Overseas University Preparation Course
Your passport from Japan to universities around the world
Two pathways: A-Level, and the University Foundation Course via IELTS
Qualifications and English skills required to enter a university abroad
The minimum English language proficiency required to enter an overseas university is IELTS 6.0 or EIKEN Grade 1 or above. Furthermore, students are required to have a solid command of the four skills at a global level, not just test-prep English.
If you do not have a Cambridge A-Level or Baccalaureate (IB), you cannot directly enter an overseas university after graduating from high school in Japan. You will have to attend a local language school to improve your English skills and then apply for and enroll in a foundation course, which is a preparatory course set up for each university. Because of the enormous cost and time involved, it is common for students around the world to take A-Level or IB. With this qualification, students can apply for admission to universities around the world (e.g. in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada).
Click here for courses to obtain Cambridge A-Level international qualifications.
Features of the Overseas University Preparation Course
Nisai offers a full range of programs that students can start at any grade level. The course is taught by experienced native English-speaking teachers, which means that students can develop not only the English skills needed to enter an overseas university but also essay-writing skills and the abilities needed to be global citizens. Students will also learn to be independent learners as they take part in an overseas-style education.
Nisai has a number of benefits and advantages for students. Along with affordable tuition fees, students can receive an international education while still attending high school in Japan, making English a strong asset in domestic examinations. You can also benefit from career advice and information from tutors. Students can make friends with international students outside the classroom through online clubs and activities, expanding their future options with friends from overseas.
Programs and content for overseas university admission
- Not only to deepen understanding in each subject unit, but it is also important to integrate each subject and to understand it from an interdisciplinary perspective
- Program structure that can develop higher-level thinking skills
For primary school students aiming to enter a university abroad
We recommend taking the NS course, which progressively develops problem-solving, critical thinking, independent research, collaboration, discussion, and presentation skills through six subjects from NS1 to NS3. The skills developed through the NS course will undoubtedly be of great use not only at overseas universities but also at Japanese universities and in the job market.
For middle school students aiming to go on to a university abroad
We recommend taking the IGCSE course, which is considerably more specialized than the NS course. In addition to developing the skills necessary for a global citizen, the course will also develop:
- Critical thinking
- Exploratory learning
- Problem-solving
IGCSE qualifications are also popular internationally, and some universities may give you a positive assessment as an application material.
For high school students aiming to enter a university abroad
For first and second-year high school students, we recommend taking AS & A-Levels, as A-Level qualifications are a great advantage when studying abroad as well as going on to higher education, and English language skills will inevitably increase to IELTS 6.0 or EIKEN Grade 1 or above. For students in their third year (or second year) of high school, we recommend the Booster course, which is a short-term, intensive program to improve your English and progress to the Foundation Course. The English skills developed in the course will also be useful for domestic examinations.
Learning schedule for overseas university entrance
If you start taking the course in the first year of high school, you can also use the qualification for the Japanese university admission.
It is possible to enter an overseas university in the year of graduation if you start the course in the second year of high school.
※Information on each university should be researched in advance, as different universities have different application periods and conditional offer.
A Level study hours (1 subject) Example.
Example: Cambridge A Level qualification course (High School)
| Time | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:45 〜 9:45 | Class | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 2 | 9:55 〜 10:55 | Class | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 3 | 11:05 〜 12:05 | Class | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 4 | 13:05 〜 14:05 | Class | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 5 | 14:15 〜 15:15 | Class | Class | Class | Class | Class |
| 6 | 15:25 〜 16:25 | Class | Class | Class | ||
| After school | 17:00 〜 18:00 | NVA (live lesson) | NVA (live lesson) | NVA (live lesson) |
※For more information, see A-Level courses for high school students
Students can obtain the qualifications and academic levels required for entry to overseas universities.
For AS & A-Level, see High School Courses
Cambridge IELTS Booster Program
Two pathways to university abroad
The program offers blended learning opportunities with live lessons and Units of Sound, an independent learning e-learning program.
This program focuses on improving the four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Learning focuses on topics familiar to students and is taught through public, personal, educational, and vocational contexts. The program is designed to enable learners to achieve an improved level of English language proficiency. The IELTS program provides the equivalent of NOCN's ESOL International Course and CEFR levels. (*CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) These can be studied at Nisai from A1 to C2 levels.
Units of Sound is an independent learning program that learners can study on their own time. It is an online tool to support English language acquisition. It allows learners to learn English by using multiple senses, such as listening, writing, and reading, and the program is automatically customized to suit each student's level of English. As it is a self-directed learning program, learners can work on their listening and vocabulary skills at any time of the day, tailored around the live lessons. Personal training with a trainer is also available.
There is a quiz at the start of the program, and once completed, Units of Sound automatically places each learner at the appropriate level for their English ability and provides training. This helps learners build confidence in English. With a focus on reading, dictation, memory, and spelling, Units of Sound has been used to support children and adults on their English learning journey. As part of the program, learners have access to Units of Sound for 12 months and can use them for independent study after the live lesson period has ended.
Course structure.
- The program consists of a combination of CEFR or Booster and Units of Sound training: four 30-minute lessons per week for CEFR (two 60-minute lessons per week) and two 30-minute live lessons per week for Booster.
