2025 admission (2024 selection) version

FAQ regarding UNHCR-Refugee Higher Education Programme (RHEP)(For candidates with sufficient language skills for pursing a degree in English)
Refugees have high potential to grow as competent personnel for the hosting community, andeducation is essential in preparing young refugees to rebuild their lives and to enable them tocontribute their skills and knowledge to their new environment. The UNHCR Refugee Higher
Education Programme (RHEP) purports to provide the basis of self-reliance for those who residein Japan and are unable to enjoy sufficient rights and benefits because of their backgrounds asrefugees and language barriers.
Here are some frequently asked questions that may provide more information relevant to you,as a refugee, or your institution, if your university is interested in participating in the Programme:
Q1. What is the Refugee Higher Education Programme?
The UNHCR-Refugee Higher Education Programme (RHEP) is implemented by UNHCR and Japanfor UNHCR in partnership with fifteen universities in Japan, to grant scholarships to people withrefugee background who live in Japan, to receive a higher education offered by the partneruniversities. Currently, many refugees in Japan have no option but to forgo the idea of pursuing
higher education, primarily for socio-economic reasons. Accordingly, the employment
opportunities for those refugees are severely limited compared to others who have completed
some form of higher education. This Programme would provide essential opportunities forrefugees to study and gain qualifications that would go a long way towards empowering them tomake contributions to both the host community as well as the community of their country oforigin.
Q2. Which universities may I apply to?
As of July 2024, the Programme has established partnerships with the following fifteen
universities:
Undergraduate Courses
Kwansei Gakuin University

3 positions (Japanese Degree Programme: 2 positions; EnglishDegree Programme: 1 position)

Meiji University

2 positions (Japanese or English Degree Programme)

Tsuda College

1 position (Female candidate only, Japanese DegreeProgramme)

Soka University

1 position (Japanese Degree Programme)

Sophia University

1 position (Japanese or English Degree Programme)

Meiji Gakuin University

1 position (Japanese or English Degree Programme)

University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo2025 admission (2024 selection) version

1 position (Female candidate only, Japanese DegreeProgramme)
Kansai University

1 position (Japanese Degree Programme)

Hiroshima City University

1 position (Japanese Degree Programme)

Teikyo University

2 positions (Japanese Degree Programme)

Tenri University

1 position (Japanese Degree Programme)

Yamanashi Gakuin University

2 positions (Japanese Degree Programme: 1 positions; English
Degree Programme: 1 position)

Kanagawa University

1 position (Japanese Degree Programme)

Kyoto Koka Women's University・Kyoto Koka Women’s College
2 position (Female candidate only, Japanese DegreeProgramme)
Post Graduate Courses (Master and/or Doctor Degree Courses)
Waseda University

2 positions (Japanese or English Degree Programme)

Soka University

1 position (English Degree Programme)

Teikyo University

2 positions* (Japanese or English Degree Programme)*Maximum 1 student each in the Graduate School ofEconomics and Graduate School of Science and Engineering

Meiji University**After enrolling in Meiji University through this program,students who wish to continue their studies at the graduate
school of Meiji University and meet the prescribed conditions
must be accepted.

Sophia University

1 position (Japanese or English Degree Programme)

University of the Sacred Heart

1 position (Japanese Degree Programme, the slot is sharedwith undergraduate course)

Kansai University

1 position*** (Japanese or English Degree Programme)***1 position would be allocated to a candidate applying to PhD program who successfullycompleted a Master’s degree at Kansai University with the present program (withrecommendation from Kansai University) and wishes to continue his/her study immediately after.
Kwansei Gakuin University

1 position (English Degree Programme)

