Admission Information for Graduate International Research Students ("Kenkyusei") for 2012

A Graduate International Research Student ("kenkyusei") is admitted to the Graduate School of Science to study a specific subject under the supervision of a professor. Note that a "kenkyusei" is not entitled to receive any degree or qualification on completion of the program. Information on applying for admission as a candidate for a Master's or doctoral degree is available at "Admission".

1. Qualifications for Applicants

A person who has graduated or is expected to graduate from a university abroad (i.e., a person who has or will have completed 16 years of regular curricular studies with a bachelor's degree) may apply for admission as a “kenkyusei.” In addition, persons planning to apply as an Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Student for 2011 must have passed the preliminary selection by a Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.

2. Application Period

1. From July 1 to August 31, 2011: for applicant (Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students for 2012) wishing to enroll on April 1 or October 1, 2012
2. From October 1 to November 30, 2011: for applicants (Self-Supported Students) wishing to enroll on April 1, 2012
3. From April 1 to May 31, 2012: for applicants (Self-Supported Students) wishing to enroll on October 1, 2012

3. Application Documents

Please make contact with a potential supervising professor, and obtain his or her approval to act as your host supervisor before submitting an application.

1. Application for Admission as a Graduate International Research Student(Form provided)
2. A photographs (3cmX4cm), taken within 6 months, should be attached to the application form
3. Confirmation of degree or graduation certificate issued by the university or college attended (must be original).
4. Transcript of academic record issued by the university or college attended(must be original).
5. Letter of recommendation from the President, the Dean, the Chairman, or major professor (academic advisor) of the university or college attended.
6. Study Program(Form provided)
7. Statement of balance of your bank account (only required for Self-Supported Students)
8. Financial Plan Questionnaire(Form provided, only required for Self-Supported Students)
9. Certificate of preliminary selection issued by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General (only required for Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students for 2012)
10. Payment confirmation of Examination Fee (only required for Self-Supported Students)
11. Applicants to the Department of Astronomy must submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score reports of the Subject Test (P.77-Physics). Embassy recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students may take a GRE test after arriving in Japan.
12. Applicants to the Department of Earth and Planetary Science must submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score reports of the Subject Test (any one of the subjects) and TOEFL score reports.
13. Applicants (Self-Supported Students) to the Department of Biophysics & Biochemistry should submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score reports for the Subject Test (B22-Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology or B24-Biology). Applicants interested in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology may submit the score of M68: Mathematics, C29: Computer Science or P77: Physics instead of the above subjects.

4. Examination Fee

9,800 yen (Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students are exempted from paying the Examination Fee )

• Certificate of Payment
• How to make a Payment of Examination Fee by Credit Card

5. Application Mailing & Contact Address

• International Liaison Office, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033 JAPAN
• TEL:+81-3-5841-7630, FAX:+81-3-5841-8775 MAIL:

6. Selection Result

Applicants will be notified of the results at the following times:

1. As soon as the decision has been made: for applicants (Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students for 2012) wishing to enroll on April 1 or October 1, 2012
2. January, 2012: for applicants (Self-Supported Students) wishing to enroll on April 1, 2012
3. July, 2012: for applicants (Self-Supported Students) wishing to enroll on October 1, 2012

7. Period of Enrollment

Normally the period of enrollment for a Graduate International Research Student is six months, but this period may be extended if an application for extension is approved by the Department. The total period as a Graduate International Research Student is limited to 2 years.

8. Other Important Points

1. We will not return any submitted documents.
2. A Graduate International Research Student (Self-Supported Student) is required to pay an application charge, admission fee, and tuition fee after being admitted to the University. The current charges and fees are as follows (as of April, 2011).
   1. Admission Fee : 84,600 yen
   2. Tuition Fee : 173,400 yen (for 6 months)
   Successful applicants will be informed of the payment deadlines and procedures for 1) - 2). There are no tuition waivers for Graduate International Research Students.
3. Graduate International Research Students are not in general eligible to purchase discount commuter passes or receive other student discounts.

9．FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Q.

   I would like to apply for Master's or Doctor's course. How can I apply?

   A.

   You can apply directly for the Master's/Ph.D course for international students without first being a “kenkyusei”. You can also take the general entrance exam for Master's/Ph.D course in competition with Japanese students and foreign students who reside in Japan.

2. Q.

   Are there any university scholarships available at Ｔhe University of Tokyo?

   A.

   There is a scholarship called the “Scholarship for International Students,” awarded by The University of Tokyo Foundation. This scholarship is awarded to 30 students/year and the monthly stipend is 50,000 yen. Typically, one student from the Graduate School of Science receives such a scholarship each year.

3. Q.

   Are there any scholarships available from private foundations for which I can apply before coming to Japan?

   A.

   There are a few scholarships you can apply for before coming to Japan but the number is very small. Also, most of the scholarships are for students who are enrolled in Master's and Doctor's programs rather than for research students (“kenkyusei”). Even international students enrolled in as degree candidates find obtaining scholarships to be quite difficult. Therefore, we recommend that students obtain scholarships before leaving their own country if at all possible.

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. Under current conditions, it is difficult to apply through University Recommendation if the student is not from a university which has a formal interuniversity agreement with the University of Tokyo. 3. is only possible for students who already are or will be a regularly enrolled degree candidate in a Japanese university by the time of application. Therefore, we recommend that students to apply to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in their own country.

5. Q.

   How can I apply for a Monbukagakusho Scholarship by Embassy Recommendation?

   A.

   Students can obtain both application form and detailed information at the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in their own country. (The University of Tokyo does not have application forms.) The application and other all required supporting documents must be submitted to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General.