Graduate Students

Instructions for Graduate School Application for International Students

Last updated: May 18, 2012

1. Applicant Qualifications (must meet one of the following qualifications listed below)

(1) Master's Program

  1. One who has completed 16 years of education abroad and has or will have graduated an undergraduate program before entering the Master's Program of the University of Tokyo.
  2. One who has completed 15 years of education abroad or while residing in Japan has completed a correspondence course given by an institution abroad and has completed 15 years of education. In either case, the applicant must be approved by the Graduate School of Science of the University of Tokyo as one that has earned the necessary credits with outstanding grades.
  3. One who has been approved by the Graduate School of Science of the University of Tokyo through an individual entrance screening as one with scholastic abilities equivalent to or greater than that of a college graduate and who is at least 22 years of age.
  4. Those applying as an Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Student must be considered in the categories 1.-3. listed above and must also have passed the preliminary selection by a Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.

(2) Doctoral Program

  1. One who has one of the following: a Master's Degree; a Professional Degree; or a degree equivalent to either degree previously mentioned.
  2. One who has completed 16 years of education abroad or a correspondence course given by an institution abroad and has or will have partaken in research for at least 2 years at a university or research center in or outside of Japan before entering the Doctoral program of the University of Tokyo. This individual must also be approved by the Graduate School of Science of the University of Tokyo through an individual entrance screening as one with scholastic abilities equivalent to or greater than that of one holding a Master's Degree or a Professional Degree.
  3. One who has been approved by the Graduate School of Science of the University of Tokyo as having scholastic abilities equivalent to or greater than that of one holding a Master's Degree or of a Professional Degree and is at least 24 years of age.
  4. Those applying as an Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Student must be considered in the categories 1.-3. listed above and also must have passed the preliminary selection by a Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.
Notes:
  • Japanese students can apply to this selection if they have completed both high school and college education abroad.
  • Please make contact with a potential supervising professor and obtain his or her approval before submitting an application.

2. Selection Procedure

  1. Successful applicants for the Master's program and the Doctoral program will be selected based on an evaluation of their applications, submitted documents and test scores (see below).
  2. Some Departments may reject applicants whose GRE or TOEFL scores fall beneath their cutoff level. GRE and TOEFL test scores are invalid if the tests were taken more than two years before the date of the application. Applicants whose native language is English may in some cases be exempted from submitting a TOEFL score, with the advance approval of the Graduate School of Science. Those who wish to request such an exemption must contact the Graduate School Office prior to the application period.
  3. Some Departments may interview their applicants. (See 9. Information Specific to Each Department)

3. Application Documents

  1. Application Form
  2. The GRE Subject or General Test Score (Please submit both the Official Score Report and a copy of your Examinee's Score Record )
    3. Notes:
    • The GRE code number for the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Science is 7048. Please enter this code on your answer sheet when you sit for the examination. In case you need the record of tests taken previously you should also enter this code on Score Report Request Forms. The Official Score will then be sent directly to the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Science from Educational Testing Service.
    • Required GRE Test for each department is as follows:
      Department Subject Test General Test
      Physics
      • Physics (all applicants)
      • Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
        (applicants interested in biophysics may also submit the score of this subject test in addition to the Physics subject test)
      		 not required
      Astronomy
      • Physics
      		 not required
      Earth and Planetary Science Choose one from:
      • Biology
      • Chemistry
      • Mathematics
      • Physics
      		 not required
      Chemistry not required required
      Biophysics and Biochemistry Choose one from:
      • Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
      • Biology
      (Note: Applicants interested in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology may submit the score of Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics instead of the above subjects.)       		not required
      Biological Sciences [Applicants wishing to start on October 2012]
      Zoological Sciences Choose one from:
      • Biology
      • Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
      		 not required
      Plant Sciences
      • Biology
      		 not required
      Anthropology
      • Biology
      		 not required
      Evolutional Biology
      • Biology
      		 not required
      [Applicants wishing to start after April 2013]
      Choose one from:
      • Biology
      • Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
      		 not required
      (See 9. Information Specific to Each Department for more information)
  3. TOEFL Score (Please submit both theOfficial Score Report and a copy of your Examinee's Score Record )
    4. Note: The TOEFL code number for the University of Tokyo, School of Science is 8002-01. Please enter this code on your answer sheet when you sit for the examination. In case you need the record of tests taken previously you should also enter this code on Score Report Request Forms. The Official Score will then be sent directly to the University of Tokyo, School of Science from Educational Testing Service.
  4. Two recommendation letters from supervisors or individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic or scientific work.
  5. Original transcripts of all colleges and universities attended AND statement of completion of all colleges or universities attended (if unavailable, copy of diploma)
  6. Payment confirmation of the Examination Fee (Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students are exempted from paying the Examination Fee.)
  7. Certificate of Preliminary selection issued by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General (only required for Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students)
  8. Transcript of Master's program, a copy of Master's thesis and copies of papers or scientific publications. (In case of applicant for Doctoral program)
  9. Any other documents requested by the department. (See 9. Information Specific to Each Department for more information)
    • For those applying for Physics only, an essay (A4 length, a page long on the kind of research you wish to do if accepted into the Graduate Program)
    • For those applying for Earth and Planetary Sciences only, a short essay (on studies or research you are currently partaking in or on the kind of research you wish to do if accepted into the Graduate program)
    • For those applying for Chemistry only, GPA score reports (from university / college you graduated)
Notes:
  • Japanese or English translations of transcript, statement of completion or diploma, and recommendation letters must be officially issued by the institution from which the original is from.
  • All documents are non-returnable.
  • To view the above required documents (PDF files); you need "Adobe Reader" which may be downloaded from Adobe.com.

