Application Guidelines

Application Guidelines(For Students Enrolled in Japanese Language Schools Considering Admission [PDF]

Courses Open for Enrollment

Course Name Program Duration Enrollment
Capacity
Specialized Program, Course of Design
  ● Graphic Design Course
  ● Illustration Course
Three-Year Program 80 students
Specialized Program, Course of Creative Studies
  ● Living Design Course
  ● Game Creator Course
Three-Year Program 20 students
Specialized Program, Course of Design
  ● Comic Illustration Course
  ● Comic Course
  ● Movie & Photograph Course
  ● Miscellaneous Goods &
     
Accessories Design Course
Two-Year Program 90 students

Admission Policy

The Ideal Student We Seek

  • Individuals who aspire to inspire others through their work.
  • Individuals who persevere in striving toward their dreams and goals.
  • Individuals with strong curiosity and a spirit of challenge.
  • Individuals who fully understand and resonate with the school’s educational philosophy and policies.
  • Individuals who keep promises and value courtesy and cooperation.
● International Student Admissions
Applicants who participate in any of the designated events* held between Saturday, March 7, 2026 and Sunday, September 27, 2026 and complete the application process will be eligible for an exemption from the screening fee.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Online Application Opens
Screening fee: 20,000 yen
*Fee exemption system available
Selection Methods
• Document screening • Interview examination • Written examination
Announcement of Results (Notification sent)
Enrollment Procedures (Tuition Payment) → Issuance of Certificate of Admission
Pre-Enrollment Program Begins (NDS Online Courses)
*The start date varies depending on the online application submission date.
Entrance Ceremony
*“Designated events” include open campus events, campus tours, school visits, morning individual consultation sessions, online school information sessions, and online campus tours.

Applications are accepted online only. Applications open from Thursday, October 1, 2026 and will close once enrollment capacity is reached.

Online Application Period Interview
Date
Result Notification
Mailing Date
Tuition Payment
Deadline
Round 1 Thursday, October 1,
2026 to Saturday,
October 31, 2026
Thursday,
November
5, 2026
Friday,
November
13, 2026
Friday,
December
4, 2026
Round 2 Monday, November 2,
2026 toSunday,
November 15, 2026
Friday,
November
20, 2026
Friday,
November
27, 2026
Friday,
December
18, 2026
Round 3 Monday, November 16,
2026 to Saturday,
December 5, 2026
Friday,
December
11, 2026
Friday,
December
18, 2026
Friday,
January
8, 2027
Round 4 Monday, December 7,
2026 to Friday,
December 25, 2026
Friday,
January
8, 2027
Friday,
January
15, 2027
Friday,
February
5, 2027
Round 5 From Monday,
January 4, 2027
Scheduled as needed Sent as needed after
entrance examinations
Designated date specified
by the school

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※Applications from the fourth round onward may not be accepted depending on circumstances.

International Student Admissions

Application Eligibility

  1. Applicants who have completed 12 years or more of education in their home country (equivalent to a Japanese senior high school education).
  2. Applicants who have a clear purpose for studying abroad and strong motivation to acquire knowledge and skills in their chosen specialized field.
  3. Applicants who meet one of the following conditions:
    • Those who have completed at least one year of Japanese language education at a Japanese language school accredited by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education, or those currently enrolled in a university or similar institution with good academic performance and attendance.
    • Those who have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) at N2 level or higher (or scored 400 or above on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test), those who have scored 200 or above in the Japanese subject of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), or those who possess equivalent Japanese language proficiency.
  4. Applicants who are able to obtain and renew an entry visa (student visa) by the end of March 2027 (renewal to be processed at a Japanese language school).
  5. Applicants who are physically and mentally healthy and do not have any legally designated infectious diseases or other medical conditions.
    • When completing the online application procedures, clearly enter your current address in the applicant address field, including the name of the apartment or building and the room number.
    • Applicants wishing to enroll directly from their home country should contact the administration office.

Online Application Period

Round 1 online application period to Round 5 online application period

  • Applicants wishing to enroll directly from their home country should contact the administration office.

