Graduate School of Social SciencesWaseda University

The Graduate School of Social Sciences, striving to link international exchange to education and research, has introduced the Special Admission Program into the School’s English-taught degree program. This admission program is designed for students who have been chosen or sent by the Japanese Government, a foreign government, a public institution, a business, or a private organization for their exemplary academic abilities and research capabilities. Screening of the Special Admission Program will be based on a review of all submitted application documents.  If it is judged that a deeper understanding of the applicant’s academic and research capability is necessary, an oral examination may be administered and the results will be included in the screening process.

Application Schedule

【September 2025 Admission】

**JICA sponsored applicants on programs will run on a different calendar. The application deadline for those category of students will be April 15th, 2025. JICA sponsored applicants are suggested to communicate well with the Admissions Office, the Graduate School of Social Sciences by e-mail.

 Eligibility

The applicant must meet the requirements listed in (1) Academic Qualification and (2) Application Qualifications for the Special Admission Program.  The applicant must also obtain a letter of recommendation from the research supervisor from Waseda.

(1)    Academic Qualification

(Master’s Program)
①  The applicant has graduated or is scheduled to graduate from a university by September 20, 2025.
②  The applicant has completed 16 years of standard school education overseas, or is scheduled to complete such an education by September 20, 2025.
③ The applicant has been enrolled at a university for more than three years (or has completed 15 years of school education overseas, or is scheduled to complete such education by September 20, 2025) and has been recognized by Waseda University Graduate School of Social Sciences as having earned a specified number of credits with an excellent academic record.
④ The applicant has been recognized by Waseda University Graduate School of Social Sciences as possessing academic credentials superior to those of university graduates through an individual admission requirements screening process and is scheduled to reach 22 years of age by September 20, 2025.

(Doctoral Program)
①  The applicant is a holder of a Master’s Degree or scheduled to receive one by September 20, 2025.
②  The applicant is a holder of a Master’s Degree from an overseas institution or its equivalent.
③  The applicant has completed a program with the United Nations University, or has received a degree equivalent to a Master’s degree, or will be scheduled to acquire such a degree by September 20, 2025.

(2)    Application Qualifications for the Special Admission Program (Applies to both the Master’s Program and the Doctoral Program).

You must fulfill one of the following requirements (①-④) below:

①  Applicant is a Japanese Government (MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Sciences and Technology) Scholarship Recipient.
②  Applicant was selected and sent by a Foreign Government.
③  Applicants who receive substantial financial aid such as a scholarship during their time as a student from a program affiliated with a public institution, foundation, business, or organization (Applicable to those who have Japanese citizenship also).
④  Applicants who are enrolled in a scholarships program outside of the three listed above (①-③), but are in a program that is of the same caliber of ①-③ are approved by the Graduate School of Social Sciences Steering Committee.
※Any scholarship program that distributes its money in a way that does not properly cover school tuition and living expenses will not be recognized as fulfilling any of the requirements listed above.  Therefore, scholarship programs such as the “Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)’s Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students” will not be recognized as fulfilling any of the qualifications listed above.

Application Forms

The application forms of the Special Admission Program are not available to download online, so that the Admissions Office of the Graduate School of Social Sciences can communicate with respective interested students and verify their application qualification before they apply. Students who are interested in this admission program are expected to review the application guidelines below and then send an e-mail of requesting for the application forms to the contact below with the necessary documents.

[Application] Application Guidelines of the Special Admission Program for International Students (September 2025 Admission)

Inquiry/Request for the Application Forms : admissions-socs<at>list.waseda.jp

※Please replace <at> with the @ when sending e-mails.

(Admissions Office, Graduate School of Social Sciences)