Doshisha University
The Institute for the Liberal Arts
B.A. Program
Application Guide 2024
A step-by-step guide to completing your application

This Guide is available for download on the website.

https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/

Doshisha University

CAN I APPLY?

1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Do you satisfy ONE of the following?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Native speaker of English
Twelve or more years of education in English
TOEFL iBT® TEST 85
IELTS (Academic Module) 6.5
Duolingo English Test 120
ACT Combined English and Writing (Writing Test Score): 22
SAT Reading Test 28 and Writing & Language Test 29

NO.

NO…

Please reconsider the ILA
when your English hasreached the required level.

YES!

NO.
Please reconsider the ILA
when your educational
background has reached
the required level.

2. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Will you satisfy ONE of the following at enrollment?

NO…
1. Twelve years of school education outside Japan
2. Graduation Diploma from a high school accredited by the Japanese
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
3. A university entrance qualification (IB, Abitur, French
Baccalaureate, GCE A-levels, etc.)
4. Twelve years of education at a WASC, CIS or ACSI accredited
international schoolor

you may consider
Non-traditional
Admission.

See page 5 and contact
ILA office for details.

NO…

YES!

YES,
you are eligible toapply as aFirst-year Applicant.

Can I apply
as a transfer
applicant?

In addition to above educational background,Do you satisfy ONE of the following?
1. Two full academic years at ONE undergraduate
degree conferring institution as a regular student
2. Graduation from two-year college

YES!

This chart is just forreference only.
Please see
the Application Guidefor full details.

YES,

you are eligible to apply as a Transfer Applicant.
There are a limited number of places for transfer students.
Please contact the ILA office to confirm availability
before applying.
All successful transfer applicants will be admitted as third-year
students but the number of semesters to graduation will varydepending on the number of approved transfer credits.

Contents
Section A: Admission Process ............................................................................. 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

Mission ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Admission Policy................................................................................................................................ 2
Concentration ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Official Date of Enrollment ................................................................................................................ 3
Application Requirements .................................................................................................................. 4
Deadlines and Schedule ...................................................................................................................... 5
Application Method ............................................................................................................................ 5
Application Documents ...................................................................................................................... 6
Submission of Application.................................................................................................................. 9
Application Fee .................................................................................................................................. 9
Admission Decisions ........................................................................................................................ 11
Document Screening......................................................................................................................... 11Interview ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Notification of Acceptance ............................................................................................................... 12
Applicants with Special Needs ....................................................................................................... 12
Protection of Personal Information ................................................................................................... 12

Section B: Registration Procedures ................................................................... 13
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Overview .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Initial Registration Procedures (Payment Fees) ................................................................................ 14
Submission of Required Documents ................................................................................................ 17
School Fees....................................................................................................................................... 18
Scholarships .................................................................................................................................... 18

Contact Details ......................................................................................................... 20

Application Forms ...................................................................... Back of Application Guide( Download from https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/en/admissions/application.html )Application Deadlines and Screening Schedule
Application Period
through ILA office
Entry
Application Period
through Common App

April
2024

September
2024*All dates are based on Japan time

Notification ofDocument
Screening Results(First Stage)

Interview Dates

Notification of
Results(Final Stage)

Payment of Initial
School Fee

October 20, 2023

November 2, orNovember 4,2023

November 24,
2023

December 14,
2023

April 12, 2024

April 18, April 20
orMay 11, 2024

May 24, 2024

June 18, 2024

August 1 –September 7, 2023
August 1 –September 1,2023
January 15 –February 29, 2024
January 15 –February 22, 2024

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Section A: Admission Process1.

MissionThe Institute for the Liberal Arts (ILA) at Doshisha University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree taught exclusively in English.
The ILA aims to encourage students to develop their full intellectual and human potential within an international atmosphere.
To do so, the ILA brings together a diverse group of faculty and students and encourages co-operative learning across theacademic disciplines. With an intake of only 50 students per year, the ILA maintains an intimate and discussion-based learning
environment while also being part of the larger Doshisha University. Students gain in-depth local knowledge about Kyoto andthe Kansai region, and at the same time, master frameworks and methods that can be applied to the understanding of regionaland global social, political and economic processes. The ILA hopes that academic and social skills acquired within this broad
education will enable students to make significant contributions to their local communities, countries of residence, and global
society.

2.

Admission Policy

At the ILA we know that it would be simple to base our admission policy on quantifiable criteria. However, our educational
mission demands that before we admit an applicant, we discover how that person might contribute to and benefit from the
lively, academic, social, and extracurricular activity at the Institute and the University. For this reason, we ask each applicant
to submit a range of documents that help us to select each incoming cohort of students. Within the larger University, the ILA
student body is small (approximately 200 students divided over four years, with additional students studying in our classes
from other departments and programs across the 29,000-student University, including exchange students from our worldwide
network of partner universities).

The ideal student
The ILA is dedicated to creating a community of students who are all committed to an interdisciplinary, liberal arts program ofundergraduate education that is unique in its global outlook and local context. To achieve this, in our holistic application process
we look for the following qualities in our applicants:
1.

linguistic skills that allow effective self-expression in both written and spoken forms;

2.

a critical literacy that enables both independent thinking and questioning of assumptions;3.

a diverse background with a multitude of educational and social experiences;4.

the maturity to take responsibility for academic learning and life in a new environment;

5.

the intellectual curiosity to reflect upon global issues through the local lens of Japan.

