Admission for the Discovery Program for Global Learners

You can access the online application system at the bottom of the page.

2027 April and October Intake (PERIOD 1) Deadline by 17:00, October 15, 2026 (JST).
2027 October Intake (PERIOD 2) Deadline by 17:00, January 8, 2027 (JST).

All applications and accompanying documents（submitted via post AND online) must reach the Admissions Division, Discovery Program for Global Learners by the deadline. Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please give yourself plenty of time to complete your application within the given application period.

1. Who can apply

Applicants must satisfy both of the following requirements and demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing their studies in the Discovery Program for Global Learners at Okayama University.

1.Academic Qualifications
Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
<> refers to information regarding students enrolling in October.

1. Have graduated from a high school (including the upper secondary course of a secondary education school) or be expected to graduate by March 31 <September 30>, 2027.

2. Have completed the third year of a Japanese National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) or be expected to complete it by March 31 <September 30>, 2027.

3. Have completed 12 years of formal school education in a foreign country or be expected to complete it by March 31 <September 30>, 2027 or be otherwise recognized as having equivalent qualifications as designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (hereafter, MEXT).
Completion of 12 years of formal school education refers to completion of the final year of a standard educational curriculum.
Applicants who have completed fewer than 12 years must also have completed an officially designated preparatory education program or training course.

4. Have completed or be expected to complete by March 31 <September 30>, 2027, a curriculum at an overseas educational institution that has been officially recognized by MEXT as equivalent to a Japanese high school program.

5. Have completed or be expected to complete by March 31 <September 30>, 2027, an upper secondary course at a specialized training college with a minimum program length of three years and meeting other criteria prescribed by and officially designated by MEXT.

6. Hold an internationally recognized university entrance qualification, such as the International Baccalaureate, Abitur, Baccalauréat, GCE A Levels, International A Levels, or the European Baccalaureate.

7. Have completed a 12-year educational program at an institution accredited by an internationally recognized accreditation body, including WASC, CIS, ACSI, NEASC, Cognia, or COBIS.

8. Have passed or be expected to pass by March 31 <September 30>, 2027, the Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination conducted under the relevant Japanese regulations.
(This includes applicants who have passed the former University Entrance Qualification Examination prior to its discontinuation.)

9. Have been admitted to a university under Article 90, Paragraph 2 of the Japanese School Education Act, and have passed, or are expected to pass by March 31 <September 30>, 2027, the Upper Secondary School Equivalency Certification Examination.

10. Have been admitted to a university under Article 90, Paragraph 2 of the Japanese School Education Act and are deemed to possess academic ability appropriate for university-level education.

11. Have been recognized by Okayama University, through an individual admissions eligibility screening, as possessing academic ability equivalent to or exceeding that of a high school graduate, and will have reached 18 years of age by March 31 <September 30>, 2027.

2.Residency Status (for Non-Japanese Citizens)
Applicants who do not hold Japanese nationality must be eligible to obtain a status of residence under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act that permits enrollment in a Japanese university.

*If you wish to request an individual eligibility screening, you must complete the application procedure by the following deadlines:
　・2027 April and October Intake (PERIOD 1) : August 21, 2026
　・2027 October Intake (PERIOD 2): Nobember 20, 2026
If you wish to request an individual eligibility screening, please contact the Discovery Office at admission_discovery@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp. Then, please refer to the following webpage and prepare the required documents by the applicable deadline.
https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/admission/nyuugakushikaku_sougoukobetushinsa.html
(available in Japanese only)

2. Application Periods for April and October 2027

2027 April and October Intake (PERIOD 1)：
October 5, 2026 – October 15, 2026 (17:00 JST)

2027 October Intake only (PERIOD 2)：
December 21, 2026 – January 8, 2027 (17:00 JST)

Results of 2026 Admission

3. What to submit

Application checklist (Please download for your confirmation)

Application checklist

Note that some application documents are to be submitted by post, while others are to be submitted online. Please read the Application guide carefully.
Please use the latest forms available below.

Application documents (Forms)

Download the complete set of forms here.

 

(1) To submit BY POST:

Address :
Discovery Program for Global Learners,
Okayama University,
2-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama
700-8530 JAPAN

Applicants outside of Japan should send documents via registered airmail such as Speed Post, DHL, FedEx, OCS, or EMS. Applicants in Japan should send documents via kakitome (書留).
Copy of Graduation certificate or statement certifying expected graduation date

*Applicants who can submit the official Japanese school report（調査書） prescribed by MEXT are not required to submit this document.

