Languages at Leicester

Japanese-Language Proficiency Test at Leicester

JLPT logo

About the Japanese Language Proficiency Test

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is the largest-scale Japanese language test in the world. Since 1984, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services have continued to offer the JLPT as a reliable means of evaluating the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. The JLPT is widely recognised across corporate and government sectors as a benchmark for proficiency measurement, and is also a strong motivator for students of Japanese language.

In the UK the test is also administered by other institutions. The University of Leicester is host and administrate the JLPT in July and December exam calls yearly.

JLPT levels

The JLPT offer 5 different levels, from N1 to N5 (N1 being the highest or most advanced and N5 the lower or beginners).

For further information please refer to the JLPT official website.

Examination date, fees, places and deadlines for 2025

2025 Exam days and times

  • Sunday 6 July 2025
  • Sunday 7 December 2025

For the DECEMBER exam call, the examination will begin at 11.30am. Participants are required to be seated in the exam room by that time. Exams are expected to end between 2.00pm and 3.00pm approximately, depending on the exam level. A detailed exam schedule will be provided to examinees after registration.

Fees and payment

Fee: £100 per participant for any level.

Please notice that no refund will be provided under any circumstances after 14 days (cooling period) from the day in which the fees have been paid, unless cancellation is made by the Japan Foundation, the Japan Education Exchanges and Services or the University of Leicester or due to force majeure.

Test guide

Download the full test guide 2025 (PDF, 8mb)

The test guide is for your information. When registering online, participants are required to agree to the content and conditions of the JLPT test guide (there is no need to print it).

Exam Location

While the precise details are yet to be confirmed, the examination is provisionally scheduled to take place in the Sir Bob Burgess Building (Teaching and Learning Centre), Freemen's Common LE2 7TF. Specific information regarding the examination rooms will be communicated to registered applicants (Google map link).

Leicester's approximate distances and typical travel times from major UK cities are as follows: 89 miles from London, with trains taking 1 to 1.25 hours, buses 2.5 to 4 hours, and cars 2.5 to 3 hours. 74 miles from Manchester, with train times of 1.5 to 2 hours, bus times of 2.5 to 3.5 hours, and car travel of 1.5 to 2 hours. 44 miles from Birmingham, trains typically take less than an hour, buses take 1 to 1.75 hours, and cars take 50 minutes to 1.25 hours.

Registration process

The University of Leicester will host JLPT exams in July and December 2025.

Registrations for the JLPT December 2025 will open as follows:

  • N1 - registrations will open again on Monday 4 August 2025, at noon.
  • N2 - registrations will open again on Tuesday 5 August 2025, at noon.
  • N3 - registrations will open again on Wednesday 6 August 2025, at noon.
  • N4 - registrations will open again on Thursday 7 August 2025, at noon.
  • N5 - registrations will open again on Friday 8 August 2025, at noon.

Registration steps:

We take registration online. Please note that you must read the Test guide before registration. The guide can be downloaded from the above link provided.

  • Step 1: JLPT exam fee payment (Shop@le)
  • Step 2: JLPT application form (MS form)*

* Upon completing the payment, your will receive the link to the JLPT application form (Step 2).

Registrations for the JLPT December 2025 at Leicester will open in August

Deadline for applications

The deadline for application for the JLPT July exam call at Leicester is Monday 1 September 2025 at noon*. However, please note that there are limited places and that the applications may close earlier should the maximum capacity be reached.

Please note that the deadline to change the N level, is also Monday 1 September 2025 at noon. After this point, the level indicated in the registration form cannot be modified. 

*Kindly note that from September, no additional applications can be accommodated, as all registration will have been sent to JLPT Japan.

Registrations for July 2026 will be published in February 2026. While the precise details are yet to be determined, it is anticipated that the application period will commence at the beginning of March 2026.

Special Testing Accommodations

Special Testing Accommodations (STA) may be provided for examinees with disabilities and/or learning needs. Those who wish to apply for STA should first download and read the documents 'Special Testing Accommodations request instruction' in full. Please submit the request form and any relevant documents in support of your application by Wednesday 3 September 2025. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email JLPT@leicester.ac.uk.

    Cancellations

    The registration fees are not refundable after the 14-day cooling-off period.

    The University can cancel a registration and refund a participant's fees only if a withdrawal request form is submitted within the 14-day cooling-off period from the date of registration (Step 1, payment), and the 'service period' has not started. According to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and any amendment thereto, an administrative fee will be applied if a withdrawal request is received within the 14-day cooling-off period but after the service period starts. The service period begins on Monday 18 August 2025, for the December exam session. The administrative fee is £40. After the 14-day cooling-off period, no refund will be provided.

    NOTE: There is a growing number of candidates applying for the JLPT, which can make it challenging for some to secure a place. The University of Leicester generally has ample availability of places over the fist week of applications. We would earnestly discourage applicants from selecting the University of Leicester as a secondary choice, if they have a firm primary preference for another location. Although a cooling-off period permits cancellations and subsequent refunds, a substantial volume of these transactions creates a considerable administrative workload and can impede the timely processing of all applications. Your cooperation in reserving cancellations and refunds for essential circumstances would be greatly appreciated.

    Test results

    The results of the JLPT July 2025 test will be available online from the end of August 2025.

    Please visit the JLPT result website checker, to see your result.

    You will need your 8-digit numerical password/passcode that you created when you completed your application form as well as your examinee registration number. If you require a reminder for your online password then please contact jlpt@leicester.ac.uk.

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