SOPHIA UNIVERSITYUNDERGRADUATE NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Spring and Autumn Semester 2024

CONTENTS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NON-DEGREE STUDENTS ························································ 1
2. QUALIFICATIONS················································································································· 2
3. APPLICATION PROCEDURE ·································································································· 2
4. APPLICATION SCHEDULE ···································································································· 3
5. APPLICATION FEE ··············································································································· 3
6. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS·································································································· 4
7. SCREENING ························································································································ 6
8. NOTICE OF RESULTS ··········································································································· 6
9. ENTRANCE PROCEDURES ··································································································· 6
10. STATUS OF RESIDENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COMING TO JAPAN ······················ 7
11. NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ························································································· 7
12. HOUSING ·························································································································· 7

Sophia University
Admissions Office
7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-8554, JAPAN
Tel: 81-3-3238-4018
Fax: 81-3-3238-3262
Email: admission-u-co@sophia.ac.jp
May 2023

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. However, subsequent to the date of publication, unavoidable

circumstances may result in changes in this document. The university reserves the right to make all such changes, including those in the
program of study, courses of instruction, fees, and officers of administration and instruction, without notice.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NON-DEGREE STUDENTS
Student Status
Non-degree students are those who enroll in either the Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA) or Center for Language Education andResearch (CLER) to take undergraduate courses and obtain credits but do not intend to receive an academic degree. This status
is applicable only to international students who will enroll as full-time students.

Tracks and Fields of Study
There are two tracks for Non-degree students. (1) English Track (FLA) and (2) Japanese Intensive Track (CLER). Applicants are
required to choose one of the tracks at the time of application.
English Track
・Comparative Culture (Art History / Visual Culture, Literature, Religion-Philosophy)
・International Business and Economics
・Social Studies (Anthropology-Sociology, History, Political Science)
・Japanese Studies
・Japanese Language Regular Program
Students who intend to take classes from the above fields will enroll in the Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA).
Note:・ All courses (except Japanese Language Regular Program) in this track are conducted in English.
・ For the courses listings, please refer to the FLA website: https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/academics/ug/ug_la/ug_la_liberalarts/
・ FLA core programs (for degree-students) and language programs other than Japanese are not open to non-degree students.
・ Japanese Language Regular Program is for a) beginners of Japanese or b) intermediate-advanced level students who do not intend to takethe Japanese Language Intensive Program (JLIP). In the Japanese Language Regular Program, 100-minute classes meet four or five times a
week. Students take placement test before course registration. English is occasionally used for instruction when necessary.

Japanese Intensive Track A
This track is for students who would like to take Japanese Language Intensive Program (JLIP). JLIP is an intensive course forthose who study Japanese as a foreign language. In the JLIP, 100-minute classes meet twice a day (9:00 to 12:35) from Monday
through Friday. English is occasionally used for instruction when necessary. There are four levels, and the lowest level is forstudents who have reached a level N5 in Japanese Language Proficiency Test（日本語能力試験）or equivalent.
All students who plan to take JLIP must take a language placement test before course registration, and will be assigned to a levelon the basis of the results of the placement test.
Note:・Level N5 in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test corresponds to completing 150 hours of study at university (1-2 semesters). Those
who have not reached this level cannot apply for this track.
・For the courses listings, please refer to: www.sophia-cler.jp/study/ja/lesson
・Students enrolled in the Japanese Intensive Track must take only the "Intensive Japanese" course (8 credits). It is not possible to take courses
offered by other faculties.
・As an exception, students who take the highest level of "Intensive Japanese" (8 credits) in the first semester according to the results of theplacement test can take up to 4 credits of other Japanese courses that match their level (The maximum number of credits they can take in one
semester is 12 in total). In the second semester, these students will take "Academic Japanese" (2 credits), which is held twice a week and otherJapanese courses that match their level, or courses that are taught in Japanese in other faculties (The maximum number of credits they cantake in one semester is 12 in total).
・Depending on the previous learning experiences in studying Japanese or on the result of Japanese Placement Test, there is a possibility thatstudents may not be able to register for Japanese Intensive Track. Those students have to register for the designated Japanese course(s), as
well as other Japanese courses of their level and/or courses that are taught in Japanese in other faculties. The maximum number of credits they
can take in one semester is 12 in total.

Japanese Intensive Track B （日本語集中講座 B）
This track is designed for Chinese character users and Asian students. For more information, please refer to another application
booklet “日本語集中講座 B 募集要項” for this track.

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Accreditation
The academic programs of the non-degree programs are chartered by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology. Credits earned are fully recognized by major universities in the United States of America and elsewhere.

