Delayed Graduation Due to Pandemic
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Assessment of Admission Qualifications (in general)
Q: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to delay graduation from educational institutions in certain countries. Consequently, it may be impossible to complete courses in a specified number of years to enter a Japanese university or Professional Training College, that is, by the time of enrollment in the university that was originally planned. In such cases, is it still possible to have a student admitted to a university or vocational school? (Example) In the country where the student is enrolled, the required course is usually completed by March 31. However, graduation is expected to take place later than April 1 of the same year for the current academic year due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A:Entrance requirements for universities or Professional Training Colleges must be satisfied at the time when the student enrolls in the Japanese higher education institution. In other words, you must attend the course required for a specified number of years before the enrollment date.
If the time of graduation from a foreign educational institution is delayed, it is deemed that the course has been completed on the actual graduation date. This assumption remains unchanged, even if the time of graduation is delayed due to the impacts of the current pandemic.
On the other hand, as the beginning of the academic year is determined by the president of the university and the principal of the Professional Training College (Article 163 and Article 184 of the Enforcement Regulation of the School Education Act), it is possible to allow the enrollment by postponing it later than normal. Furthermore, in terms of the course duration, it is acceptable to treat students who have delayed the time of enrollment as if they were enrolled in April as originally planned on the assumption that universities or Professional Training Colleges have taken measures to secure learning time throughout the year.*
There is a possibility that graduation certificates will not be issued as usual due to a delay in graduation. However, it is desirable to confirm the matter related to graduation appropriately, depending on the situation.
Additionally, please refer to this webpage (in Japanese) regarding information on education and qualification in foreign countries related to admission requirements for universities/Professional Training Colleges in Japan associated with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.
* “Daigaku-to ni okeru shingata korona uirusu kansensho e no taio gaidorain [Guidelines for Response to Novel Coronavirus Infections in Universities]” (Notification dated June 5, 2020 by the Director-General of the Higher Education Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and “Senmon-gakko-to ni okeru shingata korona uirusu kansensho e no taio gaidorain [Guidelines for Response to Novel Coronavirus Infections in Professional Training Colleges]” (Notification dated June 5, 2020 by the Director-General of the Education Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)