[FY2026 (Reiwa 8) Latest] A Thorough Guide to the Osaka Metropolitan University Faculty of Literature Transfer Exam | Complete Coverage of Enrollment Quotas, Exam Subjects, Scoring, Interviews, and Difficulty
To those considering a 3rd-year transfer to the Faculty of Literature at Osaka Metropolitan University (a public university formed by the 2022 merger of the former Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University). In this article, based on the official application guidelines for admission in FY2026 (Reiwa 8), we have organized everything for first-time applicants, including the four departments and course structures, enrollment quotas, exam subjects and scoring, interviews (oral exams), eligibility requirements, and the difficulty level based on recent results. You can grasp "which department to choose," "what will be on the exam," "how much weight is placed on English," and "how many people actually pass" in this single article.
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[30-Second Summary | FY2026 (Reiwa 8)]
Target: Philosophy & History / Human Behavior / Language & Culture / Cultural Design — 4 departments — with 3rd-year transfer for each course (standard duration after transfer is 2 years)
Enrollment Quota: 4 students per department (16 total). However, recruitment is by "course," and course changes after application are not permitted
Selection: Comprehensive evaluation of essay + foreign language (English) + oral exam + application documents (Total 400 points). Absence from even one subject results in disqualification
Scoring: Philosophy & History = Essay 200, English 100, Oral 100 / Other 3 departments = Essay 150, English 150, Oral 100
Schedule (Held in 2025 / Admission in 2026): Online application registration starts 10/3 → Mailing of application documents Must arrive between 10/6 and 10/9 → Exam 11/8 (Sat) → Announcement of results 12/5 (Fri)
Exam Venue: Morinomiya Campus (New campus opened in Joto-ku, Osaka City in September 2025). Examination fee 30,000 yen
There is a unique prerequisite that you must have earned a total of 10 or more credits in foreign language subjects to apply (explained later).
What kind of exam is the transfer to the Faculty of Literature at Osaka Metropolitan University?
The Faculty of Literature at Osaka Metropolitan University recruits transfer students across four departments: Philosophy and History, Human Behavior, Language and Culture, and Cultural Studies. Each department is further divided into "courses," and recruitment and admissions decisions are made at the course level. In other words, the idea is not to "transfer into the Faculty of Literature," but rather to "transfer into Course △△ of Department ○○."
Selection is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of a short essay (90 minutes) + foreign language (English) (60 minutes) + oral examination (interview) + application documents. This system is suitable for those who wish to specialize in the humanities or behavioral sciences (fields that academically explore humans, society, and culture) based on what they have learned at their previous university, junior college, or technical college.
Here are three unique features of the Faculty of Literature at Osaka Metropolitan University that you should keep in mind from the start.
The "course," not the department, is the unit for admissions decisions. Therefore, the first step is to accurately understand what is required for the course you are applying to.
The written exam consists of two parts: a short essay and English. Unlike many other transfer exams, it does not take the form of a "specialized subject exam," but rather measures academic ability and critical thinking through a short essay related to the department and English reading comprehension.
As a prerequisite for application, you are required to have earned a total of 10 or more credits in foreign language subjects. This is part of the application "eligibility," so if you are short on these, you cannot apply in the first place.
The official "Basic Policy for Entrance Examination Selection" also clearly states: "We will comprehensively evaluate applicants based on their application documents such as transcripts and statements of purpose, short essays, English exams, and oral examinations, confirming their readiness in terms of academic ability, knowledge-based thinking, judgment, and expression, as well as their motivation to learn and their ability to handle studies in the Faculty of Literature." If you view this as an exam that looks at whether you are "someone who will grow in the Faculty of Literature" through documents, written tests, and interviews, rather than just a single score-based competition, your preparation direction will become clear.
An important premise for those planning to take the exam
The university has officially announced that the transfer and bachelor's admission (3rd year) exams for the Faculty of Literature at Osaka Metropolitan University will stop recruiting after the 2027 academic year selection (for enrollment in April 2027) and will not be conducted from the 2028 academic year selection onwards. If you are considering taking the exam, it is safer to decide on your desired course and start preparing as soon as possible (the exam content in this article is based on the latest finalized official application guidelines for the 2026 academic year).