Successful applicants
In the past, successful applicants:
1.

tended to be able to identify specific courses on offer and to link these with their personal and/or academic interests;

2.

demonstrated a consistent ability to link their experiences and skills to discussions on world issues that they care about;3.

were already engaged in some kind of self-directed study, going beyond school supplied materials in building upon their
passions and interests; and4.

were able to clearly articulate a link between personal experience and passion for the Liberal Arts.

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3.

Concentration

Before you apply for the Liberal Arts program, it is important that you understand the relationship between the concentrations
and the departments. All students at the ILA follow the same curriculum especially designed for the ILA program. However,on paper, each student is also registered in one of six faculties. The placement of faculty and department is only foradministrative purposes and degree certificate issuance upon graduation (refer to the chart below). Applicants can number theirfirst to third choice of concentration on the Application for admission, but the final placement will be made by the University.
Since each concentration has a limited number of places, all successful applicants will be apportioned to the concentration of
their choice in order of their score. If the first (second) choice has already been filled, applicants will be placed in their second(third) choice. You will be notified of the concentration, faculty, and department to which you are admitted in the Notificationof Acceptance. Once assigned, Doshisha University policy does not allow ILA students to change their concentrations, faculties,
or departments.
Concentration

Japanese Society and Global
CultureFaculty
Letters

Social Studies

Department
English / Philosophy / Aesthetics and Art Theory /Cultural History / Japanese Literature
Sociology / Social Welfare / Industrial Relations
Media, Journalism and Communications / Education and Culture

Japanese Business and the Global

Economics

Economics

EconomyCommerce

Commerce

Japanese Politics and Global

Law

Law / Political Science

Studies

Policy Studies

Policy Studies

The ILA assumes that all applicants have an excellent secondary school record. However, over and beyond a high GPA andoutstanding standardized exam scores (typically, students accepted to the ILA have an IB score of 32 or above, a SAT score ofabout 1200 or above, an ACT score of around 25 or above, or three GCE A levels), most importantly we look for applicants
who demonstrate a passion for the liberal arts program with an obvious and strong potential for contributing to the intellectualand social life of the Institute.

4. Official Date of Enrollment
The ILA follows the semester system.
Our spring semester is from April 1 to September 20 and our fall semester is from September 21 to March 31.
Applicants applying for entry in April 2024 will officially enroll from April 1, 2024.
Applicants applying for entry in September 2024 will officially enroll from September 21, 2024.

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5. Application Requirements
1.English Language Proficiency
Applicants need to provide one of the proficiency or aptitude test scores listed below to verify their English language proficiency.
Please note that submission of the test scores is exempted applicants who are native speakers of English and applicants with
twelve or more years of education in English.
1) Proficiency Tests:- TOEFL iBT® TEST 85 or above (Institution Code: 7078)
TOEFL iBT ® Special Home Edition and TOEFL iBT ® Home Edition scores are no longer accepted. Only "Test Date
Scores" are applicable for admission ("MyBest™ Scores" will not be considered in the admission process).
- IELTS (Academic Module) 6.5 or above
IELTS on Computer (Academic Module) and IELTS for UKVI (Academic Module) are also accepted.
IELTS online score is not accepted.
- Duolingo English Test (overall score) 120 or above
2) Aptitude Tests:- ACT Combined English/Writing (Writing Test Score): 22 or above (College Code: 9078)- SAT Reading Test 28 or above, and Writing & Language Test 29 or above (College Code: 7231)

2.Educational Background
Applicants should satisfy one of the following requirements by the time of enrollment at Doshisha University:1)Applicants should have completed twelve (12) years of school education (including successful graduation from an accredited
high school) outside Japan (Formal primary and secondary school education for a total of eleven (11) years is acceptable onlyin those countries designated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology).
2)Applicants should have graduated from a high school accredited by the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology.
3)Applicants should possess a university entrance qualification such as the International Baccalaureate, Abitur, French
Baccalaureate, or General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A Level).
4)Applicants should have completed twelve (12) years of education at a WASC, CIS or ACSI accredited international school.
Third-year transfer applicants
In addition to one of the four requirements stated above for first-year applicants, third-year transfer applicants should satisfy
one of the following requirements.
1)Applicants should have completed or be expected to complete two full academic years at ONE undergraduate degreeconferring institution as a regular student by the time of enrollment at Doshisha University.
2)Applicants should have graduated from a two-year college or be expected to graduate by the time of enrollment at Doshisha
University.

There are a limited number of places for transfer students. Please see news on the ILA website or contact
the ILA office by email to confirm availability before applying.
It is not possible for third-year transfer applicants to apply through the Common Application. Pleasesubmit your application through the ILA Office.

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Non-traditional Admission
Admission to the ILA is also open for some candidates without an accredited high school diploma. Any applicant who wishes
to apply as a non-traditional applicant must have his/her eligibility reviewed in advance and be recognized by Doshisha
University as possessing an equivalent qualification to one of those stated above. If you feel you qualify for this option, pleasebe sure to contact the ILA Office for details no later than two months before the application deadline.

6. Deadlines and Schedule*All dates are based on Japan Time
Application Period
through ILA office
Entry

April
2024

September
2024

Application Period*1
through Common App

August 1 –September 7, 2023

Notification ofDocument
Screening Results(First Stage)

Interview Dates

Notification of
Results(Final Stage)

Payment of Initial
School Fee

October 20, 2023

November 2, orNovember 4,2023

November 24,
2023

December 14,
2023

April 12, 2024

April 18, April 20
orMay 11, 2024

May 24, 2024

June 18, 2024

August 1 –September 1,2023
January 15 –February 29, 2024
January 15 –February 22, 2024

Please See page 11 and 12 for a more detailed schedule.
*1 The deadline for the submission of documents when applying through Common App follows the deadline when applying
directly through the ILA office.

