• Application Deadline:                      15 October

• Notification of Admission:                3 December

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AN APPLICATION

Your application represents you, so be sure that it is complete and accurate and that the essays and supplementary materials represent your own work. It is not acceptable to misrepresent one's accomplishments, to borrow from the works of others without proper acknowledgment, or to submit as one's own material that has been written, re-written or heavily edited by others. Breaches of these protocols will result in rejection of the application.

YOU MUST SUBMIT THE COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE containing all supporting documents. Incomplete packages will not be reviewed.

The instructions below will help you complete all forms that will make your application package complete. Please read the guidelines carefully to determine which documentation is needed.

1. Fill out the on-line application form
   
   
2. Gather and send a complete hard-copy (i.e. printed paper) of all the following materials:
   1. Official Undergraduate Transcript (Original or certified true copy)
   2. Certified True Copy of Diploma
   3. Two letters of recommendation
   4. Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
   5. Statement of Purpose
   6. English Proficiency Scores Report
   7. Six Passport Size Photographs
   8. Copy of Passport
   9. Visa Form

Applicants are responsible for gathering hard copies of all these materials and for submitting them in a single package to the UPEACE Department of Academic Administration (DAA) by the application deadline.

Letters of recommendation, English proficiency test scores, and transcripts must all be in sealed envelopes

Please, send all materials to the following address by the Application Deadline:

University for Peace
Department of Academic Administration
Application for Asia Leaders Programme
P.O. Box 138-6100
San José, Costa Rica
ZIP Code: 10701

We will confirm receipt of application materials by e-mail. If you wish to receive swifter verification of the receipt of materials, you should send them via registered mail or other receipt-requested service using the following address:

University for Peace
Department of Academic Administration
Application for Asia Leaders Programme
El Rodeo de Mora, Ciudad Colón
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 22-05-90-00

1. ON LINE application form

2. Official Undergraduate Transcript (original or certified true copy)

Original transcript of records must be of a four-year Bachelor’s degree (first University degree) with the official grading system in the original language and must come along with an official English translation, bearing the original signature of the Registrar and the school seal.

Transcripts of records of MA programmes are not accepted

Back to the top >>

3. CERTIFIED TRUE COPY OF DIPLOMA

Diploma certified true copy must be in the original language and must come in its official English translation.

4. Two Letters of Recommendation

These must be from faculty or others individuals qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.

Some Valid referees or recommenders are:

• Former professors
• Faculty Deans
• Academic Advisors
• Immediate Supervisors
• Research Project Managers
• Mentors

Letters from family members or close friends are not accepted.

Each letter must be attached to the Cover Form, which can be downloaded here

Forward Cover Forms to recommenders, and have them attach it to the letter of recommendation. They may:

• Post recommendation letter in a sealed envelope back to applicant
• Post recommendation letter directly to UPEACE

Note:
Letters of Recommendation are confidential.

Back to the top >>

5. CURRICULUM VITAE OR RÉSUMÉ

The Curriculum Vitae or Résumé must clearly state the following information:

• Name of applicant
• Applicant’s birth date
• E-mail address
• Postal address
• Phone number
• Academic background (including institution name, graduation year and degree obtained)
• Working experience (including name of the institution, date of beginning, ending date and position
• Multicultural exchanges
• Any other relevant information

Back to the top >>

6. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The statement of purpose must be between 500 and 1000 words, and must respond the following questions:

• Why have you decided to apply to the Asia Leaders Programme?
• What are your expectations for the Ma. in International Peace Studies?
• What are your career prospects after graduation?
• What type of multicultural exchanges have you experienced?

Back to the top >>

7. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST SCORES REPORT

It is required for all applicants. The following are the only English Proficiency Tests accepted:

UPEACE TOEFL Code: 7180

Notes:

1. TOEIC and TOEFL-ITP will no longer be accepted starting with the call for application for the 2011-2012 Academic Year
2. Tests of more than two years old are not valid. Applicants who took the English Test more than two years ago must repeat the test.
3. If an “Applicant’s Score Confirmation Report” is available, you may send it with your application package, however, the official institutional score report sent by ETS is still required.

Back to the top >>

8. PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS

Photos must have the following characteristics:

• Six photographs
• In color and identical
• 35 by 45 mm (1.37 “ by 1.77”)
• Frontal view from head to shoulders
• Single colour background, preferably white
• Printed on photographic paper

Note:

• E-mailed photos are not valid
• Non passport size photos will not be accepted
• Album photo pictures are not valid either

Back to the top >>

9. COPY OF PASSPORT

It must be the passport pages showing the following information:

• Name
• Photo
• Birth date
• Birthplace
• Issuance and expiration date
• The valid entry visa when needed. (after arrival at the Philippines)

Back to the top >>

10. VISA FORM

All applicants must fill out the Visa Form, which can be downloaded here: Visa Form

Information about Costa Rican Consulates is available here >>

Questions about visas should be directed to: visas@upeace.org

Note that, Costa Rican Immigration Law demands that the passport expires six months after the end of the MA programme that the applicant will be pursuing at UPEACE.

Back to the top >>