FLA: When and How to Apply
Application Information for Bachelor’s Program in Liberal Arts
Important Reminders for Applicants
Applicants for Spring Intake Second Application Period and Autumn Intake First Application Period
Applicants who apply with IB 2026 November Exam Sessions should request the “Transcript of Results” to be sent to Sophia University from the IBO by Friday, December 18, 2026.The applicants will be screened with their final results and the acceptance will not be conditional.
Application Procedure Booklet
This booklet outlines the application and admission procedures, such as eligibility, required documents, schedule, and screening process.
Below are the formats of the application documents outlined in the Application Procedure Booklet above.
| ITEM B. Essay | Essay Form (No Hand Writing, Typing Only) |
| ITEM D. Certificate of Graduation/Expected Graduation | Certificate of Graduation/Expected Graduation Form PDF / Word |
| ITEM E. Recommendation Letter
Note: It is strongly recommended the letter is in our format, however, the referee’s original format would also be accepted as far as the letter contains what’s asked in the provided form. |
Recommendation Letter Form PDF (English) / PDF (Japanese) *The MS Word format can be found here (English/Japanese). Kindly ensure that your recommenders convert the completed forms into PDF format before submission via the Application Document Upload Website. |
| ITEM F. 3) IB Predicted Grades | IB Predicted Grades Report Form PDF / Word |
| ITEM F. 4) GCE Predicted Grades | GCE Predicted Grades Report Form PDF / Word |
| ITEM I. Application Materials Checklist | Application Materials Checklist Form |
Basic Information regarding Application Procedure
- Intake Periods
Spring and Autumn
- Types of Entry
First-Year Entry and Third-Year Transfer Entry
- Application Schedule
- Multiple application periods are available. Please note that the categories of applicants differ depending on the application period, admission type (First-year Entry or Transfer Entry) and so on.
- An applicant who has not been accepted in a past application may re-apply for the subsequent application periods.
- All application materials must be fully submitted via the Application Documents Upload Website by the specified submission deadline.
- Date and time are based on Japan Standard Time.
- 2027 Intake Schedule:
For Spring (April) 2027 Intake
First Application Period (For Both First-year Entry and Third-year Transfer Entry)
| Application Period (via MyPage) | September 1, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ~ September 9, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Application Documents Submission Deadline | September 16, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Notice of Results | October 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m. (JST) |
| Matriculation Deadline for Admitted Students | November 27, 2026 |
Second Application Period (Eligibility is limited to applicants for First-year Entry who hold a valid status of residence in Japan that remains valid until the time of enrollment.)
| Application Period (via MyPage) | November 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ~ December 4, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Application Documents Submission Deadline | December 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Notice of Results | January 29 2027, 10:00 a.m. (JST) |
| Matriculation Deadline for Admitted Students | March 5, 2027 |
For Autumn (September) 2027 Intake
First Application Period (For First-year Entry Only)
| Application Period (via MyPage) | November 11, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ~ December 4, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Application Documents Submission Deadline | December 11, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Notice of Results | February 5, 2027, 10:00 a.m. (JST) |
| Matriculation Deadline for Admitted Students | April 9, 2027 |
Second Application Period (For Both First-year Entry and Third-year Transfer Entry)
| Application Period (via MyPage) | March 10, 2027, 10:00 a.m. ~ March 31, 2027, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Application Documents Submission Deadline | April 7, 2027, 11:59 p.m. (JST) |
| Notice of Results | June 4, 2027, 10:00 a.m. (JST) |
| Matriculation Deadline for Admitted Students | July 9, 2027 |
- Screening
Decision on acceptance or rejection will be made based on screening of documents submitted by the applicant.
- Application Documents
IMPORTANT: Please make sure to read the Application Procedure booklet for the detailed instruction regarding application documents or your application might end in a failure.
| ITEM A. Application Forms | Application Forms should be filled out through the on-line application portal. The portal is indicated in the Application Procedure booklet. |
| ITEM B. Essays | The applicant must submit two essays: a Personal Statement and a Self-Reflective Essay. (Use the format provided. No hand writing. Typing only) |
| ITEM C. Official Academic Transcript/Grade Report(s) | An official transcript showing all courses taken and grades received that is available at the time of application in [high school (for First year entry)] or [from all academic institutions attended (universities/colleges) (for Third-Year Transfer Entry)] must be submitted. |
| ITEM D. Certificate of Graduation (or expected graduation/early graduation) | For First-year entry or Third-Year Transfer Entry applicants who have completed or are expected to complete an associate degree in Arts/Science |
| ITEM E. Two Letters of Recommendation | It is strongly recommended the letter is in our format. |
| ITEM F. Standardized Test Scores | One or more of the following:
1) SAT (Reading & Writing, Math) scores |
| ITEM G. Proof of English Proficiency | TOEFL® iBT or IELTS (Academic) |
| ITEM H. Photocopy of Passport | |
| ITEM I. Application Materials Checklist | Use the format provided. |
- Application Steps
Application is accepted through the following steps. Please make sure to read the Application Procedure booklet for the detailed instruction.
- Prepare the required materials according to the Application Procedure Booklet.
- Register for the on-line application website (indicated in the booklet above) to create your MyPage.
Important information will be sent to the email address you register here until enrollment in Sophia. Please make sure to use an email address you’ll always be able to check even after leaving your current school. - Make sure to include all your application information during the on-line application.
Registration for application is open only during the online application period for each admission. - Pay the application fee.
- Submit the application forms and other application materials via the application documents upload website.
*Please refer to this User Guide for detailed instructions on how to use the Application Document Upload Website.
- Application Fee
35,000 yen
On-line payment handling fee of 1,100 yen will be charged in addition to the application fee.
– Application fee waivers are not offered.
– Applicants residing in Japan must complete the payment by one of the indicated methods: credit card; on-line banking; convenience stores; bank ATM Pay-easy service. Debit card payment is not accepted.
– Overseas applicants who do not hold a Japanese bank account must complete the payment by credit card only.
– Payment must be completed during the application period and by 11:59 p.m. (JST) of each on-line application deadline. After the deadline, the application will not be accepted. The application fee is non-refundable once paid.
