EJU”.
> - Verify on the programme’s admissions page (requirements differ).
<Image
src="/optimised/study-abroad-japan-korea-checklist-campus-20260119-71ba936e.avif"
alt="Students walking across a university campus, discussing their plans."
width={720}
height={480}
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*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-20. Test dates, formats, and admissions requirements change. Always verify the latest info on the official pages linked below and your target university’s admissions page.
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## 1) What EJU is (official definition)
JASSO (official) describes EJU as an exam used to evaluate whether international students who wish to study at the undergraduate level in Japan have:
* Japanese language skills, and
* the basic academic abilities needed to study at the institution.
Start here:
* https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/index.html
---
## 2) The only safe rule: verify on your target programme’s admissions page
“Do I need EJU?” is not a yes/no question you can answer from a forum thread.
Instead:
1. pick 5–10 target programmes, and
2. check each programme’s official admissions page for:
- required tests (including EJU, if applicable),
- deadlines,
- language requirements,
- document requirements.
If your target is an English-taught degree programme, this official page is a good starting reference:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/english-programs/
Important: even for English-taught degrees, requirements vary by university/programme. Always verify on the programme’s page.
---
## 3) Where to start on official EJU pages (JASSO)
### A) EJU schedule (official)
Use this to understand timing and avoid last-minute stress:
* https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/schedule.html
### B) About EJU (official)
Use this for the official “what it is / how it works” overview:
* https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/eju/about/index.html
---
## 4) A Singapore-friendly planning approach (so you don’t overload yourself)
If you’re a Singapore student, your planning constraints are often:
* IP/JC exam calendars,
* portfolio demands,
* NS windows (for male students),
* and scholarship application timelines.
A practical approach:
* decide your target intake year first,
* then work backwards from:
- programme deadlines,
- any test dates (if required),
- and document lead times (certified copies, translations, etc.).
Singapore document workflow (useful for overseas applications):
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Singapore-Overseas-Scholarship-Document-Pack-Playbook
---
## 5) Your next action (today)
Pick one:
* Bookmark the three official pages above (EJU hub + schedule + about).
* Build a shortlist sheet of 10 programmes and add one column:
- “EJU required?” (Yes/No/Unclear → email admissions).
If you’re still deciding between Japan and Korea at a high level:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