Selection Methods

  • First screening: Document review (applications will be reviewed in the order received based on the submitted documents listed above)
  • Second screening: Japanese written examination and interview
  • Applicants will be directly notified of the examination date at a later date.

Documents to Be Mailed When Applying Online

Please mail the following documents after completing the online application procedures.

  1. Letter of recommendation for international students (designated form provided by the school)
  2. Examination admission ticket (designated form provided by the school)
  3. Proof of screening fee payment (designated form provided by the school; copies accepted. Not required for applicants using the screening fee exemption system.)
  4. Graduation certificate from the applicant’s highest level of education in their home country (copy of diploma accepted)
  5. Passport and residence card (copies accepted)
  6. Certificate of attendance and academic record issued by a Japanese language school (must include attendance records) *Invalid if opened
  7. Domestic contact guarantor form (for international students)
  • Applicants wishing to enroll directly from their home country should contact the administration office.

Screening Fee

20,000 yen (fee exemption system available)

  • Screening fee exemption system: Apply for the screening fee exemption during an open campus event, a school visit, or online, and attach a photo of the screening fee exemption application form when submitting your online application.
  • Screening fee exemption application period: from Saturday, March 7, 2026 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Applications for the 2027 academic year are accepted online only via online application (Internet-based application).

Online Application for International Student Admissions

  1. Please access the “Online Application Portal.” A step-by-step video guide for the online application process is also available. Reviewing it in advance will help ensure a smooth application procedure.
  2. Click the “About Online Application” banner.
  3. Click the “International Student Admissions” banner.

Application Procedures and Important Notes by Admissions Category

International Student Admissions

Please prepare the required documents in advance before starting the online application process.

  1. Complete the procedure through the “International Student Admissions” banner on the “Online Application Portal.”
  2. Applicants using any of the systems below must attach a photo when submitting the online application. Please prepare it in advance.
    • Applicants using the screening fee exemption system must attach the “Screening Fee Exemption Approval Certificate”
    • Ensure that the entire document is visible in the photo and that all text is clearly legible.
  3. Please submit the required documents by mail.
    • Letter of recommendation for international students (designated form provided by the school)
    • Examination admission ticket (designated form provided by the school)
    • Proof of screening fee payment (designated form provided by the school; copies accepted. Not required for applicants using the screening fee exemption system.)
    • Graduation certificate from the applicant’s highest level of education in their home country (copy of diploma accepted)
    • Passport and residence card (copies accepted)
    • Certificate of attendance and academic record issued by a Japanese language school (must include attendance records)
    • Domestic contact guarantor form (for international students)
    • Invalid if opened
    • Domestic contact guarantor form (for international students)

Notes Regarding Document Submission

If the required documents do not arrive at the school by the specified deadline, the screening process may be delayed. After completing the online application procedures, please promptly submit the required documents by mail or in person.

Course Category Three-Year Program
● Graphic Design Course
● Illustration Course
● Living Design Course
● Game Creator Course
Two-Year Program
● Comic Illustration Course
● Comic Course
● Movie & Photograph Course
● Miscellaneous Goods &
   Accessories Design Course
Tuition Category
Admission Fee (one-time payment at enrollment) 180,000 yen 180,000 yen
Tuition (annual amount) 700,000 yen 700,000 yen
Practical Training Fee (annual amount) 110,000 yen 110,000 yen
Facilities Fee (annual amount) 160,000 yen 160,000 yen
Total Payment for the First Academic Year 1,150,000 yen 1,150,000 yen
Payment for the Second Academic Year 970,000 yen 970,000 yen
Payment for the Third Academic Year 970,000 yen -

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In addition to the tuition and fees listed above, “Other Expenses” are also required.

  • In principle, tuition and fees must be paid in a lump sum for one academic year. However, tuition fees alone may be paid in two installments within the academic year.
  • Details regarding tuition and fees may be subject to change during enrollment.

Overseas Study Trip Savings Fund

Both three-year and two-year programs include an overseas study trip in the second academic year. Participation fees are collected through a two-installment savings system. Payments are made at < 1 > enrollment and < 2 > during second-year tuition payment. Additional fees may apply depending on the destination.

