The Life and Times of a Video Game Design Student

Q: What are the requirements for getting into HAL?
A: The basic requirements are that you need to pass the entrance exam and have one of the following: JLPT 2 or higher, EJU, or have studied at an accredited language school for at least six months.

Q: Do you need a student visa to stay in Japan?
A: Yes. You will need to obtain a student visa in order to study in Japan. If you already have a visa, changing it is just a matter of filling out the appropriate paperwork and submitting it to the immigration office.

Q: How much does tuition cost? What scholarships and financial aid are available?
A: Tuition changes yearly and is partially dependent on your elective classes. However, it’s a safe bet to say that it will run you approximately 15,000 USD a year. Scholarships are available for international students, but they are supposedly hard to get so I wouldn’t recommend counting on them. Part time jobs are available through the school and are probably a good way for students strapped for cash to help offset the cost of living.

Q: What exactly do you learn at HAL?
A: All first year students learn basically the same thing: lots of programming (C, HTML, CSS, SQL, and CASL), basic systems administrator information (databases, computer and network related terms, concepts, and calculations), and more creative-leaning material (brainstorming, basic visual design, etc). While there is a game design department, other departments such as CG design and music are also good choices for those wishing to break into the industry.

Q: What is the average age of the student body?
A: Most students go to technical schools right out of high school, so the average age of the student body is 18 to 24. International students, like myself, tend to be in the 25+ age range.