MA Program

Application Documents

Required for all applicants

Application Documents INDEX

1. Application Form (designated form)

Must be filled out by the applicant. The photo should be 4cm x 3cm without frame, and must be taken within 3 months prior to the application.

* Please complete in the language that applicants choose on the application form page 1.

2. Applicant Evaluation Form (designated form)

Must be written by a university professor who has supervised the work of the applicant, or a superior at the applicant's current institution or company, or other appropriate person. The evaluation form must be enclosed in a sealed envelope. Applicants for the master's degree program under the Foreign Application Method must submit two forms written by separate evaluators; all other applicants should submit one form each.

1. Applicant forwards the designated form and envelope to the evaluator.
2. The evaluator must enclose the designated form in the envelope, seal it, sign across the seal, and then return it to the applicant.
3. Applicant submits the evaluation to GSAPS with the sealed envelope.

3. Official college / university certificate

1. Certificate of (expected) graduation / degree
   • Must be original. Photocopy or facsimile is not acceptable.
   • Not necessary to submit if the (expected)graduation date and the degree are stated on the transcript.
   • If not written in Japanese or English, an official translation must be submitted together with the original in local language.
   • Applicants must submit official certificates for all undergraduate and graduate schools attended.
   • Submit the document with official seals.
2. Official transcript of courses
   • Must be original. Photocopy or facsimile is not acceptable.
   • If not written in Japanese or English, an official translation must be submitted together with the original in local language.
   • Applicants must submit official certificates for all undergraduate and graduate schools attended.
   • The transcript should contain all the grades that the applicant earned at the institution.
   • For applicants who have transferred, a transcript from the previous institution should also be submitted.
   • If applicants study abroad in their undergraduate or graduate years and transfer credits earned during the period of study abroad toward their graduation for the undergraduate or graduate program and the name of subjects and their grades are not indicated on the official transcript of courses issued by Home University, they are requested to submit the official transcript of courses during the period of study abroad.
   • If there are no explanations about a grading system on the transcript, official documents that explain about a grading system at the institution should also be submitted.
   • Submit the document with official seals.

4. Proof of language proficiency

* See "Language Proficiency Tests and Other Examinations"

• Submit a certificate of either a Japanese or English proficiency test as follows. Must be original. Photocopy or facsimile is not acceptable.
• Applicants whose native language is Japanese are required to submit appropriate documentation certifying their ability in the English language. (Valid TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC score report.)
• Japanese proficiency: Score report and certificate of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (Level 1 or N1) administered jointly by the Japan Education Exchanges and Services, and the Japan Foundation. Compulsory for non-native Japanese language speaker who have chosen the program conducted in Japanese.
• English proficiency: Valid TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC score report. Compulsory for non-native English language speaker who have chosen the program conducted in English. Applicants are requested to notify the GSAPS Admissions Office in writing at the timing of application if they order to send TOEFL / IELTS score directly to GSAPS.

5. Certificate Payment of the Application Fee

Please refer to "Application Fee" for more details.

* The application fee is waived for the following cases.

1. In case that current master's degree students at GSAPS or Graduate School of Japanese Applied Linguistics (GSJAL), which belong to Faculty of International Research and Education of Waseda University wish to continue their study at the GSAPS PhD program right after their graduation from the master's program.
2. In case that applicants who continuously enroll as a non-degree student (not sponsored) at GSAPS or GSJAL right after their graduation from the master's degree program at GSAPS or GSJAL wish to continue their study at the GSAPS PhD program within four years after their entrance of the master's degree program at GSAPS or GSJAL.

* Applicants who enroll in Waseda University as a Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship recipient at the time of application and have a possibility to enroll in GSAPS as a Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship recipient continuously after admission to GSAPS may be eligible for an exemption of the application fee. Please contact the GSAPS Admissions Office before applying in this case.

<< For payment of the application fee at banks in Japan >>

Application Sheet (designated form) * not downloadable
Photo card (card A), application card (card B), certificate of bank transfer (card C), receipt of bank transfer for application fee (card D) and application for telegraphic transfer (card E) are attached in the form of a single pack. Applicants who paid the application fee at banks in Japan must submit cards A, B and C, making sure that cards have been properly stamped at the bank.

1. Photo card (card A) : 4cm x 3cm with no frame. The photo should be same as the one for "1. Application Form".
2. Application card (card B) : The card will be sent back to each applicant after his or her application number is decided.
3. Certificate of bank transfer (card C) : Do not separate from cards A and B, and submit them together.
4. Receipt of bank transfer for application fee (card D) : Applicants should keep card D for their own receipt.
5. Application for telegraphic transfer (card E) : Do not separate from the other cards and bring them all to the bank.

<< For payment of the application fee at convenience stores in Japan >>

Certificate of Payment
After payment at the convenience store, please detach the "Certificate of Payment"(receipt) from the "Entrance Exam / Screening Fee Statement".
Please attach the "Certificate of Payment"(receipt) to the designated column in the application form.
Photograph
4cm x 3cm (same as the one for "1. Application Form")

<< For payment of the application fee through overseas banking institutions >>

Photocopy of the Telegraphic Transfer Application Form
If application fee was paid outside Japan, the designated amount should be transferred to the designated bank account. In this case a copy of the Telegraphic Transfer Application Form (designated form of a bank) must be submitted to GSAPS together with other application documents.
Photograph
4cm x 3cm (same as the one for "1. Application Form")

<< For those who apply to the application fee waiver program for applicants from specified countries >>

Application Form for Application Fee Waiver (designated form)
Copy of passport (including all details of the applicant)
Photograph
4cm x 3cm (same as the one for "1. Application Form")

* As for the application fee waiver program for applicants from specified countries, please refer to "Application Fee" for details.

6. Address Label (designated form)

Important information, including screening results, will be sent to applicants by using these 2 labels. Please make sure that name and mailing address are written correctly. Please inform the GSAPS Admissions Office of any changes as soon as they occur.

7. Essay [Part 1] (designated form)

Refer to the designated form for explanation.
* Please complete in the language that applicants choose on the application form page 1.

8. Essay [Part 2] (designated form)

Applicable to the Foreign Application Method. Refer to the designated form for explanation.
* Please complete in the language that applicants choose on the application form page 1.

9. GRE score report (See GRE)

Not compulsory. Applicable to MA applicants under Foreign Application Method whose major language for completing the course is English and who have its score already. Applicants are requested to notify the GSAPS Admissions Office in writing at the timing of application if they order to send GRE score directly to GSAPS.

10. Written proof of residence outside Japan

Applicable to Japanese citizens and non-Japanese who possess a VISA of Japan under the Foreign Application Method. Must submit written proof of residence in a foreign country, enrollment in a foreign educational or research institution, or employment in a foreign enterprise.

Application Documents INDEX