7. Application Method
There are two application methods:
1. Application in Paper through the ILA Office for First and Third-year transfer students.
-Please apply through either method, but not both.
-It is not possible for third-year transfer applicants to apply through the Common App. Please submit your application in paper
through the ILA Office.
2. On-line Application through the Common App for First-year students.

1. Applying through the ILA Office
If you choose to apply through the ILA Office by using the paper-based method, please read this guide carefully and complete
your application. Remember to allow sufficient time when applying by postal mail. You can download all the application form
from https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/en/admissions/application.html

2. Applying through the Common App
Please access www.commonapp.org and follow the instructions. Once you have set up a Common App account, search for andadd “Doshisha, The Institute for the Liberal Arts” and complete your application. If you are unfamiliar with the Common App,please read this guide carefully. The documents required are the same whether you apply through Common App or the ILA
Office.

-5-

8. Application Documents(

For Applicants who apply through the ILA Office.)

1.

Checklist
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please ensure your application is complete by checking the Application
Documents Checklist for Required Documents before submitting the documents to the University. Attach the completed
check list to the top of your application.

2.

Application for Admission to the Institute for the Liberal Arts, Doshisha University
You must use the prescribed form.

3. Statement of Purpose
Read the Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose (Personal Statement) carefully.

4. Document(s) verifying your educational qualification (English or Japanese)
Attach at least ONE of the following documents;
Certificate of (expected) High School Graduation

International Baccalaureate Diploma (A full IB diploma is required. An IB certificate is not acceptable. Predicted
Grades are acceptable)



A-LEVEL Results (Predicted Results are acceptable)

Abitur Certificate

French Baccalaureate Certificate

The prescribed form “Certificate of (Expected) Graduation” (if your High School does not issue an official certificate)Other documents proving your educational background* In addition to one of the above documents, please submit a school profile and detailed assessment standards when available.
Third-year transfer applicants
In addition to one of the certificates listed above, attach ONE of the following;Certificate of University Graduation (If you have already graduated from another university or college)

Certificate of University Enrollment

5. Academic Transcripts (English or Japanese)
Attach an official High School Transcript(s). Grades for each year should be indicated. If you are currently in high school,
attach your high school transcript(s) up to the most recent semester. If you have taken any standardized tests (such as theSAT), or have any end-of-year academic progress reports, please also attach these in addition to your high schooltranscript(s).
Third-year transfer applicants
In addition to an official High School Transcript(s), attach official University Transcript(s) up to the most recent semester(grades for all the courses you completed and the number of credits you earned should be indicated).

There are a limited number of places for transfer students. Please see news on the ILA website orcontact the ILA office by email to confirm availability before applying.
It is not possible for third-year transfer applicants to apply through the Common Application. Pleasesubmit your application through the ILA Office.

-6-6. English Proficiency Score
Applicants need to provide one of the test scores listed below to verify their English language proficiency. All the testscores must be official and no more than two years old at the time of deadline. Please note submission of test scores is
exempted for applicants who are native speakers of English and applicants with twelve or more years of education in
English.
Proficiency Tests:
1) TOEFL iBT® TEST (85 or above) (Institution Code: 7078)
TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition and TOEFL iBT ® Home Edition scores are no longer accepted. Only "Test Date
Scores" are applicable for admission ("MyBest™ Scores" will not be considered in the admission process).
2) IELTS Academic Module (6.5 or above)
IELTS on Computer (Academic Module) and IELTS for UKVI (Academic Module) are also accepted.
IELTS online score is not accepted.
3) Duolingo English Test: 120 or above
Aptitude Tests:4) ACT Combined English/Writing (Writing Test Score) 22 or above (College Code: 9078)
5) SAT Reading Test 28 or above, and Writing & Language Test 29 or above (College Code: 7231)
Notes- Printed copies of your score from the Internet will not be accepted as official.
- Attach an original Test Taker Score Report (no photocopies) to your application documents or request that the Official
Score Report be sent to Doshisha University directly.
- Applicants are advised to request the delivery of the official scores in advance as it may take more than eight weeks forthe scores to be delivered to Doshisha University. We accept if scores arrive before application period.
- Only verifiable scores that we receive by the application deadline will be accepted.
- We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the delivery status of test scores prior to application.

7. One Letter of Recommendation
Submit one completed letter of recommendation. This should preferably be written by a faculty or staff member ofeducational institution that you attended who know you and your academic goals well.

8. Identification Documents
Attach a photocopy of your passport. If you have multiple citizenships, attach all photocopies. If you do not have a passport,a photocopy of an identification document issued by a government agency in your country will be accepted at the time of
application. The photocopy must clearly show your name, nationality, date of birth in English. Please start preparing toobtain a passport as it is required to obtain your visa upon acceptance. If you are a non-Japanese resident of Japan, pleasealso submit a photocopy of your Residence Card.

9. Two Photographs
Attach two identical photographs with your name written on the back (3cm x 2.4cm, color, full front face without hat,taken within three months, no background). Please affix one photograph to “Application for Admission”. This photographwill be used for academic and administrative purpose only (Student ID Card, etc.) upon acceptance.

10. Evidence of Application Fee Payment
Pay the Application Fee and attach the Remittance Receipt issued by bank or the Credit Card Results Page. For details,
refer to pages 9-11.

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11.

Mailing Labels
For applicants residing in Japan, please attach the completed Mailing Labels. Please fill in all three labels for the address
to which you wish the examination results to be sent. This is not necessary if you do not reside in Japan.

