[2026 Academic Year (Reiwa 8) Latest] A Thorough Guide to Meiji University's Faculty of Letters Transfer Examination | Complete Coverage of Enrollment Numbers, Exam Subjects, Scoring, Interviews, and Difficulty
To you who are considering transferring to the Meiji University Faculty of Letters. In this article, based on the official application guidelines (Transfer Admission Guidelines/Bachelor's Admission Guidelines) for enrollment in the 2026 academic year (Reiwa 8), we have organized information for all 3 departments and 14 majors, including the Department of Literature, Department of History and Geography, and Department of Psychology and Sociology, covering available slots (2nd-year transfer/bachelor's admission), exam subjects, handling of foreign languages, oral examinations, eligibility requirements, and how to gauge difficulty, in a way that is easy to understand even for beginners. You can grasp 'which slot your major falls into,' 'what to do about English (foreign language),' and 'what will appear on the day of the exam' in this single article.
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[30-Second Summary | 2026 Academic Year (Reiwa 8)]
Target: 14 majors across 3 departments in the Faculty of Letters (6 majors in the Department of Literature / 5 majors in the Department of History and Geography / 3 majors in the Department of Psychology and Sociology). The campus is Surugadai
Available slots: 2nd-year transfer is open for all 14 majors. There will be no 3rd-year transfer admissions for the 2026 academic year. Bachelor's admission (from the 3rd year) for university graduates is only available for 3 majors: German Literature, Literary Media, and Archaeology
Number of students to be admitted: A small number (a small-group quota where the exact number is not specified)
Exam on the day (2nd-year transfer): Consists of 3 parts: Foreign Language + Basic Academic Skills/Thesis + Oral Examination. For the foreign language, choose one from English, German, French, or Chinese (some majors have a fixed language)
English: Determined by the foreign language exam on the day. Submission of external scores such as TOEIC or Eiken is not required
Competition ratio (official, 2025 academic year results): Transfer admission applicants 75 applicants → 17 admitted (approx. 4.4x) / Bachelor's admission applicants 4 applicants → 2 admitted
Schedule (2nd-year transfer): Application Dec 9–Dec 15, 2025 → 1st stage (document) results Jan 28, 2026 → 2nd stage exam Mar 2, 2026 → Acceptance announcement Mar 5, 2026
Examination fee: 35,000 yen
What kind of exam is the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters transfer exam?
The Meiji University School of Arts and Letters recruits transfer students for 3 departments and 14 majors.
Department of Literature (6 majors: Japanese Literature / English and American Literature / German Literature / French Literature / Theater Arts / Literary Media)
Department of History and Geography (5 majors: Japanese History / Asian History / Western History / Archaeology / Geography)
Department of Psychology and Sociology (3 majors: Clinical Psychology / Modern Sociology / Philosophy)
The first point where people often stumble when applying for a transfer to the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters is that "there are two types of admission categories, and the majors you can apply for differ depending on the category." While many universities focus on "3rd-year transfers," the main focus for the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters is 2nd-year transfer admission, and there is no 3rd-year transfer admission for the 2026 academic year. Instead, there is a Bachelor's degree admission (= a system for entering as a 3rd-year student) available for those who have already graduated from a university (or are expected to graduate). Grasping this accurately is the first step to preventing application errors.
💡 What is the difference between "2nd-year transfer" and "Bachelor's degree admission"?
Both are systems for people who have studied at other universities, junior colleges, or technical colleges to re-enroll from an intermediate year at Meiji University. 2nd-year transfer is mainly for "people who have not graduated from a university" and they enter as 2nd-year students (includes a foreign language exam). On the other hand, Bachelor's degree admission is for "people who already hold a bachelor's degree (university degree)" and they enter as 3rd-year students (no foreign language exam). For working professionals looking to re-learn or those who want to change their specialty after graduating from another university, the process starts by determining whether they are applying under the Bachelor's degree admission category or the 2nd-year transfer category.
