Admissions FAQ (Graduate)

Here are the most common questions asked by applicants. If your question is not answered on this page, please contact the International Admissions Office. For questions not related to the admissions process, please click here.

Application Entries
Is the content of Early Entry and Regular Entry the same?

Yes, they are the same. There is no advantage or disadvantage to applying in any particular period regarding scholarships or admission to the university. Regardless of the entry, the application and admission process is the same, but the schedule of each entry is different. Please note that you may only apply for one entry per intake, and there is only one intake (September enrollment) per year.

Does applying in a later entry period affect my chances of admission or scholarship?

No. KUAS offers multiple application periods to give students the flexibility to apply when it best suits their schedule. There is no difference in admission or scholarship opportunities between the entry periods, and there is no difference in the criteria or content of the evaluation.

Can I apply to multiple entry periods in the same academic year?

No. Applicants may only apply to KUAS once per academic year.
For example, if you apply during “Early Entry” for the September 2026 intake, you cannot apply again during “Regular Entry” for that same intake. If your application is not successful, the next opportunity to apply would be for the following academic year (e.g., for the September 2027 intake).

Eligibility and Requirements
Is there an age limit to apply?

Generally, there is no upper age limit for application. However, please ensure you meet our academic eligibility requirements as detailed in our Application Guidelines.

I have a gap year between my previous studies and my application. Will this negatively affect my chances of being accepted?

Taking a gap year will not negatively impact your application or your consideration. There is no upper age limit for applicants to our English-medium programs. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

What is the minimum GPA requirement for admission?

Currently, there is no minimum GPA for application.

Do I need Japanese language skills at the time of my application?

No. All international programs at KUAS are taught in English, so there is no Japanese language requirement for admission.

What is the English language requirement?

To ensure you can thrive in our all-English program, you must provide proof of your English proficiency by submitting a valid score from an accepted test. We accept scores from the following proficiency tests:
TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and MyBest™ scores)
IELTS Academic
PTE Academic
Duolingo English Test
Please note that you may be exempt from this requirement based on your educational background. For the specific minimum scores for each test and details on our English language waiver policy, please see the Eligibility page or our Application Guidelines.

Am I eligible for the English Test Waiver ?

Those who have earned a degree in English in one of the countries listed in the Application Guidelines may be exempted from the English test requirement.
Those who have earned a degree in English in a country other than the listed countries may be eligible for a waiver upon submission of a letter from a professor at their university. Details of the letter can be found in our Application Guidelines.

My background is not in engineering (e.g., medicine, chemistry), and I do not have work experience. Is it still possible to be accepted to the Graduate School of Engineering?

We do not place any limitations on application based on a student’s academic background. Moreover, we are open to students who can bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas from outside our own areas of research, so there are no eligibility criteria related to academic background or work experience.

What are the eligibility requirements for KUAS Scholarships?

Those who meet the eligibility to apply to the university will also be eligible to apply for our scholarships. The application for KUAS scholarships is within the application to the university, so if you are interested, be sure to indicate your interest on the appropriate section of the application.

Required Documents
My English proficiency test results won’t be available by the deadline. Can I submit them later?

No, unfortunately, we cannot accept late submissions for English proficiency tests. For those submitting TOEFL iBT, PTE, or Duolingo English Test results, your official score must be sent directly to KUAS from the testing institution and arrive by the application deadline.

May I submit a scanned or electronic copy of my TOEFL iBT or IELTS results?

TOEFL iBT results must be sent directly to KUAS from the testing institution. IELTS results may be scanned and uploaded directly to your application.

Can I use a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter to waive the English proficiency test requirement?

A waiver can be granted if you hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from a program conducted entirely in English. If your MOI letter confirms this and meets all the specific requirements outlined in our Application Guidelines, it can be accepted.

Which documents do I need to submit using a specified KUAS form?

Other than the KUAS CV Form, there are no documents for which you are required to use an official KUAS form.

Does the letter of recommendation need to have an official school stamp?

An official school stamp is not required. However, the letter must be signed by your recommender before it is uploaded. We also request that the letter be printed on the school’s official letterhead if possible.

I have dual citizenship. Which passport and documents should I use for my application?

Please choose the passport you would like to use to enter Japan in the case that you are accepted and enroll in KUAS. You should upload a copy of this passport and provide the necessary details in the application form. In the designated section, please also indicate that you hold dual citizenship.