Q3. May I apply to more than one university?
A candidate is permitted to indicate more than one university of his or her choice at the time of
the application for the Programme. However, if a candidate is selected for the Programme,
he/she would be recommended to one university by the Programme. Additionally, it is not2025 admission (2024 selection) version

possible for a candidate to apply to both Japanese and English Degree Programmes because theexaminations are set on the same time of a same date.
Q4. I am not confident that my Japanese ability is sufficient enough to understand Japanese
courses at university. Is it possible for me to graduate only by taking English courses?
Both at undergraduate and graduate levels, English courses are offered at the following
universities: Kwansei Gakuin University; Meiji University; Sophia University; Meiji GakuinUniversity; Waseda University Soka University; Teikyo University; Yamanashi Gakuin University;and Kansai University. If a candidate wishes to complete a degree which can be achieved bytaking English courses, he/she should consider these universities.
Q5. What are the eligibility criteria for the Programme?
To be eligible for the Programme, all of the following requirements must be satisfied.
A candidate must - :•be a refugee with a recognized status by the Japanese authorities, or a person in arefugee-like situation with a residency permit;•

have either successfully completed or is scheduled to complete by March of theadmission year, a twelve-year course (sixteen-year course in case of postgraduatedegree) of formal education in Japan or another country, or is deemed by the university
to have an education level equivalent to that of the average person who has completed
such formal education;•

have no other means of support for university studies;•understand that the objective of the Programme is for the selected candidate to commit
to their studies diligently, and agree to maintain a satisfactory academic performance intheir chosen undergraduate study course (the course duration will be a maximum of fouryears for undergraduate programme, two years for master's programme, and three years
for Doctor’s programme).

•

have English language skills sufficient for pursuing a degree in English; and•meet other criteria for applicants as stipulated by the university.

A candidate for the graduate course must - :have sufficient academic capacity to pursue studies at either Master or Doctorate course,that is in addition to the qualifications above.

Q6. Is there an age limit to the Programme? Is a working adult eligible?
There is no age limit to the Programme, thus, a working adult is eligible. Refugees of various age

2025 admission (2024 selection) version

range have graduated from the Programme.
Q7. I came to Japan as a refugee but I am a naturalized Japanese citizen now. Am I eligible tothe Programme?
The purpose of the Programme is to provide educational opportunities for refugees who are noteligible for other general scholarship programmes which mostly target Japanese and foreignexchange students. As such, the Programme is applicable only to those who do not possess
Japanese nationality.
Q8. My parent is a refugee. Am I, as a child of a refugee, eligible for the Programme?
A child of a refugee is eligible for the Programme. Such a candidate will be asked in the interview
what circumstances he/she faces with regard to social or financial difficulty due to his or her
family background. Additionally, the candidate will be required to submit a supporting document
issued by a local authority which proves his/her family background, such as his or her parent’s
certificate of local residency (jyuminhyo)/certificate of resident registration.
Q9. I am currently applying for refugee status in Japan. Am I eligible for the Programme?
No, a candidate must be a legally recognized refugee or in a refugee-like situation, meaning aperson in need of international protection with a residency permit granted by the Japanese
authorities. This is because the purpose of the Programme is to support refugees residing inJapan.
Q10. I completed previous education in my country of origin, but I am unable to prove the fact
because of the impossibility to obtain supporting documentation. What can I do?
It is understood that there may be candidates who are unable to submit the required
documentation because he/she fled the country of origin without personal belongings.
According to an official circular issued in 1982 from the Ministry of Education to universities, “aconvention refugee who faces difficulties in getting documentations on the academic
background can submit a letter explaining his/her academic background in place of suchcertificate …”. This position of the government is used as a base by the current
partneruniversities for considering the eligibility of the refugees. In light of the circular, UNHCR
and the university can, together, assess if the claimed academic background of the candidate isappropriate for pursing higher education.
Q11. How does the selection process proceed?
The general selection process is as follows, but please make sure to refer to the website of the2025 admission (2024 selection) version

programme (http://rhep.japanforunhcr.org/en) because details may change every year:
Selection Process:1) Applications Opens