This system is suitable for those who want to specialize in various fields of the humanities based on what they learned at their previous university, junior college, or technical college. Because the content covered in oral exams and theses differs completely by major, accurately grasping the "content of the major you are applying for" is the shortest route to passing.
① Departments/Majors and "Admission Categories" (Check this first)
According to the "2026 Academic Year Transfer Admission Exam Guidelines / Bachelor's Degree Admission Exam Guidelines" published by Meiji University, the categories for which each major in the School of Arts and Letters is recruiting are as follows (○ = recruiting / × = not recruiting).
Department of Literature: Major in Japanese Literature / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in English and American Literature / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in German Literature / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): Yes
: Major in French Literature / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Theater Arts / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Literary Media / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): Yes
Department of History and Geography: Major in Japanese History / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Asian History / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Western History / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Archaeology / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): Yes
: Major in Geography / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
Department of Psychology and Sociology: Major in Clinical Psychology / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Contemporary Sociology / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
: Major in Philosophy / 2nd-year transfer: Yes / 3rd-year transfer: No / Bachelor's degree admission (3rd year): No
To summarize the key points—
All 14 majors are accepting applications for 2nd-year transfer. You do not need to worry about whether the major you want to study in the School of Arts and Letters is eligible for 2nd-year transfer.
There is no 3rd-year transfer (a category for entering as a 3rd-year student with foreign language requirements) for the 2026 academic year in any major. If you wish to transfer starting from the 3rd year, you will generally need to use the Bachelor's degree admission (which requires a bachelor's degree) listed below.
Bachelor's degree admission is only available for the three majors of German Literature, Literary Media, and Archaeology. There are no bachelor's degree admission slots for the other 11 majors. If you wish to "specialize in Japanese Literature" or "re-study Psychology" after graduating from university, you cannot enter via bachelor's degree admission and must apply for second-year transfer (Bachelor's degree holders also meet the eligibility requirements for second-year transfer. See below).
💡 What if my major is not available for bachelor's degree admission?
For example, if you are a working professional who has graduated from university and wants to study Clinical Psychology at Meiji, there is no bachelor's degree admission for the Clinical Psychology major. In this case, you should apply for second-year transfer. Even those with a bachelor's degree (university graduates) can meet the eligibility requirements for second-year transfer (the "at least 1 year of enrollment + 30 credits and 2 foreign languages" requirement mentioned below), but you should understand that starting from the second year means it will generally take 3 years to graduate. "I want to take a shortcut from the third year, but my major is not available for bachelor's degree admission"—this is a point you must check before applying.
Note that graduates or prospective graduates of the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters cannot apply to the major they graduated (or will graduate) from (for both transfer and bachelor's degree admission).
② Enrollment Numbers and Schedule (2026 Academic Year - Official)
Enrollment Numbers
Second-year transfer (all majors): A small number
Bachelor's degree admission (German Literature, Literary Media, Archaeology): A small number
The breakdown of enrollment numbers by major is not published (it is only at the level of "will recruit/will not recruit").
Schedule
Second-year transfer (2-stage selection)
Application period: December 9, 2025 (Tue) - December 15, 2025 (Mon) (postmark valid)
First stage selection: Document screening → Announcement of results January 28, 2026 (Wed) (by mail)
Second stage selection (only for those who passed the first stage): Exam date March 2, 2026 (Mon)
Final Acceptance Announcement: March 5, 2026 (Thursday) 10:00
Enrollment Procedure Deadline: March 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
Exam Venue: Surugadai Campus (1-1 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Application Fee: 35,000 yen
Bachelor's Degree Admission (1st Stage Selection)
Application Period: January 8, 2026 (Thursday) - January 13, 2026 (Tuesday) (postmark valid)
Exam Date: March 2, 2026 (Monday)
Acceptance Announcement: March 5, 2026 (Thursday) 10:00
Enrollment Procedure Deadline: March 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
Exam Venue: Surugadai Campus
Application Fee: 35,000 yen
What does "a few" mean?
