FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Aim to become a
welfare
professional
in Osaka!

Earn a national qualification and build a career that lets you work in Japan for the long term.

Osaka College of Health and Welfare supports you all the way.

The department for international students is the Department of Care Welfare.

留学生向け 介護福祉科
  • Certified by the Minister
    of Education (MEXT)
  • Eligible to sit the
    national exam
  • 3 min walk from JR
    Shin-Osaka Station
  • Generous scholarships
ABOUT

About The Certified Care Worker

ABOUT THE JOB

What does a Certified Care Worker do?

A Certified Care Worker supports the daily lives of elderly people and people with disabilities so they can live life in their own way. It is a recognized national qualification in Japan, and holding it lets you obtain the special "Nursing Care" residence status.

With Japan's rapidly aging population, demand for care professionals is very high, promising stable employment and income. It is a field where people who have come from abroad can thrive for years to come.

Approx. 350,000yen

Average monthly income of a Certified Care Worker

Approx. 4.2million yen

Average annual income of a Certified Care Worker

※ Source: Care Work Foundation survey

The "Nursing Care" residence status lets you live in Japan long-term

  1. 1No limit on renewals → work in Japan until retirement age
  2. 2You can bring family (spouse and children) to Japan
  3. 3You can return to Japan again even after going home
  4. 4Permanent residency becomes a goal within 5–10 years
介護の現場 留学生の様子

In this department, you study specialized knowledge in the same classes as Japanese students. For this reason, applicants are expected to have JLPT N3 or higher, or equivalent Japanese ability.

3 reason

Three reasons international students choose us

01

A national
qualification lets
you live in Japan long-term

When you earn the Certified Care Worker national qualification, you can obtain the "Nursing Care" residence status. With no renewal limits, you can work in Japan permanently, and permanent residency becomes a realistic goal.

"Nursing Care" residence status
Unlimited renewals
02

High employment
rate and a solid
track record

A 100% employment rate for the 27 years since the school opened! Demand for talent in the care industry keeps growing, and there are plenty of employers for graduates.

Employment rate
High employment rate and abundant job openings
03

Generous tuition
support and
scholarship programs

The Osaka Prefecture study loan (up to 1.68 million yen) and facility scholarships (800,000–1,000,000 yen) greatly reduce your tuition burden. Repayment can be waived if you work for five years or more after graduation.

With educational grants and scholarships
Up to 2.68 million yen

※ Each program has eligibility conditions and limited slots.

JOIN TO School informationFirst, join an info session

Online attendance OK! Held every month.

CURRICULUM

Department & Curriculum Details

CURRICULUM

Department of Care Welfare 2-year

With a homeroom-teacher system, you can easily ask about your studies and school life. It is an environment where you can enjoy a secure, fulfilling student life.

Curriculum Overview

Program length 2 years (daytime)
Main subjects Care techniques, basic medicine, dementia care, communication skills, care process
Training sites Partner facilities mainly in Osaka Prefecture (nursing homes, geriatric health facilities, day services, etc.)
National exam A Sunday in late January each year (our pass rate exceeds the national average)
Enrollment April
Japanese Admission from around JLPT N3

CLASSROOM

授業風景

PRACTICAL TRAINING

実習風景

Class Schedule (example) / 2nd Year, 1st Semester

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
9:00〜10:30 Life Support Skills Understanding Dementia Mind & Body Mechanisms Modern Society & Work Medical Care
10:40〜12:10 Human Relations & Communication Sign Language & Braille Care Process Care Prevention
13:00〜14:30 Human Dignity & Independence Fundamentals of Care Recreation Information Science Comprehensive Care Seminar
14:40〜16:10 Special Lecture on Care Welfare Care Technology Course Understanding Development & Aging Understanding Disabilities

Practicum / In-school training / Lecture

The 2-Year Flow

Year 1

Apr Welcome party for new students
Sep Presentation training
Oct Facility practicum I (10 days)
Nov Care Day event
Feb Facility practicum II-① (20 days)

Year 2

May Overseas study trip
Jul Facility practicum II-② (27 days)
Nov Care Day event
Dec Graduation research presentation
Jan National exam

Our Original Curriculum (the “Dream Project”)

Through the Dream Project (“Yume-puro”),
experience the appeal and rewards of care work.

As the culmination of their studies, students listen to the “wishes” and “dreams” of residents at elderly-care facilities and help make them come true—an original project of our school.

