Hello. I’m interested if it is legal to be student of 2 universities at once in Japan. I’m now preparing to become a student of Japanese university (I’m already living in the university’s dorm and attending some classes) and I’m still a student of university in my country and I want to finish it in a year. Entering a Japanese university wasn’t planned, it’s because they provide a help for Ukrainian refugees like me. I’m a 3 year student in Ukraine and I have only 1 year left to finish it and it’s very sad for me to complete 75% of my study, especially on only “A” marks, and just drop out. I can’t study in my Ukrainian university normally, because it’s damaged and I just do my homework online to get marks, we don’t have lectures and etc., so it’s more formal education now. That’s why I enrolled in Japanese university – to really get education. But still, the time of 3 years in Ukraine are really offensive to throw out.
UPD: administration of the Japanese university said me, that there is a law about it and I will have problems to legally enroll to their university. That’s why I’m asking.
9 comments
I feel sorry for what happened to your university and your country.
Answering your question, there is no law that prohibits students from attending more than one university at the same time in Japan, so it’s not illegal. I am a university student here, and I know other foreigners who came here as university students and were still attending to university in their home country because COVID allowed then to get their degree while doing everything online.
However, every university has their own regulations, and many universities prohibit this, what is called 二重学籍 (double school register, roughly translating), so I guess there would be a penalty if anyone finds out, or they would at least ask you to give up immediately on one of the schools.
My honest question is, how much of your time do you have to spend on doing the assignments of your Ukrainian university? Wouldn’t you have to do a graduation thesis? Depending on what university you’re studying on and what’s your major, you probably won’t even have time to participate in clubs/circles nor do part-time jobs, so think about it.
Should not really be a problem. There are exchange students who still study at their home university and at the guest university at the same time. I guess nobody will care
I think no one cares as long as you pay your tuition.
No one cares. It’s part of the clause of accepting you with free tuition, and some board member of university included this clause to limit any potential abuse of this offer. Purpose is to cover their asses, just in case.
I came to Japan for an exchange program, spending 3 semesters here. My university back at home did not accept any these credits, so I went back to Japan, transferring to one of Tokyo universities – the result – I graduated with BA two years later than was supposed to. Best part, my home university ended up amending their policy and accepting credits a year later after I left, so joke’s on me.
As long as you keep it to yourself, and can perform for both, don’t let some stupid policies affect your goals.
No one will care unless you start asking people at your university about it.
If you start asking a bunch of people at your university about it they might feel the need to get together and have some sort of meeting (probably a series of meetings…) and make a “decision” about your situation. That decision could very well be “not allowed” because in Japan the default is to say “no” unless there is a very clear reason to say anything else.
So just keep doing what you’re doing and don’t say too much about it. You’ll be absolutely fine.
Welcome to Japan! Слава Україні!
Two universities in two different countries shouldn’t be a problem — especially if there’s no reciprocal agreement when it comes to credit transfers.
That being said, because of the credit issue, are you prepared to throw away three years and start all over again in Japan for your degree or are you just willing to audit your classes?
If you’re degree seeking you’re going to be forced to start from scratch, whereas you only have a year left at your home university.
These are honestly questions you should be asking your Ukrainian university as to the right course of action.
Otherwise, you’ll be resetting the clock with the Japanese university.
I work for the program for the Ukrainian refugees and I’m pretty sure you’re here on a special student visa under special rules. While it’s not illegal for “normal” ryugakusei, in your case you probably have to be loyal to one university if you study for free here. That’s the case of my students.
The post title is a bit confusing, I thought it was about studying in two Japanese universities simultaneously.
The best option is to transfer from your home uni to the Japanese uni. Ukraine is a member of the Bologna process, which means, effectively your studies are valued same as any other EU university(*). So, just like any EU student, get a transcript of your studies, apply to your chosen Japanese uni, you may have to take entrance exams.
(*) Japan is not a member ofc; they have been observing blah blah and participated policy forums blah blah; it practice, the Japanese uni is allowed to view your uni as better or worse than another EU uni. Please check if there’s a special fast track application for someone in your situation. If a given uni doesn’t have it, some other uni may.
Another option is to go on a sabbatical in your home uni, and study in the Japanese uni. Hopefully you can go back soon and have your Japanese credits transferred to your home uni.
A third option is to do nothing about your home uni and just study here in Japan, kinda don’t ask, don’t tell arrangement. Should be just fine. I doubt there’s a law against attending multiple higher education institutions. The local uni must have some internal rules. Frankly they need to bend them for you and your compatriots.
Hey OP, it is not illegal to study in two universities. But since you will getting a full ride scholarship you should check with the university or entity that is giving you the scholarship. They may have their own rules and requirement, and could take away the scholarship if you don’t follow them.
Also if possible you should ask about transferring credits (basically you would be unenrolling from Ukrainian university to enroll in a Japanese university) so that you can finish your education in Japan. Maybe not all credits are transferrable but at least 3 years wouldn’t go to waste.
You might need to get paperwork from your original university such as a transcript (courses taken / grades / number of credits)