12. For applicants from Least Developed Countries (LDC) or Low Income Countries which are not
LDCs who wish to apply for ［Scholarship for Applicants from Developing Countries］ (September
Entry only)
Enclose the following two documents (prescribed forms) with your application (refer to page 19 for details).
1). Request Form for an Application Fee Waiver, 2024 Doshisha University2). 2024 The Doshisha University Scholarship for Students from Developing Countries◆ Important Notes on Application Documents ◆1. Prescribed Forms
Please download, complete and print out all prescribed forms from the Institute for the Liberal Arts website:
https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions/application.html

2. Translation of documents
If official documents such as Graduation Certificates and Transcripts of Grades are issued in a language other thanEnglish or Japanese, it is the applicant’s responsibility to attach an English or Japanese translation officially notarized
by a foreign embassy in Japan or a Japanese Embassy abroad. If such notarized translations cannot be provided, an
English or Japanese translation issued by the relevant school will be accepted, provided that it has the school’s official
seal.

3. Notarized/Certified copies of original documents
All the application documents must be official except for Identification Documents such as a Passport. If you haveoriginal documents that cannot be replaced and it is therefore impractical to submit them because of the risk thatthey may be lost in the mail, you may submit a copy of the document which is notarized/certified by the relevantschool, a foreign embassy in Japan, a Japanese embassy abroad, or a notary public.

4. Request for return of original documents
Documents submitted will generally not be returned to the applicant. However, if you wish to have your original
documents returned for unavoidable reasons, such as certificates that are issued only once, please enclose a request
letter for return of original documents in the application packet (free format). Any documents not requested at thetime of application or sent directly from the institution will not be returned. Please do be aware, however, that due
to international postal conditions beyond our control, it is not possible to guarantee either timely or safe return ofany documents.

-8-9. Submission of Application(

For applicants who apply through the ILA Office.)

All application materials must be submitted by post and arrive before 5:00 p.m. on the date of the appropriate deadline (Japan
Standard Time). We do not accept applications in person or late applications. Please send your application well in advance ofthe deadline.
1) Applications from inside Japan
Please write: “Application to the ILA” on the envelope in red and send it by post received in person at the office, such as
簡易書留 (Simplified Registered Mail) and Letter Pack Plus.
2) Applications from abroad
Applications must be sent by international courier service, such as EMS, DHL, and UPS.
Address:The Institute for the Liberal Arts Office<In Japanese>

Doshisha University, Karasuma Campus〒602-0898 京都市上京区烏丸通上立売上る

Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0898 Japan同志社大学

Tel: +81-75-251-3302

Tel: 075-251-3302

国際教育インスティテュート事務室

Notes-You will receive a notice of receipt within two weeks.
-Applicants should provide an email address on the application form. Doshisha University may contact you regarding yourapplication. It is important that you check your email regularly, including the spam folder, after submitting your application.

10. Application Fee
The Application Fee through Common App
The Application Fee through the ILA office＄117 (USD) Please pay through Common App.
¥15,000 (JPY) Please see below.

The Application Fee of ¥15,000 (JPY) (non-refundable) must be paid before submitting or mailing the application. However,
if you are an applicant from a developing country, the Application Fee will be waived if you submit a prescribed request form
(see page 19). If the Application Fee is not paid within the application period, we will not accept your application. The method
varies depending on your location. Payment from abroad should be made by either credit card or bank remittance. Payment
from inside Japan should be made by either credit card or telegraphic transfer. Regardless of the application method, please
pay the application fee only once.
In principle, the Application Fee is not refundable once remitted. However, the University will refund the Application Fee only
in cases where:
1. the applicant paid the Application Fee but did not submit the application documents,
2. the applicant paid the Application Fee, but the application documents reached the University after the Application Period.
3. the applicant paid the Application Fee, and the application documents reached the University within the Application Period;
however, the application was not accepted by the University for reasonable grounds, such as incompletion of documentationor unsatisfying the requirements specified by the University.
The refund procedure will be informed after the application deadline. Applicants must complete the refund process during thespecified period. The fees to be incurred for processing the refund must be borne by the applicant.

-9-1. Payment by credit card (both from abroad and from inside Japan)
For both applicants residing abroad and in Japan, the Application Fee can be paid by credit card on the Internet.
Please visit: www.doshisha.ac.jp/en/admission/guide/payment.html (English only) and chose “Examination fee”.
Notes- Please complete the payment by 5:00 p.m. (Japan time) on the final day of the application period.
- In addition to the Application Fee, a transaction fee will be charged.
- The cardholder’s name does not need to be the same as the name of the applicant. However, please fill in the applicant’s
personal details on the Basic Information page.
- After completing the transaction, please print out two copies of the Result page on A4, letter size, or similarly sized paper.
One of the copies should be submitted with your other application materials. Please keep the other copy for your own
reference. Please also note your Receipt Number.
- If you forget to print out the Result page, you can access it by entering your Receipt Number and your date of birth on the
Application Results page.
- An email confirming the transaction will be sent to the email address you registered.
- The transaction is processed in Japanese yen. The conversion rate at the time the transaction is processed by the processing
center of the international affiliate of the credit card company will apply. Please contact your credit card company for moredetails. If your credit card transaction cannot be verified, please contact your credit card company directly

2. Bank Remittance (only from abroad)*We strongly recommend that you make your payment by credit card.
If remitting from abroad, the 2,500 yen transaction fee charged by Japanese financial institutions must be paid by theapplicant, making the total amount to be remitted 17,500 yen (JPY).
Transfer Type

