2025 Academic Year
Guidelines and Procedures for
Fulfilling the Admissions Criteria for
Privately Financed International Students(presently residing outside of Japan)

andApplication Packet

School of Global and Community Studies
University of Fukui

Application Guidelines
July 2024

The School of Global and Community Studies (GCS) at the University of Fukui was established in 2016as a center for learning and research focused on community development and proactive involvement in the
globalizing world. Presently GCS offers a four-year undergraduate course (BA) comprised of courses in thehumanities and social sciences, with opportunities for cross-disciplinary learning through courses offeredby other departments at the university. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on
active participation at the community level through project-based learning (PBL).
Please refer to the GCS website (QR code on the right) for further information.
Moreover, as an expansion of GCS, the Professional Graduate School of Global andCommunity Management was launched in April 2020, offering qualified graduates
an opportunity to extend their studies for a master’s degree.
GCS is pleased to announce the 2025-2026 academic year application guidelines for students from abroad.
Several undergraduate places will be offered to qualified applicants in this category who meet all applicationand entrance requirements and pass an online interview. These places are intended for those who are presently
residing outside of Japan and are prepared to apply on a self-funded basis. However, accepted applicants may
obtain funding, such as a scholarship, on an individual basis, from a range of public and private sources.
We warmly welcome aspiring learners who are keen to expand their horizons by joining us in an exciting
challenge in Fukui. The region is steeped in long historical traditions and culture, including local handicrafts,
as well as a rich and varied cuisine. Fukui’s local industries combine modern technologies with traditional
craftsmanship. Also, nature has endowed Fukui with four distinct seasons and a varied landscape of forests,
mountains, farmland, and a scenic coast. All these elements combine to make Fukui an ideal region toexperience “real” Japan.
Finally, the name of the prefecture, Fukui, is written with two ‘kanji’ characters, 福 (fuku) and 井 (i).
The meaning of the characters translates literally to “well (井) of blessing (福)”. Consistent with that name,
Fukui has repeatedly topped the ranking among all 47 prefectures of Japan for the happiness of its
residents. We are happily awaiting your application as well!

Table of Contents
Schedule Overview・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 1
Ⅰ Admissions Policy・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 2
Ⅱ Number of Applicants Accepted・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 3
Ⅲ Application Qualifications・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 3
Ⅳ Application Procedures・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 4
Ⅴ Screening Methods・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 6
Ⅵ Announcement of Accepted Students・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 6
Ⅶ Admission Procedures・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 6
Ⅷ Support for International Students・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 7
Ⅸ Personal Information Policy・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

7

Application Materials・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 9Application Form, Statement of Purpose, Letter of Recommendation

Schedule Overview
Application Submission Period
Monday, September 30 to Friday, October 11, 2024

Screening Period
Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1, 2024
* Applicants will be screened based on their submitted documents
and interview over the internet. A university visit is not required.

Announcement of AcceptanceThursday, November 14, 2024

Admission Procedures
Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 12, 2024