"A few" (jakkan-mei) means that the number of successful applicants is not predetermined, and a small number will be accepted based on that year's applicant pool. Since it is not publicly announced "how many will be taken," you cannot calculate the competition ratio from the capacity. That is precisely why "building the ability to reach the cutoff and leaving a solid impression through your thesis and oral exam" is what determines success or failure.
💡 Second-year transfer is a two-stage process that "screens via documents first"
For the second-year transfer to the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters, there is first a 1st stage selection = document screening (judged solely on application documents), and only those who pass this proceed to the 2nd stage selection (written exam + oral exam on March 2nd). In other words, the quality of your application documents, such as your statement of purpose, determines your eligibility to take the exam on the day. Bachelor's degree admission is a "one-shot" process of documents + exam on the day, and there is no 1st stage document screening.
💡 The schedule above is for admission in the 2026 academic year (Reiwa 8). Meiji University typically releases the application guidelines for transfer and bachelor's degree admission for the following academic year (2027) around summer. (The 2026 guidelines were released in July 2025). Since this article is based on the latest official guidelines as of June 2026, please be sure to reconfirm the dates, subjects, and criteria with the latest official guidelines before applying.
③ The "Correct Way to View" Competition Ratio and Difficulty
Meiji University publishes the number of applicants and successful candidates in its official guidelines. This is your best weapon to avoid being misled by unsubstantiated "X times" figures.
The results for the 2025 academic year admission, which are the most recently published, for the School of Arts and Letters were as follows.
Transfer Exam: Capacity: A few / Number of applicants 75 / Number of successful candidates 17 / (Reference) Actual competition ratio: approx. 4.4x
Bachelor's Degree Admission Exam: Capacity: A few / Number of applicants 4 / Number of successful candidates 2 / (Reference) Actual competition ratio: 2.0x
* The competition ratio is a reference value calculated from the official number of applicants divided by the number of successful candidates. The number of applicants and successful candidates are the actual figures published by Meiji University.
There are 3 points regarding the "reality of difficulty" that can be read from these actual figures.
Transfer admission is a small-group competition with a ratio of about 4.4x. Across the entire Faculty of Letters, there were 75 applicants and 17 successful candidates. It is by no means easy, but the ratio is not so extreme that "only geniuses can pass." It is a range where those with high precision in their preparation are rewarded.
The population for bachelor's degree admission is extremely small (4 applicants and 2 successful candidates in fiscal year 2025). Because recruitment is limited to only 3 majors, there are fewer examinees, and fluctuations by year are significant. It is important not to assume that the ratio from just the past year is "absolute".
The breakdown by department and major is not disclosed. What Meiji University publishes are figures for the Faculty of Letters as a whole, and ratios by major, such as "what is the ratio for the Clinical Psychology major," are not published. In other words, the honest truth is that you cannot pinpoint the "ratio for your own major."
💡 While figures like "the Faculty of Letters is X times" or "X to X times" may circulate online, figures where neither the major nor the year is specified are almost always misaligned with the reality of the major you are applying to. Let's base our thinking on the fact that what Meiji University officially releases is the number of applicants and successful candidates for the faculty as a whole (links are posted at the end of the article).
In other words, it is not an "exam that only geniuses can pass." If you refine your foreign language, basic academic skills, and essay writing to a "proficient" level, and demonstrate your seriousness about your major in the oral examination—if you can accomplish this at the major level, it is an exam you can definitely compete in.
The experience of someone who aimed to be a voice actor and successfully transferred from a science university to the Meiji University Faculty of Letters (Department of Theatre Arts) is also a good reference for how to proceed with preparation and maintain motivation.
④ Application Qualifications (Can working adults, current students, or junior college/technical college graduates apply?)
For transfer and bachelor's degree admission to the Meiji University Faculty of Letters, the application qualifications differ completely depending on the category. Let's confirm here which category you fall into.