① Department/Course Structure (4 departments and their courses)
First, let's accurately grasp "which department has which courses." Since recruitment is done by course, if you get this wrong, your statement of purpose and preparation will be off-track. The course structure listed in the official application guidelines is as follows.
Department of Philosophy and History: Courses: Philosophy / Japanese History / World History / Number of students to be recruited 4 students
Department of Human Behavior: Courses: Sociology / Psychology / Education / Geography / Number of students to be recruited 4 students
Department of Language and Culture: Courses: Japanese Language and Literature / Chinese Language and Literature / English and American Language and Culture / German Language and Culture / French Language and Culture / Enrollment Numbers 4 students
Department of Cultural Studies: Courses: Expressive Culture / Asian Culture / Cultural Resources / Enrollment Numbers 4 students
The total for the 4 departments is 16 students. To summarize the content of the studies—
Department of Philosophy and History: Philosophy/Ethics, and history such as Japanese history and world history. This department deeply considers "human thought" and "the formation of society and culture."
Department of Human Behavioral Studies: Sociology, psychology, pedagogy, and geography. We explore the "principles of human behavior" and "social mechanisms" using data and surveys.
Department of Language and Culture: Japanese language and literature, Chinese language and literature, and the language and culture of English, German, and French-speaking regions. We study various languages, literature, and arts professionally.
Department of Cultural Studies: Expressive culture, Asian culture, and cultural resources. This department conceptualizes how to "utilize cultural activities within society."
Note: Course names cannot be changed after application
The official guidelines clearly state, "You cannot change your desired course after applying." Since both the statement of purpose and the essay questions are tied to the course, you cannot "apply to the department first and decide on a course later." Deciding on one course from the start is the starting point.
💡 Those aiming for the "Certified Public Psychologist" qualification in the Psychology course should be careful. If you wish to take the Certified Public Psychologist (a national qualification for psychological professionals) program, the official guidelines specify additional requirements: (1) your previous university must be a four-year university that provides the Certified Public Psychologist program and you must have earned a certain number of credits in related subjects, and (2) you must undergo a selection process with second-year students in the Psychology course during the first semester of your enrollment year. If you are applying for the Psychology course and are considering this qualification, please be sure to check this before applying.
② Enrollment Numbers and Schedule (2026/Reiwa 8 - Official)
Enrollment Numbers: 4 students per department, 16 total (Recruitment is by course)
Transfer Timing/Year: April 2026 / 3rd Year enrollment
Online application registration begins: October 3, 2025 (Fri) 10:00
Mailing of application documents: Must arrive between October 6, 2025 (Mon) and October 9, 2025 (Thu) (Registered mail/express delivery accepted)
Examination date: November 8, 2025 (Sat)
Announcement of successful applicants: December 5, 2025 (Fri) 10:00 (Posted on the web)
Enrollment procedures: March 9, 2026 (Mon) to March 15, 2026 (Sun)
Examination fee: 30,000 yen (+990 yen payment processing fee)
Examination venue: Morinomiya Campus (2-1-132 Morinomiya, Joto-ku, Osaka, 536-8525)
The schedule for the day (common to all departments) is as follows.
9:00–10:30 (90 minutes): Essay (Essay related to the relevant department)
10:45–11:45 (60 minutes): Foreign Language (English)
13:30–: Oral Examination (An interview to assess motivation and aptitude based on application documents)
Application is not complete with just 'online registration'
Osaka Metropolitan University uses an online application system, but the application is not complete with just online registration and payment of the examination fee. It is only accepted after you mail the application documents (photo card, transcript, statement of purpose, etc.) via registered mail within the specified period. The mailing period is short, must arrive between 10/6 and 10/9, so be sure to request your certificate of graduation (or expected graduation) and transcript early.
The exam venue is the new 'Morinomiya Campus'
The base for the Faculty of Literature is the Morinomiya Campus (Joto-ku, Osaka City), which opened in September 2025. It is about a 13-minute walk from Morinomiya Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line, and JR Osaka Loop Line. The mailing address is also the Faculty of Literature Office on the 12th floor of the Morinomiya Campus. Please be careful not to mistake the venue for the former Sugimoto Campus.