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I

Admissions Policy(1) Ideal Attributes Cultivated in the School of Global and Community Studies
The School of Global and Community Studies (GCS) shall cultivate people with the capacity tocontribute to global society through community revitalization. This shall be done by developing
the practical and comprehensive skills required to address and find solutions for complex issues
facing local communities and global society.
(2) The Ideal Student(2-1) The ideal student
Based on its Ideal Attributes, GCS seeks the following qualities in its students.
(1) Students should possess an interest in the various complex issues brought about by
globalization within local communities and global society. Furthermore, they should desire toengage in activities which allow them to deepen their understanding of these issues andactively pursue solutions.
(2) Students should possess a desire to acquire the specialized knowledge required for their fieldof study as well as a proactive mindset for exploring approaches to problem-solving andworking collaboratively with others, with an eye on pursuing and solving issues.
(3) Students should desire to acquire English language skills for academic use (English for
Academic Purposes) and practical purposes, as well as to develop intercultural communication
skills necessary for collaborating with diverse peoples and engaging in a broad range ofactivities in the global world.
(2-2) Expectations for students prior to admission
Upon entering the GCS program, students will acquire specialized knowledge and skills
centered on the humanities and social sciences as well as foundational knowledge and skills in
the natural sciences essential for understanding and seeking solutions to complex contemporary
problems. Additionally, the GCS curriculum supports students’ development of English language
proficiency. However, in order to benefit from this curriculum, incoming students are required tohave graduated from a senior high school, or its equivalent, with a fundamental knowledge ofnatural sciences, social sciences, and humanities and foreign languages. Moreover, the ideal
candidate will have studied independently and cultivated an interest in a diverse and broad rangeof contemporary societal issues and academic disciplines, beyond conventional distinctions
across the natural sciences and the humanities and social sciences.
(3) Basic Admission Selection Policy
Privately-financed international student entrance examination (Special Examination for Foreign
Students)
This entrance examination is designed for non-Japanese nationals residing outside Japan.
Applicants are comprehensively evaluated based on their scores in tests of English language
proficiency, Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) scores, and application materials(Application Form, Statement of Purpose, Letter of Recommendation, and academic transcripts),
as well as an interview conducted online.
In accordance with the above admission selection policy, and using the method specified for eachentrance exam category below, applicants for admission are selected through a multi-faceted,comprehensive evaluation, and judgment including the three core elements of academic ability.
Points emphasized in this evaluation are marked below with a circle (○). Details of the content andpoint allocations of academic ability tests are provided in the Application Guidelines.
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Entrance exam type

Admission selection
methodFoundational
knowledge/skills

Interview○

Statement of Purpose
Privately-financed
international student
entrance examination(Special Examination
for Foreign Students)

II

Letter of
Recommendation

Critical thinking andAttitude toward
communication skills
studying
required to apply
knowledge and skills, independently and incollaboration withidentify problems
diverse groups ofautonomously, seek
peoplesolutions, andcommunicate results

○

○

○

○

○

Japanese Language
Proficiency Test○

Academic Transcripts○

Number of Applicants Accepted
A few students

III

Application Qualifications

Applicants shall not be of Japanese nationality. They shall have resided outside of Japan up until thetime of application, and must meet the following basic qualification and requirements.
1. Basic qualifications
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:(1) Applicant has completed (or is expected to complete) 12 years of school education in a country otherthan Japan by March 31, 2025, or possesses an equivalent education recognized by the Japanese Ministryof Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The above-mentioned 12 years ofeducation (excluding the final year of education) may include a period of study in Japan’s education
system, but the total period of such study cannot be more than three years.
(2) Applicant possesses an International Baccalaureate degree awarded by the International Baccalaureate
Organization as prescribed in the Swiss Civil Code.
(3) Applicant possesses an Abitur certificate recognized as qualification for university admission in thestates of the Federal Republic of Germany.
(4) Applicant possesses a Baccalaureate diploma recognized as qualification for university admission in
the French Republic.
(5) Applicant passes three subjects or more of the GCE (General Certificate of Education) Advanced
Levels or the International General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels that satisfies university
entry requirements in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (grade of at least E).
(6) Applicant possesses the European Baccalaureate diploma as qualification for university admission in
the European Union Member States.
(7) Completion or expected completion of a 12-year course by March 31, 2025 at an overseas educational-3-

facility accredited by international evaluation organizations (Western Association of Schools andColleges, Council of International Schools, Association of Christian Schools International, New
England Association of Schools and Colleges or Cognia).
2. Requirements
Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:(1) Applicants must have taken the TOEFL（iBT）or, where TOEFL iBT is unavailable, its ETScertified equivalent (the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition, or the TOEFL
ITP Plus for China) , or the IELTS (Academic test) within the two-year period prior to submission of
their application (January 2023 or later).
(2) Applicants must have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level N3 or higher; if not,they must submit a form which verifies an ability at or beyond level N3.
(3) Applicants must possess or are expected to be able to acquire the status of residence of College Student
according to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act of Japan (Act No. 319 of 1951).

IV

Application Procedures

1. Application Submission Period and Method
Applications will be accepted from Monday, September 30 until 4 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Download the necessary documents from the University of Fukui web site(http://www.u-fukui.ac.jp/eng/index.html), complete them, and send them by Express Mail Service(EMS) or other international postal services that track delivery.
Applications arriving after the deadline will not be accepted.
2.