Telegraphic Transfer

Payment

Advise and credit

Transfer Charge

Local charges borne by remitter & overseas charges by beneficiary [SHA]

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY)

Amount17,500 yen

Beneficiary Bank
BranchSUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
LavenderBank Address

8 Naginataboko-cho, Karasuma-higashiiru, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8008, JAPANSWIFT Address

SMBCJPJT

Account Type

Ordinary Account (Savings Account)

Account Number

976-0100114

Account Holder

Doshisha University

Notes- The remittance must be made at a bank teller. Remittances via Internet Banking are not acceptable.
- The remittance must be made in the name of the applicant.
- Any transaction charges from banks in the applicant’s home country must be paid by the applicant.
- For Account Holder, please do not enter anything other than “Doshisha University”.
- Please pay your transfer charge through “SHA”, not “OUR”. You will be charged an extra 2,500 yen if you pay by “OUR”.
- Please submit the remittance receipt bearing the authorization of the bank at which the money was remitted with the otherapplication documents.

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3. Telegraphic Transfer (only from inside Japan)
The Application Fee can be paid at a bank using the prescribed forms for remittance and by telegraphic transfer. Please paste
the remittance receipt bearing the authorization of the bank onto the form “Remittance Receipt” and submit it with the otherrequired application documents. Applications without an authorized receipt will not be accepted.
A remittance made from the headquarters or branch of one of the designated financial institutions listed in the prescribed
remittance forms will not be charged a transaction fee.
*We do not accept remittances from ATMs or from the Japan Post Bank.

11. Admission Decisions
Admission decisions are made in two stages. First, all the submitted documents are screened carefully. Based on this assessment,a select number of successful applicants will be shortlisted and invited to participate in the next stage of the process. Thissecond stage consists of a substantial interview either in person at the ILA or in a video conference (The interview for 2024
application will only be conducted on Zoom), during which we discuss directly with the applicant their academic background,intellectual interests, and personal statement. The final decision for admission to the ILA is based in part on this interview.

12. Document Screening
Once your application is received it is screened to ensure that all documents are in order and all sections of the application arecompleted in full. Please be aware that incomplete applications may be disqualified. Once screening is complete, yourapplication is thoroughly evaluated and graded by faculty members. Professors carefully assess your personal statement,
evaluate your transcripts and recommendations, as well as review your background and relevant skills and qualifications.
We will release on the Internet a list of Examinee’s numbers of applicants who have successfully passed the document screeningstage. We will send the site password by email at least 24 hours prior to the announcement. We cannot respond to any inquiries
regarding internet congestion problems. If you have trouble accessing the web page, please try again later.

URL: https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/en/results/notification.html
Entry

Notification of Document Screening Results (First Stage)

April 2024

October 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m. (JST)September 2024

April 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m. (JST)If you are shortlisted, we will inform you of the interview date and time. Please contact the ILA Office if you are shortlisted
but have not received this notification within five business days after the document screening result has been released. Only
for those applicants applying for 2024 September Entry, we may conduct an additional Interview screening on May
11,2024(Sat) for applicant(s) who have been placed on the waiting list in the document screening process. Details will be
notified to applicants who are on the waiting list. Please note that we cannot respond to any inquiries regarding admission
decisions.

13. Interview
The interview is a chance for you to represent yourself as a good candidate for the ILA. You will get a chance in person to
explain your motivation for studying at Doshisha and within your chosen concentration at the ILA. It is a chance for the
professors to get to know you and for you to have the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about life at the ILA.
During the interview we evaluate your:
1. motivation and commitment to our liberal arts program;
2. familiarity with current events and academic topics;-11-

3. intellectual curiosity;
4. social aptitude and leadership; and5. academic and scholastic capacity and communication skills.

Entry

Dates of Interview Screening stage (Final Stage)

April 2024

November 2 or 4, 2023 (JST)September 2024

April 18, April 20 or May 11,2024, (JST)

14. Notification of Acceptance
We will release on the Internet a list of Examinee’s numbers of successful applicants. We will send the site password by email
at least 24 hours prior to the announcement. We cannot respond to any inquiries regarding internet congestion problems. If you
have trouble accessing the web page, please try again later.
URL: https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/en/results/notification.html
Notification of Acceptance will be sent to successful applicants by mail on the date below. Instructions for the initial registration
procedures will be enclosed with the Notification of Acceptance. After confirming your Concentration, Faculty and Department,
remember to pay the Initial Registration Fee by the appropriate deadline. Refer to Section B: Registration Procedures (page13). Those who do not complete the procedures by the deadline will be denied admission.

Entry

Notification of Results (Final Stage)

April 2024

November 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. (JST)September 2024

May 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m. (JST)Except for inquiries regarding delivery delays, we cannot respond to any inquiries regarding admission decisions.
* The University shall not be liable for any circumstances occurring in the course of delivery of the results including, but notlimited to, lost mail and compromise of personal information.

15. Applicants with Special Needs
Doshisha University endeavors to offer reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities.
All applicants will be judged for their academic suitability to study at the ILA in separation from any discussion of theapplicant’s other needs. However, the University has a duty of care to all staff and students and so therefore cannot always
guarantee to provide for the needs of every individual.
In order for the University to better assess the needs of individual applicants with disabilities, we strongly suggest that an
applicant who may require support in the screening process, or in conducting their studies in general if admitted, to please
consult directly with the ILA Office well before submitting their application, optimally at least one month in advance of thedeadline.

