Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences

Application Guidelines for Doctoral Programs (Human Sciences)

Education
  • October Selection Process (General Selection Process/ Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process/ Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
    • Psychology
    • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
    Disability Sciences
    • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)

    The following are combined application guidelines for all the programs above.

    Security Export Control

    The University of Tsukuba has established the University of Tsukuba Rules on Security Export Control in accordance with the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA), and conducts strict examinations for acceptance of international students etc. International applicants who fall under any of the conditions set out in said regulations may be unable to enter their desired program.

    [IMPORTANT] Procedures for “Deemed Export” for Security Export Control

    In order to strengthen the prevention of leakage of sensitive technology related to security, “deemed export control” was clarified and related laws and regulations were revised (effective May 1, 2022).
    As a result, our university has decided to require all applicants to our graduate school to confirm the applicability of Specific Categories.
    Please review the link below and check the corresponding items on the web application system.

    ・Procedures for “Deemed Export” for Security Export Control

    • 1. Number of Students to be Admitted

      October Selection Process

      Course Doctoral Program Number of Students to be Admitted Remarks
      Doctoral Program Education 16 students The number includes 4 students who apply for the Special Selection Process for Working Individuals.
      • Students enroll in April.

      January to February Selection Process

      Course Doctoral Program Number of Students to be Admitted Remarks
      Doctoral Programs Education 4 students The number includes 2 students who apply for the Special Selection Process for Working Individuals.
      Psychology 6 students The number includes students who apply for the Cooperative Graduate School System.
      Disability Sciences 10 students
    • 2. Eligibility for Admission

      Applicants will be deemed eligible if they meet one of the following requirements:

      • Individuals who have a master’s degree or who will have one by March 2025
      • Individuals who have a specialized degree or who will have one by March 2025
      • Individuals who have earned a degree from a university outside Japan equivalent to a master’s degree or a specialized degree as of March 2025
      • Individuals designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
      • Individuals who has been judged to have academic ability equivalent or superior to individuals with a master’s degree or specialized degree by means of the eligibility screening conducted in a graduate school of our university and who has attained 24 years of age or who shall be 24 years of age until March 2025
      • Others

        • (If you have any questions about your eligibility, send us an e-mail.)

    • 3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted

      With our Web Entry system, you can submit the application online. Read this section carefully before applying online.

      Information You Need for Web Entry

      Information Required for Remarks
      1. Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice All applicants Follow the instructions on the Web Entry system.
      You are requested to upload a photograph for your Reference Card in JPEG format. The photograph must be taken within the last three months and must not include hats or other head adornments.
      2. Supervisor of Your Choice All applicants Follow the instructions on the Web Entry system.
      3. Eligibility All applicants Follow the instructions on the Web Entry system.
      4. Educational Background All applicants Follow the instructions on the Web Entry system.
      Research Activities All applicants who have research history
      Employment Records All applicants who have employment history
      Examination Fees All applicants
      (*Excluding Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship students, etc.)      		 Follow the instructions given on the last page of the Web Entry system and pay your fees.
      The following payment methods are available.
      Credit Card (for all applicants):
      Pay your fees online. After the payment, enter the receipt number into the box on the Web Entry system.
      Convenience Store (for domestic applicants only):
      Pay your fees at a convenience store in Japan. After the payment, enter the name of the convenience store, the date of payment, and the number given by the store into the box on the Web Entry system.

      Documents Needed for Application

      (The original documents must be submitted by registered mail or in person. These documents need to be received no later than the deadlines.)
      If any false or forged statements are found in the application documents, or if there is any obvious examination misconduct, the acceptance or admission may be revoked.

      Documents Who must submit Instructions
      1. (Expected) Graduation Certificate* All applicants Submit a graduation certificate (or an attested document certifying that you will graduate) issued by a university or another educational institution that meets the application requirements for the Doctoral Programs of this Graduate School.
      2. Degree Certificate* Those who graduated from a graduate school outside Japan If you graduated from a graduate school outside Japan, submit a degree certificate for your master’s degree. All documents must be in English or in Japanese.
      ※Due to a difference with the Japanese education system, for those who graduated university overseas, eligibility for admission will be checked so upload an image in JPEG format of the certificate to be submitted on the Web system in advance.
      3. Academic Transcript* All applicants Submit an academic transcript (the official transcript of your programs history) issued by a university or another educational institution that meets the application requirements for the Doctoral Programs of this Graduate School. If any credits were transferred from another school, submit an academic transcript from that school. (All documents must be in English or in Japanese.)
      4. Thesis Education/ Psychology/ Disability Sciences
      (Three copies of any one of the theses in ① to ④ should be submitted.)      		 Any one of the following ① to ④ should be submitted as follows by the deadline to submit the application for admission.
      Attach the “Address Sheet for Thesis Submission” to the envelope (your envelope). The “Thesis” with the “Thesis Title Sheet” should be included in this envelope and submitted to the following address. It should be sent by “registered mail” at the post office. (It should not be enclosed in the envelope for the submission of the application.)