Can I submit additional documents after my application has been submitted?

As written in the Application Guidelines, we generally are unable to accept any application materials after submitting the application, so you will not be able to edit your application. If our admissions officers have any questions about your application, they may contact you for clarification at that time.

Application System and Process
What is TAO, and how is it used for the application?

TAO, which stands for “The Admissions Office,” is the name of our official online application system.
All applications must be submitted through the TAO portal. Once a new application period opens, you will be able to create an account and complete your application online. For a complete walkthrough of the process, including how your recommender will use TAO, please refer to the Application Manual available on our Admission Process page.

Can I submit my application outside of KUAS business hours?

Yes. Our online application portal is available 24/7 during any open application period. You can work on and submit your application at any time, including on weekends and holidays, regardless of our office hours. As long as you complete and submit your application by the deadline, it will be received.

What is the exact time of the deadline on the final day of an application period?

Your completed application, including all required documents and the application fee payment, must be submitted before 12:00 p.m. (noon) Japan Standard Time (JST) on the final day of the application window.

What is pre-application review?

Before applying, graduate school applicants are required to submit their CV and research proposal to a faculty member of their choice via our online application portal. If the faculty member agrees to supervise the applicant’s research, the applicant may then begin their application. See the Application Guidelines on our website for more information.

Before submitting my CV and research plan during pre-application review, is it better for me to consult with my potential supervisor directly?

If you think it is necessary to consult with your supervisor about the content of your research plan with your chosen supervisor, then we highly recommend that you ask them directly by e-mail. However, please do not directly send your CV and research plan to faculty members, particularly with the intention of asking for a scholarship, or for the purpose of gaining their consent of supervision prior to applying (this will happen during the pre-application review).

I have submitted the required documents for the Pre-Application Review and have sent a request(s) to my desired supervisor. What should I do next?

We will inform you of the result as soon as all the professors who you sent requests have made their decisions. If you pass the Pre-Application Review, you can begin preparing your formal application to the university.

Is it possible to get a waiver for the application fee?

No, KUAS is unable to offer application fee waivers under any circumstances. The 5,000 JPY fee is required from all applicants as it covers the basic costs of processing and reviewing application documents.

What should I do if my preferred payment method isn’t available on Flywire?

All application fee payments must be processed through our official payment platform, Flywire.
Flywire offers various payment methods, including bank transfers and credit cards. However, the options available to you will depend on your country of residence. If a specific method like “bank transfer” does not appear on the payment page, it means that this option is not available for your region.
In this case, you will need to select one of the other available payment methods listed on Flywire to complete your transaction.

I have made a payment via bank transfer on Flywire, but the transaction is unable to be completed. What should I do?

Please contact your bank, or make an inquiry with Flywire directly for assistance.

I have successfully submitted my application and received my examinee number. What are the next steps?

Now that your application has been successfully submitted, no further action is required from you at this time.
Our admissions officers will carefully reviewing all applications. If they have any questions, require additional information regarding your documents, or would like to interview you, they will contact you directly. Otherwise, please rest assured that your application is under evaluation.

Can I edit my application after I have submitted it?

Once an application has been submitted, you are not able to make changes to your documents or information.
If our admissions officers have any questions or find that additional documentation is necessary, they will contact you directly.

I started an application for Early Entry but didn’t submit it. Can I apply for Regular Entry?

You may only submit an application to the university once per academic year. If you passed the pre-application review for Early Entry, you must then make your application to the unversity during Early Entry. You may not make your application to the university during Regular Entry, even if you did not complete submitting your application for Early Entry.
Additionally, if your application to the pre-application review is rejected during Early Entry, you may not make another application to the pre-application review during Regular Entry for the same academic year intake.

If I start an application form online but decide not to apply this year, will my information be saved and kept online for next year’s application?

No. You will need to re-write your application, starting from the pre-application review.

Post-Application
When and how will I find out the results?

The official results release date for each entry period can be found on our Graduate Admissions Schedule page.
You will be notified of your result online.

Do I have to make any payments prior to enrollment?

Yes. After you have received your offer, you must pay an admission fee and first semester school fees prior to enrollment.
Please check the Application Guidelines for more details.

Are application fees, admission fees, and tuition fees refundable?

Tuition fees are refundable assuming there is a valid reason, but application fees and admission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. A refund request application must be made within the stated period for funds to be returned.