The Academic Calendar
There are two semesters, beginning in April and September. Each semester consists of 15 weeks of classes, including final
examinations.
Spring Semester 2024
Entry date for Sophia University: April 1, 2024 (Classes start in early April and end at the end of July)
Autumn Semester 2024
Entry date for Sophia University: September 21, 2024 (Classes start in late September and end in late January)

Period of Study
The period of study is either one semester or two semesters.

Requirement for Enrollment
Non-degree students are required to register for at least 10 hours of class time (equivalent to 6 classes) per week. Also, students
can only take up to 20 credits per semester. If a student fails to register for courses in a given semester, or fails to meet thedeadline for tuition payment, he/she will lose his/her student status at Sophia.

Financial Aid
There is no scholarship available for non-degree students at Sophia University.

II. QUALIFICATIONS
Those who have completed at least one semester at degree-conferring institution(s) as a regular student at the time of application.
Note: There is a chance that those who have attended a school in Japan with a status of “auditor” or “non-degree” before might not be able toobtain the same type of visa again under the policy of the Japanese Immigration Bureau.

III. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application is accepted through the following steps. Make sure to complete each step.
A. Prepare the following.
-Application materials (see APPLICATION DOCUMENTS)-Digital face photo (color)-PC and printerB. On the on-line application website, register the following to create your “MyPage.”-Email address-Face photo-Basic information
For more information about the website, refer to the guide on www.guide.52school.com/guidance/net-sophia-parallel/eng .
Note: Important information will be sent to the registered email address until enrollment in Sophia. Make sure to use an email address which
you will always be able to access even after leaving your current school.

C. Enter all the required application information to your “MyPage” during the on-line application period.

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D. Pay the application fee (see APPLICATION FEE) and submit the application online.
This step does not finish the application. Go on to the next step to finalize the application.
E. Send the printed application forms and all the other documents listed on APPLICATION DOCUMENTS to the Admissions
Office of Sophia University by post mail.
Note:-Applicants must use a trackable courier service and include the mailing label in the package if send from abroad.
-Test scores must be sent directly to Sophia University (see APPLICATION DOCUMENTS).
-Documents sent directly from schools are also accepted.
-Application information entered on-line can not be edited after application fee payment is complete. To change the information provided,
modified directly on the print-out forms in red before submission.
-Check with the courier service you use for delivery status of your application package. The Admissions Office will not respond to question
in regards of arrival of application package, score reports or other materials.

F. Your reference number will be available on your “MyPage” two weeks before the notice of results date.

IV. APPLICATION SCHEDULEFor Spring 2024 entry (April)
Application Period (on-line)

October 2, 2023, 10:00 a.m. ~ October 20, 2023, 11:59 p.m. (JST*)

Application Materials Receipt Deadline

October 27, 2023**

Notice of Results

November 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m. (JST*)

Matriculation Deadline for Admitted Students

December 15, 2023

For Autumn 2024 entry (September)
Application Period (on-line)

March 1, 2024, 10:00 a.m. ~ March 22, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (JST*)

Application Materials Receipt Deadline

March 29, 2024**

Notice of Results

April 22, 2024, 10:00 a.m. (JST*)

Matriculation Deadline for Admitted Students

May 24, 2024

* Date and time are based on Japan Standard Time.
**Application materials must reach Sophia Admissions Office by the deadline. Late applications may be refused.

V. APPLICATION FEE
35,000 yen
On-line payment handling fee of 990 yen will be charged in addition to the application fee.

For applicants residing in Japan, complete payment by one of the indicated methods: credit card, on-line banking, convenience
stores, bank ATM Pay-easy service. Debit card payment is not accepted. Overseas applicants who do not hold a Japanesebank account should complete payment by credit card only.
Payment must be completed during the application period and by 11:59 p.m. (JST) of each on-line application deadline. Afterthe deadline, application will not be accepted. The application fee is non-refundable once paid.
*In case the window shuts down during STEP 3, go to STEP 4 to continue the payment process.
*The name of the payer does not need to match the applicant’s name.
**Please note that the payment at a convenience store could take a while to complete.

