The SILAC programs are extension courses (continuing education programs) and as such are not formally academic programs. However students do need to have a high level of motivation to learn Japanese. Most students are either graduates or university/college students, although this is not a minimum entry requirement. (Please note that for all Yamasa Institute courses, a degree is preferred, but not essential.)

As an absolute minimum:

1) Applicants must have a minimum of 11 years of full-time education in their native country or have a diploma equivalent to a Japanese senior high school diploma.

2) It is usually possible for you to start the SILAC program on a tourist visa when you are 17 (subject to the condition 1), and then transfer to the student visa after your 18th birthday. There is some bureaucracy involved, so for full details please contact admissions@yamasa.org as soon as possible.

3) As a general rule students need to be 18 years and over. If you are not going to be 18 at the time of the program commencement please contact the Director of the International Office, Mr Declan Murphy at admissions@yamasa.org to seek a waiver.

It is not a pre-requisite but it is helpful if you have some experience of studying Japanese or a foreign language before.

Citizens of certain countries will need to find guarantors. Please check the Visa Requirements section to see if this applies to you.