General rules for submitting applications:

1) The Application Form and other prescribed forms are available only at the office in charge of Exchange Programs in our partner institutions. The applicants are required to submit their applications through the exchange program coordinator of their home institution.
2) All documents have to be originals. If the original certificate (of language aptitude proof, etc) is unavailable, please submit a copy of the document certified by the home institution.
3) Documents printed in a language other than English or Japanese have to be translated into English or Japanese and certified by the home institution.
4) Application documents will not be returned. If an applicant withdraws from the exchange program, the application documents will be kept at Sophia for one year.

Documents to be submitted:

(1) Application Form (Form Provided)
The applicant must specify the semester and the program for which he/she is applying.
The applicant should refer to the course information on the website when filling out the list of courses he/she intends to take at Sophia. It is strongly recommended to take a Japanese language course every semester. (The formal course registration will be made by the students after arriving in Japan.)

(2) 4 photos (length 4cm x width 3cm) *DO NOT STAPLE THE PHOTOS
1 for the Application form, 1 for the Housing Application form, 2 for Application for Certificate of Eligibility (for the visa).
No edge, just size, in formal pose, clearness and no background scenery.
Color photocopies and computer printouts are NOT acceptable.

(3) Official Academic Transcript(s)
Applicants for the UNDERGRADUATE program:
The latest official transcript(s), showing courses taken and grades received, of all academic institutions attended should be submitted.
If applying for Spring semester at Sophia, it is required to submit the transcript including the grades of perivious Spring semester.
If applying for Autumn semester at Sophia, it is required to submit the transcript including the grades of perivious Autumn semester.
Student copies are NOT acceptable. Applicants must have the grades for at least one semester at their home institutions.

Applicants for the GRADUATE program:
The latest official transcript(s) of all previous undergraduate and graduate studies should be submitted.
If applying for Spring semester at Sophia, it is required to submit the transcript including the grades of perivious Spring semester.
If applying for Autumn semester at Sophia, it is required to submit the transcript including the grades of perivious Autumn semester.
Student copies are NOT acceptable. Applicants must have the grades for at least one semester at their home institutions.
A certificate (certified copy of a diploma) showing that the applicant has finished the bachelor-level studies should also be submitted.

Notes:
a. The applicants are expected to have a Grade Point Average of B (3.0) or better in the standard 4-level rating system (A, B, C, D) or equivalent for submitting their applications for the exchange program. An official transcript from our partner university is essential in submitting the application; an applicant therefore must have completed at least one semester of study at his/her home university as a degree-seeking student before submitting the exchange application.

b. A list of courses that are in session at the time of application should be shown on the transcript(s) If not, please submit a separate list with courses in progress.

c. The explanations of the grading system used at the applicant’s home university should be attached to the transcript(s) by the applicants’ home institution.

(4) Two Letters of Recommendation (Form Provided)
The letters must be from professors who have taught the applicant an academic course at his/her home institution.

(5) Academic Purpose Essay
An essay giving the applicant's reasons for wishing to study at Sophia and specifying as precisely as possible the area of intended studies and its relation to his/her previous academic or career experience.

Applicants for the Faculty of Liberal Arts / Graduate program in Global Studies
The essay should be in ENGLISH. Approximately 500 words

Applicants for other undergraduate/graduate programs
The essay should be in JAPANESE. Approximately 500 to 1200 characters.

(6) Photocopy of Passport (and visa, if not coming on student visa)
A photocopy of the pages in his/her passport showing the photograph, name, birth date, place of birth, number, citizenship, period of validity, and place of issuing. If an applicant is not coming on a student visa, the copy of the pages containing the relevant visa to enter and study in Japan should also be submitted.

(7) Housing Application Form (Form Provided)
ALL applicants must submit a housing application, regardless of whether they wish to make accommodation arrangements through Sophia.
If an applicant wishes to make the accommodation arrangement through Sophia, he/she must fill out all pages and sign the promise.
If an applicant wishes to arrange their own housing, he/she should complete the first page of the application only.

(8) Certificate of Health (Form Provided)
All applicants should submit the Certificate of Health completed within the previous 6 months, signed by a practicing physician and indicating that the applicant is physically fit to attend university and do the required academic work. All items (including x-ray) on the certificate must be filled out. *The applicants with special needs are requested to provide in advance the information.

(9) TOEFL or English Aptitude Proof (For Faculty of Liberal Arts)
Applicants from non-English-speaking institutions are required to submit one of the following English aptitude proofs:
a. official TOEFL score of 79 or better on the Internet-based test
b. official TOEFL score of 213 or better on the Computer-based test
c. official TOEFL score of 550 or better on the Paper-based test
d. official IELTS score of 6.0 points or better
e. official TOEIC score of 730 or better

*Non-native English speakers who apply for the Graduate Program in Global Studies are expected to have a higher English ability in comparison to the undergraduate program (Faculty of Liberal Arts). Those whose TOEFL score or equivalent is below 600 may be denied the entrance into the program. Please check the following announcement from the Program Director for more detailed information:
Information for International Exchange Students regarding the Graduate Program of Global Studies (GPGS)

Institutional TOEFL scores are acceptable.
If it is possible, please request the official TOEFL scores to be sent directly to Sophia from the head office of TOEFL. Sophia's institution code is 0819.

For information on TOEFL, please refer to: http://www.ets.org/
For information on IELTS, please refer to: http://www.ielts.org/
For information on TOEIC, please refer to: http://www.ets.org/

(10) Japanese Language Aptitude Proof (For undergraduate/graduate programs taught in Japanese ONLY)
For applicants whose native language is not Japanese, it is necessary to submit a copy of a certificate to certify that they have passed Level N1 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test（日本語能力試験N1）administered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. However, there are some departments taught in Japanese where you may apply by submitting the result of JLPT or other certificates of your Japanese language skills. Please consult with the International Liaison Office if you wish to apply for programs taught in Japanese.
The test can also be taken outside of Japan. For details on overseas testing, please refer to: http://www.jlpt.jp/e/index.html

(11) Application for Certificate of Eligibility (To be submitted online)
For applicants who do not have a Japanese passport. This document is necessary for a visa application. The forms need to be downloaded and submitted online. Please ask the coordinator of your institution about the website URL. Please complete the forms (excel) carefully and all items on the forms must be filled out.