April 2026 admission
Changes to the application and selection methods for April 2026 admission
YOKOHAMA Socrates Program, College of Urban Sciences
YOKOHAMA National University
To facilitate applications from students who have completed internationally recognized educational programs and those aiming to study inJapan, Yokohama National University will make some changes to the application requirements, application documents, and selection methodsof the Socrates program.
Earlier version (for April 2024 admission)
Number of

Revised version (for April 2026 admission)

No change

Students
Accepted
Basic

Applicants must meet one of the requirements from (1) to (4), and must

●Basic Conditions

also satisfy all the requirements from (5) to (7).

Applicants must meet one of the conditions from (1) to (4).

Application(1) Those who have received a total of at least three years of formal(1) Those who have received a total of at least three years of formal

Requirements

school education at an educational institution abroad* and haveschool education at an educational institution abroad* and havecompleted, or expect to complete, a 12-year curriculum abroad or incompleted, or expect to complete, a 12-year curriculum abroad or inJapan which confers to graduates the eligibility to apply to universities

Japan which confers to graduates the eligibility to apply to universities

by March 31, 2024.

by March 31, 2026.

*“Formal school education at an educational institution abroad” refers to a*“Formal school education at an educational institution abroad” refers to aregular educational program in a country outside Japan officially recognized byregular educational program in a country outside Japan officially recognized by

the country’s educational authority, and the geographical location of thethe country’s educational authority, and the geographical location of theeducational institution which conducts the program is, in principle, outside

educational institution which conducts the program is, in principle, outside

Japan. Applicants from schools such as international schools or schools forJapan. Applicants from schools such as international schools or schools foroverseas Americans (except those who satisfy the application requirements (3)overseas Americans (except those who satisfy the basic conditions (3) or (4))

or (4)) should consult with the International Students Section at least threeshould consult with the International Students Section at least three weeks

weeks before the start of the application period as confirmation of their

before the start of the application period as confirmation of their eligibility

eligibility status may take time. Any period spent in schools whose geographicalstatus may take time. Any period spent in schools whose geographical location

location is outside of Japan but whose curriculum is based on Japan’s School

is outside of Japan but whose curriculum is based on Japan’s School Education

Education Law will not be counted toward the period in which the applicant

Law will not be counted toward the period in which the applicant received

received education in an educational institution abroad.

education in an educational institution abroad.

Conditions
and1

April 2026 admission(2) Those who have completed, or expect to complete, an equivalent(2) Those who have completed, or expect to complete, an equivalenteducational program or certification to (1) as designated by theeducational program or certification to (1) as designated by theJapanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Sciences andJapanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Sciences andTechnology by March 31, 2024. *Technology by March 31, 2026. **Those who wish to apply under requirement (2) must contact the International*Those who wish to apply under condition (2) must contact the International

Students Section at least three weeks before the start of the application period

Students Section at least three weeks before the start of the application period(3) Those who have obtained one of the following qualifications abroad:a) The International Baccalaureate qualification awarded by theInternational

Baccalaureate

Organization,a(3) Those who have obtained one of the following qualifications abroad:a) The International Baccalaureate qualification awarded by the

non-profit

International

Organization,anon-profit

foundation established in accordance with the Civil Code offoundation established in accordance with the Civil Code of

Switzerland,

Switzerland,b) An Abitur accredited as a qualification for admission to ab) An Abitur accredited as a qualification for admission to auniversity in the states of the Federal Republic of Germany,c)

Baccalaureate

A Baccalaureate accredited as a qualification for admission to auniversity in the Republic of France, or

university in the states of the Federal Republic of Germany,c)

A Baccalaureate accredited as a qualification for admission to auniversity in the Republic of France, ord) A General Certificate of Education of Advanced Level (GCEd) A General Certificate of Education of Advanced Level (GCE

Advanced Level) [obtaining grade E or above in 3 or more

Advanced Level) [obtaining grade E or above in 3 or more

subjects] accredited as a qualification for admission to a

subjects] accredited as a qualification for admission to auniversity in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

university in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern

Ireland.

Ireland.

(4) Those who, by March 31, 2024, have completed or expect to complete(4) Those who, by March 31, 2026, have completed or expect to complete

a 12-year curriculum at an education institution, abroad or in Japan,

a 12-year curriculum at an education institution, abroad or in Japan,

accredited by one of the international evaluating organizations

accredited by one of the international evaluating organizations

designated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,

designated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,

Science and Technology (WASC, ACSI, NEASC, or CIS).

Science and Technology (WASC, ACSI, NEASC, or CIS).

(5) Those who have taken the SAT (Reading and Writing, Math) or ACT(English, Math, Reading, Science) and can submit an official score
report during the application period. *2April 2026 admission●Application Requirements*Only scores from exams taken on or after September 1, 2018, will be accepted.

