Plan for Art University

The number of applicants to art universities is increasing compared to before, and it seems that the know-how for passing art university has become generally known. It is said that many students make similar preparations and challenge the entrance examination, which means that students are becoming more uniform, which is the opposite of the essence of art. Entering art university cannot be the purpose, first of all, it is necessary to return to the essence of art, what you want to convey through the work.

On top of that, the image of human resources required by art universities is international students who give feeling the possibility of change. By fusing the art of home country and the art of Japan that students had drawn before coming to Japan, it shows the very attitude of trying to incorporate new things. Art universities expect the ability to create new things through change.

In these days, international students are also required to have high Japanese proficiency. This is because the number of applicants has simply increased, and communication with Japanese students and professors is required even after enrollment. In order to meet the application criteria of all art universities, TLS requires that undergraduate applicants must have an EJU Japanese (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and listening-reading comprehension) score of 240 or higher（for EJU, refer to the plan for university）and graduate students must pass the JLPT N1. It is recommended to check the entrance examination schedule of each university to have the required examination results at hand in time for the application.

There are technical exams such as drawing, design, watercolor and oil painting for under graduate. In addition, some universities require candidates to submit essays, interviews, and portfolios. It means checking details of application procedure about each department and major.

Graduate schools, on the other hand, assume that you have the basic skills, so you will be expected to submit a research proposal (see the plan for graduate school) and portfolio, and your motivation and ability will be evaluated through interviews and essays.

Whether it’s a portfolio or a research proposal, in the entrance examination of art university, how to break away from the usual theme setting leads to evaluation.

Among the PLANs of Toyo Language School, the plan for art university has a wide range of preparations and can be said to be very special. We have partnered with “Bigakko”, which has a wealth of experience in teaching international students to go on to art universities, and have prepared a curriculum that aims to improve both Japanese language ability and artistic skill.

Since its establishment in 1969, Bigakko, which is affiliated with Toyo Language School, has a solid track record of passing as a preparatory school for art universities. The curriculum theme jointly developed with Bigakko is a fusion of Japanese language and art. Students are learning in two classes, which are divided according to the plan for art university and art graduate school, students take Japanese lessons on the theme of art works from Monday to Friday to acquire art terminology and art reading comprehension skills. TLS provides an environment where students can learn art from Japanese classes and Japanese language from art classes, and promote efficient and effective learning.

This class is 1 year program held from January to December. There are 72 lessons for drawing and design, and 33 lessons for writing essay and preparing interview.

There is an additional charge for attending the art school class.

*Please note that the days of the week for drawing and design, essay and interview may change depending on the number of students attending.

In charge of Drawing and Design　Tsuneo Nabeta

I request being enthusiastic and curious to students. Then, I want them to become a human resource who can communicate through works in the university and the society beyond. Thinking about things from a global perspective, I would like to work as an artist with students who have demonstrated leadership while engaging in manufacturing.

Model schedule for going to art university

In January of the previous year of the year you aim to go on to art university or art graduated school, you need to have a solid foundation in Japanese so that you can start studying in the art university class and the art graduate school class. The guideline is around B1 level (JLPT N3). It’s never too early to start creating new works or portfolios at the same time. Gather information about schools of choice and start working whenever you are ready.

There are extra works for preparation for art university related to art works. Students tend to be busy for them. It leads that students prepare well will be evaluated with a good result. Make a plan and develop a habit that you can put into practice.

VOICE

Jessie Priscilla Taniady Zahra

From Indonesia
Graduating in March 2025
Enrolled in Musashino Art University, the College of Creative Thinking for Social Innovation and the Department of Creative Innovation

Influenced by my father, who loves Japanese cars, I decided to study design in Japan. When I first came to Japan, I was unsure about where to start and felt anxious, but through counseling with my teacher, we made a detailed plan, which made it clear what I should do. After acquiring the basics of Japanese, I used the same materials as Japanese students to gain knowledge in art. Listening to the stories of graduates about their entrance exams and experiences at art universities was the best opportunity to expand my image of success, and it gave me the confidence to do my best.