Application Qualifications for 2nd-Year Transfer (Must meet both (1) and (2))
(1) Meet any of the following (including those expected to meet)
Completed the first-year curriculum at a university (excluding junior colleges) or equivalent
Graduated from a junior college or equivalent
Graduated from a technical college, etc.
(2) Have earned "30 credits or more" in the above enrollment/graduation curriculum, including—
Foreign language, including 2 credits or more each in two languages from English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese (international students only).
Application Qualifications for Bachelor's Degree Admission
Those who have obtained or are expected to obtain a bachelor's degree (= those who have graduated/will graduate from a university)
To break down the key points—
Transfer to the second year from a junior college, technical college, or completion of the first year of a four-year university is of course eligible. This is the main target group for second-year transfer.
For second-year transfer, the condition “two or more credits in each of two foreign languages” is unique. You need at least two credits not only in English but also in a second foreign language (German, French, Chinese, etc.), so please be sure to check if you have earned those credits at your previous institution.
Re-learning for university graduates (bachelor's degree holders) is applied for either through bachelor's admission (for 3 target majors) or second-year transfer. If you wish to apply for a major not covered by bachelor's admission, you must use the second-year transfer (in that case, you must also meet the requirements in (1) and (2) above).
Note for those applying with “expected” status
If you apply with “expected completion,” “expected graduation,” or “expected degree acquisition,” and you fail to meet the requirements by the time of enrollment (March 31, 2026), you will not be able to enroll even after passing and completing procedures (enrollment denied). Dual enrollment without withdrawing from your previous institution is also not permitted. Please confirm the procedures for graduation, withdrawal, and credit acquisition early on.
Note that applications from specialized courses at vocational schools or foreign universities are not eligible (applications from technical colleges and correspondence education courses are permitted). If you are unsure about your eligibility, be sure to check with the university before applying.
⑤ Exam Subjects and Scoring (This is the most important part)
The exam for Meiji University's School of Arts and Letters has a subject structure that changes depending on the category. On the day of the exam, you will take it at the Surugadai Campus.
Second-Year Transfer (3 subjects)
10:00–11:00: Subject Foreign Language / Content Select one language from English, German, French, or Chinese (some majors are fixed; see below)
12:00–13:00: Subject Basic Academic Skills/Essay / Content Tests basic academic skills and writing ability related to the desired major
15:00–: Subject Oral Examination / Content Orally asks about reasons for applying, interest in the major, motivation for learning, etc.
Bachelor's Admission (2 subjects / Special exceptions apply for graduates of the School of Arts and Letters)
12:00–13:00: Subject Basic Academic Skills/Thesis / Content: Tests basic academic skills and writing ability related to the major you are applying for.
15:00–: Subject Oral Examination / Content: Orally questions your reasons for applying, interest in the major, and motivation for learning.
*There is no foreign language test for bachelor's degree admission. Furthermore, there is a special provision where graduates or prospective graduates of the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters who apply for bachelor's degree admission only take an 'oral examination' (basic academic skills and thesis are also waived).
Here, I will organize 3 points that beginners often misunderstand.
(1) English (foreign language) is determined by the 'exam on the day.' External scores are not required.
The second-year transfer to the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters does not require the submission of external scores such as TOEIC or Eiken. English proficiency is judged by the foreign language test on the day (one language chosen from English, German, French, or Chinese). Unlike the method used by the Hosei University Faculty of Letters, which requires submitting external English scores at the time of application, Meiji University uses a style where you solve the foreign language test on the spot on the day.
(2) For foreign languages, there are 'selectable majors' and 'fixed majors.'
Basically, you can choose one from English, German, French, or Chinese for the foreign language, but English Literature major = English, German Literature major = German, French Literature major = French—in other words, for these three majors, the foreign language to be tested is fixed to the language of the major. For example, you cannot take the English Literature major exam in Chinese. For the remaining 11 majors, you can freely choose from the 4 languages (however, you cannot choose your native language).
(3) There is an 'oral examination' for every major.
