I’m 21, and looking to study at a language school for 12 months, after 18 months or so of 2hrs a day self study. This would mean high n2, potentially passing n1 by the end of the 12 months at a language school.
I want to apply for an English taught undergraduate course in international relations or business/management but due to.. mh issues on my part that are almost completely resolved, my grades in all but two subjects (business & maths, both B) at GCSEs are <25%. I then dropped out of alevels to work on myself & studied an extended diploma in business and got a DDD, equivalent to a ~3.5gpa.
The main reason I want to go to a language school is that I want a qualification and educational history that’s not.. shit. I’ve heard of exceptional students being recommended for JASSO and at the very least being supported through the EJU or equivalent and in scholarship applications.
Key questions –
Could I get admitted into a university with good entrance exams & language school study?
Do Japanese universities recognise lesser known equivalent qualifications, or would my application be thrown out the moment they realise I have no alevels?
Do I have any hope of scholarships?
Edit: Clarified a few things & removed unnecessary paragraph
3 comments
Wait, you’re applying to English-taught programs right? IIRC for English-taught programs EJU is completely optional, and you need A-levels or SAT/AP scores to apply.
Universities generally don’t consider language school to be a qualification for entry, especially if you’re applying for an English-taught program. Language schools don’t actually give out any formal educational qualifications; if you pass a JLPT test that counts, of course, but that’s not something that qualifies for university entry in any way.
Your business diploma might, however, open some doors – especially if you’re applying for a degree in that field. To be honest, there’s a pretty solid chance that most schools will do exactly what you fear; see that you have no A-levels and throw out your application. However, some of them may have seen that kind of diploma before, and if it’s a state-recognised qualification (as opposed to some private / unregulated thing) they may be willing to consider your application. Honestly, you won’t know until you try.
In your position, given what you want to do, my suggestion would be that you take the time and resources you’re presently planning to throw at language school (which won’t open any doors for you at universities here), and put it into getting a qualification universities will actually care about. Retake some A-levels, do an IBac, etc.; get some grades onto your resume which you think reflect your actual abilities, not whatever problems you may have had in the past. Once you’re enrolled in a university here, you’ll be able to take language classes for free alongside your major – so you’ll graduate with a degree _and_ language skills. Under your current plan, the chances are you’ll finish language school and be unable to enrol in a university, so you’ll get some language skills but have no way to remain in the only country where they’re worthwhile – which seems like a pretty risky plan to me.
>Could I get admitted into a university with good entrance exams & language school study?
No, but yes. EJU/language school cannot substitute for A-levels/IB/SAT+AP for English-taught programs. BUT there are some programs that only require high school grades and TOEFL/IELTS scores (which also are often exempt for native speakers of English). Take a look at [Tokyo International University](https://www.tiu.ac.jp/etrack/admissions/docs/application_guideline_2021.pdf), for example. There should be a couple more of such schools if you do your research.
Is it a reputable school? **ABSOLUTELY NOT.** But it still is an accredited university.
>Do Japanese universities recognise lesser known equivalent qualifications, or would my application be thrown out the moment they realise I have no alevels?
Sadly, at most of the solid schools, I’d say yes, they’d totally throw out your application.
>Do I have any hope of scholarships?
Totally depends on the school you get into, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up too high if you’re applying to one of these low-ranked schools.