Applicants must also satisfy requirements (1) and (2) below.

(6) Those who are able to provide official score reports or official results(1) Those who are able to provide official score reports or official resultsof one of the following, to demonstrate their proficiency in English: *of one of the following, to demonstrate their proficiency in English: *a) TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition) Test Datea)

Scores 80 or above (MyBest Scores are not accepted),

Scores 80 or above (MyBest Scores are not accepted),b) IELTS (Academic Module, including online version) Overall Bandb)

Score 6.0 or above,c)

TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition) Test Date
IELTS (Academic Module, including online version) Overall Band
Score 6.0 or above,

International Baccalaureate (HL:5 or SL:5 or above (English A);c)

HL:5 or SL:6 or above (English B)),

International Baccalaureate (HL:5 or SL:5 or above (English A);
HL:5 or SL:6 or above (English B)),d) Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Band 4 or above,d)

Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Band 4 or above,e) Public English Test System Grade 5 (PETS5, People’s Republic ofe)

Public English Test System Grade 5 (PETS5, People’s Republic

China),
f)of China),

A document demonstrating that the applicant has attendedf)

A document demonstrating that the applicant has attended

primary and secondary school in English for either (i) a total

primary and secondary school in English for either (i) a total

period of at least six years, or (ii) four continuous years including

period of at least six years, or (ii) four continuous years

the final year of secondary school, or

including the final year of secondary school, org) A document demonstrating that the applicant’s command ofg)

A document demonstrating that the applicant’s command of

English is equivalent to or above the standards indicated above

English is equivalent to or above the standards indicated above

in items a) through f). (Please consult for details before

in items a) through f). (Please consult for details before

submitting an application).

submitting an application).

*Only scores from exams taken on or after September 1, 2021, will

*Only scores from exams taken on or after September 1, 2023, will

be accepted.

be accepted.

(7) If applicants do not have Japanese nationality, those who are eligible(2) If applicants do not have Japanese nationality, those who are eligibleto acquire a visa status permitting them to pursue higher education into acquire a visa status permitting them to pursue higher education in

Japan if entering Japan under Japan’s Immigration Control andJapan if entering Japan under Japan’s Immigration Control andRefugee Recognition Act.

Refugee Recognition Act.

Note: Applicants may not apply concurrently with the Comprehensive

Note: Applicants may not apply concurrently with the Comprehensive

Selection, the Returnee Selection (including the Selection for Applicants

Selection, the Returnee Selection (including the Selection for Applicants3April 2026 admission
from Foreign Schools), or the YGEP (the Examination for Applicants whofrom Foreign Schools), or the YGEP (the Examination for Applicants who

have come to Japan or the Pre-Arrival Examination) of the College of

have come to Japan or the Pre-Arrival Examination) of the College of

Urban Sciences or other colleges of YNU.

Urban Sciences or other colleges of YNU.

Required（1） Application Form

（1） Application Formapplication（2） A scanned copy of the official certificate of graduation/completion（2） A scanned copy of the official certificate of graduation/completion

documents

issued by the high school

issued by the high school

Regarding the certificate of graduation/completion issued by the highRegarding the certificate of graduation/completion issued by the highschool, which the school is equivalent to a Japanese high school you

school, which the school is equivalent to a Japanese high school you

graduated/will graduate from, please submit the below documents

graduated/will graduate from, please submit the below documents

according to the basic conditions.

according to the basic conditions.

(i) Those who meet application requirement (1)(i) Those who meet basic condition (1)--The official certificate of graduation/completion issued by the

The official certificate of graduation/completion issued by thehigh school the applicant graduated from, or the last school

high school the applicant graduated from. A certificate ofattended. A certificate of expected graduation issued in the nameexpected graduation issued in the name of the principal of theof the principal of the school in the case of applicants still in theirschool in the case of applicants still in their final academic year at

final academic year at the time of application.

the time of application.

(ii) Those who meet application requirement (2)(ii) Those who meet basic condition (2)--The official certificate of graduation/completion issued by theInstructions for the required documents will be provided

last school attended. A certificate of expected graduation issued

individually when inquiring about the Basic Conditions forin the name of the principal of the school in the case of applicants

application.

still in their final academic year at the time of application.
-

For those who have passed the national examination or its
equivalent(s) to ascertain academic capability equal to, or higher
than, high school graduates, a scanned copy of an official
document certifying that the applicant has passed it.

(iii) Those who meet application requirement (3)(iii) Those who meet basic condition (3)--A scanned copy of the International Baccalaureate Diploma andthe certificate of examination results from the International

the certificate of examination results from the International

Baccalaureate Examination (6 subjects, TOK and EE).
-

Baccalaureate Examination (6 subjects, TOK and EE).

