international For International Students

Study overseas at NDS!
Study graphics, illustration, manga, animation in Japan.

Here at NDS, we actively welcome students from various countries and areas.
We will introduce some features of our school, what merits there are for international students studying here, and how we can support you to study comfortably in Japan.

About international Students

List of Nationalities

Post-graduate Paths of International Students

International Students FAQ

Q1　Is it possible to apply for a Student Visa?

International students currently enrolled in a Japanese language school are able to extend their visa. International students who currently reside outside of Japan will be able to apply for a Student Visa after being admitted to the school.

Q2　About changing visa status to Working Visa

We are in partnership with Human Power, a career placement and recruiting company specializing in non-Japanese nationals.

Q3　What are the contents of the entrance exam?

The entrance exam consists of an interview and Japanese written test.
(60 minutes, Level 2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT))

Q4　Are there any teachers who are in charge of international students?

Yes! They will offer you friendly advice from living in Japan to your post-graduate path.

Q5　Please tell me about academic fees.

Fees differ depending on the course, so please refer to the Fees page

Q6　What about the post-graduate paths for those who took the Manga Course?

There is an aspect of difficulty in obtaining a visa for individual artists, therefore, we offer support in providing an environment for international students to actively work in Japan by introducing employment in Japanese companies when international students wish to draw in Japan. There are some students return to and write from their home countries.

Q7　Do you have a dormitory?

We are able to refer you to dormitories being in partnership with Kyoritsu International Foundation (Kyoritsu Maintenance).

Q8　Do you offer any scholarships?

★Scholarship for International Students

Eligibility

Applicants who wish to study at this school from April 2026 under a “Student” visa status.

Grant Amount

JPY100,000

Tuition Exemption

Reduction of the amount of grant from first year tuition

Selection Process

Successful applicants will need to score over 85 points in the Admissions Examination (Japanese written test) and will be determined after an overall assessment including an interview.

*It is possible to apply in addition to other scholarships.

Admissions Process for International Students

Applying from within Japan

Eligibility for Applicants

1. Applicants must have over 12 years of education (equivalent to completion of senior high school in Japan).
2. Applicants must have a clear purpose for studying in Japan and have the strong will to acquire the knowledge and technical skills in a specialized field.
3. Applicants must have studied Japanese at a Japanese language school for over 1 year, or must be students registered at an academic institution such as a university and hold satisfactory academic results and attendance.
4. Applicants must have achieved over Level 2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) (scored over 400 points in the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test), or have scored over 200 points in the subject of Japanese as a Foreign Language in the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), or have a level of Japanese proficiency equivalent to the above.(*Applicants satisfying either 3 or 4)
5. Applicants must be able to obtain or extend their entry visa (Student Visa for education at a Japanese language school) by the end of March 2026.
6. Applicants must be in both good physical and mental health, without any diseases or illnesses including any infectious diseases designated by law.

Application Documents

1. Online Application
2. Admissions Screening Material [Essay]
3. Recommendation
   • Japanese Language School Recommendation Admissions (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants.
   • Self Recommendation Admissions (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants.
   • Designated School Recommendation Admissions: Please contact the Admissions Office for details.
4. Letter of Recommendation*Self Recommendation Admissions
   • (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants (form provided)
5. Certificate of graduation from the final education institute in home country (diploma accepted)
   • *Please enclose an English or Japanese translation. The format is unrestricted but the document must be signed by a person other than the applicant (listed on the certificate).
6. Score certificate of the Examination for Business Japanese Proficiency Test（BJT）
7. Guarantee [emergency contact in Japan]
8. Admissions Examination Fee: JPY20,000
   (Only required for those applying for general admissions. ）

Application Method and Period

AO Admissions Applicants	*For those applying through AO Admissions, please submit application according to theAO Admissions Entry schedule.
Japanese Language School Recommendation Admissions Applicants	2025/9/1-2026/2/28
Self Recommendation Admissions Applicants	2025/9/1-2026/2/28
Designated School Recommendation Admissions Applicants	1 Sptember 2025 ～The application will be closed as soon as the number of applicants for the Japanese language school reaches the limit.
General Admissions Applicants	1 Sptember 2025 ～The application will be closed as soon as the number of applicants reaches the limit.

Selection Process

Selection Process	First Round Screening: Screening of application materials
	Second Round Screening: Japanese written test and interview in person *The examination date will be directly notified to applicants who have passed the first round screening.

Announcement of Results

Written notification will be sent to the applicant after the second round screening.

Applying from Overseas

Eligibility for Applicants

1. Applicants must have over 12 years of education (equivalent to completion of senior high school in Japan).
2. Applicants must have a clear purpose for studying in Japan and have the strong will to acquire the knowledge and technical skills in a specialized field.
3. Applicants must have studied Japanese at a Japanese language school for over 1 year in the past, and have achieved over Level 2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) (scored over 400 points in the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test), or have scored over 200 points in the subject of Japanese as a Foreign Language in the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
4. Applicants must be in both good physical and mental health, without any diseases or illnesses including any infectious diseases designated by law.

Application Documents

1. Online Application
2. Admissions Screening Material [Essay]
3. Recommendation
   • Japanese Language School Recommendation Admissions (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants.
   • Self Recommendation Admissions (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants.
   • Designated School Recommendation Admissions: Please contact the Admissions Office for details.
4. Letter of Recommendation*Self Recommendation Admissions
   • (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants (form provided)
5. Certificate of graduation from the final education institute in home country (diploma accepted)
   • *Please enclose an English or Japanese translation. The format is unrestricted but the document must be signed by a person other than the applicant (listed on the certificate).
6. Score certificate of the Examination for Business Japanese Proficiency Test（BJT）
7. Guarantee [emergency contact in Japan]
8. Admissions Examination Fee: JPY20,000
   (Only required for those applying for general admissions. ）

Application Method and Period

AO Admissions Applicants	*For those applying through AO Admissions, please submit application according to theAO Admissions Entry schedule.
Self Recommendation Admissions Applicants	September 2025 to be received no later than 30 November 2025
General Admissions Applicants	September 2025 to be received no later than 30 November 2025

Selection Process

Selection Process	First Round Screening: Screening of application materials
	Second Round Screening: Japanese written test and interview in person *The examination date will be directly notified to applicants who have passed the first round screening.

Important Notice:If selected for a different scholarship, the higher grant will take priority.

Announcement of Results

Written notification will be sent to the applicant after the second round screening.

Scholarship for International Students

To reduce the economical burdens of international students studying in Japan, we have set up a special scholarship system for international students.

Grant Amount	JPY100,000
Eligibility	Applicants who wish to study at this school from April 2026 under a “Student” visa status.
Selection Process	Successful applicants will need to score over 85 points in the Admissions Examination (Japanese written test) and will be determined after an overall assessment including an interview.
Tuition Exemption	Reduction of the amount of grant from first year tuition

Important Notice:If selected for a different scholarship, the higher grant will take priority.