3. The 'Correct Way to View' Competition Ratios and Difficulty (Including Official Results)
Osaka Metropolitan University publishes the number of applicants, examinees, and successful candidates by department for transfer and bachelor's admission exams in the 'Entrance Exam Results' section on its official website. Do not rely on speculation here; look at the official figures themselves. The table below shows the results for the Faculty of Literature transfer (3rd year) over the past three years (figures are for the transfer and bachelor's admission quota for Japanese nationals. Bachelor's admission for international students is a separate quota, and the number of examinees in recent years has been very small).
2026 Academic Year (Held in 2025): Department: Philosophy and History / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 9 / Examinees: 9 / Successful Candidates: 3 / Enrollees: 2
: Department: Human Behavior / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 19 / Examinees: 19 / Successful Candidates: 3 / Enrollees: 2
: Department: Language and Culture / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 9 / Examinees: 9 / Successful Candidates: 4 / Enrollees: 4
: Department: Cultural Studies / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 6 / Examinees: 6 / Successful Candidates: 3 / Enrollees: 3
2025 Academic Year (Held in 2024): Department: Philosophy and History / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 8 / Examinees: 7 / Successful Candidates: 1 / Enrollees: 0
: Department: Human Behavior / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 14 / Examinees: 13 / Successful Candidates: 4 / Enrollees: 2
: Department: Language and Culture / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 7 / Examinees: 6 / Successful Candidates: 1 / Enrollees: 1
: Department: Cultural Studies / Recruitment: 4 / Applicants: 5 / Examinees: 4 / Successful Candidates: 0 / Enrollees: 0
2024 Academic Year (Conducted in 2023): Department of Philosophy and History / Recruitment 4 / Applicants 7 / Examinees 6 / Successful Candidates 1 / Enrollees 1
: Department of Human Behavior / Recruitment 4 / Applicants 26 / Examinees 21 / Successful Candidates 4 / Enrollees 3
: Department of Language and Culture / Recruitment 4 / Applicants 13 / Examinees 10 / Successful Candidates 3 / Enrollees 3
: Department of Cultural Studies / Recruitment 4 / Applicants 7 / Examinees 7 / Successful Candidates 1 / Enrollees 1
The four points below represent the "reality of the difficulty" that can be read from these figures.
(1) The exam competition ratio (examinees ÷ successful candidates) fluctuates significantly by department and academic year, ranging from 2x to 7x.
For example, the Department of Human Behavior had a 5.2x ratio for 2024 enrollment (21 examinees, 4 successful) and a 6.3x ratio for 2026 enrollment (19 examinees, 3 successful), showing that applicants tend to gather, making it relatively high. On the other hand, the Department of Language and Culture has maintained a somewhat lower exam competition ratio over the three years (a total of 25 examinees and 8 successful candidates over three years = approx. 3.1x). The reality is that "the Faculty of Letters has the same difficulty everywhere" is not true, and the congestion varies by department.
(2) The recruitment of 4 people is an "upper limit," and it does not mean that that number will necessarily be accepted.
The official guidelines clearly state that "depending on the results of individual academic achievement tests, etc., the number of successful candidates may not reach the recruitment number." In fact, for 2025 enrollment (conducted in 2024), the Department of Cultural Studies had 0 successful candidates, and the Philosophy and History and Language and Culture departments also had only 1 successful candidate that same year, meaning there were years where the 4-person quota was not met. It is dangerous to think "because the capacity is 4, 4 people will pass," and if you do not reach the threshold score, you will not be accepted even if there are open spots—this is an important premise for transferring to the Osaka Metropolitan University Faculty of Letters.
(3) There is a large "hit or miss" factor by academic year.
Even in the same department, it is common for the exam competition ratio to be in the 2x range one year and 6-7x another year (e.g., Philosophy and History = 7.0x in 2025 → 3.0x in 2026). Because of the small quota, the threshold is likely to fluctuate depending on the pool of candidates that year. That is why building the "ability to exceed the threshold score in any year" is a more realistic strategy than "aiming for a year with a low competition ratio."
(4) "Passing" does not equal "enrolling."
There are years where the number of enrollees is lower than the number of successful candidates (e.g., they went to another university they applied to). Read the number of successful candidates in the table as "the number of people who actually passed that year," and use the number of enrollees only as a reference.
