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Waseda University

Address: 1-104 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-8050
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Students who are applying to the non-degree program at Waseda University, the Center for Japanese Language (CJL), must simultaneously apply to the CJL between October 1 and October 8, 2024. Please see below for details.

Overview

Waseda University is constantly innovating and challenging to make a continuous contribution to global society. Officially unveiled in 2012, Vision 150 will strive for a university that can consistently produce global human resources with four principles, these being “Students of the Highest Caliber and Character Who Show Promise in Being Able to Contribute to the World.” “Research That will Ultimately Contribute to Real World Peace and Happiness in Human Society,” “Graduates Who Will Contribute to the Public Good as Global Leaders” and “A University That Earns the Trust of the World and Constantly Upholds the Spirit of Reform to Continuously Evolve. Waseda University was founded by Shigenobu Okuma in 1882. Throughout its history the university has been supported by three principles of learning, centered on independence of learning and including other such ideals as enterprising spirit and an anti-elitist philosophy.
Waseda continues to maintain these traditions while also continually engaging in the creation of new eras and culture through education of a global standard and research activities.
Waseda University is known around the world as one of the top universities in Japan, it has produced seven prime ministers so far. and its alumni are widely active in various fields, not only in Japan, but also on the world stage. Furthermore, under the principle that its founder Shigenobu Okuma advocated “Harmonization of Eastern and Western Cultures”, Waseda University has proactively opened its doors to international students since its founding. Currently, 8,350 international students have enrolled from 121 countries, the largest number among Japanese universities. Without a doubt, Waseda is the most internationalized university in Japan.

Conditions

Number of Scholarships Offered in Spring 2025
5

Status of Admitted Student
In principle, the student will be admitted as a non-degree-seeking student at the Center for Japanese Language (CJL) in April 2025 and later have a chance to transition to a degree program. To become a degree-seeking student, the student must take and pass the university’s regular admissions exam separately. Waseda University will admit both undergraduate and graduate students. However, the graduate school will only admit master's students, not doctorate students. Undergraduate students may only take the admissions exam to enroll as first-year students. Those who wish to transfer must take the regular transfer exam for Japanese students. Please note that the maximum period that a student can be enrolled at Waseda University as a non-degree-seeking student is two years.

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Description of the Non-Degree Program
Non-degree-seeking students will be admitted to the Center for Japanese Language (CJL). Please note that the maximum period that a student can be enrolled at Waseda University as a non-degree-seeking student is two years. To apply to the CJL, students must apply to both Japan Education Pathways and the CJL. The application period for the CJL is from Tuesday, October 1 to 16:00 on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Waseda University has prepared a special application form for JEP applicants which will be accessible from the link below on October 1. Please do not apply through the regular application form. The application deadline for the CJL is 3 days earlier than the application for Japan Education Pathways.

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The CJL application form for JEP applicants will be accessible from this button between October 1 and 8.

You can check the documents required for CJL application from number 8 in the Admissions Guidelines. The CJL application fee is waived for students applying for Japan Education Pathways.

In addition to the Japanese classes offered by CJL, admitted students may take up to 2 subjects and 4 credits of courses from university-wide courses which are available to all first-year students. Please check the availability of university-wide courses as some courses may be canceled or full. 

Degree Program
Students who wish to be admitted to an English-based degree program in September 2025 must first apply to the Japan Education Pathways and also apply to the English-based Undergraduate Program or the Graduate Program. The application period for the English-based Undergraduate Program is January to February 2025. The application period for the English-based Graduate Program differs according to the field of study. Please check the above link for more information. 

Students who wish to be admitted to a Japanese-based degree program in April 2026 must apply to the Japanese-based Undergraduate Program or Graduate Program. Please check the application period and details from the links. 
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Eligibility

  • Must currently reside in Japan

  • Must be a citizen of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria or Ukraine

  • Meet one of the criteria below

    • Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in universities outside Japan (including those taking a leave of absence or taking courses online)

    • Those who have graduated from or dropped out of a university outside Japan and currently not enrolled in higher education

    • Those attending short-term programs in Japanese universities

    • Those currently attending or have graduated from Japanese language schools in Japan

    • Those who have graduated from high school or will graduate from high school in 2025

  • As of October 11, 20224, 26 years old or younger if planning to apply for an undergraduate degree program, and 28 years old or younger if planning to apply for a graduate degree program.
     

Language of Instruction
Japanese language courses offered by CJL are offered in Japanese, undergraduate courses open to CJL students are offered in Japanese or English.

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Majors Offered in the Degree Program

All faculties excluding the doctorate program as long as the student passes the entrance examination 
 

  • Those who have graduated from high schools outside Japan may take the entrance exam for international students (EJU required) for the English-based or Japanese-based degree programs. 

  • Those who have graduated from high schools in Japan may take the entrance exam for international students for the English-based degree program. (To apply to the Japanese-based degree program, students must take the general entrance exam for Japanese students.)

  • There are no transfer exams for international students. 

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Language Requirement
JLPT N3 equivalent and above for the non-degree program

For degree programs, the language requirement will depend on whether you are applying for a Japanese-based program or an English-based program. For a Japanese-based program, JLPT N2 equivalent and above is required. For English, the requirement differs for each faculty. Please check the information for the faculty which you would like to apply to.

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Accommodation
Dormitory provided at no cost. 
 

Stipend
Provided (70,000 JPY/month)

Inquiries

If you have questions about the university, please inquire with the university directly.

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