Short-Term Study in Japan vs Korea (Singapore Students) 2026: A “Test-Drive” Route Before You Commit to a Degree
TL;DR
Japan short-term programmes (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/short-term/ Korea short-term programmes (official education system page): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/educationSystem.do…
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** “I’m curious about Japan/Korea, but I’m not ready to commit to a full degree. Is there a middle step?”
> \
> **A:** Yes — short-term study can be a great “test-drive” route. The key is to treat it as a planned experiment: what you’re testing, what you want to learn, and what your next step will be after the programme ends.
> **TL;DR**
> - Japan short-term programmes (official): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/short-term/
> - Korea short-term programmes (official education system page): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/educationSystem.do
> - Verify visa context on official pages (duration matters): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/immigration-procedures/ and https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/visaAndStay.do
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*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-21. This is a planning guide, not legal or immigration advice. Always verify the latest programme and visa requirements on official pages and your school’s instructions.
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## 1) What “short-term study” usually means (official framing)
Japan’s official page defines short-term study programmes as programmes that can range from a few weeks to a full academic year, often without obtaining a Japanese degree:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/short-term/
Korea’s education system page explains “short-term programs” as completing only part of a regular program (typically one or two semesters) or seasonal sessions:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/educationSystem.do
So in plain English:
* short-term programmes are a real route, not a “random summer camp”,
* but details vary by school, so you must verify what your specific programme offers.
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## 2) When a “test-drive” route is genuinely useful (Singapore students)
Short-term study makes sense when:
* you’re unsure whether you’ll thrive in Japan/Korea day-to-day,
* you want to validate your language plan before committing,
* your family wants a lower-risk first step,
* you want to build evidence and clarity before applying for a full degree or a scholarship route.
It’s especially useful if you tend to overthink.
Instead of planning forever, you run a real experiment — then decide with more confidence.
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## 3) The 6 things to verify before you apply (so it’s worth your time)
### A) What you’ll actually study
* Is it taught in Japanese, English, or mixed?
* Is the content academic, language-focused, or both?
Japan official page notes programmes can be conducted in Japanese, English, or both:
* https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/short-term/
### B) Credit and recognition
* Will you receive credits?
* Will your Singapore institution recognise them (if you plan to transfer credit)?
### C) Total cost (not just tuition)
* tuition / programme fees
* housing + deposits
* insurance
* flights + local transport
If you want a conservative budgeting checklist:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-vs-Korea-Student-Budget-Singapore-Practical-Cost-Checklist-Guide-2026
### D) Visa / stay requirements (duration matters)
Don’t guess based on someone else’s experience. Verify based on:
* your nationality,
* your programme duration,
* your school’s instructions.
Official baselines:
* Japan immigration procedures: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/immigration-procedures/
* Korea visa & stay: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/visaAndStay.do
### E) Housing logistics
If housing is provided, verify:
* move-in date,
* deposit/refund policy,
* what’s included (utilities, bedding, internet).
Housing guide:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Housing-in-Japan-vs-Korea-Singapore-Students-Dorms-Deposits-Questions-Guide-2026
### F) Your “next step” (don’t drift)
Before you start, write one sentence:
* “After this programme, I will apply to X (degree / scholarship / language institute), using what I learned here.”
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## 4) Next action (today)
Pick one:
* Read the official Japan short-term page and shortlist 3 programme types you’d consider:
- https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/learn-about-schools/short-term/
* Read the Korea education system page and find the short-term programmes section:
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/educationSystem.do
* If you’re still deciding Japan vs Korea overall:
- https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