💡 Do not take numbers that look like good targets at face value. The Department of Language and Culture has a somewhat lower exam competition ratio, but this is likely more due to the fact that "applicants are dispersed because it is divided into language courses such as English/American, German, and French" rather than it being "easier to pass." How many points you can score in the one course you are taking is ultimately everything. Do not be swayed by the highs and lows of the competition ratio; accumulating points in the essay and English sections, which have high weightings—this is the royal road.
④ Application Qualifications (Can working adults, current students, and technical college graduates apply?)
Transfer to the Osaka Metropolitan University Faculty of Letters requires meeting both A and B as a condition for application. Meeting only A (= academic background requirement) is not enough, and B's "10 or more credits in foreign languages" is also mandatory, which is a unique feature of this university.
A. Must meet one of the following (Academic background requirements)
Persons who have graduated from a university (with a course duration of 4 years or more) (including those expected to graduate in March 2026)
Persons who have graduated from a junior college or technical college (including those expected to graduate) ← The royal road route from technical colleges and junior colleges
Individuals who have been awarded a bachelor's degree by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education(including prospective graduates)
Individuals who have been enrolled in a university for at least two years and have earned at least 62 credits(including prospective graduates) ← This also includes "skipping" transfers from the second year of a four-year university
Individuals who have completed a specialized course at a vocational school (with a course duration of at least two years and a total of at least 1,700 class hours or at least 62 credits, etc.)(including prospective graduates)
Individuals who have completed an advanced course at a high school (with a course duration of at least two years and meeting specified standards)(including prospective graduates)
B. Must have earned a total of at least 10 credits in foreign language subjects (mandatory prerequisite)
Up to two languages from English, Korean, Chinese, Russian, German, and French, for a total of at least 10 credits earned (including those expected to be earned by the end of March 2026).
Breaking down the key points—
Transfers from technical colleges and junior colleges are of course eligible. This is the primary target group.
Even from the second year of a four-year university, you can apply if you meet the "enrolled for at least 2 years + at least 62 credits" requirement.
Working adults who have already graduated from a university and are looking to re-learn are also eligible if they hold a degree (in this case, it falls under the "bachelor's degree admission" category).
Furthermore, it is required for everyone to have "at least 10 foreign language credits". Check early on which languages you took and how many credits you earned at your current or previous institution.
"10 foreign language credits" is the "admission ticket" for your application
If you do not meet this, you cannot apply regardless of your academic ability. If you are likely to be short on language credits, plan your coursework to ensure you secure those 10 credits while enrolled. If credits cannot be verified by your transcript alone, you will be required to submit a "Certificate of Expected Credit Completion" or a "Course Completion Certificate (such as a copy of your course registration screen)."
The pitfall of applying based on expected completion
Even if you apply and are accepted based on "expected" completion of requirements like "enrolled for at least 2 years + 62 credits," if you fail to meet the requirements by the end of March 2026, your admission will be revoked even after the enrollment procedures are completed. Make sure to finalize your graduation and credit arrangements early.
5. Exam subjects and scoring (this is the most important part)
Selection is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of an essay, a foreign language (English) test, an oral examination, and application documents. The scoring distribution varies by department, and it is a characteristic that only the Department of Philosophy and History places a higher weight on the essay.
Department of Philosophy and History: Essay 200 points / English 100 points / Oral Examination 100 points / Total 400 points
Department of Human Behavioral Sciences: Essay 150 points / English 150 points / Oral Examination 100 points / Total 400 points
Department of Language and Culture: Essay 150 points / English 150 points / Oral Examination 100 points / Total 400 points
Department of Cultural Studies: Essay 150 points / English 150 points / Oral Examination 100 points / Total 400 points
Here, I will organize 3 points that beginners often misunderstand.
(1) Measured by 'department-related essay' rather than 'specialized subjects'
The essay is 90 minutes long and consists of questions related to the department in question (passages and themes that differ by course). For example, in Human Behavioral Sciences, you will be asked about sociology, psychology, education, or geography; in Language and Culture, you will be asked about Japanese language and literature, Chinese language and literature, or the language and culture of various regions, meaning content tailored to your desired course will be asked. The core is 'whether you can logically develop knowledge of [subject] in writing'.