Submit applications and direct inquiries to:Admissions Division
University of Fukui
3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture, 910-8507 JAPANE-mail: g-nyusi@ad.u-fukui.ac.jp

3. Application Materials
Submitted application materials must be in English or Japanese. Certificates and other documents not
written in English or Japanese must include an attached translation (into English or Japanese) certified
with an official stamp by an embassy or government-approved public notary.
Document
Application Form

Instructions
Complete all required items in English or Japanese.

Statement of
PurposeThe statement shall be written in English (around 500 words) or Japanese (around 1,000
characters) in length.

Application Fee

Make a bank transfer to the university’s designated account to pay the application feeof 17,000 yen, as well as any bank transfer fees or intermediate bank processing fees,
no later than Friday, October 11, 2024.
Payment destination bank
Fukui Bank (Main Branch Sales Department)
University of Fukui, 1-1-1 Junka, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture 910-8660 JAPAN
Regular Account, No. 6008273
BIC Code: 0147 FKUIJPJT-4-Applicants with the Basic Qualifications listed in (1)• Applicants shall submit a certificate of graduation (or completion), or
certificate of expected graduation (or completion) prepared by the head of theschool where the applicant studied in their home country• Applicants shall also submit an academic transcript and an explanation about
the grading system which shows the percentage of students which achieve each
grade, for example, Grade A(90-100) 10％, Grade B (80-89) 30％, Grade C(70-79) 35％, and Grade D (60-69) 25％
Applicants with the Basic Qualifications listed in (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6)(2) Those who studied in an International Baccalaureate program shall submit a
copy of their International Baccalaureate diploma and a transcript of theiracademic records.
Application(3) Those who obtained an Abitur diploma from one of the states of the Federal
Qualification
Republic of Germany shall submit a copy of their General University
Certificates andAdmission Certificate and a transcript of their academic records.
(4)
Those
who obtained a Baccalaureate diploma in the Republic of France shall
Grade Certificatessubmit a copy of the diploma and a transcript of their academic records.
(5) Those who passed three or more subjects of the GCE Advanced Levels (ALevels) or the International Advanced Levels shall submit a copy of the diploma
and a transcript of their academic records.
(6) Those who obtained the European Baccalaureate diploma in the European
Union Member States shall submit a copy of the diploma and a transcript of
their academic records.
(7) Applicants under Basic Qualification (7) shall submit the certificate of course
completion (expected course completion) (original), the transcript of grades(original), and documents certifying that the educational institution in question
has been certified by an international evaluation organization.
Submit either one of (a) or (b) below. Please note that these documents should arrive at
the University of Fukui by the final day of the application period.
(a) TOEFL(iBT) score certificate:
You must arrange for TOEFL(iBT) scores for a test held in January 2023 or later
to be sent directly to the University of Fukui from the Education Testing Service(ETS). The Designated Institution Code of the University of Fukui is 0184.
TOEFL or IELTS (b) IELTS (Academic Module) score certificate:(Academic Module)
You must arrange for IELTS scores (Test Report Form) for a test held in January
Score Certificates2023 or later to be sent directly to the University of Fukui from the testingorganization. Complete the Application for the Issue of Additional TRFs using thefollowing information:
Postal code: 910-8507
Name of Person / Department: Admissions Division
Name of College / University / Organization: University of Fukui
Address: 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture JAPANYou must arrange for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Score Report andCertificate of Proficiency to be sent directly to the University of Fukui from the testingorganization. When applying for the Score Report and Certificate of Proficiency to be
Japanese Language sent, use the following information to fill in the address and department.
Postal code: 910-8507
Proficiency Test
Address: University of Fukui, Admissions Division
Certificates
3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui-shi, Fukui Prefecture JAPANPlease note that these documents should arrive at the University of Fukui by the final
day of the application period.

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Letter ofRecommendation

Please have the principal or teacher at your last school prepare the Letter ofRecommendation in English or Japanese.