- The Units of Sound independent study e-learning program is recommended to be studied at least three times a week for 25 minutes each.
Steps to enter an overseas university (3 months)
You can choose either pattern (1) or (2). Please contact us for other days of the week.
CEFR
| JST | 19：00～20：00 | 20：20～21：20 |
|---|---|---|
| Mon. | CEFR② | |
| Tue. | CEFR① | |
| Wed. | CEFR② | |
| Thu. | CEFR① | |
| Fri. |
Booster
| JST | 19：00～20：00 | 20：20～21：20 |
|---|---|---|
| Mon. | Booster Math | |
| Tue. | Booster Engish | |
| Wed. | Booster Math | |
| Thu. | Booster Engish | |
| Fri. |
Tuition fees
- CEFR Program
Two 60-minute live lessons per week (3 months) & Units of sound (1 year)
1-year license for Units of Sound and 12 weeks of live lessons (3 months)
Tuition fees for 3 months¥77,550(incl. tax) ※Personal training fees are charged monthly.
¥25,850per month (incl. tax) plus personal training fee
Preparation for Enrollment in the Main Course!
Quickly acquire English proficiency to keep up with classes
Short-term English Skills Development Booster Course
Message
Nisai CEO: Dhruv Patel
As head of the Nisai Group, I have been delivering student-centered education for more than 25 years. Education should always be student-centered. As educators, we recognize that it is our role to deliver education that meets individual needs.
We began as a provider of education for pupils who were unable to attend school due to illness, disability, bullying, or family circumstances on the UK compulsory school curriculum. Our teachers and staff are committed to working with pupils to ensure they have strong opportunities and choices in the future.
About Nisai
Nisai is a WASC-accredited school, an organization headquartered in California, USA. It is an educational organization that accredits schools from early childhood to grade 12 (equivalent to senior high school) and universities.
Nisai's courses are accredited by OCR Cambridge, which stands for Oxford, Cambridge, and the Royal Society of Arts. It is accredited by the UK's most prestigious institutions. Nisai was the first in the world to be accredited to deliver Cambridge International education fully online and has a long history of providing high-quality education.
IGCSE courses are taught by experienced native teachers with a proven track record of teaching in school settings.
If you are not confident in your English at this stage, your teacher will work with you to develop all four skills efficiently according to your current level of English.
The more students progress in their studies at Nisai, the earlier they will acquire the ability to use English in a global context. Children who enrol at Nisai are placed in the most suitable class according to their learning ability, and in a learning environment where they study together with students from overseas, they develop an international outlook and ability, and grow up to be global human resources. Of course, they will also be able to demonstrate great strength in examinations such as the English Proficiency Test, IELTS and Cambridge Examination for English as a Foreign Language. This will also help you to prepare for high school examinations based on your own strengths.
It is never too late to start. It is especially important not to give up in order to realise your dreams. It is also important to find reasons for why you can do something rather than why you can't, and this will help you in the future. If you have the determination and persistence to seriously aim for an overseas university and realize your dream, the way will definitely open up for you. We at Nisai will do our best to support you in realizing the future you want.
Announcements
About a trial lesson
Nisai offers a trial lesson to ensure that you are satisfied with your enrolment.The process is as follows:
- Online information session (parents/guardians and students)
- Trial lesson
- Online follow-up session (parents/guardians/students)
- Enrolment
FAQ
- What level of English is required to enter an overseas university?
-
The English language proficiency required to enter an overseas university is said to be IELTS 6.0 or above. In Eiken, it is Grade 1 or above. This is not an exam preparation level, but rather a level of 'usable English'. When you enter an overseas university, classes are held in all English, so high English skills are essential.
- What is a foundation course?
-
The Foundation Course is a course that prepares students for entry to an overseas university. The content of the course is equivalent to that of a first-year university foundation course. Students also spend about a year developing the critical thinking and discussion skills required of global citizens. Only then they are allowed to continue on to undergraduate studies. Due to differences between the global education system and the Japanese education system, Japanese high school graduates are required to enter the Foundation Course, whereas A-Level students spend two years studying the equivalent of the Foundation Course and are therefore directly admitted to higher education.
- What is taught in Nisai's Overseas University Preparation Course?
-
Nisai's University Preparation Course differs from the high school A-Level course in that it prepares students for the Foundation Course and is designed for students in their second or third year of high school who are not taking A-Level courses. The e-learning system, Units of Sound, can be used in conjunction with the program to great effect.
- How much does it cost to study a foundation course at an overseas university?
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Tuition fees for foundation courses vary from university to university, but a one-year standard course costs between 2 and 2.5 million yen.
- Who needs a Foundation Course?
-
Graduates of ordinary Japanese high schools must take a foundation course before entering university. The high school education system differs between Japan and other countries. In other countries, students undergo university general education, such as 'report and essay composition', 'presentation skills', and 'academic English (vocabulary, expressions, and grammar)' during high school, so students are ready to enter university immediately after graduation. However, Japanese high schools do not offer such classes, so students must study these subjects in a foundation course after graduation to prepare for university entrance.