UPDATE | January 22, 2026
This is Basic information for international students considering whether to go on to a "Professional Training College" or "other educational institution (school, etc.)." Check the characteristics of Japanese Professional Training College and miscellaneous schools and start preparing for your next education.
table of contents
"Professional Training College (specialized courses at vocational schools)" (hereinafter referred to as "Professional Training College") are schools approved by the government, and students can obtain a "Diploma" or "Advanced Diploma" upon graduation.
On the other hand, unaccredited "other educational institutions (schools, etc.)" are not generally recognized as educational qualifications, but are characterized by their flexible and unique education.
Please read the information below to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option and use it to help you choose your career path.
| item | Professional Training College (specialized course at a vocational school) | Other educational institutions (schools, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis and authorization | Yes | × |
| Approved by the prefectural governor as a vocational school based on the School Education Act | No official license (privately operated) | |
| Educational background and titles | Yes | × |
|
① "Diploma": ② "Advanced Diploma": |
As a general rule, it will not be recognized as academic qualification (a certificate of completion will be issued). | |
| Educational content | Practical and specialized education aimed at employment in specific fields | Specializing in acquiring specific skills, improving language skills, and obtaining qualifications (e.g., Japanese language, driver's license, programming, design, etc.) |
[PR]
Professional Training College is a type of higher education institution that offers "specialized courses" in which students can study specific specialized fields, and is a "specialized training college" as defined by the School Education Act.
They are approved by the prefectural governor and are subject to strict public installation standards.
The purpose of these programs is to acquire advanced knowledge and skills directly related to a career in a specific specialized field (industry, agriculture, medicine, hygiene, education, social welfare, business practice, fashion and home economics, culture and liberal arts), and the length of study varies from one to four years.
Upon completing a course that meets certain requirements, students will be awarded the title of "Diploma" or "Advanced Diploma" (graduation qualification).
・Requirements
The course must be completed in two years or more, with a total of 1,700 hours of class time (62 credits) or more, and grades must be evaluated through exams, etc., and completion of the course must be certified based on that evaluation.
・Requirements
The course must be completed in four years or more; the number of class hours must be 3,400 hours or more (124 credits); the curriculum must be systematically organized; and grades must be evaluated through exams, etc., and completion of the course must be certified based on that evaluation.
These are educational facilities run by private companies or individuals that have not received official approval under the School Education Act. This includes "unlicensed schools," "private schools," "preparatory schools," and "vocational training schools."
As a general rule, even if you complete the course, it will not be recognized as "academic history."
This website lists "other educational institutions (schools, etc.)" that meet our company's standards below.
①Study period: The course duration is one year or more.
② Number of class hours: 450 hours or more per year
③School building: An educational institution with classrooms and school buildings
④Educational institutions that have been open for more than three years
⑤Educational institutions with a track record of producing graduates and finding employment
⑥Corporation
We would appreciate it if you could help international students understand the type of school they are applying to so that there are no misunderstandings.
We have set certain standards for the information we post on this website, with the aim of accurately describing the differences between "Professional Training College" and "other educational institutions (schools, etc.)."
"Other educational institutions (schools, etc.)" offer learning under different establishment standards and educational positioning than "Professional Training College," and there may be conditions such as not being recognized as academic qualifications, but if you select them after correctly understanding the educational content and objectives, they can be an effective career path for international students.
However, because each of these educational institutions has different educational content and management structures, when posting information about further education on this website, we check and verify the content individually before deciding whether or not to post it.
アクセス日本留学Editorial Department.アクセス日本留学" where foreign students can request materials to find Japanese schools, and hold "advancement information sessions for foreign students".
[PR]
[PR]
January 22, 2026
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