Both for second-year transfer and bachelor's degree admission, there is finally an oral examination (a test in an interview format where you are also asked technical questions on the spot). Based on your statement of purpose, you will be asked, 'Why this major at Meiji?', 'What do you want to learn after transferring?', and 'Do you understand the basics of the major?'. The key to success is whether you can approach it with a consistent story from the documents to the written exam to the oral examination.
Note: The scoring (full marks and breakdown of points) for each subject is not officially disclosed (not public). Furthermore, Meiji University states that it will not disclose exam results regardless of whether you pass or fail. Since the weighting of points is not public, the safest way to fight is to 'not fail any of the foreign language, basic academic skills thesis, or oral examination.'
(6) Points for subject-specific measures (concrete measures that lead directly to passing)
Foreign Language (Second-year transfer only)
In the second-year transfer, the foreign language is an independent subject (10:00–11:00). Taking English, which many examinees choose, as an example—
Solidifying the basics of vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension: Rather than difficult or obscure questions, master standard-level vocabulary and grammar without gaps and train to accurately read long passages on humanities and social science themes.
The option to take the exam in a second foreign language: If you are strong in German, French, or Chinese, you have the option to choose that language (however, the three majors of English and American Literature, German Literature, and French Literature have fixed languages). Choose the language in which you can score the highest.
TOEIC preparation itself is unnecessary: Since external scores are not used, there is no need to spend time building a TOEIC score. Focus solely on training your ability to score on the reading comprehension questions on the day of the exam.
Basic Academic Ability/Essay (Common to all categories) = "Specialization of the desired major"
The keyword is "Specialization of the desired major". The standard approach is to reach a state where you can discuss the basics learned in that major in your own words. The direction varies significantly by major.
Department of Literature (Japanese Literature, English and American Literature, German/French Literature, Theater Arts, Literary Media): Train to summarize and write in a short word count the flow of literary history, representative works and authors, and literary/thematic analysis.
Department of History and Geography (Japanese History, Asian History, Western History, Archaeology, Geography): In addition to basic knowledge, develop the depth to explain historical materials, terminology, and events "along with their background". For geography, cultivate the ability to logically explain statistics and regional case studies.
Department of Psychology and Sociology (Clinical Psychology, Modern Sociology, Philosophy): Touching on terminology and ways of thinking in basic fields, as well as research methods and how to read data, will add depth to your essays. For philosophy, be able to explain the flow of the history of thought and basic concepts in your own words.
For any major, by looking at the respective major websites and syllabi (course plans) of the Meiji University School of Arts and Letters, understanding what specialized subjects are available from the third year onwards will give you a hint as to "what direction of knowledge is likely to be asked."
💡 Essays are distinguished not only by "amount of knowledge" but also by "essay structure". If you get into the habit of deciding on a logical flow such as <conclusion → evidence → specifics → summary> in response to the question, your answer will be clear to the reader even in limited time. The goal is to internalize specialized knowledge to the point where being able to explain it = being able to write it.
Oral Examination (Common to all categories)
In the oral examination, those who can explain "why Meiji, and why this major" based on their statement of purpose along with specific episodes tend to be strong.
Concretizing your statement of purpose: Instead of just saying "I want to study literature," delve deeper into specifics, such as "(e.g.) I am interested in such-and-such work/theme, and I want to research X under Professor Y."
Study plan: What subjects and seminars do you want to deepen your knowledge in after transferring? Articulate the connection between what you learned at your previous institution and what you want to learn going forward.
Aptitude for the major: Prepare with the assumption that your basic academic skills and the content written in your thesis will be probed during the oral examination. It is more persuasive if there is a consistent story across your documents, written exam, and oral interview.
💡 In the oral examination, there are moments where you will be asked specialized questions on the spot. Aim to reach a state where you can “explain” rather than just “memorize” the basic terminology of your major. Aim to be able to answer in your own words even if you are pressed further with questions like, "What does that mean?" Researching the research themes of the faculty members in your desired major in advance will add depth to your responses during the oral examination.