Total Savings Amount

250,000 yen (< 1 > 150,000 yen < 2 > 100,000 yen)

Health Management Fee

This fee covers health checkups and student group insurance (including academic expense coverage). Please refer to the application guidelines after requesting materials for details of insurance coverage. Payments are 20,000 yen at enrollment and 20,000 yen with tuition payment each academic year.

Graduation-Related Fees (final academic year only)

These fees cover operating expenses for the graduation exhibition, graduation ceremony, and related events.
For three-year programs, 30,000 yen is required during the third-year tuition payment.
For two-year programs, 30,000 yen is required during the second-year tuition payment.

Alumni Association Fee (final academic year only)

This fee is used to support the operation of the alumni association (which aims to promote friendship among current students and graduates). The alumni association fee is 10,000 yen as a lifetime membership fee.

Teaching Materials Purchase Costs

< 1 > Analog materials and < 2 > digital materials vary depending on the department.

< 1 > Analog materials

(*Required materials will be purchased during the materials guidance session held in April after enrollment.)
Taking educational effectiveness into consideration, the curriculum is reviewed each year and students are required to purchase the necessary materials.

The amounts below are reference prices for analog materials (including textbooks) for students enrolling in April 2026. Students who already own designmaterials are required to purchase only the items they lack.

In addition, actual expenses of approximately 2,000 to 5,000 yen per month are required for art supplies used in regular classes and for off-campus study expenses (transportation, admission fees, etc.).

Course Name Fees
Three-year
programs
Graphic Design Course Approximately 75,000 yen to 102,000 yen
Illustration Course ★☆
Living Design Course
Game Creator Course
Two-year
programs
Comic Illustrator Course ★☆ Approximately 70,000 yen to 98,000 yen
Comic Course
Movie & Photograph Course
Miscellaneous Goods
& Accessories Design Course

< 2 > Digital materials

(*Purchases will be made online from January 2027 onward.) Students are required to purchase a laptop computer and software. Students who already own a laptop computer that can be used for classes do not need to make a purchase. Students who have completed the enrollment procedures will receive printed materials explaining digital teaching material purchases around January 2027 before enrollment. After reviewing the digital materials purchase guide, students will make their purchases through the school’s designated online store for digital materials.

Departments marked with ★ above recommend a MacBook Pro (approximately 330,000 yen to 420,000 yen). (*Includes the cost of software such as Adobe)

Departments marked with ☆ above recommend a Windows computer (approximately 240,000 yen to 500,000 yen). (*Includes the cost of software such as Adobe)

Tuition Payment at Enrollment

Enrollment Procedures

Please make the payment by the specified deadline in accordance with the acceptance letter and the payment instructions. The payment deadline varies depending on the web application period. An admission permit will be issued after payment is confirmed.

Tuition Payment by Bank Transfer

Tuition payments must be made at a bank using the school’s designated bank transfer form. The receipt portion of the bank transfer form will serve as the official receipt issued by the school, so please keep it in a safe place. Applicants who wish to use online banking or remit tuition directly from overseas must contact the school in advance.

Revocation of Admission Offer

If tuition payment is not completed by the deadline, the acceptance letter will become invalid and the applicant will be regarded as having declined admission. Applicants with special circumstances must notify the school of the reason by the payment deadline after receiving the acceptance letter.

Applicants scheduled for enrollment (those who have paid tuition) who wish to decline admission due to unavoidable circumstances and request a refund of paid tuition (excluding the amount equivalent to the admission fee) must notify the administrative office in writing by March 31, 2027 (must arrive by this date), stating the reason for withdrawal on a sheet of paper of the applicant's choice, including the signatures and seals of both the applicant and their guardian. Applicants accepted under various scholarship programs or tuition assistance programs (who have paid tuition) who withdraw from enrollment and request a refund of paid tuition will be refunded the amount paid minus the amount equivalent to the admission fee, following the same procedures described above.

Contact Information

Nippon Designers School Kyushu College
4-18-6 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, 812-0011
TEL 092-411-6420 FAX 092-441-6965