To
enter a Japanese university, a student must pass that university's
entrance examination.
A large number of universities are adopting a special process for
selecting international students, but in most cases they require
applicants to sit for an examination in Japan. Approximately 70
faculties accept applications directly from outside Japan, 30 universities
carry out entrance examinations in some areas outside Japan and
20 universities grant permission to enter based on documentation
screening only. However, only a few universities are practicing
it. Many universities base their selection decisions on the "Examination
for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)"
as explained in (1) below.
For information about each university's examination
date, examination subjects and treatment of results in the above-mentioned
examinations, either request it from the university of your choice
or see the "Shihi Gaikokujin Ryugakusei no tame no Daigaku
Nyugaku Annai (Guide to University Entrance for Privately Financed
International Students)," published in Japanese language every
August by JASSO. (Refer to Chapter 16)
(1) Examination for Japanese University Admission for International
Students (EJU)
The EJU is a new examination introduced in 2002
by JASSO, and is considered as a part of the entrance examination
for international students who wish to study at universities or
other higher educational institutions in Japan. This examination
is conducted in Japan twice annually in June and November, and is
scheduled to be held in about 11 cities outside Japan mainly in
the Asian region.
The examination subjects are "Japanese
as a Foreign Language," "Science
(choice of two subjects from physics, chemistry and biology),"
"Japan and the World" and
"Mathematics (choice of Course
1 or Course 2)." The exam questions are available in Japanese
and English. Applicants will take the examination on the subjects
and in the language designated by the respective college or university.
JASSO will forward the examination results to the college
or university to which the student makes an application, on the
request of that institution.
Examinations in 2003 are scheduled on Sunday, June 15,
and Sunday, November 16. Guidelines for the 2003 Examination for
Japanese University Admission for International Students are on
Chapter 14.
Some of the universities consider the "Examination
for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)"
result and grades at senior high school without having students
to sit for the university's entrance examination*. Therefore, if
you apply to such a university, you could receive permission to
enter that university without leaving your home country and prior
to arriving to Japan. For the list of such universities, refer to
list of schools that offer admission before arriving Japan.
(http://www.jasso.go.jp/examination/efjuafis_baij.html)
*Examination to select privately financed international students.
(2) Japanese Language Proficiency Test
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test, which
evaluates and certifies non-natives' proficiency in the Japanese
language, is organized by JASSO in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Tochigi, Saitama,
Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Toyama, Nagano, Shizuoka, Aichi, Kyoto,
Osaka, Hyogo, Hiroshima, Kagawa, Fukuoka, Oita and Okinawa, and
by the Japan Foundation in 89 cities in 38 countries and territories
around the world.
In 2003, the examination will be held on Sunday, December
7.
The results of the examination as part of the criteria
to select applicants to be admitted to Japanese universities and
other higher educational institutions has been discontinued as of
the end of 2001. From 2002, in principle, the Japanese as a Foreign
Language in "Examination for Japanese University Admission
for International Students (EJU)" has been replaced.
However, some universities do require this examination
in selecting applicants for master's courses and doctor's courses.
(3) Examination of the National Center for University Entrance
Japanese students who wish to enter a national
or local public university and some private universities are required
to take the Examination of the National Center for University Entrance.
Most universities exempt international students from this examination,
but some universities, mainly medicine, dentistry and education
departments, may require international students to comply.
(4) University examinations
Universities organize their entrance examinations
by combining various kinds of examinations such as
1) document screening,
2) university-set scholastic ability tests,
3) interviews,
4) essays, and
5) competence and aptitude tests, etc.
Some applicants may have to take some of the examinations listed
above. For further details of the examinations, please inquire as
early as possible with the universities whose entrance examinations
you wish to take.
Application deadlines, procedures, application period and application
documents differ by university and department, so you will have
to check directly with the university you wish to attend for specific
details. The earliest deadlines are in August of the previous year.
When applying from overseas, bear in mind the time needed for postal
mail delivery so that you can meet the deadline.
The Information Center maintains a list of institutes that give
entrance permission before arriving in Japan. Inquire to the center
for further information. |
3. Entrance examination