- For Prospective Students
- Admissions
Admissions
The information session for Global-J （November 2025)
Programs and Degrees
Graduate Schools at Waseda University are engaged in research and instruction in the humanities and sciences fields, at an advanced level, in terms of both theory and practice. They aim to reach a depth of knowledge, create and develop cultures, and contribute to the welfare of mankind. The graduate courses consist of a “master’s program” for two years and a “doctoral program” for the following three years. The degrees that can be obtained are as follows:
- Master of Arts in Literature
- Doctor of Literature
Non-Degree students are allowed to take a course or several courses of study in a year.
As a rule, classes, research guidance, and thesis instruction at our Graduate School are conducted in Japanese. However, we provide guidance in English for the Program “Global-J”.
For more information about the curriculum, please refer to the program overview* or course registration. *For the latest information on entrance examinations, please refer to the following application guidelines.
Reference materials
Guidance for Students Seeking Promotion to the GLAS
GLAS Appendix
Website
Global Japanese Literary and Cultural Studies (Global-J)
Application Guidelines
Master’s Program
2026 Application Guide for Global-J (Master’s Program) 2025.7.31 Released
2026 List of Supervisors for Global-J (Master’s Program)
- Entrance Date
April 1 2026 or September 21 2026
*Applicants can choose the entrance date at the time of application.
- Application Period
November 6 at 10:00 ～November 19 at 17:00, 2025
- Screening Methods
First screening: Document screening Second screening: Oral examination
- Other Information
Doctoral Program
2026 Application Guide for Global-J (Doctoral Program) 2025.10.27 Revised / 2025.7.31 Released
2026 List of Supervisors for Global-J (Doctoral Program)
- Entrance Date
April 1 2026 or September 21 2026
*Applicants can choose the entrance date at the time of application during the November Application period. (The June Application is for September entrance only.)
- Application Periods
November Application: November 6 at 10:00 ～November 19 at 17:00, 2025
June Application: June 1 at 10:00 ～ June 8 at 17:00, 2026
- Screening Methods
First screening: Document screening Second screening: Oral examination
- Other Information
Non-Degree Student
2025 Application Guidelines 2024.11.28 Released
The list of Approved Courses 2024.12.20 Released
Enrollment Date
April 1 (Tue.) 2025 OR September 21 (Sun.) 2025
Screening Methods
Document screening and Interview examination
Applicants whose application has been accepted will be asked to take the oral examination
Other Information
From 2028 Intake Onwards Discontinuation of Non-Degree Student Admissions for the Global Japanese Literary and Cultural Studies Program (Global-J) 2025.10.21 Released
Application documents (designated format)
Master‘s Program
- Language Proficiency and Other Information
- Statement of Purpose
- Writing Sample
- Evaluation of Japanese Language Proficiency
- Letter of recommendation
Doctoral Program
- Research Plan label
- Personal history form and research achievements
- Evaluation of Japanese Language Proficiency
- Letter of recommendation
Non-Degree Student
- Application label
- Application form
- Statement of Purpose
- Curriculum Vitae for Application to Approved Courses as a Non-Degree Student
- Application to Approved Courses as a Non-Degree Student
Payment of Examination Fee
- Payment method for payments at a convenience store
- Payment method for credit card payments and online payments from China
- Screening Fee Waiver Program for Applicants from Specified Countries
International Students with a foreign citizenship
(Mail to Global-J) Inquiry for the admission
(Mail to admission office)
Reasonable Accommodation
If you expect to require reasonable accommodation during the entrance examination or after entering the university owing to a disability or serious medical condition, etc., please refer to the application guide and contact the relevant school office before submitting your application.
Regardless of the type of entrance examination, answers to frequently asked questions can be found here. Please be sure to review them as well.