INDEX

Degree Program

• FAQ for Admission
• FAQ for Scholarship
• FAQ for Course / Curriculum

Non-degree Program

• FAQ for International Relations Courses (Only in Japanese)

FAQ for Admission

Do I need the score for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test?

If most of your registered courses are given in Japanese, please submit your score. For details, please refer to the " Proof of Language Proficiency " found under the Application Documents category in the Admission Guidelines.

What should I do if I don't have the Japanese Language Proficiency Test score by the time of application deadline?

In that case, you may submit an alternative reference to prove your Japanese language proficiency, such as your score for the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU).

Do I need a proof of English proficiency?

International students and Japanese applicants whose registered courses are given in English must submit a proof of English proficiency. Details are available in the " Proof of Language Proficiency " found under the Application Documents category in the Admission Guidelines.

Is there are a base score for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test and/or English Proficiency Test?

No, there is no base score.

Is it possible to apply multiple times in one year?

Yes. You can apply multiple times if the second admission test dates do not coincide with each other.

Can I apply even without majoring in International Relations?

You can still apply for the MA Program with a B.A. from a field different from where you are applying. Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies widely accepts competent applicants from Japan and abroad.

Can I apply for the doctorate program without a Master's Degree?

If your research ability is proven, there are chances that you will be admitted without a Master's Degree.

What does the Admissions Office consider most important out of the application documents?

Admission will be considered in a comprehensive manner, taking all documents into consideration including academic and career backgrounds, language proficiency, reference(s) of applicant, and essays. For applicants applying from Japan, the results for the second admission test will also be considered.

Are previous admission tests released?

Interested applicants of the MA Program may read the past essay Questions of the second screening for the admission exercise of the MA Program in AY2009 at the GSAPS Office.
Past written exam questions of the second screening of the PhD Program are not disclosed.

If I don't have anyone suitable as reference for the applicant reference, what should I do?

In that case, your reference does not have to be an academic supervisor or corporate supervisor, but please request someone who is equivalently suitable to make the prescribed reference.

I cannot meet the submission deadline for transcript and/or diploma because I have not graduated yet. What should I do?

Please send in your graduation letter along with your official transcript at the time of application. The submission of the final transcript and diploma will be requested upon admission.

Is it possible to take only certain courses as an auditing student?

No. We do not call for the "non-degree student", which takes only certain courses now.

Are there any orientations?

We have Open Schools several times a year. Please check our website for the Open School schedule.
Please send entry applications and/or inquiries to gsaps@list.waseda.jp.

FAQ for Scholarship

How do I apply for scholarship?

Those who wish to receive scholarship need to register for scholarship upon enrollment. For scholarships that require recommendations from the school, the candidates will be selected from the registered students based on academic performance and financial situations on an individual offer basis. The candidates will then submit their applications.
There are also publicly offered scholarships which individuals can apply for freely. Updates on the information for these scholarships are posted on the bulletin boards in front of the office or Center for International Education (scholarships for international students) for individual viewing and application.
Additionally there are scholarships that can be applied for prior to enrollment.
Details are available here.

What are the chances of obtaining a scholarship?

The obtainment ratio is available here. However the number and types of scholarships vary according to the fiscal year and thus the obtainment ratio is subject to fluctuate.

What is "Admission loan"?

The "Waseda University loan" and the "Interest Supplement Scholarship" are available to students with financial difficulties to pay the admission fee. The "Waseda University loan" also offers financial support to students who were not conventionally admissible for scholarships due to household situations. These only apply to Japanese students. Further information is available here.

Can international students apply for the "Waseda University loan"?

We're very sorry, but foreign students are not eligible for the "Waseda University loan".

What scholarships are available for Japanese students?

In addition to the scholarships from the Japan Scholarship Foundation, Scholarships sponsored by private foundation, and Waseda University scholarships such as the Okuma Memorial Awards and the Ono Azusa Memorial Awards are available. Details are provided here.
* "Japanese students" include foreign students residing in Japan whose status of residence is either: "Permanent resident", "Spouse of permanent resident", "Spouse of Japanese national" or "Fixed domicile resident".

What should an international student do to receive scholarship from the government of Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)?

If you are applying before enrollment, please directly contact the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan in the country for information. For the students of Waseda University, the application for this kind of scholarship requires recommendations from the school, thus the same procedure applies to the selection of candidates, i.e. candidates will be chosen from the registered students based on performance.

Is the tuition reduction/exemption system for privately financed international students applicable to all applicants?

Sixty percent of the total applicants are

How can I get into a dormitory?

