The course
A pathway course for international students.
Japanese as the foundation, and preparation for entry to a Japanese university, graduate school or vocational college. There are three intakes a year — April, July and October — each with a different course length. Classes run Monday to Friday, in either a morning or an afternoon group.
Formal eligibility, required documents, deadlines and costs are governed by the 2027 Admissions Guide (PDF, Japanese). This page is here so you can see the shape of the process.
Intakes
Three ways to start in 2027.
April 2027
2 years
Apply: 1 Aug – 30 Sep 2026
Entry level: around CEFR A1
July 2027
1 year 9 months
Apply: 1 Dec 2026 – 30 Jan 2027
Entry level: around CEFR A1
October 2027
1 year 6 months
Apply: 1 Feb – 30 Mar 2027
Entry level: around CEFR A2
The entry levels shown are for general admission. Scholarship applicants are held to a higher standard (around CEFR A2 for April and July, B1 for October), and the required score on our placement test differs by intake. See the admissions guide for details.
Eligibility
What you'll need to meet.
- Twelve or more years of school education, and aged 18 or over on entry to Japan
- A clearly established address for your parent or guardian at home, with a household able to support your study abroad
- Able to adapt to studying in Japan
- Able to demonstrate that the cost of study, including living costs in Japan, can be met
- In good enough health to study, and free of tuberculosis and similar infectious disease
- Willing to undertake to follow the school's regulations
- Permitted, or likely to be permitted, to enter Japan through proper procedures
If you're not sure whether you qualify, ask us anyway and we'll check it with you.
The process
From enquiry to first class.
At each stage it is clear who decides what.
Talk to us first
Ask us anything before you decide, in your own language if you prefer. Students, families, financial supporters and partner organisations are all welcome.
Submit your documents
Within the application period, you or your guarantor submit the documents; from outside Japan, by post. If you're unsure how to complete something, we'll walk you through it.
Document screening
We review what you submitted, and come back to you if anything is missing or unclear.
Level test and interview
You take FLA's own online Japanese placement test, then we hold an interview (online is fine). We want to hear in your own words why you want to study here.
Payment of the admission fee
After acceptance, the school issues an invoice for payment to the designated account.
Certificate of Eligibility
The school applies to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau. The decision rests with the government, not the school, and we cannot guarantee it will be issued.
Tuition payment and certificate
Once it is issued the school invoices you; after payment is confirmed, you receive the certificate.
Visa application
You apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country; check required documents with them directly.
Arrival, enrolment, placement test
Arrive at least six days before classes begin. We meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation, then a placement test decides your class.
Documents
What to prepare.
From you
- Four photographs (4cm × 3cm, taken within the last three months)
- A copy of your passport
- Application form (please write your reasons for studying in detail)
- Graduation certificate or diploma from your most recent school (original)
- Academic transcript from that school
- Evidence of Japanese ability and study hours (if applicable)
- Certificate of employment (if applicable)
From your financial supporter
- Statement of financial support
- Proof of relationship to you (normally a relative within the third degree of kinship)
- Bank balance certificate
- Bank transaction records for the last three years, or proof of how the funds were formed
- Proof of occupation and tax certificates, among others
Required documents differ depending on whether your supporter lives outside Japan, inside Japan, or whether you fund yourself. Documents in other languages need a Japanese translation. The above is the minimum; we may ask for more, and if something cannot be obtained, please talk to us. Full details are in the admissions guide.
What we take responsibility for.
What we do
- Explain each procedure until it makes sense to you
- Keep your family, financial supporter and partner organisation informed
- Go through the rules and everyday manners of life in Japan before you travel
- Stay with you after arrival, from setting up your life through to your next step
What we say honestly
- We cannot guarantee that residence status or a visa will be granted
- We cannot promise a particular school or job afterwards
- We will not tell you part-time work alone covers tuition and living costs
- We will not answer as if certain about something we cannot verify
Downloads and contact
Documents.
Contact: info@fla.ac.jp / +81-776-89-1017 (weekdays 9:00–17:00 JST). We reply within one business day as a rule.
Applications are received at: Fukui Language Academy (c/o Global Link Co., Ltd.), 1-1-2 Sugaya, Fukui City 910-0034 — Mon–Fri 9:00–17:00, TEL +81-776-50-1620
Contact
Talk to us
Tell us your name, how to reach you, and where you are now. If you would prefer to talk in your own language, just say so.
Start with whatever you don't understand.
Eligibility, cost, housing, life after arrival — any stage, any question.