Precautions for Submitting the Application(1) Paid application fees cannot be refunded except in the following cases:
・If you do not submit the application documents or are not accepted.
・If you accidentally double-transfer the application fees.
When the application fee is refunded to an account of a bank outside Japan, the applicant will bear
the return fee. Therefore, the fee will be deducted and returned.
(2) Application documents that have been received and processed may not be returned, nor may theircontents be altered, for any reason.
(3) Incomplete applications may not be accepted, so please prepare the application carefully.
(4) Forgery, false entries, plagiarism, other forms of falsification, or any other materials in theapplication documents that may impair the fairness of the examination constitute fraud and may
result in the application not being accepted. In addition, applications may be canceled even after they
have been accepted, or admission may be canceled even after entrance. In such cases, the application
fee and admission fee will not be refunded.

V

Screening Methods

Applicants are selected by way of a comprehensive evaluation based on their submitted TOEFL (iBT) or
IELTS score, Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) scores, and application materials (Application
Form, Statement of Purpose, Letter of Recommendation, and academic transcripts), as well as the results ofan interview conducted online. As applicants are screened based on their submitted documents, so auniversity visit is not required.
TOEFL (iBT), IELTSApplicants must have taken either

the TOEFL or IELTS.

Japanese Language Proficiency
Test
Applicants must have passed
level N3 or higher.

University of Fukui
Achievement Test
Interview over the internet*Applicants will be notified of the details of the online interview (e.g., date and time, etc.) by e-mail.
Please make sure your internet settings are properly configured to enable an online interview.
The recommender (or teacher) must also be present for the interview.
During the interview, you may be asked questions in English and required to provide answers in English.

VI

Announcement of Accepted students

The application numbers of accepted students will be announced at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November
14, 2024, on the University of Fukui website https://www.u-fukui.ac.jp/user_admission/.
Inquiries by phone or other methods will not be acknowledged.

VII

Admission Procedures

Accepted applicants will be sent enrollment guidelines along with their notification of acceptance.
Please carefully read this information before undertaking the enrollment procedures.
1. Admission procedures and fee payment(1) Admission procedures-6-Admission procedures must be completed by 4 p.m. from Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December
12, 2024.
If admission procedures are not completed, the application will not be processed.
(2) School fees
Admission fee：282,000 yen
Tuition for the first year：535,800 yen
The admission fee and the first semester tuition (267,900 yen) must be paid in full upon entrance.
When tuition fees be revised during a student’s period of enrollment, the new amount will become
effective from that point on.
2. Scholarships
After enrollment, Privately-Financed International Students can apply for various private scholarshipgrants. The University noticeboard provides information on these scholarship grants. For further details,
please contact the International Affairs Division.
3. Student Dormitory (209 rooms)
The Student Dormitory is for both Japanese (159 rooms) and international students (50 rooms). It is a 5minute walk from the Bunkyo Campus. Rent: monthly 6,800 yen.

VIII

Support for International Students

Academic supervisors, tutors, the Institute for Global Engagement, the Center for Global Education andResearch, and the International Affairs Division cooperate to support international students so they canenjoy their life in Japan and be successful in their studies or research. Whenever you have any questions
and concerns, please ask for help from the supporters.
1. Academic Supervisors
Academic supervisors will offer advice and consultation about studies, research, and daily life.
2. Tutors
Tutors help new international students transfer smoothly into their new environment. Japanese students
and international students who are experienced in Japanese life help students with various procedures
just after entry, guide students around the campus, and support students as their first friend in Japan.
Any international student who has lived in Japan for less than one year have a tutor.
3. Institute for Global Engagement and Center for Global Education and Research
The Institute for Global Engagement and the Center for Global Education and Research provide
international students with Japanese language education, counseling about various topics on life, studies
and job hunting, and opportunities to interact with other people and organizations in the university andlocal community.
4. International Affairs Division
The International Affairs Division processes all documents needed from students’ entry to Japan until
their departure from the university. You can visit the office at any time with any questions or comments
you may have.

