Waseda Business School
(Graduate School of Business and Finance)

On this page, you will find the answers to frequently asked questions from prospective students mainly about admissions.
*FAQ will be updated from time to time.

Q: What are the schedules and timetables for each program?
A: The IMBA and MScF programs are both two-year programs starting September. Please refer to the following page for detailed information.

• Academic Calender
• Course Schedule

Q: Do you offer online courses?
A: We don’t offer online courses. All classes are conducted in-person.

Q: When is the application deadline?
A: The deadline varies depending on the program or application round. Please see the Application Guide.

Q: How long does it take to receive a decision after submitting an application?
A: From the date you submit a completed application, it takes approximately four to six weeks to receive a decision. As for the detailed dates, please see the Application Guide.

Q: As there are several application rounds, do I have to pass all rounds successively?
A: Each “round” represents a distinct period in which you may apply, not a succession of steps for your application.

Q: If I do not pass in one application round, can I apply for another application round again in an application year?
A: Repeat applications for later rounds in an application year are accepted.

Q: Can I apply to multiple programs? 
A: You may only apply to one program (International MBA or MSc in Finance) per application round. Regarding the International MBA program, you may not apply for both the 3rd Round of “Application with GMAT or GRE” and “Application for Family Business Successors.”

Q: Do I need to submit the original transcripts, certificates, and other documents?
A: You do not need to submit the original copy of certificates at the time of application, as the certificates are uploaded to the application system at the time of application. The original certificates must be submitted for the enrollment procedure.

Q: Is it accepted to send the recommendation letters directly from the evaluators to the WBS office?
A: The recommendation letters should be submitted through the online application system (The Admissions Office: TAO). If your recommender encounters any difficulties submitting the letter through TAO, please contact the WBS Admissions Office.
・Email to：[email protected]

Q: Am I eligible to apply?
A: You can check the eligibility for the application on page 5 of the Application Guide. Prospective applicants who are unsure if they can fulfill the requirements, must confirm their eligibility with the WBS Admissions Office prior to the application for an individual qualification screening.
・Email to：[email protected]

Q: Is the submission of a GMAT or GRE score mandatory for admission?
A: It is mandatory for all applicants of “Application with GMAT or GRE”. If you are appllying through “Application for Family Business Successors”, it is not mandatory.

Q: How important is the applicant’s GMAT/GRE score?
A: Although the GMAT/GRE is an important indicator of your academic ability, it is not the only factor we consider. In addition to your score, we also consider your overall academic record, the quality of your undergraduate institution, the difficulty of your undergraduate course of study and the consistency of your performance at work. Candidates who are weak in one area of the application (low GMAT, weak academic record, or limited employment experience) may balance that with strengths in other areas (above-average GPA, outstanding test scores or exceptional work experience).

Q: Is there a minimum GMAT or GRE score required to apply?
A: We do not set a minimum requirement. The GMAT or GRE scores are one method of evaluation among the many that are used to assess an application. However, we recommend submitting the highest possible GMAT or GRE score, as it will greatly enhance your candidacy.
*Please note that test scores taken online are not accepted from 2024 intake.

Q: Do I need to submit proof of English proficiency?
A: It is mandatory for non-native English speakers. Please refer to page 12 of the Application Guide for details.

Q: Regarding English proficiency, what kinds of test are valid? Is there a minimum score required to apply?
A: We accept TOEFL, TOEIC(L&R), IELTS(Academic), but test scores taken online are not accepted. We do not set a minimum score. We accept applicants with a wide range of test scores.

Q: Do I need to submit proof of Japanese proficiency?
A: It is not mandatory. Please refer to page 12 of the Application Guide for details.

Q: How much does prior work/internship experience influence the screening process?
A:  In general, work experience is an important component of any MBA application. For the handful of exceptional students who come straight from their undergraduate institution, we expect to see meaningful business-related internship experiences.

Q: Do I need to submit recommendation letters?
A: All applicants must submit recommendation letters. Please refer to page 13 of the Application Guide for details.

Q: How can I apply for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship?
A: The application process differs from the type of recommendation (university or embassy).

• University Recommendation
  You need to apply for the 1st round if you would like to apply for the MEXT Scholarship due to application deadline constraints. No application is required for this scholarship. Candidates will be selected from those who have applied and passed the exam in the first round. Only those who are nominated for the scholarship will be informed. Please take note that the MEXT scholarship has very few slots.
• Embassy Recommendation
  Please contact Japanese embassies in your countries for the application or any related information.

Q: Is there any priority or difference in scholarship nomination by the application rounds?
A: Except for MEXT scholarship, there are no differences with the application for scholarship.

Q: Which firms hire WBS graduates?
A: Please see the following webpage.https://www.waseda.jp/fcom/wbs/en/applicants/career

Q: Can I contact the professor before the application?
A: We do not introduce WBS professors to prospective students to ensure fairness to all applicants. We appreciate your understanding. You can find the faculty information through our website about faculty.

Q: I haven’t received the email from the WBS Office.
A: Please check the following:
・Haven’t you changed your email address recently?
・Please also check your spam folder.
If you continue to experience issues, please contact the WBS Admissions Office.
・Email to：[email protected]

Q: I’d like to ask about the result of the entrance exam.
A: Please refrain the inquiry about the result of the entrance exam.

Q: Do you have any events for prospective applicants?
A: We attend QS MBA tour every year, and you can meet our admissions officers in person at the tour. Please check the latest exhibition information from our Admissions Procedures Page.
Application Procedure > Other Application Information > MBA Booth Exhibition

Q: Do you offer campus tours?
A: You can book a tour of the Waseda Campus in Shinjuku, Tokyo, from this page. A virtual tour is also available online.