The list of higher education qualifications, their awarding institution types, and further accessible education levels are shown below.

NIAD-QE awards degrees in two schemes: (1) for graduates of Junior Colleges and Colleges of Technology, who have accumulated credit hours to a certain level of learning (such as a bachelor’s degree); and (2) for those who have completed courses at educational institutions operated by government ministries and agencies recognized as equivalent to university undergraduate programmes or graduate programmes (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees).
In addition to higher education institutions explained in the Higher Education section, the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE) can award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees based on the Degree Regulations (Ordinance of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture No.9 of 1953).

NIAD-QE evaluates various learning outcomes achieved at the higher education level and awards degrees to persons recognized as having academic ability equivalent to, or greater than, those who have graduated from a university undergraduate programme or who have completed graduate school.

Please refer to the NIC-Japan and NIAD-QE website for more details on qualifications and  on Scheme 1, and Scheme 2.