Graduate study in AI / Machine Learning at Nara Institute of Science and Technology for April 2027 entry. Master's programs run 2 years; PhD programs add 3 more years. Both Japanese-taught and English-taught options are available depending on the specific lab and supervisor.
About Nara Institute of Science and Technology
Graduate-only research institute, 20% international students, English-taught Information Science / Biological Sciences / Materials Science. See the full Nara Institute of Science and Technology profile.
Language of instruction
Nara Institute of Science and Technology offers English-track options in AI / Machine Learning. Application requires TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ (90+/7.0+ for OIST and the highest-tier programs). JLPT is not required for English-taught programs but is appreciated.
Admissions requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field with strong GPA
- TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ (English programs); native-English-medium degree often exempt
- JLPT N2 or N1 for Japanese-taught programs
- Research plan — 2-page document; the most important application document. See our annotated sample.
- Two academic recommendations — see our template guide.
- Entrance exam for Japanese-taught programs (typically August or February); document review + Zoom interview for English-track
Tuition and scholarships
Nara Institute of Science and Technology is a national university with standard tuition of ¥535,800/year for graduate study. Tuition waivers of 50-100% are common for international students based on academic merit and financial need.
- MEXT scholarship: covers tuition + ¥1.7M/year stipend + airfare
- JASSO Honors Scholarship: ¥48-80K/month after enrollment
- Honjo International: ¥150K/month for 3 years
- University-internal scholarships: see the Nara Institute of Science and Technology page for specifics
- For all options: scholarships hub
How to apply for 2027 entry
- October 2025 — January 2026: Identify a target lab + professor at Nara Institute of Science and Technology. Read recent papers.
- January — April 2026: Email the professor 6-12 months before application deadline.
- April — July 2026: Take JLPT (December 2025 or July 2026) and TOEFL/IELTS.
- July — September 2026: Submit application materials (varies by program — check specific deadlines).
- August 2026 / February 2027: Entrance exam (Japanese-taught) or document review + interview (English).
- September — December 2026: Results announced.
- January — March 2027: COE issued, visa stamp at embassy.
- April 2027: Arrival in Japan.
For the full timeline applicable to all Japanese graduate schools, see our application timeline guide.
Career outcomes
Graduates from AI / Machine Learning programs at Nara Institute of Science and Technology pursue careers across industry research, academia, and entrepreneurship. Common outcomes include positions at Japanese tech companies (Sony, Hitachi, NTT, Toyota, Preferred Networks), foreign tech companies in Japan, faculty positions at Japanese and international universities, and startups. Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa accelerates the path to permanent residency for high-earning graduates.
Bottom line
AI / Machine Learning graduate study at Nara Institute of Science and Technology offers English-track and Japanese-track options. Combined with MEXT or a foundation scholarship plus tuition waiver, most international students complete their degree at zero out-of-pocket cost. For comparison with other universities offering the same field, see the related programs below.