4. Application Period

  1. From May 1 to May 31, 2012: for applicants wishing to enroll on October 1, 2012 (Those who hold, or are about to receive a College Student Visa/permanent residence status in Japan)
  2. From September 3 to October 31, 2012: for applicants wishing to enroll on April 1, 2013 (Those who do not hold a College Student Visa)
  3. From January 11 to January 25, 2013: for applicants wishing to enroll on April 1, 2013 (Those who hold, or are about to receive a College Student Visa/permanent residence status in Japan)
  4. From March 1 to April 30, 2013: for applicants wishing to enroll on October 1, 2013 (Those who do not hold a College Student Visa)
For those who are Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students for 2013, the application dates are as stated below. However, in order for proper examinations to take place, application forms must be turned in no later than one month prior to the deadlines of each Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.
  1. From July 2 to August 31, 2012: for applicants wishing to enroll on either April 1 or October 1, 2013
Note：
Click here for details if you are applying to enter the Department of Physics or the Department of Chemistry in or after April 2013 and wish to join the Advanced Leading Graduate Course for Photon Science (ALPS).

5. Examination Fee

10,000 yen (Monbukagakusho Scholarship students are exempted from paying the Examination Fee)

You can make a payment by credit card. For details, please look at "How to make a Payment of Examination Fee by Credit Card"

6. Annual Cost

  1. Entrance Fee: ¥282,000
  2. Tuition Fee:
    • Master's Program: ¥267,900 (¥535,800/y)
    • Doctoral Program: ¥260,400 (¥520,800/y)
    * In case there is an amendment of the fees, new fees may apply from the time the amendment becomes effective.

7. Letter of Acceptance

  1. July 24, 2012: for applicants wishing to enroll on October 1, 2012 (Those who hold, or are about to receive a College Student Visa/permanent residence status in Japan)
  2. December 18, 2012: for applicants wishing to enroll on April 1, 2013 (Those who do not hold a College Student Visa)
  3. March 6, 2013: for applicants wishing to enroll on April 1, 2013 (Those who hold, or about to receive a College Student Visa/permanent resistance status in Japan)
  4. End of June, 2013: for applicants wishing to enroll on October 1, 2013 (Those who do not hold a College Student Visa)
  5. The results of Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students for 2013 will be sent as soon as they are in.

8. Application Mailing & Contact Address

  • Graduate School Office
    Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo
    7-3-1, Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0033 JAPAN
  • Tel: +81-3-5841-4009
  • Mail:
Note:
  • The applicant must mail all application documents to the Graduate School Office, Graduate School of Science by the deadline. Applications are accepted by mail only.

9. Information Specific to Each Department

10. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. Q.
    Are there any university scholarships available at the University of Tokyo?
    A.
    There is a scholarship called "Scholarship for International Students, The University of Tokyo Foundation". This scholarship is provided for 30 students/year and the monthly stipend is 50,000 yen. Since there are around 2,000 international students studying at UT, it is very hard to win this scholarship and you can only apply for it after you arrive in Japan.
  2. Q.
    Are there any scholarships available at the Graduate School of Science?
    A.
    There is a new scholarship called “Graduate School of Science Scholarship for International Students (GSS Scholarship),” which is available for applicants who first come to Japan to pursue a Master's degree at the School for either the April or October 2012 entrance. (For more information please click here.)
    If you become a student of a Doctoral program, you might be able to work as a Teaching Assistant or a Research Assistant and receive 50, 000 – 100,000 yen/month. Please ask the contact professor in the department that you apply to for more detailed information.
  3. Q.
    Are there any scholarships available from private foundations which I can apply for before coming to Japan?
    A.
    There are a few scholarships you can apply for before coming to Japan but the number is very limited. Besides, getting a scholarship is quite difficult, even after entering the university. Therefore, we recommend you to apply for the Monbukagakusho Scholarship before you come to Japan.
  4. Q.
    How can I apply for a Monbukagakusho (Japanese Government) Scholarship?
    A.
    There are three ways to apply for Monbukagakusho Scholarship. 1. Embassy Recommendation, 2. University Recommendation, 3. Domestic Recommendation. 2. is only possible if one of our faculty members applies on behalf of the student. In the current situation, it is difficult to apply through the University Recommendation if the student is not from a university which has the interuniversity agreement with the UT. 3. is only possible if you are already a regular course student at one of the Japanese universities by the time of application. Therefore, we recommend you to apply for Embassy Recommendation.
  5. Q.
    How can I apply for a Monbukagakusho Scholarship by Embassy Recommendation?
    A.
    You can get both application form and detailed information at the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in your country. (UT does not have the application form.) Please fill out the application and submit all required documents to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate.
  6. Q.
    I do not know any Japanese. Will I be OK ?
    A.
    Although you can communicate with your supervisor in English, most of the classes you attend will be provided in Japanese and you need Japanese in your daily life. Therefore, it is essential to understand Japanese. Please study as much Japanese as possible before coming to Japan.
  7. Q.
    Can I take GRE test in Japan?
    A.
    A GRE subject test will be held three times per year-April, October and November. It takes about 6 weeks to receive your score report after the test. You can apply for the GRE general test from the home page listed below and take the test in Japan though you need to have a credit card for this registration.
    R-Prometric