INI

Education, Academic Degrees and Qualifications - INI

The Japanese Educational Qualifications Framework is a system of degrees, titles, and qualifications established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on the School Education Act. It includes degrees such as Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees, as well as titles such as Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Associate, obtainable at higher education institutions (universities, junior colleges, colleges of technology, and specialized training colleges). These qualifications serve as important academic credentials that significantly impact educational advancement, employment, and social standing.

education academic degree qualification bachelor master doctor diploma advanced diploma MEXT Japanese education system

[item.doctoral-degree]
code=L8
slug=doctoral-degree
name=Doctoral Degree
description=The highest degree awarded upon completion of a doctoral program at graduate school.
awardingInstitution=Universities with graduate schools, NIAD-QE
category=Degree
credits=30単位以上
duration=5 years (or 3 years after Master's)
level=8

[item.masters-degree]
code=L7
slug=masters-degree
name=Master's Degree
description=A degree awarded upon completion of a master's program at graduate school.
awardingInstitution=Universities with graduate schools, NIAD-QE
category=Degree
credits=30単位以上
duration=2 years
level=7

[item.professional-masters-degree]
code=L7-P
slug=professional-masters-degree
name=Professional Master's Degree
description=A professional degree awarded upon completion of a professional graduate school program.
awardingInstitution=Universities with professional graduate schools
category=Professional Degree
credits=30単位以上
duration=2 years
level=7

[item.master-of-education]
code=L7-ED
slug=master-of-education
name=Master of Education (Professional)
description=A professional degree awarded upon completion of a graduate school of education program.
awardingInstitution=Universities with graduate schools of education
category=Professional Degree
credits=45単位以上
duration=2 years
level=7

[item.juris-doctor]
code=L7-JD
slug=juris-doctor
name=Juris Doctor
description=A professional degree awarded upon completion of a graduate law school program.
awardingInstitution=Universities with graduate law schools
category=Professional Degree
credits=93単位以上
duration=3 years
level=7

[item.bachelors-degree]
code=L6
slug=bachelors-degree
name=Bachelor's Degree
description=A degree awarded to those who graduate from an undergraduate program at university.
awardingInstitution=Universities, NIAD-QE
category=Degree
credits=124単位以上（医学・歯学：188単位、獣医学：182単位、薬学：186単位）
duration=4 years (6 years for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Pharmacy)
level=6

[item.professional-bachelors-degree]
code=L6-P
slug=professional-bachelors-degree
name=Bachelor's Degree (Professional)
description=A degree awarded upon completion of a professional and vocational university program.
awardingInstitution=Professional and vocational universities
category=Professional Degree
credits=124単位以上
duration=4 years
level=6

[item.advanced-diploma]
code=L6-A
slug=advanced-diploma
name=Advanced Diploma
description=A title awarded upon completion of a specialized training college program (4+ years).
awardingInstitution=Specialized training colleges
category=Title
credits=3,400時間以上または124単位以上
duration=4+ years
level=6

[item.associate-degree]
code=L5-JC
slug=associate-degree
name=Associate Degree
description=A degree awarded to those who graduate from a junior college.
awardingInstitution=Junior colleges
category=Degree
credits=2年課程：62単位以上、3年課程：93単位以上
duration=2 or 3 years
level=5

[item.professional-associate-degree]
code=L5-JCP
slug=professional-associate-degree
name=Associate Degree (Professional)
description=A degree awarded upon completion of a professional and vocational junior college or the first term of a professional and vocational university.
awardingInstitution=Professional and vocational junior colleges, professional and vocational universities
category=Professional Degree
credits=2年課程：62単位以上、3年課程：93単位以上
duration=2 or 3 years
level=5

[item.associate-kosen]
code=L5-K
slug=associate-kosen
name=Associate (KOSEN)
description=A title awarded upon graduation from a College of Technology (KOSEN).
awardingInstitution=Colleges of Technology (KOSEN)
category=Title
credits=課程修了により認定
duration=5 years (5.5 years for maritime navigation)
level=5

[item.diploma]
code=L5-S
slug=diploma
name=Diploma
description=A title awarded upon completion of a specialized training college program (2+ years).
awardingInstitution=Specialized training colleges
category=Title
credits=1,700時間以上または62単位以上
duration=2+ years
level=5