  •  Applicants who have already graduated from secondary school should submit a photocopy of their graduation certificate.
  • Applicants who have not yet graduated will be required to submit a copy of their certificate after arriving on campus.
  • Certificates in languages other than English or Japanese should be accompanied by an English or Japanese translation.

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Official transcripts

*Applicants who can submit the official Japanese school report（調査書） prescribed by MEXT are not required to submit this document.

  •  If you have already graduated from secondary school, submit full transcripts of all courses taken in secondary school (most recent 2-3 years).
  •  If you are still in secondary school, submit transcripts of all classes completed to date (most recent 2-3 years).
  •  If you have attended more than one secondary school, submit transcripts from each school (most recent 2-3 years).
  • If you are currently in a tertiary or post-secondary educational institute, submit transcripts of all classes completed to date, as well as transcripts of courses taken in secondary school.
  • Transcripts may be photocopies, but they must be enclosed in a sealed envelope and signed across the flap by a school official.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English or Japanese must be accompanied by an English or Japanese translation.
Reference form
  • Reference form should be written by someone who knows you well and has interacted directly with you in a supervisory position at school, work, or through extracurricular activities – a teacher, manager, boss, coach, or advisor.
  •  In addition to rating on your ability to think logically and critically, as well as on your initiative, consistency, patience, and emotional maturity, the referee is also encouraged to provide information on your academic performance and ability to succeed in a multi-cultural environment.
  • Reference form can be in either English or Japanese.

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Standardized test results (OPTIONAL)
  • Applicants who have taken standardized exams typically used for university admissions in their country, such as the SAT or ACT, please submit photocopies of official results.
  • Applicants who have taken the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), please submit photocopies of official scores.
  • Applicants who have an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma may submit a photocopy of their diploma and an official certificate of their IB exam results, issued by the International Baccalaureate Office.
  • Applicants who have not yet received their IB Diploma may send official transcripts of IB predicted scores, endorsed by the principal or a guidance counselor at their school. Please note that once applicants are admitted, they will be asked to submit a photocopy of their IB Diploma and an official certificate of their IB exam results.

(2) To submit ONLINE:

Please upload the following documents as well as the application fee by logging into the Online Application system.

Online Application System
*Save a copy of the completed form for your records.
Official English proficiency test scores

REQUIRED for applicants who have not received five years or more of their secondary education in English.

  • Scores must be from exams taken after September 2024. Unofficial score reports or photocopies are acceptable for the application process although applicants may have to submit the original certificates upon request.
  • The Discovery Program does not have minimum requirement scores. However, most instructions will be conducted in English, and CEFR-equivalent level B2 or higher is highly recommended. English ability is evaluated comprehensively through standardized test scores, personal statements, and interviews, etc.
  • Applicants must submit scores from one or more of the following tests: Cambridge English/The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency (実用英語技能検定)/GTEC Advanced or GTEC Basic or GTEC CBT/IELTS/TEAP/TOEFL iBT/TOEIC Listening & Reading Test and TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests/IB English Score (Predicted Scores included). Details are provided in the Application guide.

(Note 1) English language certifications or qualifications for tests that were taken at home are not accepted.
(Note 2) Please confirm the validity period of the scores of the English language certificates/qualifications accepted by Okayama University for admission to undergraduate courses, regardless of the validity period specified by the organizations that administer the tests.
(Note 3) Applicants who have taken English A or English B for IB Diploma qualification may submit your IB exam results (Predicted Scores included) instead of English proficiency test scores.

Proof of Japanese proficiency (OPTIONAL)
  • Applicants who have taken a Japanese language proficiency test (e.g., JLPT) are strongly encouraged to submit their scores as optional material.
  • Japanese language proficiency is not required for application. However, for April Intake, the orientation after enrollment will be conducted in Japanese, and a language proficiency (CEFR-equivalent level B2 or higher) is recommended. For information on the CEFR standards for Japanese language proficiency, please see the Application Guide. Applicants who wish to take courses offered by other faculties after enrollment will be required to demonstrate Japanese language ability at the time of interview.
  • For details regarding Japanese language proficiency, please see the Application guide.
Personal statements
  •  Complete the personal statements in English.
  • Please note that the Part B is different if applicants have selected “Social Sciences & Humanities” or “Sciences & Applied Sciences” as your primary choice in “Desired Area(s) of Study” in online application system.