⑦ Setting yourself apart in the interview (oral examination) and statement of purpose
For a second-year transfer to Meiji University's Faculty of Letters, you cannot even take the exam on the day if you do not pass the first round of document screening. That is precisely why the completeness of your application documents, such as the statement of purpose, greatly influences whether you pass or fail. The documents you submit will serve as the "script" for the questions asked during the oral examination on the day.
One reason unique to "Meiji + this major": Prepare at least one point regarding why you want to study here rather than at another university, such as the faculty's research content or the characteristics of the major. This will convey your high level of motivation.
Be able to explain everything you wrote: Prepare with the assumption that the keywords in your statement of purpose will be probed during the oral examination. If you submit it while things are still vague, your impression will drop significantly during the oral examination.
The story from your previous institution to Meiji: If you make what you have learned so far (your major at your previous university, junior college, or technical college) and what you want to learn at Meiji's Faculty of Letters into a continuous story, it will naturally convey "why you are transferring."
💡 Second-year transfer is a two-stage process: "Documents (1st round) → Written/Oral Exam (2nd round)." If you get caught up in written exam preparation and put off your documents, you won't even be able to step onto the stage on the day. Make creating your statement of purpose your top priority in preparation for the application (December).
⑧ How to obtain past exam questions
Past exam questions for transfer and bachelor's admission to Meiji University's Faculty of Letters are not available for download on the web. There are two ways to obtain them.
View at the office: You can view them at the Faculty of Letters Office on the 4th floor of Liberty Tower at the Surugadai Campus.
Request by mail: You can request past exam questions for your desired major by mail using the prescribed application form.
Since the content asked in "Basic Academic Ability/Thesis" differs by major, obtaining past exam questions for your desired major and grasping the direction of the questions is the first step in preparation.
⑨ Example schedule until passing (counting back from the exam in March)
For transfer to the Meiji University Faculty of Letters, applications are in December and the exam is in March of the following year. The rhythm is different from general transfers (conducted in autumn), following a flow of year-end application and exam in March of the new year. Counting back, it looks like this.
~Summer of the previous year (about 6 months to 1 year before): Decide on your desired major. Start building a foundation in foreign languages (English, etc.). Read through 1-2 introductory books on the specialty asked in the basic academic ability/thesis section.
Autumn (September-November): Create an outline for your statement of purpose. Request past exam questions for your major and confirm the direction of the questions. Start practicing writing for the basic academic ability/thesis section.
December: Application (12/9-12/15). Complete application documents such as the statement of purpose (for 2nd-year transfer, the 1st stage is document screening, so this is most important).
January: Waiting for the results of the 1st stage (document screening) (announcement 1/28). In parallel, continue practicing foreign languages and thesis writing.
February-March: After passing the 1st stage, finalize preparation for the oral examination → Actual exam (3/2). Prepare anticipated questions and answers based on your statement of purpose.
💡 The key to transferring to the Meiji University Faculty of Letters is the "December application". Even if you are applying in parallel with universities that conduct exams in the autumn, make sure to mark the mid-December application deadline on your schedule early. Since there is a document screening, "writing your statement of purpose in a rush right before the application" makes it difficult to pass the 1st stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Do I need to submit TOEIC or Eiken scores for the Faculty of Letters?
A. Submission is not required. For 2nd-year transfer, English proficiency, etc., is judged by the foreign language exam on the day (choose one from English, German, French, or Chinese). It is not a method that uses external scores. Note that there is no foreign language exam at all for bachelor's degree admission.
Q. Can I apply for 3rd-year transfer?
A. 3rd-year transfer is not being conducted for the 2026 academic year. If you wish to enter as a 3rd-year student, you are eligible for bachelor's degree admission (requires a bachelor's degree / only for the 3 majors of German Literature, Literary Arts and Media, and Archaeology). If you wish to enter other majors, it will be a 2nd-year transfer.
Q. I am a working professional who has graduated from university, but I want to study psychology. Which category should I apply for?
