Applying to HAL

Q: Do you need a student visa to be admitted at HAL?
A: Yes. In order to study at HAL you will need to obtain a College Student visa.

More information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website

Q: What are the requirements for getting into HAL?
A: Since all the classes are in Japanese, you must be fluent in Japanese in order to attend the school. In order to ensure this, HAL has a few basic requirements for prospective international students. These requirements are that you 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.

If you are fluent in Japanese but do not meet one of the above three requirements, I would recommend that you visit HAL’s website and contact the admissions department of the appropriate school regarding your situation.

For those who want to study at HAL but have no background in Japanese, I would recommend studying at a language school, such as The Yamasa Institute, in an intensive program for at least 1.5 to 2 years. While only the JLPT 2 is required, having JLPT 1, or close to it, fluency would help a lot.

More information:
Getting into HAL	Wanna Study Game Design in Japan?
My Search for a Japanese Game School

Q: How and when should I apply?
A: If you are in Japan, you can have the relevant materials shipped to you. If you are not currently inside Japan, then I would recommend that you contact the school via its website (Japanese only!).

Applications for the April (Spring) semester start in October while applications for the October (Fall) semester begin in July.

More information:
入学選考・出願について

Q: Do I need prior experience/knowledge about computers to attend HAL?
A: No. HAL is designed for students straight out of high school, so all the classes start with the very basics. While having a basic understanding of programming definitely helps, it is in no way a requirement.

More information:
First Impressions

Q: Which branch should I go to?
A: HAL currently has branches in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo. The Tokyo branch is the newest, having opened in April of 2009. I believe that the Nagoya branch is the oldest, although it moved to a brand-new building in 2008. Although it is now the oldest building of the three, the Osaka branch’s facilities are still in perfect working order.

To my understanding, the curriculum is the same at all the branches, although there may be some differences in the offered courses because there are times when courses become unavailable due to an insufficient number of students enrolled in said course. Also, to my knowledge there is no notable difference in the hardware used at the schools.

So, simply put, the branch you choose to attend should not have any tangible affect on your education. I would recommend making said decision based on your current living arrangements and the kind of city you would prefer to live in. If possible, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit the branches you are considering in order to get a feel for the environment.

Studying at HAL

Q: Does HAL give a Master’s degree?
A: No. If you’re interested in getting a Master’s degree you’ll need to look into graduate programs for Japanese universities. And no, I don’t know anything about Japanese universities and therefore can’t recommend any to you.

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’s the approximate monthly cost of living?
A: The cost of living will vary depending on where you live, however Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo are all fairly high-cost areas areas.

More information:
A little information on HAL and money matters

Q: What exactly do you learn at HAL?
A: In terms of the curriculum for the video game tracks, the two-year program offers programming and game design (ie. graphic design) focuses. The four-year program has programming, game design, and game development focuses. The four-year program’s music course also offers a game music focus. For the four-year students, most of the first year programs cover the same material although that begins to change in the second half of the first year. After that, the exact curriculum varies depending on your focus and what year you’re in.

More information:
A deeper look into HAL’s curriculum	A glimpse into my academic life
My Search for a Japanese Game School Part II: Inside

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.

More information:
What’s it like being an older student?	Posts marked with the age gap tag