3VI. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
The following documents (A to I) except the official test scores of TOEFL®/IELTS (optionally official documents fromschools/recommenders) should be enclosed in an envelope and sent to the following address by express traceable mail orinternational courier service.
They must reach Sophia Admissions Office by the deadline of submission. Late application may be refused.
On the envelope, please make sure to write:

SOPHIA UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS OFFICE
7-1 KIOI-CHO, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 102-8554 JAPANNON-DEGREE (Spring or Autumn) APPLICATION

102-8554 東京都千代田区紀尾井町7-1
or

上智大学入学センター
NON-DEGREE (春 or 秋) 出願書類在中

Note:・ Documents printed in languages other than English or Japanese should be translated into English and certified by a school official or an official
agency, such as an embassy or consulate.
・ The use of ChatGPT or any other generative AI programs/applications/websites when writing application documents is strictly forbidden.
・ If an original document cannot be reissued (e.g. a school report handwritten by a teacher), a copy certified by the school official (Principal or
Registrar) or Sophia Admissions Office is acceptable.
・ The application documents once submitted are not returnable.

A. Application Forms (3 pages)
Application forms should be filled out through the on-line application website
www.guide.52school.com/guidance/net-sophia-parallel/eng

and printed out after the application fee payment.

B. Essay (use a provided form in the admissions page)The applicant must give the reasons for wishing to study at Sophia University’s non-degree program on the provided form.
For English Track applicants: The application essay should be approximately 500 words in length and written in English.
For Japanese Intensive Track applicants: The application essay should be written in either English (approx. 500 words in length)
or Japanese (approx. 800 letters in length).
Admissions page: https://adm.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/ug_p/nd/ap/

C. Official Transcript(s)An official transcript showing all courses taken and grades received from the most recent academic institution attended must be
submitted. The transcript should be certified by a school official and be officially sealed in a school envelope.

D. Proof of Language Proficiency
The Admissions Office will not respond to questions in regards of arrival of score report. Please arrange the following test results
to be delivered to Sophia by the deadline.

For English Track applicants (TOEFL® Test Date Score or IELTS Score)
Applicants must prove their English proficiency by taking the TOEFL ® (including Special Home Edition) or the IELTS (Academic).
The exam should be taken no more than two years before the time of application. Scores must be submitted following the
instructions below.
1. TOEFL: Applicants should request the official test score to be delivered directly to Sophia from the testing institution. Whenregistering for the tests, be sure to indicate Sophia University and ensure that your official score is sent to Sophia University. For
information about the TOEFL® and test registration, please refer to the following website.
TOEFL®: www.ets.org/toefl<code:0819>

2. IELTS: Applicants should request the official test score to be delivered directly to Sophia from the testing institution. Whenregistering for the tests, be sure to indicate Sophia University and ensure that your official score is sent to Sophia University. For
information about the IELTS and test registration, please refer to the following website.

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IELTS: www.ielts.org <Submission in paper format only>
Alternatively, only if the submission by paper format via the testing institution is not possible, the submission of IELTS results via
the Test Report Form (TRF) number will be accepted. In this case, make sure to indicate the TRF number in the Application
Materials Checklist, and to submit a copy of your test scores to the Admissions Office together with the other application
documents
Note:
・For TOEFL®, please enter Test Date Score during the online application. the MyBest™ scores are not acceptable.
・TOEFL® or IELTS can be waived if a student has studied at least five years out of the last six years in an institution where English is theprimary medium of instruction, or holds a C2 on Cambridge ESOL Examination (Official test result is required).
・TOEFL ITP®, TOEFL® Essentials™ and IELTS Indicator are not acceptable.

For Japanese Intensive Track applicantsApplicants should show their Japanese and English proficiency level by submitting the test results mentioned as follows.
-For Japanese proficiency, test results of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験) N5 level or higher, or J.Test F
level or higher.
-For English proficiency, TOEFL® (including ITP), IELTS, TOEIC (including IP).
In addition, applicants should submit a report of their previous experiences in studying Japanese, and any background information
including history of residence, language used at home, and any experience of previous contact with Japanese. The report should
be one page of A4 in the format of your own choice.
Note: TOEFL®, IELTS or TOEIC can be waived if a student has studied at least five years out of six years in an institution where English is theprimary medium of instruction, or holds a C2 on Cambridge ESOL Examination.

E. Two Letters of Recommendation (use a form provided in the admissions page)
Letters of recommendation from two teachers and/or officials of the most recent school(s) attended by the applicant must be
submitted. They should be written in either English or Japanese. Each letter must be sealed in a separate envelope with therecommender’s signature written across the seal.
In case the letters cannot be submitted via post, submission via email is accepted. The recommender must submit the letter
directly to the Admissions Office email (admission-u-co@sophia.ac.jp), and they must use their official institutional email addresswhen doing so.
Admissions page: https://adm.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/ug_p/nd/ap/

F. Photocopy of Passport (for those who hold a nationality other than Japan)
This is to check your full name.
-Those who have dual nationalities, please submit a photocopy of passport for the nationality other than Japan.
-Those who do not have a passport, please submit a photocopy of an ID.