(2) Only Philosophy and History has a different scoring balance
The Department of Philosophy and History has 200 points for the essay and 100 points for English, meaning the essay is worth twice as much as English. The depth and accuracy of your writing will significantly affect your success or failure. On the other hand, the other three departments have an equal split of 150 for the essay and 150 for English, so if you are weak in either one, you will be at a significant disadvantage. First, confirm which type your department is and decide on your study allocation.
(3) If you are absent for even one subject, you will not be eligible for evaluation
The official guidelines clearly state, 'Those who do not take the subjects/exams specified for the individual academic ability test, etc., will not be eligible for admission evaluation.' You must take all three—the essay, English, and the oral exam—to be considered. Please ensure you have plenty of time for your physical condition and transportation on the day of the exam.
A strength of Osaka Metropolitan University is that the scoring is "publicly disclosed"
Osaka Metropolitan University has a system where the examinee themselves can view their scores by subject (for disclosed scores) (available on the portal site from May 8 to June 5, 2026). Since you can find out later "what score you got on the essay and English sections," you can accurately grasp your weaknesses if you consider retaking the exam or advancing to graduate school. This is a major source of peace of mind for improving the precision of your preparation.
⑥ Points for preparation by subject (concrete measures that lead directly to passing)
Essay (by department/course / 90 minutes)
The keyword is the official "essay related to the relevant department". It does not ask if you have "memorized" specialized knowledge, but rather whether you can accurately read the assigned text and write logically in your own words.
Regarding the actual experience, testimonials from successful candidates report that the essay consists of two major questions, where the first question is reading comprehension of the assigned text (e.g., explaining the meaning of underlined parts), and the second question is an argumentative essay on the theme of the assigned text (the assigned text differs by course). Since there are two questions in 90 minutes, the time itself is not too tight, but both "accuracy of reading comprehension" and "logical consistency of opinions" are required.
Read through at least three basic introductory books for your desired course and organize frequently occurring themes in an "essay format" in your own way.
Repeat practice tests of writing about 1,200 to 1,600 characters within 90 minutes (internalize the time allocation for reading comprehension and writing).
Past exam questions are partially published on the Osaka Metropolitan University entrance exam information site. Grasp the direction of the questions as your own task early on.
For those in the Department of Philosophy and History, the essay is worth 200 points = the pillar of pass/fail. Please spend the most time on the depth and accuracy of your writing.
English (Foreign Language / 60 minutes)
English is 60 minutes, and the scoring is 100 points (Philosophy and History) or 150 points (other 3 departments) depending on the department. The questions center on reading comprehension of humanities-related English texts, and successful candidates report that there are many Japanese translation questions and no opinion-based essay questions. In other words, rather than "making you write English compositions," it tests your ability to read English texts accurately and translate them into natural Japanese.
Since 10 or more credits in a foreign language at the time of application is a prerequisite, you should already have basic English proficiency. On top of that, the key point is to get used to reading humanities-related (philosophy, history, sociology, linguistics, cultural studies) English texts.
Repeat the practice of creating English-to-Japanese translation answers and finishing them in "university-level natural Japanese". Correcting the awkwardness of literal translations is a source of points.
Read specialized books and academic English texts intensively at a pace of 2 to 3 per week to improve the speed and accuracy of grasping the main points of long passages.
For those in Language and Culture, Human Behavior, and Cultural Studies, English is worth 150 points, the same weight as the essay. If you put off English, you will not reach the total score required.
For those aspiring to study languages (especially the English and American Language and Culture course), the experience of a senior who actually passed the transfer exam for the English and American Language and Culture course in the Department of Language and Culture at Osaka Metropolitan University's Faculty of Letters is helpful. It describes everything from the feel of the exam to the atmosphere of the interview in detail.
Oral Examination (Interview / 100 points)
The oral examination is an interview that assesses motivation and aptitude based on application documents (especially the statement of purpose). According to successful candidates, there are multiple interviewers (about 5) and the time is about 15 minutes, the atmosphere is easy to talk in, and questions focused on reasons for applying, 'why this university,' content you want to research, and fields of interest are reported to be the main topics.
