Admissions Policy

Based on a philosophy of fostering creative-thinking specialists, rational innovators, and leaders in economics and politics who are cultured and civil-minded, Hitotsubashi University School of Law carries out admissions as follows.

 

1.Type of students sought

The School of Law aims to nurture legal professionals who possess the three qualities of “legal professionals who are well-versed in business law”, “legal professionals who have a broad international perspective”, and “legal professionals who have an acute sensitivity to human rights issues”. Our curriculum has been formulated systematically to nurture the abilities and qualities required of legal professionals, and degrees are awarded to those who have cultivated them. We wish to admit diverse students who have the aptitude, knowledge, and abilities described below.

 

(1) People rich in humanity and sensitivity who aspire to play a leading role in the fair application of law in modern society.

(2) People who can discover issues in society and work with persistence to solve them by utilizing their basic knowledge, skills, and creativity.

(3) People who can think, judge, and express themselves in order to solve problems.

(4) People who maintain their own individuality while being prepared to communicate and learn collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds.

(5) People who have an international perspective and the ability to take courses in English.

 

 

2.Basic philosophy of admissions

Our School of Law has adopted the basic philosophy of admissions described in (1)-(3) below.

 

(1) Ensuring fairness, openness, and diversity

Our School of Law places utmost importance on fairness and openness in admissions, reflecting the idea that law schools should admit candidates from much more diverse backgrounds than just law. We seek applicants from all over the country, regardless of their university, department, or major.

 

(2) Admitting individuals with basic knowledge of law, as well as those with diverse knowledge and experience

Law covers every aspect of society and relates to the lives of people. Fair application of the law is becoming increasingly important in our modern, complex society. On the other hand, those affected by the law, the justice that the law should embody, and opposing interests change with the times. While legal professionals with correct knowledge are, of course, always needed, in these circumstances, when people expect legal professionals to perform their role appropriately, what they need is not a detailed knowledge at that moment, but rather, essential knowledge as legal professionals that can and should be maintained over time, and the ability to apply it. Considering that legal professionals are increasingly expected to have expertise across broad domains in a society that is becoming more specialized, we believe it is important that people of diverse backgrounds and knowledge acquire legal knowledge and skills.

Based on the above philosophy, our School of Law admits both individuals who have studied law with academic curiosity and interest and those new to the study of law who have acquired knowledge and experience from their own field.

 

(3) Promoting admission of mature-aged students and graduates of other faculties

Paying attention to fairness as described in (1) and embodying the principles described in (2), our School of Law strives to evaluate appropriately the potential of candidates to study law and become legal professionals by correctly evaluating the past achievements of mature-aged students and the academic records of graduates from other faculties.

 

 

3.Multidimensional and comprehensive evaluation of the “three elements of academic ability”

(1) Evaluation

Candidates without a background in law apply for “General Admission”. Those who successfully pass the first document screening with their English language test score proceed to the second stage of the selection process. The second stage involves evaluating the results of a short essay examination collectively with the English language test score, document of self-recommendation, and official transcript of their undergraduate grades submitted in advance. Candidates who pass the second stage are then interviewed. The results of the interview and all components from the first two screenings are then evaluated collectively to determine the final result.

 

Candidates with a background in law may apply for either “General Admission” or “Five-Year Combined LL.B.-J.D. Admission”. In “General Admission”, those who successfully pass the first document screening with their English language test score proceed to the second stage of the selection process. The second stage involves evaluating the results of written essay examinations in Civil Law (Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure), Criminal Law (Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure), and Constitutional Law collectively with the English language test score, document of self-recommendation, and official transcript of their undergraduate grades submitted in advance. Candidates who pass the second stage are then interviewed. The results of the interview and all components from the first two screenings are then evaluated collectively to determine the final result. “Five-Year Combined LL.B.-J.D. Admission”, based on the “Agreement for Nurturing Legal Professionals between Hitotsubashi University School of Law and Hitotsubashi University Faculty of Law”, aims to provide current undergraduate students at our Faculty of Law with an effective and consistent education. Our School of Law allocates a certain number of places for their admission through a separate process not entailing a written examination. Specifically, a candidate’s English language ability, academic achievement, self-recommendation document, and interview will be evaluated collectively in the final screening. Candidates who are recognized as having the ability to take second-year courses will be admitted.

(2) The “three elements of academic ability” and evaluation items

Category

Evaluation

Knowledge and skills

 

Ability to think, judge, and express themselves

 

Positive attitude with initiative for cooperative learning with people from diverse backgrounds

Candidates without a background in law

English language test score

 

Short essay examination

 

Document of self-recommendation

Official transcript of undergraduate grades

 

Interview

Candidates with a background in law

English language test score

 

Written essay examinations in law

 

Document of self-recommendation

Official transcript of undergraduate grades

 

Interview

Candidates with a background in law

(“Five-Year Combined LL.B.-J.D.)

English language test score

 

Document of self-recommendation

Official transcript of undergraduate grades

 

Interview