コンテンツまでスキップ

Application


Application for Academic Year 2026

The application for the academic year 2026 has already closed. The application guidelines for the AY 2027 may be revised, including the list of universities. For the information of AY 2027, please wait for the release of the new application guidelines.
For your reference, the application guidelines for the 2026 academic year are provided below.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

* Please ensure you review the specific application guidelines for each university for full details.

    1. Status: Must be a refugee or a person in need of international protection with a residency permit granted by the Japanese authorities (Japanese nationals are not eligible).
    2. Education: Must have completed 12 years of formal education in Japan or abroad, be expected to complete it by March of the admission year for undergraduate courses, or be recognized by the university as having equivalent qualifications.
      * The Master's degree courses require 16 years of formal education, and the PhD degree courses require 18 years of formal education.
    3. Financial Need: Must demonstrate financial difficulty in pursuing his/her higher education in Japan.
    4. Intent: Must understand the program’s objectives and possess a strong commitment to focus on academic studies, with the expectation of maintaining good grades and completing the degree within 4 years (within 2 years for Master's degree courses and within 3 years for PhD degree courses).
    5. Language Skills: Must possess sufficient Japanese or English language proficiency to participate in the university lectures.
    6. Admission Criteria of University: Must meet all specific admission criteria set by the university (please refer to specific university guidelines).

How to Submit (AY 2026)

【Application Period】
  • 4 July 2025 (Fri.) to 4 August 2025 (Mon) *Postmark deadline
    • Please check the application guidelines for each university and send the required documents to the address below via simplified registered mail (kani-kakitome/簡易書留).
    • Applicants are advised to consider a wide range of faculties beyond their top three choices when preparing for their exams.
【Mailing Address of the Application Form】
c/o Japan for UNHCR
Secretariat of the UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Program

6F Minami Aoyama HY Building,
7-3-6 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062

Application Form

Application Guidelines (English degree programmes)

Please check here for the application guidelines of Japanese degree programmes.
日本語で学位取得を目指すコースの募集要項はこちら。

■ Postgraduate

The eligibility and required documents for the postgraduate degree programme are different from those for the undergraduate courses. Please check the website of each university and contact the Secretariat of UNHCR Refugee Higher Education Programme if you have any questions.

【Notice】

  • Please note that you may be recommended to a university other than your choices before applying for the examinations.
  • The EJU Score Report is mandatory for all undergraduate courses. Please make sure to check the required subjects on the application guidelines. The subjects required vary depending on the university and faculty. It is highly recommended to take multiple subjects (for example, take Japanese and Mathematics instead of only General Subjects).
  • For the applicants of Japanese-taught courses: Some applicants are asked to take the online Japanese language proficiency examination. RHEP Secretariat will contact applicants who are required to take the exam.
  • For the applicants of English-taught courses: The proof of English language proficiency is mandatory for English-taught courses. Applicants who wish to pursue a degree in English are required to submit the test score, such as TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TEAP, TEAP CBT or Cambridge ESOL Exam. 
  • RHEP does not allow applicants to apply for this programme whilst also applying for other entrance examinations with scholarship (This does not apply to individuals who have failed the RHEP exam). For further details, please contact the RHEP Secretariat.
  • Some students who have a refugee background and have lived in Japan* are also eligible from the 2019 term. For further details, please contact the RHEP Secretariat.
    * 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 vaild/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.
  • Especially for those applying for a postgraduate programme, please ensure that your research topic matches the graduate school/faculty of your choice and the career path you wish to pursue after graduation.
  • If you wish to apply to a graduate school, please make sure to contact professors at the university of your choice in advance to confirm that you will be able to study the research theme of your choice before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check the FAQ (PDF)

With regard to MEXT’s support program for higher education

From April 2020, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan implemented a program that financially supports students from low-income households (高等教育修学支援制度).

→ Please refer to MEXT's website (Japanese only)