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ID photo
  • Submit a color photo taken within the last 3 months, showing a front view without head coverings (except for religious purposes) or sunglasses, above chest level, with a solid-color background.
  • The photo will be used to identify the applicant at the interview.
    *Please do not edit or manipulate the photos.
Application fee
  • Pay the application fee of ¥17,000 via credit card using the online application system. Payment can also be made using a credit card not registered under the applicant’s name.
  • If payment by credit card is not possible, please contact the Discovery Office at admission_discovery@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp for other payment options.
  • The application fee can only be refunded under the following circumstances: incomplete and unaccepted applications, an erroneous double payment, or cases where applicants who are eligible for an application fee waiver as described below were unable to obtain the required supporting documents within the application period and therefore paid the application fee and completed the required application procedures.
  • The deadline for requesting a refund is March 31, 2027.
  • Application Fee Waiver
    Okayama University provides an exemption from the application fee for undergraduate admissions and other entrance examinations in order to reduce the financial burden on applicants affected by disasters that were subject to the Disaster Relief Act on or after April 2025 and to help ensure their opportunities to pursue higher education. For details, please refer to the University’s website: https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/admission/menjo.html　(available in Japanese only)

4.　Scholarships

On the application system for admissions, you will be asked to indicate your interest in receiving a scholarship by answering the following question.

Question:

If available, do you wish to receive the following scholarships?
・Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
　(For October Admissions Only): Yes / No

・Other scholarships
  (e.g., JASSO Scholarship, Discovery Scholarship, etc.): Yes / No

If you answer “YES” for the MEXT Scholarship, please submit the following form, which includes a brief statement about your proposed community activities in Japan to promote mutual understanding between your country and Japan, through the application system at the time of application.

If you select “No”, we will not apply for any scholarships on your behalf. Even if you select “YES”, it does not guarantee that you will receive the scholarship.

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For more information about the scholarship, please click here.

5. Important dates

  April 2027 Intake Application Period 1
 October 2027 Intake		 Application Period 2
October 2027 Intake
Application period October 5, 2026 – October 15, 2026 (17:00 JST*) December 21, 2026 – January 8, 2027 (17:00 JST*)
Results of preliminary screening announced November 20, 2026 (10:00 JST*) February 19, 2027(10:00 JST*)
Teams  connection test  Applicants will be informed of the date and time of their pre-interview
check and interview time via email		 Applicants will be informed of the date and time of their pre-interview
check and interview time via email
Final screening (Interview)** December 5, 2026 March 6, 2027
Results of final screening announced December 21, 2026 (10:00 JST*) March 19, 2027(10:00 JST*)
Deadline to complete
admission procedures***		 January 29, 2027 (17:00 JST*) April 30, 2027(17:00 JST*)

*JST: Japan Standard Time
**Regarding the “Final screening”, if the number of applicants exceeds a certain number, the interview will be held on two separate days (December 5 and 6, 2026, and March 5 and 6, 2027). Applicants should check interview dates and secure their two-day availability before applying.
***For April admission, if the number of candidates who have completed the enrollment process falls short of the enrollment capacity, we may offer additional admission to eligible candidates. For October admission, if the number of candidates who have completed the enrollment process for Application Period 1 falls short of the enrollment capacity, any vacant places will be added to the quota for Application Period 2 and filled through the selection process for that period. Furthermore, if the number of candidates who have completed the enrollment process for Application Period 2 falls short of the enrollment capacity, we may offer additional admission to eligible candidates.

6. Applicants with disabilities

Applicants with disabilities should submit documents explaining their individual circumstances by the deadlines below so that the university can make appropriate arrangements regarding accommodation for coursework, etc.

Deadline 2027 April and October Intake (PERIOD 1): September 11, 2026
2027 October Intake only (PERIOD 2): November 13, 2026
Procedures Complete the online Preliminary Consultation Form and submit it along with a doctor’s note and a copy of your disability certificate (if issued).
Download here.
Submission Email: admission_discovery@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp

7. FAQ

FAQ

Application Guide
Pamphlet