For International Students
Study overseas at NDS!
Study graphics, illustration, manga, interior design 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.
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.
Because we offer personal guidance
You can find a job at a Japanese company
10% of the total are international students
Your Japanese language skills will improve!
Patnership with Human Power
Reliable support structure
About international Students
List of Nationalities
Korea
Taiwan
China
Indonesia
Vietnam
Italy
Hong Kong
Canada
Sweden
Thailand
Brazil
England
Switzerland
Kyrgyzstan
Russia
Mongolia
Malaysia
Post-graduate Paths of International Students
EmploymentMany international students active in Japanese companies!
Miroku Webcash International CO., LTD.
AMD ltd.
DMM.com LLC
ARUZE GAMING TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
Lexis Creative Inc.
Wingood Co., Ltd.
STUDIO55 INC.
Manga Designers Lab. Co., Ltd.
SPICEWORKS CO., LTD
Bakudan Co., Ltd.
NIKIart Inc.
RADIAN inc.
DebutsMany active international students who studied manga at NDS!
Running Series: "Megumi no ren-ai jikenbo" [Megumi's Romance Case Files], comico PLUS web version
Awarded: Wings Comic Ecole No. 205 (Shinshokan), Encouragement Award
Published: Comics "Bear No. 77" (Sharp Point Press, Taiwan)
Awarded: The 476th BetsuFure Manga Seminar (Kodansha), A Class
Featured: "Campus Dwellers without borders," Club Sunday (Shogakukan)
Awarded: The 26th GX Newcomer's Award (Shogakukan), Honorable Mention Award
Featured: "WE ARE THE WORLD Part 1," The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun
Awarded: The 75th YC Comic Awards (Akita Shoten), Encouragement Award
Featured: Manga sketching book "Manga portrait sketching techniques"
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))
(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.
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 2025 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 recognized by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education for over 6 months, 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 2025.
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.Admissions Application Form (form provided)
2.Admissions Screening Material [Essay] (form provided) Only required for applicants applying for admissions on recommendation or general admissions
3.Certificate of Eligibility for Application (Please cut and enclose "For submission upon application")
4.Letter of Recommendation
*Japanese Language School Recommendation Admissions (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants (form provided)
*Self Recommendation Admissions (Letter of Recommendation) for accredited applicants (form provided)
*Designated School Recommendation Admissions: Please contact the Admissions Office for details.
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.Passport/Residence Card
*You may present them when you apply in person, or, if you are applying by post, please attach a copy showing all registered fields.
7.Submit all the following applicable documents (must be originals, however, (2) and (3) will be returned at a later date).
(1)Academic transcript issued by your Japanese language school (including attendance) *Keep sealed. Invalid if opened.
(2)Certificate of Level 2 or above of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
(3)Score certificate of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
8.Letter of Guarantee [emergency contact in Japan] (form provided)
*Limited to relatives, friends or Japanese language school instructors etc., who currently reside in Japan and can be reached at time of emergencies.
9.Admissions Examination Fee: JPY20,000
(Only required for those applying for general admissions. Please use the designated examination fee bank transfer form included in the Application Guidebook and settle payment via bank transfer. Please ensure submission of the transfer payment receipt.)
(Only required for those applying for general admissions. Please use the designated examination fee bank transfer form included in the Application Guidebook and settle payment via bank transfer. Please ensure submission of the transfer payment receipt.)
*The address of the applicant at the time of application must be entered correctly, including the name of the building and room number if applicable.
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 | 2024/9/1-2025/2/28 |
| Self Recommendation Admissions Applicants | 2024/9/1-2025/2/28 |
| Designated School Recommendation Admissions Applicants | 1 Sptember 2024 ～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 2024 ～The application will be closed as soon as the number of applicants reaches the limit. |
*Applicants requesting scholarship
For international students who wish to request for scholarship, we accept applications forscholarship (new students).
For international students who wish to request for scholarship, we accept applications forscholarship (new students).
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. |
*Applicants for AO admissions will be notified of the interview date after the entry sheet has been submitted. For details on the schedule, please refer to the "AO Admissions Guidelines."
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 recognized by the Association for the Promotion of Japanese Language Education for over 6 months 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.Admissions Application Form (form provided)
2.Admissions Screening Material [Essay] (form provided)
3.Certificate of Eligibility for Application
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.Passport copy (please copy all pages containing registered personal information.)
7.Submit all the following applicable documents (must be originals, however, (2) and (3) will be returned at a later date).
(1)Academic transcript issued by your Japanese language school (including attendance) *Keep sealed. Invalid if opened.
(2)Certificate of Level 2 or above of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test
(3)Score certificate of the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
8.Letter of Guarantee [emergency contact in Japan] (form provided)
*Limited to relatives, friends or Japanese language school instructors etc., who currently reside in Japan and can be reached at time of emergencies.
9.Entry Visa (Student Visa) Application Material (format provided and will be sent from the school)
10.Admissions Examination Fee: JPY20,000
(Only required for those applying for general admissions.)
(Only required for those applying for general admissions.)
*Please give prior notice to the Admissions Office if examination fees will be transferred directly from overseas.
*Please note that handling fees (to be borne by the applicant) will be charged for both sending and receiving banks upon transfer.
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 | 1 Sptember 2024 to be received no later than 30 November 2024 |
| General Admissions Applicants | 1 Sptember 2024 to be received no later than 30 November 2024 |
*Due to the requirement of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau that the application for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) be submitted by the end of December, please submit application at the earliest possible time.
*Applicants requesting scholarship
For international students who wish to request for scholarship, we accept applications forscholarship (new students).
For international students who wish to request for scholarship, we accept applications forscholarship (new students).
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 2025 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.