Check the curriculum, faculty, and research themes of your desired course in the syllabus and prepare at least one 'specific reason why you want to study here'.
Deepen your understanding of each paragraph of your 800-character statement of purpose by asking 'Why?' three times so you can answer immediately. The document will serve as the script for the questions.
Regarding current events and social trends in the humanities, organize your thoughts so you can express your views logically.
💡 The 'oral examination' is not just a casual chat. It is a formal exam worth 100 points. Prepare on the assumption that the keywords you wrote in your statement of purpose will be probed during the interview. Aim to be in a state where you can respond in your own words even if they dig deeper by asking, 'What do you mean by that?'
⑦ Making a difference in the interview and statement of purpose
Looking at the scoring structure, scoring well on the essay and English while not losing points in the oral examination (100 points) is the condition for reaching the passing line. And the foundation of the oral examination is the 800-character statement of purpose. If this is weak, you may not reach the total score even if you earn points on the written exam.
Be specific in your statement of purpose: Instead of saying 'I want to study literature,' delve into course x research theme x future vision, such as '(e.g.) I want to work on the research theme of □□ in the △△ course of the ○○ department. While studying △△ at my previous school, I developed a sense of the issue of ~, and I want to apply this to ~ in the future.'
Be able to explain everything you wrote: Prepare on the assumption that the keywords in your documents will be probed during the interview.
Have one reason that is 'unique' to Osaka Metropolitan University: If you prepare at least one point about why you want to study here rather than at another university, such as the research of the faculty in your desired course or the characteristics of that department, it will convey your high level of motivation.
💡 The admission policy (the type of student sought) of the Osaka Metropolitan University Faculty of Letters states that they are looking for people who ' understand the purpose and educational content of the faculty, department, and course, and think about them in relation to their own future vision.' If you can properly connect your interests to the educational content of your desired course, your persuasiveness will increase significantly.
⑧ Example schedule until passing (counting back from the November exam)
The written and oral exams are in early November, and applications are in early October. Working backward, this is how it looks.
~ About 8 months before the exam: Decide on one desired course from the four departments. Read through at least three basic introductory books and major literature. Confirm your status of having earned 10 or more foreign language credits, and if you are short, create a study plan early. For English, start reading two humanities-related English texts per week.
~ About 4 months before: Delve into specialized books and papers for your desired course, and write about three short essays (1,200–1,600 characters) per month on frequently appearing themes. Check the syllabus and curriculum, and incorporate your post-enrollment study plan into a draft of your statement of purpose. For English, refine your ability to structure answers through translation and summarization.
September: Aim to complete application documents (800-character statement of purpose, record, photo card, transcript, etc.) within September. Request your certificate of graduation (or expected graduation) and transcript.
October: Online application registration (from 10/3) → Mail documents (must arrive between 10/6–10/9). Through past exam practice, internalize the time allocation of 90 minutes for the short essay and 60 minutes for English.
November: In mock interviews, reach a state where you can immediately answer the "why" for each paragraph of your statement of purpose up to three levels deep. Head to the actual exam (11/8).
💡 The mailing period for applications (must arrive between 10/6–10/9) is very short. The most regrettable failure is "completing the online registration but not getting the documents in on time." Make sure to have your certification documents in hand by the end of September and carve that into your schedule from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is it necessary to submit English (external scores like TOEIC)?
A. Submission of external scores is not required. However, an English exam (60 minutes, focused on reading comprehension/many translations) is administered on the day of the exam, and the point allocation is significant at 100–150 points. Furthermore, since earning 10 or more foreign language credits is a prerequisite for application, please consider this an exam where you cannot escape English (language studies).
Q. Does the enrollment quota of "4 students per department" mean 4 people will definitely be accepted?
A. No. The official guidelines clearly state that "the number of successful applicants may not reach the enrollment quota," and in fact, there have been departments and years with zero successful applicants (e.g., the Department of Cultural Studies for the 2025 academic year). The number 4 is an upper limit, and if applicants do not meet the passing standard, no one will be accepted even if there are open spots.