A scanned copy of the General Qualification Form for University-

Entrance (Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife).
-

A scanned copy of the International Baccalaureate Diploma andA scanned copy of the General Qualification Form for University
Entrance (Zeugnis der allgemeinen Hochschulreife).

A scanned copy of “Diplôme du Baccalauréat de l'Enseignement du4-

A scanned copy of “Diplôme du Baccalauréat de l'Enseignement duApril 2026 admission-

Secondaire” and “Relevé de Notes” from the French Baccalaureate

Secondaire” and “Relevé de Notes” from the French Baccalaureate

Examination.

Examination.

A scanned copy of the General Certificate of Advanced Level-(GCE Advanced Level). The applicant must obtain a grade of E or

A scanned copy of the General Certificate of Advanced Level(GCE Advanced Level). The applicant must obtain a grade of E orabove on three subjects or more.

above on three subjects or more.

(iv) Those who meet application requirement (4)(iv) Those who meet basic condition (4)

-

-

-

The official certificate of graduation/completion from the last

The official certificate of graduation/completion from the lastschool attended. A certificate of expected graduation issued inschool attended. A certificate of expected graduation issued in

the name of the principal of the school in the case of applicants

the name of the principal of the school in the case of applicants

still in their final academic year at the time of application.

still in their final academic year at the time of application.

Documentation that the last school attended is accredited by
WASC, CIS, ACSI, or NEASC.

-

Documentation that the last school attended is accredited by
WASC, CIS, ACSI, or NEASC.

（3） Proof of enrollment for at least three years in a primary or secondary（3） Proof of enrollment for at least three years in a primary or secondary

educational institution established in a country outside Japan based

educational institution established in a country outside Japan basedon the official educational system in the country. (Only for those whoon the official educational system in the country. (Only for those whomeet application requirements (1) or (2))

meet application requirements (1) or (2))(4) Scanned copy of academic transcript and other certificates from highschool or last school attended（4） Scanned copy of academic transcript and other certificates from highschool attended (for years equivalent to a Japanese high school, i.e.
tenth through twelfth years of schooling)(5) SAT (Reading and Writing, Math) or ACT (English, Math, Reading,
Science) scores*Please submit transcripts from all schools attended from the tenthyear of schooling and beyond.
（5） Transcripts of international standardized tests [Optional]
Applicants are strongly recommended to submit one of the scores
below from a) to e).
a) SAT (Reading and Writing, Math)b) ACT (English, Math, Reading, Science)c) International Baccalaureate (Diploma only)d) General Certificate of Education

Advanced Level Qualification(obtaining grade E or above in 3 or more subjects)e) EJU (including General Subject and Mathematics (Course 1 or 2))* For a) and b), only scores from exams taken on or after September 1, 2021 will be
accepted.

(6) Document certifying your English proficiency* For c) and d), only scores obtained after 2021 will be accepted.

5April 2026 admission(7) Personal Statement* For e), only scores from the November 2023, June and November 2024, and June 2025

(8) Scanned copy of passport and residence card

examinations will be accepted.

(9) Scanned copy of the receipt for payment of the application fee（6） Document certifying your English proficiency（7） Personal statement and essay（8） Scanned copy of passport (for all applicants) and Japanese residencecard (for applicants currently residing in Japan)（9） Scanned copy of the receipt for payment of the application fee

Selection

First Screening

First Screening

MethodSelection of applicants will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of theSelection of applicants will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of thefollowing submitted documents.

following submitted documents.

(1) Personal Statement(1) Personal Statement(2) Essay(2) Essay(3) SAT or ACT scores（３）High school grades (for years equivalent to a Japanese high school,(4) Proof of English proficiency

i.e. tenth through twelfth grades)（４）International standardized test scores- Applicants who submit one or more of the following will receive additional
points comprising up to 10% of the maximum overall score, depending on
the applicant’s performance on the international standardized test.
- If multiple test scores are submitted, the highest score will be used.
a) SAT (Reading and Writing, Math)b) ACT (English, Math, Reading, Science)c)International Baccalaureate (Diploma only)d) General Certificate of Education

Advanced Level Qualification(obtaining grade E or above in 3 or more subjects)e) EJU (including Japan and the World and Mathematics (Course 1 or 2))
Second Screening

Second Screening

The selection of applicants will be based on the submitted documents and

The selection of applicants will be based on the submitted documents andan online interview.

an online interview, which will include a presentation. (The interview isdesigned to test basic academic skills, basic understanding of the topic of
the application essay, logical thinking, and expressive ability.)

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