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.

The FY2021 April session of NIAD-QE Degree Examinations by National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education was held on Sunday, June 6, 2021.The interview took place in Tokyo and the thesis examination was conducted in Tokyo and Osaka.

On Friday, August 20, 2021, the Committee of Validation and Examination for Degrees conducted 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. Of the 288 people who applied in April, 234 successfully passed and were awarded Bachelor’s degrees.

See pages 17-19 of “NIAD-QE Brochure, 2021” for details on NIAD-QE's awarding of degrees.

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