16. Protection of Personal Information
Following the enforcement of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, Doshisha University has established a Basic
Policy and Regulations on Protection of Personal Information. We ensure that we will use applicants’ personal information
only to contact applicants and to create databases on applications and students admitted. Such information will be handled
and protected appropriately.

-12-Section B: Registration Procedures
1. Overview
Upon acceptance, applicants should complete the following procedures. Admission will be denied if the applicant does notcomplete these procedures by the appropriate deadlines. Please refer to the instructions for initial registration procedures
enclosed in the Letter of Acceptance for further details and contact the office for queries using the contact details on page 20.
International students enrolled at Doshisha University are required to hold a Status of Residence (a Student Visa) as prescribedin Appendix 1 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. International students cannot remain enrolled at the
University with a Temporary Visitor Visa. Registration procedures for international students are handled by the Office ofInternational Students.

Will I be considered an “international student” at Doshisha University?

Do you possess Japanese nationality, including dual nationality?
YESNO

NO, see “For
non-international
students”

Are you currently residing in Japan on a temporary visitor visa?
YES(page 16).

NO

Will you apply for a“Student” visa?

Are you currently residing in Japan under“Permanent Resident*” status?
YES

YES

YES, see “ForNO

NOContact the ILA office.

international
students
residing outside
Japan”Are you currently residing in Japan under “Student” status orwill you change your status of residence to “Student” before
enrollment?
NO

Are you currently residing in Japan?

(page 14).

YES

YES, see “For international students
residing in Japan” (page 16).

NO
YES

Contact the ILA office.

* “Permanent Resident” status refers to: ①Special Permanent Resident ②Permanent Resident ③Spouse or Child of a Permanent or Special Permanent
Resident (see Appendix 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).

-13-

2. Initial Registration Procedures (Payment Fees)
Accepted applicants should complete the following steps. Further details regarding the method and amount of payment will be
enclosed with the Notification of Acceptance. Those who do not complete the initial registration procedures by the deadline
will be denied admission.

1. For international students residing outside Japan
Entry

Notification of Results (Final Stage)

Payment Deadline

April 2024

November 24, 2023

December 14, 2023

May 24, 2024

June 18, 2024

September 2024

Accepted applicants must pay the prescribed amount of the initial registration fee by the deadline stated above. Applicants arealso required to submit all necessary documents including documents related to funding indicated on page 15 to the Office ofInternational Students who will then act as your proxy to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence (Student)
in Japan from the Immigration Bureau at the Ministry of Justice. Please refer to the guide for initial registration procedures fordetails on required documents.
After the Office of International Students receives the Certificate of Eligibility from the Immigration Bureau at the Ministry ofJustice, the Certificate of Eligibility and an Admission Certificate will be sent to the applicant. Upon receiving the Certificate
of Eligibility and the Admission Certificate, the applicant must apply for a Status of Residence (Student) by bringing these
documents to the Japanese Embassy or a Japanese Consulate in his/her home country.

[Overview]
Japanese
Embassy

Ministry ofJustice

Doshisha University

Applicant(Office of International Students)

Remit Initial Registration Fee>

Confirm receipt of fees

Submit documents required for
application for Certificate of Eligibility>

Apply by proxy for Certificate
of Eligibility><<

Issue a visa (Student)<

Apply to Embassy for a visa
(Student)>

Move to Kyoto, Japan

Issue Certificate of
Eligibility

Send Certificate of Eligibility
and Admission Certificate

<

Note:
-In certain cases, this application process may need to be modified depending on changes in the Japanese Immigration Officeregulations. The University will notify successful applicants of any changes.
-If you overpay the transaction fee etc. when paying Initial Registration Fee by overseas remittance, the excess amount will
be deducted from the tuition fee of the following semester.

-14-◆ Documents Related to Funding to Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility ◆1) If the applicant supplies the funds by him/herself:- Bank Account Balance Statement (Bank Certificate) in the applicant’s name (the balance statement should show
sufficient funds to cover the School Fees for one year + a minimum of ¥100,000 x 12 months to cover living
expenses. It should be issued by a bank which is able to transfer the funds to Japan in Japanese yen).
- Certificate of Employment (or Verification of Employment) of the applicant- Certificate of Annual Income (or a Tax Certificate indicating the applicant’s total income for the previous year) of
the applicant
2) If a family member or a relative of the applicant (and any other person as a second sponsor) supplies the funds:- Statement of Financial Support (prescribed form) filled out by the sponsor (if the form is filled out in a language
other than Japanese or English, a Japanese or English translation must be attached).
- Bank Account Balance Statement (Bank Certificate) in the sponsor’s name (the balance statement should show
sufficient funds to cover the School Fees for one year + a minimum of ¥100,000 x 12 months to cover living
expenses. It should be issued by a bank which is able to transfer the funds to Japan in Japanese yen).
- Certificate of Employment (or Verification of Employment) of the sponsor (if the sponsor is self-employed:
Certificate of Business Registration)- Certificate of Annual Income (or a Tax Certificate indicating the sponsor’s total income for the previous year) of thesponsor- Document to prove the sponsor’s relationship with the applicant (one of the following: a copy of the Family Register,
Birth Certificate, Resident Card, or Public Certification of Kinship)3) If the applicant supplies the funds through a scholarship:- Scholarship Certificate indicating the amount, duration of the scholarship, and the name of sponsoring foundation or
institution4) If a sponsor residing in Japan supplies the funds:- Statement of Financial Support (prescribed form) filled out by the sponsor- Tax Certificate indicating the sponsor’s total income for the previous year (one of the following: Withholding Tax
Slip, (copy of) Final Income Tax Return, Residential Tax Return or Income Tax Certificate)* Document to prove the sponsor’s relationship with the applicant
If the sponsor is a relative of the applicant, one of the following: Family Register, Birth Certificate, Resident Card, orPublic Certification of Kinship.
If the sponsor is an acquaintance or a friend, an explanatory note mentioning the relationship with the applicant and apicture taken together, etc.
* If you have multiple sponsors, submit the required documents for all of them.
* If you have any inquiries regarding the documents related to funding, contact the Section for International
Admissions, the Office of International Students, International Center (Imadegawa Campus).