IX

Personal Information Policy

Personal information written on application forms and related materials (including information pertaining
to academic assessments) shall be managed by the University of Fukui and used for the purposes of (1)entrance examination procedures, (2) enrollment procedures, (3) preparations for intake of enrollees(including Student Registration Management and Preparation to take courses), and (4) gathering information
to improve the entrance examination process and ascertain application trends. In principle, except in thefollowing cases, personal information will not be used for any other purposes than those described above,-7-

nor will it be provided to anyone who is not a faculty or staff member of the University of Fukui without theconsent of the applicants:
1) In cases where personal information is provided to relevant government bodies for specific, appropriate
reasons as deemed necessary for those bodies to fulfill their legally obligated duties, such as when an
investigative authority requires information for an investigation;2) In cases where personal information needs to be provided to an outside company contracted to perform
electronic computer processing work when such work is required for submitted application materials.
(Note that in such cases, the company is required to sign an agreement to manage and protect personal
information in accordance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information.);3) In ranges where personal information contained in submitted application materials is used for the
purpose of academic research and doing so poses no risk of infringement upon the applicant’s rights andinterests.
Direct inquiries to:Admissions Division
University of Fukui-8-

Application Form
Photograph
3 cm × 4 cm
Taken in the last 3
monthsFor administrative use
Application
NumberCheck the following statements that apply to you.
□ I do not possess Japanese nationality.
□ I do not possess Japanese Permanent Residency or Special Permanent
Residency.

1-1
Name (As written in your passport)
SurnameGiven Names

1-2

Full Name in Chinese Characters (if applicable)

2

Date of Birth (As written in your passport)
/
Date

/

/
Month

/

Year

3

Nationality (As written in your passport)

4

Sex (As written in your passport)□ Male□ Female

5Native Languages-9-

6 Education
List the schools you attended from elementary school until the last school you attended (or are currently
attending)Month/Year of Entry ~Institution NameCity and Country
Period Attended
Month/Year of
Graduation
Elementary
SchoolJuniorHigh
SchoolHigh
School- 10 -

7
Current Address* Be sure to write your e-mail address carefully and clearly.
Address
Postal CodeCountry

Fax Number

Phone Number

E-mail Address* Since we may contact you using this e-mail address, please set your e-mail account to accept e-mail fromgnnyusi-k@ml.u-fukui.ac.jp.
8
Emergency Contact* We may contact this individual as needed.
Address
Postal CodeCountry / Region

Fax Number

Phone Number

E-mail Address
Name

9

Enclosed Certificates and Academic Transcripts
List the certificates and academic transcripts enclosed with the application forms.

Documents that are not written in English or Japanese must be accompanied by a translation into English
or Japanese and include the name and contact information of the organization or person that provided
translation.

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Statement of Purpose
Name
The Statement of Purpose should detail your reasons for wanting to study at the University of Fukui, youracademic interests, and your future plans. It will be used in the consideration of your application.
In English (approximately 500 words) or Japanese (approximately 1,000 characters), please explain yourreasons for applying to study at the University of Fukui. You may include details regarding your past studies
and life experiences to further support your statement of purpose. In principle, the statement must be typed,
but if you are unable to provide a typed document, a legible hand-written statement will also be accepted.

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Letter of Recommendation
The Letter of Recommendation should be prepared by the principal of your last school or a teacher there who
knows you well.

Applicant Name＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
The following shall be completed by the recommending principal or teacher.
Instructions for the recommending principal or teacher:
1. Please be candid and as detailed as possible.
2. Please write in English or Japanese.
3. After preparing this Letter of Recommendation, please seal it in an envelope and return it to thestudent.
4. We may also ask the recommender to be available when the examinee is interviewed
online.
1.

We may contact you for further details, so please include your contact information.

(1) Name of Recommender(2) Title(3) Institution(4) Address(5) Phone/Fax Number(6) E-mail Address(7) Signature- 13 -

2. In as much detail as possible and candidly, please describe the applicant, including any aspects that
may not be reflected in his/her academic transcripts (e.g., special skills and qualities; strengths andweaknesses).
1) What kind of relationship do you have with the applicant, and how long have you known him/her?

2) Please candidly describe the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses. Also, how do you think theapplicant will respond when faced with difficulties?

3) Please provide any other information you may wish to share regarding the candidate.

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