The school provides accommodation for privately financed international students enrolled in the Master's Degree program. Those who would like accommodation are asked to submit the "Housing Survey for Privately-Financed International Students" when applying for admission. However, the number of available university dormitories and dormitories provided by supporting partners of the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies are quite limited and not all applicants can be provided with a dormitory. We will decide the tenants from the applicants with due consideration based on academic performance of the admission test and financial situations.
Other than the accommodations provided by the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, the Center for International Education also introduces university accommodation. For this accommodation, anytime there is vacancy, it will be offered for application, although the numbers are limited. Furthermore, there are dormitories which doctorate students are eligible to apply for.

FAQ for Course / Curriculum

Please tell me the course hours.

Courses are generally set between 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays.

Can I take courses outside the Waseda University Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies?

Yes, you may take courses from other graduate schools through official procedures. However, only Waseda University Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies employs the quarter system, so you will need to be careful about the schedule when registering. Furthermore, graduate students cannot take undergraduate courses.

Can I take a Japanese language course?

Japanese language courses are provided by the "Center for Japanese Language". However, they are paid courses.

Is it possible to change the project research and / or academic supervisor?

If you go through the prescribed procedure and your reason of change is approved as reasonable by the faculty council, your change may be accepted as an exceptional measure provided that the procedure takes place 12 months prior to your expected completion date.

How many courses should I register for per quarter?

Many students take 4 to 10 courses mostly during the spring and fall quarter. However, due to the schedule of the courses, please be aware that you can only take 2 to 3 courses during the summer quarter and 4 to 5 courses during the winter quarter.

How often do I need to come to the university?

The days that you come to the university will depend on the days and hours of the courses you wish to take. Please simulate your registration plan by checking the days and hours of the courses listed in the "Syllabus" and such that are distributed upon admission.

Can I withdraw from a course that I already registered for?

No. Withdrawals from courses are not accepted for any quarter. However, you are free to add and withdraw from courses during the registration period of each quarter.

Where can I purchase textbooks and materials?

With regard to textbooks, you can get them at the university Co-op or large bookstores. For copied materials, please check the bulletin for where you can get them.

I am an international student. Can I leave Japan during the school vacation period?

Please apply for the re-entry permit at the Tokyo Immigration Bureau of Japan.

Due to religious reasons, I need to pray regularly. Are there places where I can pray?

We're sorry, but Waseda University does not provide for the special needs of any religion.

Are there places where students can rest?

"The Refresh Zone" on the 8th floor and "the Rest Corners" on the 6th and 7th floor of Building 19 are available for that purpose.

How can I use the computers and Internet in Waseda University?

In order to use the computer network in Waseda University, you need to obtain a user account. Please attend the "Computer Seminar" provided during the orientation period.

Can I remit my tuition from overseas?

No. You must remit your tuition from bank tellers using the payment slip.

Can I remit my tuition from an ATM?

No. You must remit your tuition from bank tellers using the payment slip.

FAQ for International Relations Courses (Only in Japanese)

受講するにあたっての条件はありますか？

年齢、性別、学歴条件などは一切関係ありません。どなたでもご受講いただけます。

各種の資格試験受験を考えています。試験対策講座等はありますか？

いいえ。当講座にはありませんが、早稲田大学エクステンションセンター主催のオープンカレッジで一部開講されています。
URL：http://www.waseda.ac.jp/extension/index.html

教育訓練給付制度の対象ですか？

いいえ。対象講座は設けておりません。

割引制度はありますか？

はい。学生、早稲田カード会員、早稲田大学アジア太平洋研究科修了生およびWBS修了生の方には割引制度があります。ただし、講座によっては割引制度適用外あるいは割引額が異なりますのでご注意ください。
※早稲田カード会員については、こちらのページをご参照ください。

学生の対象範囲は？

「学生」とは大学院・大学・短大・専門学校の正規課程に在籍する方を指します。
したがって科目履修生や聴講生、研究生等は学生料金の対象とはなりませんので、ご了承下さい。
学生割引対象講座をご受講の場合は、受講の際、学生証をご提示いただきます。

キャンセルはいつまで可能ですか？

開講1週間前までに必ずその旨をご連絡ください。
ご入金のない場合でも、キャンセルのご連絡がないと受講の意思があるものとみなし、 開講後にキャンセルされた場合は、所定のキャンセル料を申し受けます。

修了の基準はありますか？

講座の3分の2以上、出席の方に修了証書を授与いたします。ただし、オンデマンド配信講座は除きます。

クレジットカードによる支払いは可能ですか？

いいえ。お支払いは銀行振込のみ（ATM・インターネットのご利用可）とさせていただいております。お振込の際は「御請求書」に記載された「お振込の際の注意事項」をご確認いただき、その指示に従いお振込みください。

受講料の分割払いは出来ますか？

いいえ。一括払いのみとさせていただいております。

一つの講座を複数名が交代で受講することは出来ますか？

いいえ。受講申込者ご本人のみとさせていただいております。ただし、受講期間中にやむを得ぬ事情が生じた場合（勤務地の異動など）はお問合せください。