G. Certificate of Health (use the form provided in the admissions page)
A medical certificate 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, must be submitted.
Admissions page: https://adm.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/ug_p/nd/ap/
Note: Any applicants with physical conditions that might require special attention when undertaking university work should notify the Sophia
Admissions Office in writing before the application period.

H. Standardized Test Scores (optional)
If an applicant has taken one of the following in the past, submission of results is recommended.
1) SAT Scores <code: 0819>
2) ACT Scores <code: 5575>
3) IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma

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I. Application Materials Checklist (use the form provided in the admissions page)
Check the items you enclose in your application.
Admissions page: https://adm.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/ug_p/nd/ap/

VII. SCREENING
Decision on acceptance or rejection will be based on screening of documents submitted by the applicant.

VIII. NOTICE OF RESULTS
Applicants can confirm their acceptance/rejection from “Admissions Decision” on “MyPage” throughwww.guide.52school.com/guidance/net-sophia-parallel/eng
from 10:00 a.m. (JST) on the results-notice date (see APPLICATION SCHEDULE).
Note: ・Servers may be slow if too many people access at the same time.
・The registered email address and the password will be required to log into “MyPage.”・No physical materials will be sent to applicants from the Sophia Admissions Office.
A letter of acceptance can be printed out from “MyPage.”
・Sophia University will not disclose the results of an application by telephone, fax or e-mail.
・Acceptance is valid only for the semester specified in the letter of acceptance.

IX. ENTRANCE PROCEDURES
For details, please refer to the booklet of “Entrance Procedures” available on “MyPage” throughwww.guide.52school.com/guidance/net-sophia-parallel/eng

Payment of Fees Due Prior to University Entrance and Submission of Necessary Documents
To secure admission, a newly admitted student must pay the fees prior to University entrance and submit the necessary
documents to the Sophia Admissions Office by the matriculation deadline (see APPLICATION SCHEDULE).
1. Click “Entrance Procedures” on ”MyPage” to download the booklet of “Entrance Procedures.”
Please read through all the information and follow the instructions in this booklet to secure admission.
2. Choose the program to start entering the required information and upload a face photo online.
3. Print out the designated documents (payment slip for payment in Japan, Student Record / Pledge).
4. Complete the payment of the fees and post mail the required documents by the matriculation deadline. Admitted
applicants will be informed of the exact amount of the fees in their letter of acceptance. For your reference, payment
information with the figures the academic year 2023 is as follows.

The fees due prior to university entrance 2023
English Track

Japanese Intensive Track

Program Fee

569,000 yen (per semester)

285,000 yen (per semester)

Education Enhancement Fee

105,000 yen (per semester)

105,000 yen (per semester)

Total

674,000 yen

390,000 yen

6＜Notes for each item＞
Items

Notes

Program Fee

・Program Fee is the price paid for the educational services

Education

・Education Enhancement Fee is expenses for the maintenance and management of the education andEnhancement

research environment, as well as for maintenance enhancement for the future.

Fee
Note:
a. The program fee is revised annually based on the rate of inflation.
b. The fees due prior to university entrance are not refundable. However, if you notify Sophia University of your intention not to attend by theappointed deadline, these fees, with the exception of the handling charge (20,000 yen), may be refunded. For details, please refer to the“Entrance Procedures” leaflet.

X. STATUS OF RESIDENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COMING TO JAPANStudents coming from abroad to study at Sophia University must have a college student status of residence or other appropriate
status of residence such as diplomatic, official, or dependent. A temporary visitor status is not acceptable. To qualify for a college
student status of residence, a student is required to register for at least 10 hours of classes per week. Additional information
concerning college student status of residence will be sent to each student after acceptance.
Note:
Please note that the status of residence as a non-degree student is admitted only once for each international student under the policy of theJapanese Immigration Bureau. If the same status of residence has been issued to you before, you would not be able to enter Japan again as a
non-degree student.

XI. NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCEInternational students who will stay in Japan for more than three months are required to join this insurance system. The procedures
are carried out at the local ward/city office. The premium must be paid, but by declaring you have no income, it will be reduced.
Please ask directly about the details at the local ward/city office.
Subscribers to the National Health Insurance system have only to bear 30% of medical expenses for any treatment covered by
the insurance at clinics or hospitals (expenses for medical treatment not covered by the insurance must be paid in full).

XII. HOUSING
Sophia University has several off-campus dormitories and offers affiliated housing options. For more information, please refer tothe following webpage.
https://piloti.sophia.ac.jp/eng/housing/7