  • 介護福祉科 夢を叶えるプロジェクト=夢プロ

    A couple who had no wedding photos—a memorable wedding, one more time!

  • 介護福祉科 夢を叶えるプロジェクト=夢プロ

    We brewed coffee from the beans and drank it together—a moment full of smiles!

  • 介護福祉科 夢を叶えるプロジェクト=夢プロ

    A grandfather who once worked for a railway company—back to his old workplace after 40 years!

  • 介護福祉科 夢を叶えるプロジェクト=夢プロ

    Cheerful “yoo-hoo!” echoes across the mountain—a hike with grandma and everyone.

  • 介護福祉科 夢を叶えるプロジェクト=夢プロ
  • Dream Project — Examples

    ・Wedding ceremony / hula dance / fashion show
    ・Mountain climbing / visiting a former workplace after 40 years / recreating an okonomiyaki restaurant
    ・Watching a long-admired opera / drinking delicious coffee
    ・Sightseeing in Osaka, and more

SUPPORT SYSTEM

5 Reassuring Support Services

From enrollment through employment, we firmly support you with any worries about living and studying in Japan.

Japanese Language Support

We hold a weekly Japanese-study session to help improve your Japanese.

National Exam Support

We carefully support each student toward earning the Certified Care Worker qualification.

Employment Support

We fully support your job hunting—resume writing, interview practice, and job introductions.

Residence Status & Daily-Life Support

We also help with residence-status procedures, part-time work, and daily-life matters.

Tuition & Scholarship Support

We give individual guidance on available facility scholarships and more, tailored to your situation.

STUDENT VOICE

Voices of Our Students

  • 介護福祉科 留学生の声
    介護福祉科 留学生の声
  • Q. What do you enjoy about school life?

    I enjoy the care-skills classes. When the whole team works together until everyone can do it and the teacher praises us, I feel happy and motivated for the next practicum.

    Q. How do you balance a part-time job with studying?

    I work part-time 3–4 times a week. When the coursework gets hard or before exams, I reduce my shifts and prioritize studying.

    Q. What is your future goal?

    I want to be someone who stays close to each user's feelings and supports them in living life their own way.


  • 介護福祉科 留学生の声
    介護福祉科 留学生の声
  • Q. Why did you choose this school?

    The deciding factors were being able to learn specialized knowledge, gain hands-on experience in real settings, and the strong employment support.

    Q. Is anything hard about school life?

    Technical terms were hard at first. But I get through it by studying with friends and practicing out loud in class—and it has become enjoyable, too.

    Q. What is your future goal?

    I want to become a trusted Certified Care Worker who can stay close to the people I support.

JOIN TO School informationFirst, join an info session

Online attendance OK! Held every month.

TUITION & SUPPORT

Tuition & Tuition Support

TUITION
Tuition

Admission fee(first year only) Tuition Practicum fee Materials & practice fee Facilities fee Total
Year 1 ¥100,000 ¥750,000 ¥100,000 ¥75,000 ¥100,000 ¥1,125,000
Year 2 ¥750,000 ¥100,000 ¥45,000 ¥100,000 ¥995,000

Notes / other expenses

  • In Year 1 (varies by department), other expenses—textbooks, white coat & shoes, training wear, alumni-association fees, health-management fees, etc.—total about ¥200,000–250,000.
  • From Year 2 onward, textbooks, alumni-association fees, health-management fees, etc. total about ¥100,000–150,000.

[Note] Textbook and certification-exam fees are reconciled at year-end and refunded at the end of the graduation year.

* Tuition is paid in a lump sum in principle, but installments may be possible upon request. Please confirm at an info session.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Tuition Support Programs

Certified Care Worker Study Loan

Up to ¥1,680,000(over 2 years)

An interest-free loan (from Osaka, Hyogo, etc.) for those aiming to become Certified Care Workers. If, after graduating, you work in care or counseling at a welfare facility in Osaka Prefecture for five continuous years, repayment is waived.

* Application is made after enrollment; a guarantor who earns a living in Japan is required.

Facility Scholarship

¥800,000 – ¥1,000,000(varies by facility)

Under this program, the scholarship paid during enrollment is fully waived if you work at the welfare facility for a set period after graduation.

Repayment: fully waived for those who work the set period after graduation (about 3–5 years).

* Negotiation with the welfare facility is required.

Neither can be guaranteed before enrollment. Please confirm at an info session.

