When filling out Japanese forms or resumes, understanding level of education 書き方 is essential. Education level, or 学歴 (gakureki), is a key part of job applications, visa forms, and official documents in Japan. Writing it correctly ensures clarity, professionalism, and avoids misunderstandings.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to properly write your education level, common formats, and provide examples for various situations.
Understanding “Level of Education” in Japanese
The term level of education translates to Japanese as 学歴 (gakureki) for academic history or 学歴レベル (gakureki reberu) in some contexts. Depending on the form, you may need to specify:
- Highest completed education (最終学歴, saishuu gakureki)
- Degree obtained (学位, gakui)
- School or university name and dates
For example, a resume may ask you to write:
- Elementary School: 小学校
- Junior High School: 中学校
- High School: 高等学校
- University: 大学
- Graduate School: 大学院
How to Write Level of Education in Japanese Forms
1. Basic Format for Resumes (履歴書)
Most Japanese resumes follow a clear structure for education history:
- Start with the year of entry and graduation
- Example: 2015年4月 – 2018年3月
- Write the school name
- Example: 東京大学
- Specify department or major if applicable
- Example: 経済学部 経済学科
Example:
2015年4月 – 2018年3月 東京大学 経済学部 経済学科 卒業
This translates to: Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo, April 2015 – March 2018.
2. Short Form for Applications
For online forms, you may only need to select or enter your level of education, such as:
- 小学校 (Elementary School)
- 中学校 (Junior High School)
- 高等学校 (High School)
- 短期大学 (Junior College)
- 大学 (University)
- 大学院 (Graduate School)
Some forms may ask for the year of graduation alongside your level of education.
3. Special Considerations for Foreign Education
If you studied abroad:
- Write the country and school name in Katakana or Roman letters.
- Specify your degree equivalent in Japan.
- Example:
2010年9月 – 2014年6月 コロンビア大学 経済学部 卒業
- Note: Some employers may request translated diplomas or GPA equivalence.
Common Mistakes in Level of Education 書き方
- Using incorrect Japanese terminology – Use the correct term for your school level.
- Incorrect dates – Japan uses the school year starting in April and ending in March; adjust foreign education dates accordingly.
- Omitting major or department – Include the faculty and department for university-level education.
- Mixing scripts unnecessarily – Use Kanji or Katakana consistently; avoid random English unless the form allows.
Tips for Correct Education Level Writing
- Always write chronologically from oldest to newest for resumes.
- Use the full official name of your school or university.
- For degrees, use 卒業 (sotsugyō) for graduation and 修了 (shūryō) for completion of a program.
- Double-check online forms; some may require Roman letters for international applications.
- Keep formatting consistent with other sections of your resume or form.
FAQs – Level of Education 書き方
Q1. What is the Japanese term for “level of education”?
A: 学歴 (gakureki) is the most common term.
Q2. How do I write a university degree in Japanese?
A: Include the university name, faculty, department, and graduation year. Example: 東京大学 工学部 機械工学科 卒業
Q3. Can I write my foreign school name in English?
A: You can, especially for online forms, but also provide the Katakana version if requested.
Q4. Should I list all schools or just the highest level?
A: For resumes, list all schools from high school onward. For simple forms, just the highest level may suffice.
Q5. How do I write a currently ongoing program?
A: Use 在学中 (zaigaku-chuu) to indicate “currently enrolled.” Example: 2022年4月 – 在学中 東京大学
Final Thoughts
Writing your level of education 書き方 correctly is essential for Japanese resumes, forms, and applications. Using proper terminology, chronological order, and accurate details ensures clarity and professionalism. Whether you’re a student, graduate, or professional, mastering this will improve your chances of making a positive impression on employers or institutions in Japan.