Please note: These regulations are subject to change by the Japanese Government.

-15-

2. For international students residing in Japan 【Two installments】
Entry

Notification of Results (Final Stage)[Step 1]
Payment Deadline( Registration Fee*)[Step 2]
Period of Payment

April 2024

November 24, 2023

December 14, 2023

February 1 – March 4, 2024

September 2024

May 24, 2024

June 18, 2024

August 12 – August 28, 2024

[Step 1] Applicants must pay the Registration Fee* by the deadline stated above.
[Step 2] Applicants will then be required to complete payment of the remaining amount of the initial School Fees (Tuition andFacilities Fees of the first semester) during the period of payment.
[Step 3] Please note that you may have to extend or change your visa status. In this case you will require the Admission
Certificate from the Office of International Students and this can only be issued after the Initial School Fees have been
paid in full.
* Once the [Step 2] is completed, “Registration Fee” will be referred to as the “Admission Fee”.
[Overview]
Step

Ministry of JusticeDoshisha University(Office of International Students)

Applicant

1

Pay Registration Fee>

Confirm receipt of fees2

Pay remaining fees>

Confirm receipt of fees<

Apply for extension or change ofvisa status, if necessary<

Send Admission Certificate>

Move to Kyoto, if necessary

3

Approve extension orchange of visa status

Note:
1. International students enrolled at Doshisha University are required to hold a Status of Residence (a Student Visa) as
prescribed in Appendix 1 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. International students cannot remain
enrolled at the University with a Temporary Visitor Visa.
2. Permission for the Certificate of Eligibility is granted by the Ministry of Justice. The University can take no responsibility
if this is not granted. If and when such permission is not granted, or unexpected expenses are incurred due to any reason,such as the delay in the issuance of COE, the University takes no responsibility. The University reserves the right to cancel
the admission of applicants who have failed to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. Those who have lost their Status ofResidence during the period of their enrollment may not remain enrolled at the University.

3. For non-international students 【Two installments】
Entry

Notification of Results (Final Stage)[Step 1]
Payment Deadline(Registration Fee* )[Step 2]
Period of Payment

April 2024

November 24, 2023

December 14, 2023

February 1 - March 4, 2024

September 2024

May 24, 2024

June 18, 2024

August 12 – August 28, 2024

[Step 1] Applicants must pay the Registration Fee* by the deadline stated above.
[Step 2] Applicants will be then required to complete payment of the remaining amount of the initial School Fees (Tuition
and Facilities Fees of the first semester) during the period of payment.
* Once the [Step 2] is completed, “Registration Fee” will be referred to as the “Admission Fee”.

-16-

【Important note】-The Admission Fee (200,000 yen (JPY)) will not be refunded under any circumstances.
-Any cancellation of registration after completing the (initial) registration procedure is permitted only if the applicant goes
through the prescribed cancellation procedure by the date below. In that case, the remaining amount of the Initial School Fees
(Tuition and Facilities Fees of the first semester) will be refunded to the applicant. Details will be enclosed with theNotification of Acceptance.
-International Applicants for whom the University has already applied by proxy for the Certificate of Eligibility to a Status ofResidence (Student) in Japan who wish to receive the above refund need to submit a statement of reason for cancelling theirregistration and return the Certificate of Eligibility and the Admission Certificate to Doshisha University. Details will be
enclosed with the Notification of Acceptance.
Entry

Enrollment Cancellation Deadline

April 2024
September 2024

March 31, 2024
September 20, 2024

3. Submission of Required Documents
Please be aware that the successful applicant is required to arrive in Kyoto by the middle of March (April 2024 Entry) or by
the beginning of September (September 2024 Entry) so that you have enough time for your final registration and settling in.
The applicants are required to visit the ILA Office and submit the documents listed below (other than those documents
already submitted as part of the application process) by Submission Deadline. We do not accept photocopies of these
documents.
1) A document supporting your educational qualification (Graduation Certificate, IB Diploma, etc.)
2) A certificate of Items Stated in Resident Register (住民票記載事項証明書・Juminhyo Kisaijiko Shomeisho)3)【International Students*】Written Pledge/Notification of Contact Person [prescribed form, sent to successful applicants]【Non International Students】Written Pledge (student)/Written Pledge and Guarantee (joint guarantor) [prescribed form,
sent to successful applicants]
Entry

Submission Deadline

April 2024

April 2, 2024

September 2024

September 24, 2024

Please note that Doshisha University reserves the right to cancel the admission of applicants whose application or
initial registration documents are incomplete or contain false statements.