Q. What is the competition ratio?
A. Osaka Metropolitan University publishes the number of applicants, examinees, and successful candidates by department. The examination competition ratio (examinees ÷ successful candidates) fluctuates significantly by department and year, ranging from 2x to 7x. The Department of Human Behavioral Studies tends to attract more applicants and have a higher ratio, while the Department of Language and Culture tends to be slightly lower, but please note that there is significant variation from year to year (see the table in section 3 of the main text for details).
Q. I am a second-year student at a four-year university; can I take the exam?
A. You can apply if you meet the requirements of "at least 2 years of enrollment + 62 credits or more earned (including expected credits)" and "10 or more credits in foreign languages." However, please note that if you apply based on expected credits and fail to meet the requirements, you will not be able to enroll.
Q. I am a working professional and have already graduated from university. Can I take the exam?
A. University graduates meet the application requirements (this falls under the "Bachelor's Admission" category). Graduates of junior colleges, technical colleges, and those holding a bachelor's degree from the National Institution for Academic Degrees are also eligible. Please also check the requirement for 10 or more foreign language credits.
Q. Where is the exam held?
A. Morinomiya Campus (2-1-132 Morinomiya, Joto-ku, Osaka City). This is a new campus that opened in September 2025, and the Faculty of Literature office is located on the 12th floor.
Q. Can I change my course after applying?
A. No. The course you choose at the time of application cannot be changed later. Since both the essay questions and the statement of purpose are tied to the specific course, you must decide on one course from the start.
Q. Will I be able to find out my score later?
A. There is a system for disclosing scores by subject (for published scoring distributions) to the examinee (available on the portal site from May 8 to June 5, 2026).
Q. Can I transfer credits earned at my previous school?
A. Credits earned at your previous institution will be evaluated for transfer upon enrollment. However, if your field of study differs significantly, credits may not be recognized, and if few credits are transferred, you may not be able to graduate in two years and may need to stay for three or more years (details will be notified after acceptance).
Summary | Success Depends on "Department-Specific Essay" x "English" x "Interview Proficiency"
Transfer admission to the Faculty of Literature at Osaka Metropolitan University is based on 4 departments x course units (4 students each, 16 total), and the basic structure is determined by a comprehensive evaluation (400 points total) of an essay (90 min) + English (60 min) + oral examination + application documents. Therefore,
Solidify your choice to one course and ensure you can write an essay related to that department through "reading comprehension + argumentation" (for Philosophy and History, the 200-point essay is the pillar).
Do not shy away from English (focusing on reading comprehension and translation, 100–150 points). Also, secure the "10 or more foreign language credits" required for application early.
Use your 800-character statement of purpose as a foundation to ensure you do not lose points in the oral examination (100 points)
Mark the short application period in early October (documents must arrive between 10/6 and 10/9) on your schedule from the start.
If you follow these four points, you have a good chance of passing. As the official entrance exam results show, even with a quota of 4, the number of successful applicants varies from 0 to 4 each year—in other words, this is an exam where "whether you can exceed the passing standard" matters more than "whether there are spots available."
"Which application qualification applies to my background?" "Do I have enough foreign language credits (10 credits)?" "I want someone to look at my statement of purpose." "Where should I start with the essay and English?" — In such cases, please use the free consultation at Online Transfer Academy. We will work with you to design the shortest route to the actual exam in November, tailored to your situation. We do not intend to pressure you. Please feel free to share your current situation and questions with us first.
*This article is based on the 2026 Academic Year (Reiwa 8) Osaka Metropolitan University Faculty of Literature "Transfer/Bachelor's Admission (3rd Year) Examination" Student Application Guidelines (July 2025 version) and the entrance examination results published by the university. Recruitment numbers, courses, exam subjects, scoring, schedules, and venues may change depending on the academic year. Please note that the Faculty of Literature's transfer/bachelor's admission (3rd year) examination is scheduled to stop recruiting after the 2027 academic year entrance selection. Please be sure to check the latest official application guidelines before applying.*
*Source: Osaka Metropolitan University "2026 Academic Year Faculty of Literature Transfer/Bachelor's Admission (3rd Year) Examination Student Application Guidelines", Osaka Metropolitan University Transfer/Bachelor's Admission Examination, Osaka Metropolitan University Entrance Examination Results, Osaka Metropolitan University Faculty of Literature Entrance Examination Information, Osaka Metropolitan University Special Selection Past Questions*
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