Admission Policy

At Nihon University College of Art, we use the educational principle of "autonomous creativity" to develop students with the ability to learn, think, and open up new paths for themselves on their own. For this reason, we are looking for the following types of prospective students who are strongly motivated to enter one of the 8 fields of arts offered, possess excellent communication skills with abundant creativity and a strong interest in the arts as a whole, or are seriously considering becoming an artist or creator on their own.
As a selection method, the school administers an admission exam which consists of a specialized test based on the characteristics of each department, including a short essay, writing and other practical skills, and an interview. Through this exam, we seek to evaluate potential students' aptitude and creativity in an individual and direct way.

Based on the above, the admissions policy for each department is as follows.

In the Department of Photography, since studies are focused on the artistic expression of photos, we are looking for students who can learn the history and theories of photography, consider techniques for photographic expression, apply their knowledge in a variety of fields such as news reporting, advertising, portraiture, and art, and develop their own specialized style.

In the Department of Cinema, since studies are focused on the artistic expression of movies and videos, we are looking for students who can learn the history and theory of film and video, consider techniques for film and video expression, and develop their own specialized style.

In the Department of Fine Arts, since studies are focused on the artistic expression of fine arts, we are looking for students who can learn the history and theory of fine arts, consider techniques for fine arts expression, and develop their own specialized style.

In the Department of Music, since studies are focused on Western music, we are looking for students who can learn the history and theory of music, as well as techniques, consider musical expression, and develop their own specialized style.

In the Department of Literary Arts, since studies include creation, research, and a variety of expression activities in the varied fields of journalism, we are looking for students who can cultivate fundamental skills through the study of art history and theory, consider the significance of literary history and modern methods of expression, and develop literary expression to support the next generation.

In the Department of Theatre, since a global perspective is used for studies of performing arts and related practice, we are looking for students who can learn the theory and history of theatre and dance within their connection to modern society, consider techniques as well, and research and develop their own specialized style of expression.

In the Department of Broadcasting, since studies inspire a deep awareness of the central role that broadcasting plays in the information age, we are looking for students who can learn about the history and theory of broadcasting, consider video and sound design as well as the distinctive expression of commercials, and develop the kind of free and richly nuanced expression suitable for taking on broadcasting work.

In the Department of Design, since studies are focused on the ideas and expression of design, we are looking for students who can learn the history and theory of design, consider the techniques used, and develop a new style of design expression within the specialization of their choice.

At Nihon University College of Art, the entrance exam is reviewed and evaluated in the segments below, in keeping with the admissions policies of the various schools and departments listed above.

1. General entrance exam (same test for all departments)
   The general entrance exam is a scholastic test which uses A and N formats to determine the extent to which prospective students have acquired the foundational knowledge necessary for university students. In addition, the A format consists of specialized tests and interviews based on the distinctive characteristics of each department, used to individually and directly judge and evaluate prospective students' adaptability and creativity.
2. Other entrance exams
   In addition to general entrance exams, a variety of other entrance exams with different application requirements are also implemented. One of these is the AO entrance exam. Students take part in the "Nichigei Audition," in which each department indicates the ideal student they are looking for and seeks to accept individuals with distinctive character. As a general rule, the individual subjects tested are the same for each entrance exam, but for the AO entrance exam, individual departments use different selection methods for judgment and evaluation.

Department of Photography
The essay test judges the imagination, logic, aesthetic sense, and analytical ability of the students and evaluates their creativity. The interview test judges and evaluates the students' passion for photography, adaptability to studying it, and their personality and nature.
In addition, the AO entrance exam includes a practical skills test, presentation, and essay test. The practical skills test judges the students' powers of observation, imagination, and adaptation, the presentation judges their ability to express themselves and their communication skills, and the essay test judges their logic, aesthetic sense, and analytical ability. Each test also evaluates the students' creativity in the applicable areas skills as well. The interview test judges and evaluates the students' passion for photography, adaptability to studying it, and their personality and nature.

Department of Cinema
The entrance exam includes either an essay test or a practical skills test (acting course only). The essay test judges students' logic and imagination, while the practical skills test judges their character, technique, and expression, and each test also evaluates creativity in these categories. Also, the interview test judges and evaluates students' desire to learn about cinema, aptitude, and their personality and nature.
In addition, for the AO entrance exam, a practical skills test and written exam are added on to the interview, tests specific to individual courses such as debate are implemented, students' ability for each course is judged, and their creativity is evaluated.

Department of Fine Arts
The practical skills test judges the fine arts experience up until now, expressive ability, and imagination of the students, and evaluates their creativity. In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' aptitude for fine arts studies, as well as their personality and character.

Department of Music
The practical skills test judges the music experience of students up until now and their expressive ability, and the music-related essay tests implemented for individual courses judges their logic and imagination. Each test also evaluates creativity in the applicable areas. In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' aptitude for music studies, as well as their personality and character.

Department of Literary Arts
For the application methods which require imaginative and analytical ability, essays and writing tests are implemented. The essay test judges students' logic and imagination, while the writing test judges their vocabulary and expressive ability. Each test also evaluates creativity in the applicable areas. In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates the reasons for students' applications, as well as their aptitude.

Department of Theatre
Depending on the course chosen, the entrance exam includes either a practical skills test or a writing test. The practical skills test judges not only technique and experience acquired up until now but also expressive ability, while the writing test judges imagination. Each test also evaluates creativity in the applicable areas. In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' aptitude for learning the performing arts, as well as their personality and character.
The AO entrance exam judges students' drive for the studying required to conduct research and creation in the performing arts, as well as their communication ability in a group work setting. The focal point of this test is their ability to share ideas and cooperate with other people, and creativity in the applicable areas is also evaluated.

Department of Broadcasting
The writing test judges students' viewpoint on a provided issue, composition structuring skills, and expressive ability. It also evaluates creativity in the applicable areas. In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' desire to study in the broadcasting field, as well as their aptitude for it, personality, and character.
The AO entrance exam consists of a practical skills test, writing test, and interview test. The practical skills test judges students' aptitude to becoming an announcer, while the writing test judges students' viewpoint on a provided issue, composition structuring skills, and expressive ability. Each test also evaluates creativity in the applicable areas.
In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' aptitude for becoming announcers in the future, as well as their personality, character, and prospects.

Department of Design
The practical skills test judges students' observation ability, expressive ability, and imagination, as well as their creativity in these areas. In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' aptitude for design studies, as well as their personality and character.
The AO entrance exam consists of a practical skills test, a presentation, and an interview test. The practical skills test judges students' observation ability, expressive ability, and imagination, while the presentation judges their ability to express themselves and communicate. Each test also evaluates creativity in the applicable areas.
In addition, the interview test judges and evaluates students' passion for design and aptitude for design studies, as well as their personality and character.

Effective date: April 1st, 2018