July2) Application period

July to August3) Application deadline

August4) Basis of selection

screening, written examination, and Interview

a. Document screening:
Application period: July to August (all the documents should be submitted bythe deadline).
b. Written examination for those applying to the program in Japanese:
Date: End of August (tentative)
Venue: Online
Contents: written exam and essay for those applying to the program inJapanese; no additional exam for those applying to the program in English(scores of the external exams (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, etc.) would be considered).
c. Interview:
Date: End of August or Beginning of September (tentative)
Venue: Online
Note: aside from the above mentioned procedures, potential candidates are requested to takeexams that are offered by public institutions such as the Japan Student Services Organization(JASSO) which has its own schedule for different examinations.
Q12. How is the selection concluded?
Decisions as to the candidates to be recommended by UNHCR and Japan for UNHCR to theuniversities will be made by a selection committee consisting of members such as UNHCR
Representation in Japan, Japan for UNHCR, representatives from educational institutions, andrepresentatives from language education institutions. The final decision will be made by therelevant partner university.
Q13. What is covered in the scholarship?
The decisions as to whether the scholarship should be granted or not, and the amount of thescholarship will be grounded on the relevant university’s regulations. As a general rule, a refugee
recommended by the Programme must complete all courses and examinations required by therelevant university within four years (two years for master's programme, three years for Doctor’s2025 admission (2024 selection) version

programme) in order to graduate. Tuition and other fees that are usually incurred by students
shall be covered by the relevant university in place of the refugee student who satisfies theconditions above. The universities provide additional livelihood support every month on its
discretion (amount and conditions differ per university). Please note that in principle it does notoffer housing expenses such as student dormitory fee. For further details, please consult theuniversity once you receive the offer. If you wish to know more before and/or during theapplication to RHEP, please contact the RHEP secretariat.
For the post-graduate studies at Waseda University, the candidate will need to undergo aseparate process for monthly allowances (and/or possible opportunity to become teachingassistant to gain certain salary).
Q14. How many refugees have been granted the scholarships by the Programme?
From 2007 to April 2024, 111 refugees have received higher education, and 58 have graduated.
Q15. What are the prospects for the refugees after their graduation?
Graduates have chosen various paths, including employment in private companies, proceeding
to graduate schools, and becoming entrepreneurs. Refugee students are also provided withinternship Programmes and similar opportunities by major companies and other institutions.
Through these opportunities, the refugees can access the job markets and expand theirmarketability in Japan.
Q16. Is there any support system following entrance into university?
Some of the partnering universities offer students-run tutoring or mentoring systems to refugee
students, and there are refugees who are in fact supported by these systems. In addition to theabove, since 2014, the Programme started organize regular follow up meeting, which ismandatory for the students to attend. Group/individual counseling assistance to the refugee
students are provided through RHEP Counsellor and RHEP Supporter.
References
Selection Criteria:•Definition of a Refugee for RHEP: A candidate is a legally recognized refugee or is in a
refugee-like situation, meaning a person in need of international protection with aresidency permit granted by the Japanese authorities.

2025 admission (2024 selection) version•The candidate has no financial means to fund his/her own higher education: The
candidate must submit documents indicating the income of all family members who
contribute to the household finances, including the candidate’s father, mother, any
siblings who live with the family and contribute to the household income, and thecandidate themselves (e.g. tax-income certificate, statement of earnings). This should
be based on earnings from the year before application. The candidate should indicate
the amount of financial support he/she receives from persons under a duty to support,such as relatives (allowance etc.), and if relevant, the amount of scholarship, fellowship,
private support, livelihood protection and/or social security payments being received.

•Admission Requirements for undergraduate schools: The candidate must havecompleted at least 12 years of primary and secondary education or an equivalent levelof education. He/she must demonstrate the level of competence for the high standardof academic performance required to complete the undergraduate course.

•Admission Requirements for Graduate Schools: The candidate must have completed
university level education. He/she must demonstrate the level of competence for thehigh standard of academic performance required to complete the postgraduate course.
Candidate also is required have a well-established research plans.

•Japanese Language Proficiency: In general, a foreign student who wishes to pursue
higher education in Japanese is required to obtain the first level certificate of theJapanese-Language Proficiency Test (the “JLPT”).

•English Language Proficiency: In general, a refugee student who wishes to pursue higher
education in English language through RHEP is required to have English language skills
to the equivalent of the A level certificate of UN Association's Test of English (“UNATE”).

•Basic Academic Proficiency: A candidate must have sufficient academic proficiency inorder to complete an undergraduate degree. In general, a foreign student who wishes
to pursue higher education in Japan is required to prove that he/she has basic academic
skills required for Japanese universities. The candidate must take the Examination forJapanese University Admission for International Students (“EJU”) conducted by Japan
Student Services Organization and submit his/her scores. In cases where a candidate has
previously received education in Japan, requirements differ per university.