ADMISSION

Admissions & Application Documents

FY2027 International-Student Aptitude AO Admission Guidelines

Eligible department
Department of Care Welfare (2-year daytime)
Eligibility
Meet all of conditions (1)–(3) and qualify under one of A–C.

▼ Must meet all (3 required conditions)

  • 1Attend at least one of our international-student info sessions and understand our education.
  • 2Have completed 12 years of education (equivalent to graduating high school in Japan).
  • 3Strongly wish to enroll at our school (sole-choice applicants only).

▼ Meet one of A–C (Japanese-language requirement)

A
Hold JLPT N2 or higher.
B
At a Japanese language school or equivalent, you have completed a course of 1 year or more, and meet one of the following:
  • Hold JLPT N3 or higher
  • Will obtain an N3-equivalent qualification by enrollment
C
At a Japanese language school or equivalent, you are expected to complete a course of 1 year or more, and meet one of the following:
  • Hold JLPT N3 or higher
  • Will obtain an N3-equivalent qualification by enrollment
If you wish to substitute results from a non-JLPT Japanese test, please consult us.
Exam dates (FY2027)
Jul 12 (Sun) Aug 2 (Sun) Aug 23 (Sun) Sep 13 (Sun) Oct 11 (Sun) Oct 25 (Sun) Nov 15 (Sun) Dec 6 (Sun) Dec 20 (Sun) Jan 17 (Sun) ★ Feb 7 (Sun) ★ Feb 21 (Sun)

* Star-marked exam dates may not be held once capacity is reached.

Application period
Must arrive by 17:00 two days before each exam date
Documents to submit with your application
  1. Application form (submitted online)
  2. JLPT pass certificate (copy acceptable)
  3. Japanese language school's expected-graduation certificate, attendance record, and academic transcript
  4. Graduation certificate of your highest education in your home country (copy acceptable)
  5. Residence card (copy)
  6. Passport (copy)
  7. Documents on financial support (if instructed by the school)

Enclose everything in the school-designated envelope that comes with the guidelines and send it by registered mail or bring it in person. * The guidelines are given to info-session attendees (mailed to those who attend online).

Screening fee
¥20,000
Exam venue
Osaka College of Health and Welfare
* In principle, you cannot take the exam outside Japan.
Exam content (subjects)
Document screening / essay (400 characters) / pre-class / individual interview (about 15 min)
Results announcement
Mailed within one week of the exam to the address on your application.
* We cannot answer inquiries by phone, email, etc.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is it okay if I'm not confident in my Japanese?

A.Because you study specialized content alongside Japanese students, you need about JLPT N2 Japanese to follow the material.

Classes use translation tools, and with support from teachers and classmates plus regular Japanese study sessions, you can learn with peace of mind.

Q. I'm worried about tuition. Are there scholarships?

A.Yes, there are tuition-support programs:

・Osaka Pref. study loan (up to ¥1,680,000) 〇
・Facility scholarship (¥800,000–1,000,000) △
・JASSO international-student scholarship ✕
・School's own scholarship none
※Eligibility conditions and facility interviews apply. Please contact us for details.

Q. Are there installment or reduction/exemption options for tuition?

A.Tuition can be paid in installments upon request.

Q. Will I be able to pass the Certified Care Worker national exam?

A.We provide national-exam prep classes and supplementary lessons with thorough individual support. Even if you do not pass, a special measure lets you register and work as a Certified Care Worker for a set period.

Q. Are there employers? And can I keep working in Japan after graduation?

A.The care industry has strong demand and many openings (March 2026: 571 positions). Earning the Certified Care Worker qualification grants the “Nursing Care” residence status, which has no renewal limit—so you can stay and work in Japan permanently.

Q. Will you help with visa procedures (Student / Specified / Dependent)?

A.Yes. We support residence-status procedures from before enrollment through after graduation. You file the applications yourself in principle, but we help prepare documents and explain the process so it goes smoothly.

Q. About the entrance exam (1)
Can I apply even if I don't have JLPT N3 or any qualification yet?

A.Yes, you can take the exam. However, if you cannot obtain JLPT N3 or higher by the time of enrollment, admission may not be granted.

Q. About the entrance exam (2)
Can I take the entrance exam online?

A.In principle, you take the exam at our school. If unavoidable circumstances make that difficult, we may arrange an online option depending on the situation. Please consult the admissions office for details.

INQUIRY

Apply to attend an info session for international students

Check info-session dates / apply by email

Use the button below to check the dates of international-student info sessions currently open for applications. You can also apply directly through the application form.

Check dates / apply via the form

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