Application

Application for academic year 2021

Application for academic year 2021 has been closed.
The information on application for academic year 2022 will be available in June 2021.

Following the announcement of the cancellation of EJU (#1, June session), RHEP selection policy is updated as below:

・Please refer to the Application Guidelines of each university. If you have any questions/concerns about the required documents, please contact the Secretariat of UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Programme.

• For the 2021 program (i.e. for those who would like to enter university in April 2021), the application period is from 10 July (Fri) to 7 August (Fri) 2020.
• Please note that some overseas students who have a refugee background and lived in Japan* are also eligible from the 2019 term. For further details, please contact the Secretariat of UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Programme.
  * Refugees recognized by a foreign government or by UNHCR outside Japan or individuals who were considered in need of international protection on the basis of, inter alia, a valid/an applicable UNHCR Eligibility Guideline at the time of application to RHEP, and are granted a mid/long term residency status by the Japanese government, or individuals who have a realistic prospect of being granted such a residency status. Please note that asylum seekers whose application for refugee status is pending with the Government of Japan are not eligible.
• The UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Program does not allow you to apply together with other admission by recommendation (This does not apply to individuals who have failed this exam). For further details, please contact the Secretariat of UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Programme.

Undergraduate degree programme

2021 UNHCR-RHEP Application Form

Application Guidelines for the respective universities (for candidates with sufficient language skills for pursuing a degree in English);

• Kwansei Gakuin University
• Meiji University
• Sophia University
• Meiji Gakuin University

* School of International Studies of Kwansei Gakuin University, School of Global Japanese Studies of Meiji University, Faculty of Liberal Arts of Sophia University and Department of Global and Transcultural Studies, Faculty of International Studies of Meiji Gakuin University provide English degree programs.

Graduate degree programme

The scholarship scheme and qualifications for the graduate degree programme is different from that for the undergraduate course. Please check the website of the university and contact to the Secretariat of UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Programme for further inquiries.

2021 UNHCR-RHEP Application Form

Application Guidelines

• Waseda University
• Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies of Waseda University
  • Website
  • Application qualifications

* Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies of Waseda University provides English degree programs.

Q&A

With regards to MEXT’s support program for higher education

(高等教育の修学支援新制度)

From April 2020, the Government of Japan implemented a program that financially supports students from low-income households. Please refer to MEXT’s website (in Japanese only) for further information, as certain RHEP candidates may be eligible to apply.

MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Expectations for RHEP Students

1. Students must complete with satisfactory academic performance an undergraduate degree that is in principle, a maximum of four years in duration.
2. Students must submit a progress report and financial status report to the UNHCR　twice a year.
3. During the course of their studies, students must complete at least one RHEP　project, for example, students may participate in a seminar as a speaker.
4. Students must participate regularly in RHEP follow-up meetings, and interviews following their graduation from university.

Selection Process (The schedule is subject to change, and dates may vary from year to year.)

1. Applications open
   By the end of June each year
2. Applications deadline
   By the beginning of August each year
3. Written Exam
   The end of August each year (language and essay)
4. Interview
   The end of August each year (in Tokyo)
5. Results announced
   The beginning of September each year
6. Decision process by partner universities
   From the middle of September to the beginning of December