-17-

4. School Fees
The School Fees for the 2024 academic year are as follows.
URL: https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/en/admissions/fees_scholarships.html,
Undergraduate First- year Students (AY 2024 Entry)
Initial School Fees

(unit: Japanese yen)
School Fees (annual)st

1 year

2nd year

3rd year

4th year

Admission Fee

200,000

200,000

---

---

---

Tuition381,500

763,000

963,000

963,000

963,000

Facilities Fee

81,500163,000

163,000

163,000

163,000

Total

663,000

1,126,000

1,126,000

1,126,000

1,126,000

Undergraduate Third- year Students (AY 2024 Entry)
Initial School Fees

(unit: Japanese yen)
School Fees (annual)rd

3 year

4th year

Admission Fee

200,000

200,000---

Tuition450,000

900,000

905,000

Facilities Fee

82,500165,000

173,000

Total

732,500

1,265,000

1,078,000

1) The Admission Fee is charged in the initial year only.
2) One half each of the annual Tuition and Facilities Fee is charged in the Spring and Fall Semesters respectively.
3) The Initial School Fees is the total of the Admission Fee and the Tuition and Facilities Fees for the first semester.
4) In addition to the above, the Alumni Association Fee will be charged in the fourth year.

5. Scholarships

1. Doshisha Merit Scholarship
Doshisha Merit Scholarship reduce the financial burden on international students who excel academically to enhance theirstudies at the University. Students with a “Student” Visa may receive a tuition reduction (*Category S, Category A, or Category
C). Eligible applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship. Please refer to the Doshisha webpage for the latest
information (https://ois.doshisha.ac.jp/en/scholarships/merit.html). In some cases, however, students who have a non-Japanesenationality may receive the scholarship offer, even if they do not have a “Student” Visa. The amount of reduction, if any, will
be notified with the Notification of Acceptance. This scholarship is offered for two years, based on the student’s admission
result. In third and fourth years, the tuition reduction is awarded based on the student’s grades during the previous years ofstudy.
For other scholarships offered while studying at Doshisha,please refer to webpage:- International students: https://ois.doshisha.ac.jp/en/scholarships/merit.html- Other students: https://www.doshisha.ac.jp/scholarships/(Japanese language).

* Category S: Equivalent to full amount of tuition for each year of enrollment, depending on the year of entry
Category A: ¥ 460,000, Category C: ¥ 190,000-18-

2. Scholarship for Applicants from Developing Countries (September Entry only)
Eligible applicants:
Applicants who wish to be admitted to the Institute for the Liberal Arts (ILA), Doshisha University as full-time degreeseeking students, who excel academically and who fulfill all of the following conditions are eligible to apply for thisscholarship. This scholarship will only be available to applicants who wish to enroll in the Fall Semester.
- Applicants must be a privately funded international student.
- Applicants will obtain “Student” resident status after being admitted to Doshisha University..
- Applicants must reside in, and be nationals of, one of the countries classified by the OECD/DAC as Least Developed
Countries or Other Low Income Countries (please see the list of Eligible Countries below).
[Least Developed Countries]
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Rep., Chad, Comoros, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe,
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia[Low Income Countries which are not LDCs]
D. P. R. Korea, Syrian Arab Republic

Application Fee Waiver:
Applicants who fulfill the above conditions will be exempted from the Application Fee. When applying for the scholarship,
please do not forget to enclose the original request form for the Application Fee Waiver with your application. If you apply
for the Application Fee Waiver, you are not required to pay the Application Fee.

Scholarship amount:-85,000-yen monthly stipend.
-Full amount of School fees (including the Admission Fee, Tuition, Facilities Fee).
Please refer to page 18.

Number of recipients: Two students maximum.
Duration of the scholarship:
For two years after admission (The duration of scholarship may be renewed for up to the standard number of years requiredfor graduation.). In principle, any leave of absence is included in the duration of scholarship. However, this does not apply to
military leave.

Notification dates:
The notification of this scholarship will be enclosed with the Notification of Acceptance.

Application forms:
https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/admissions/scholarship.html
The application forms will be available on the website in November 2023.
Application for this Scholarship must be made at the same time as the application for the Entrance examination.
Please do not forget to enclose the original form of 2024 The Doshisha University Scholarship for Students from Developing
Countries and Request Form for an Application Fee Waiver with your application.
For further details, please refer to the webpage (https://ois.doshisha.ac.jp/en/scholarships/countries.html).

-19-

Contact Details
The Institute for the Liberal Arts (ILA) Office (Shikokan, Karasuma Campus)
Doshisha University
Kamidachiuri-agaru, Karasuma-doriKamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0898, Japan
TEL: +81-75-251-3302 / FAX: +81-75-251-3304 / Email: ji-ila@mail.doshisha.ac.jp<Address in Japanese>〒602-0898

京都市上京区烏丸通上立売上る

同志社大学

国際教育インスティテュート事務室

Inquiries regarding Status of Residence, CoE and scholarships for international students
Office of International Students (Fusokan, Imadegawa Campus)
Doshisha University
Karasuma-Higashi-iru, Imadegawa-doriKamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8580, Japan
TEL: +81-75-251-3257 / FAX: +81-75-251-3123 / Email: ji-intad@mail.doshisha.ac.jp

Hours: 9:00 a.m. ~ 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday except holidays, November 29 and December 25)
Our offices are closed from August 14 to August 18 2023, from December 29 2023 to January 5 2024, and from April 29 to
May 5 2024. We will be unable to answer phone and email inquiries during this period.

Teranouchi St.

Karasuma Campus
ILA Office⓮: Fusokan㉛: Shikokan

www.doshisha.ac.jp/en/information/campus/imadegawa/overview.html-20-

The Institute for the Liberal Arts Office, Doshisha University.
Kamidachiuri-agaru, Karasuma-doriKamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0898 Japan
Tel: +81-75-251-3302 / Fax: +81-75-251-3304
Email: ji-ila@mail.doshisha.ac.jp

https://ila.doshisha.ac.jp/
This guide is available for download from the above website.