NIAD-QE awards Bachelor's degrees to learners other than matriculated university students who have acquired enough academic credits and have sufficient academic attainments in their discipline. Applications are accepted twice a year, in April and October.
As provided in the School Education Act, NIAD-QE is the only entity besides universities that is authorized to confer degrees in Japan.

FY2020 April session of NIAD-QE Degree Examinations by National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education was originally scheduled to be held in June. However, it was put off due to the state of emergency in response to COVID-19.

The postponed examinations were conducted in September: on September 6th, interview assessment was held in Tokyo, and on 13th, thesis examination was held in Tokyo and Osaka.

On Friday, February 19th, 2021, the Committee of Validation and Examination for Degrees will conduct a review for the awarding of Bachelor's degrees based on the results of reviews conducted by the relevant expert committees regarding credits earned and learning outcomes/examinations, and those who successfully pass will be awarded Bachelor’s Degree.

See pages 17-19 of “The WORK of NIAD-QE” for details on NIAD-QE's awarding of degrees.

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