A. Since there is no recruitment for bachelor's degree admission in the Clinical Psychology major, you should apply for second-year transfer (even those who have already earned a bachelor's degree can meet the eligibility requirements for second-year transfer). In this case, please understand that starting from the second year means it will generally take three years until graduation.
Q. What is the competition ratio?
A. Meiji University publishes the number of applicants and successful candidates for the Faculty of Letters as a whole. For the 2025 academic year, there were 75 applicants for transfer admission with 17 successful candidates (approx. 4.4x), and 4 applicants for bachelor's degree admission with 2 successful candidates. Competition ratios by major are not published.
Q. How many people does 'a small number' for recruitment actually mean?
A. The number of people per major is not officially stated. In the 2025 academic year, the total number of successful candidates for the Faculty of Letters was 17 for transfer admission and 2 for bachelor's degree admission. You should aim to win based on 'academic ability exceeding the threshold + the quality of your thesis and oral examination'.
Q. Can I not take the second-year transfer exam if I don't have credits for a second foreign language (German, French, Chinese, etc.)?
A. The eligibility requirements for second-year transfer include the condition of having at least 2 credits each in two foreign languages. Please be sure to check before applying whether you have earned credits for a second foreign language at your previous institution.
Q. Where can I get past exam papers?
A. They are not published on the web. You can either view them at the Faculty of Letters office on the Surugadai Campus or request them by mail using the prescribed application form.
Q. Where is the exam held?
A. It is held at the Surugadai Campus (1-1 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, within walking distance from Ochanomizu Station). It is not at the Izumi or Nakano campuses.
Summary | Success Depends on 'Accurate Understanding of Categories' x 'Document Preparation for December Application'
The biggest feature of transfer admission to the Meiji University Faculty of Letters is that the 'available categories (second-year transfer/bachelor's degree admission)' differ for each of the 14 majors across 3 departments, and there is no third-year transfer. Conversely, if you accurately grasp the conditions for your major and category and prepare in advance, you can definitely compete. The following three points are essential.
Accurately grasp the categories: Second-year transfer is recruiting for all 14 majors / No third-year transfer for 2026 / Bachelor's degree admission is only for the 3 majors of German Literature, Literature and Media, and Archaeology. Eligibility requirements (years of enrollment, credits, two foreign languages) also vary by category.
Foreign language is an exam on the day. Solidify the basics early: For second-year transfer, choose one from English, German, French, or Chinese (English/American, German, and French literature have fixed languages). External scores are not required, so train your reading comprehension for the day.
Second-year transfer is a two-stage process: 'Documents (1st stage) -> Written/Oral Exam (2nd stage)': Prioritize completing your statement of purpose for the December application and approach the thesis and oral exam on the day with a consistent story.
'With my background, which category and major can I apply for?', 'Which foreign language should I choose?', 'I want someone to look at my statement of purpose'—in such cases, please use the free consultation at the Online Transfer Academy. We will work with you to design the shortest route to the exam in March, tailored to your situation. We do not intend to pressure you. Please feel free to share your current situation and questions first.
*Note: This article is based on the 'Meiji University 2026 Academic Year Transfer Admission Guidelines/Bachelor's Degree Admission Guidelines' and the 2025 academic year transfer/bachelor's degree admission results published in those guidelines. Recruitment majors, exam subjects, eligibility requirements, schedules, scoring, and venues change by year, and the university does not publish the scoring distribution. As the guidelines for the 2027 academic year (Reiwa 9) are not yet public at the time of this article's publication, please be sure to check the latest official recruitment guidelines before applying.*
*Source: Meiji University '2026 Academic Year Transfer Admission Guidelines/Bachelor's Degree Admission Guidelines' (Transfer Admission Guidelines/Bachelor's Degree Admission Guidelines (PDF), Guidelines Download Page), Meiji University Faculty of Letters Special Entrance Examination Information (How to obtain past exam papers), Meiji University Faculty of Letters*
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