Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
University Application Guidelines for September 2016 Enrollment
Ritsumeikan University is recruiting International Students for 2016 enrollment with
recommendation to the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) as below.
This application process will be conducted according to the application guidelines for the 2016
JJ/WBGSP established by the World Bank Institute and applicants who pass this evaluation will be
admitted to the university and recommended to the World Bank for scholarship selection. The World
Bank will conduct a separate evaluation of the applicants recommended by Ritsumeikan University in
accordance with its guidelines to make the final determination regarding award of the JJ/WBGSP for
2016. Therefore, passing the application screening conducted by Ritsumeikan University does not
guarantee that applicants will receive the JJ/WBGSP scholarship in 2016.
Please refer to the JJ/WBGSP homepage for detailed information concerning the scholarship
system.
I. Recruiting Graduate Schools, Majors, Courses, Programs and Number of Students:
Graduate
School
Economics
International
Relations
Policy Science
Graduate
School
Science and
Engineering
Information
Science and
Engineering
Enrollment Recruited
Cap
Students
Master’s
50
A few
Major
Program
Economics
International Relations
(Global Cooperation Program)
Policy Science
Master’s
60
A few
Master’s
40
A few
Major
Course
Advanced
Mathematics and
Mathematics
Physics
Advanced
Electrical,
Electrical, Electronic,
Electronic and
and Computer systems
Computer
Systems
Mechanical
Advanced
Engineering
Mechanical
Robotics
Engineering and
Micro Systems
Robotics
Technology
Civil and Disaster
Mitigation Engineering
Advanced
for Historic Cities
Architectural,
Environmental Environmental Systems
and Civil
and Civil Engineering
Engineering
Architecture and Urban
Design
Computer Science
Advanced
Information
Human Information
Science and
Science
Engineering
Program
Name
Program
50
180
International
Program for
Science and
Engineering
140
Master’s
A few
80
International
Program for
Information
Science and
Engineering
Master’s
Applied Chemistry
International
Biotechnology
Program for Master’s
Life Sciences
Bioinformatics
Life Sciences
Biomedical Science
*The enrollment cap includes students admitted through all application processes.
Advanced Life
Sciences
Enrollment Recruited
Cap
Students
200
A few
150
A few
*Actual number recruited may be lower, based on number of applications and entrance examination results.
II. Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements determined by the World Bank, be in possession of
a “Student” residence status for Japan or intend to acquire that status of residence prior to enrollment, and
meet each of criteria (1) through (2) below:
(1) Meet one of sub-criteria 1) through 4):
1) Persons who have completed a 16-year education program outside of Japan.
2) Persons who have graduated from a Japanese university.
3) Persons who have completed a 15-year education program in a country outside Japan where
the bachelor's degree program is a three-year degree and who have demonstrated exceptional
academic achievement as demonstrated by course grades; and who have received individual
permission to apply by Ritsumeikan's graduate schools prior to the application period. (*1)
4) Persons who have been recognized as having an academic ability equal to or higher than
university graduates by Ritsumeikan University’s graduate schools as a result of an individual
preliminary screening and who have reached 22 years of age. (*2)
*1 Applicants who believe they meet criteria (3), above, must contact the International Center at
BKC no later than the day before the application period begins in order to undergo an
individual review to determine whether they meet the designated academic achievement
standard.
*2 Applicants who believe they meet criteria (4), above, must contact the International Center at
BKC no later than the day before the application period begins in order to undergo an
individual review to determine whether their academic ability is equal to or higher than a
university graduate.
(2) Based on the research plan submitted to the university, commit to making use of the research
conducted at Ritsumeikan University to contribute to the development of the applicant’s home
country for a period of at least 3 years following completion of studies at Ritsumeikan
University.
In addition to the requirements above, applicants must have sufficient English language ability
to understand course materials at their desired graduate school.
* Applicants who have any questions or concerns whatsoever about their years of study, educational
system, degree equivalency, eligibility according to the conditions above, etc., must contact the
International Center at BKC at the address below, prior to the beginning of the application period.
Ritsumeikan University, International Center at BKC
1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)77-561-3946
Fax: +81 (0)77-561-3956
III. Selection Procedures
Applicants will be screened based on submitted application documents. However, foreign language
tests, written exams and interviews may also be conducted if determined to be necessary by the desired
graduate school.
* This selection process will determine admission to Ritsumeikan University. The World Bank will
conduct a separate evaluation of the applicants recommended by Ritsumeikan University in accordance
with its guidelines to make the final determination regarding award of the JJ/WBGSP for 2016.
IV. Application Procedures
1. Application Documents
Please submit the following documents in a single package.
(1) Application for Graduate Admission at Ritsumeikan University (University-designated Form A)
(2) Field of Study and Study Program (University-designated JJ/WBGSP Application-use form)
(3) Letter of Recommendation (Optional, Freeform. Only original documents will be accepted)
(4a) Certificate of graduation from most recent academic institution
(4b) Certificate of grades from most recent academic institution. (Certificate must explain grading
system: ie. Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Fail, etc.)
(5) Copy of photo and information pages from passport (for applicants in possession of a passport) or
copy of birth certificate
(6) Copy of documentation showing objective proof of level of linguistic ability
・Submit a grade certificate from an English Language Ability Test (Score reports must be from one of
the following: TOEIC®, TOEFL®-iBT, TOEFL®-PBT, TOEFL®-CBT, or IELTS TM. Copies are
acceptable).
*Test must have been taken in the two-year period preceding the application deadline to be
acceptable.
・Applicants who cannot submit a score certificate from one of the tests above must submit an original,
formal certificate of English language ability level, or a formal letter stating as much, issued by their
alma mater.
*Certificate must have been issued within the two-year period preceding the application period start
date to be acceptable.
*In principle, applicants who intend to submit this form of certificate must consult with the
Ritsumeikan University International Center at BKC in advance.
(7) Certificate of Health (University-designated form or form with identical contents)
(8) (Graduates of universities in China, only) PDF copy of 教育部学歴証書電子注冊備案表
(9) Three photographs (must have been taken no more than 3 months prior, be 4.5 cm high by 3.5 cm
wide, be taken head-on, and show applicant from the chest up, with no hat. All photos should have
the applicant's name and nationality written on the reverse).
2. Important Points for Application
(1) All application documents must be in English and, to the maximum extent possible, should be typed
in word processing-type software and printed on A4-sized paper. Documents in any language other
than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
(2) Be sure to enter your name and birth date exactly as it appears in your passport on all forms.
(3) All application documents must be sent together, by registered, express mail to the address in
number 4, below.
(4) Once accepted by the university, submitted documents cannot be returned for any reason.
(5) If it is determined that your application documents contain any deliberate falsifications or forgeries,
your application will not pass the examination
3. Application Period
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 - Monday, February 29, 2016
(Applications will be accepted by mail only. Applications must arrive before the deadline.)
4. Application Mailing Address:
Ritsumeikan University, International Center at BKC
1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)77-561-3946 Fax: +81 (0)77-561-3956
V. Notification of Results
Thursday, March 17, 2016
*Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Acceptance from Ritsumeikan, sent to the address on
their application form, and will be recommended to the World Bank for the scholarship.
VI. Admissions Procedures
Detailed information on admissions procedures will be provided to successful applicants after
results are released.