Okayama University in Japan is accepting applications for its Discovery Program for Global Learners, a four-year Bachelor's degree taught in English, for intakes in April and October 2027.
The first round closes on October 15, 2026. A second round, for the October intake only, runs from December 21, 2026 to January 8, 2027.
Every international student admitted pays the same tuition as Japanese students, and top applicants from African and ASEAN countries can win a fully funded MEXT Scholarship.
Photo: Okayama University Discovery Program
What the program offers
The program, known as GDP, is a liberal arts degree spanning the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Students build their own interdisciplinary plan around three themes: diversity, social innovation and sustainability.
They choose from four clusters: Cultural Diversity and Communities, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Transdisciplinary Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences, which is taught partly in Japanese.
Key dates
| Stage | Round 1 (April and October intakes) | Round 2 (October intake only) |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | October 5 to 15, 2026 | December 21, 2026 to January 8, 2027 |
| Online interview | December 5, 2026 | March 6, 2027 |
| Final results | December 21, 2026 | March 19, 2027 |
Documents must arrive by 17:00 Japan time on the last day of the round. There are 25 places for April and 35 for October.
Orientation for the April intake is in Japanese, so applicants who do not speak Japanese should choose October.
Who can apply
You need 12 years of schooling, or an accepted equivalent such as the IB Diploma, A Levels, the Abitur, or the French or European Baccalaureate, completed by March 31, 2027 for April or September 30, 2027 for October. The application guide lists every accepted route.
English test scores are not required if five or more years of your secondary education were in English. Others submit a recent score from a test such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge English. There is no minimum, but B2 level is recommended.
Photo: Okayama University Discovery Program
What to submit
Graduation certificate, or a statement of expected graduation
Transcripts from your last two to three years of secondary school, in an envelope sealed and signed by the school
A reference form from someone who has supervised you
Three personal statements in English: your interests, a chosen topic, and extracurricular activities
An ID photo, and English test scores if required
The ¥17,000 application fee, paid by card online
Shortlisted applicants have a 20 to 30 minute online interview in English. The university says it will reject statements that are plagiarised or written with AI tools.
Costs and scholarships
The one-time admission fee is ¥282,000. Tuition for international students is reduced from ¥1,339,500 to ¥642,960 a year, and students with outstanding results can receive full waivers.
For the October intake, the MEXT Scholarship covers all fees plus ¥117,000 a month and airfare. JASSO also pays ¥48,000 a month for the first six months to students admitted from abroad.
How to apply
Read the 2027 Application Guide, complete the online application, and post the paper documents early enough to arrive before the deadline. Questions go to [email protected].