      【Place of submission】Office concerned in the Contact field in “8. Previous Examinations”

      ①　Master’s Thesis (copy possible) If it is impossible to submit the thesis above with your application, a thesis equivalent to that (a thesis with the predictions about the conclusion to the findings by submission).
      ②　Those who completed a course in or before the last academic year may replace with a new thesis (copy possible; for the Doctoral Program in Disability Sciences, a recently published peer-reviewed paper).
      ③　For those who were not assigned a master’s thesis, a thesis equivalent to that (for the Doctoral Program in Disability Sciences, a recently published peer-reviewed paper)
      ④　For those designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (eligibility (8)) who are applicants, the graduation thesis (copy possible) (For those who were not assigned a graduation thesis, a thesis equivalent to that)

      ※If examinees of the Doctoral Program in Disability Science submit their thesis in a language other than Japanese or English, also submit three copies of the complete translation of their thesis in Japanese or English.

      ※Examinees of the Doctoral Program in Psychology submitting their thesis should establish contact with the General Affairs Office for Human Sciences Graduate School Academic Affairs Office for Doctoral Programs in Phycology +81 29.8534597 before application.

      5. Research Plan Education The research plan (in Japanese, within 2000 characters, or in English, within 900 words up to two A4 sized sheets in portrait orientation and written horizontally, and one-side printing) should be submitted describing the following items in relation to your previous works (master’s thesis, etc.). 1) Research theme, area of study of your choice, and academic advisor of your choice, 2) purpose of research, 3) research content, 4) research methods and planning (for 3 years), 5) rationale of the study based on the literature reviews, and 6) references. Furthermore, the references are not counted within the 2,000 characters in Japanese or 900 words in English, however, it shall be adduced in the text.
      Psychology For the content and plan to research after admission, the research plan should state your name, research subject, academic advisor of your choice. A4 sized paper in portrait orientation and written horizontally, one-side printing, within 2,000 characters up to 2 pages) Can be in English (Up to two A4 sized papers). Exclude charts and cited literature in the number of characters.
      Furthermore, attach a separate sheet (one A4 paper) with a list of accomplishments and affiliated academic societies in addition to the research plan
      Disability Sciences The content and　the plan of your research after admission (should also include your name, research subject, academic advisor of your choice), must be written using A4 sized paper in portrait orientation, written horizontally, and be printed one-side (any format can be used). The document must be within 2 pages (including figures, tables and references). If writing in Japanese, the document must be within 2,000 Japanese characters. English is also accepted.
      6. Summary of Thesis If applicable If submitting a thesis written in a language other than Japanese or English, submit the abstract in Japanese (4,000 characters) or English (1,500 words) enclosed in the envelope for thesis, etc.
      7. Copy of “Application Completed” Page of Examination Fee Payment by Credit Card Applicants who made a credit card payment
      (*Refer to “4.Examination Fee.”)      		 After the payment, print out the “Application Completed” page, and submit it to us by airmail.
      8. Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of Examination Fee Statement Applicants who made a convenience store payment
      (*Refer to “4.Examination Fee.”)      		 After the payment, detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given at the convenience store and submit it to us by airmail.
      The Receipt Portion needs to be attached to the form that can be created online and printed out after you complete the Web Entry procedure.
      9. Letter of approval for entrance examination If applicable

      1. Individuals who are currently attending a university or graduate school
        *Except for April entry applicants who are expected to graduate by March 2025 and October entry applicants who are expected to graduate by September 2025
      2. Individuals who are currently working for a government agency, school, or company (except for part-time workers)
      1. Need to submit a letter of approval issued by the head of their university or graduate school (or the head of their department) allowing them to take the entrance examination or, submit a letter of application the applicant (stating that he/she will withdraw from the university before enrolment). Any format is acceptable, but the letter must be printed on A4 paper.
      2. Need to submit a letter of approval issued by a superior allowing them to take the entrance examination or a written self-declaration stating that attending the entrance examination will not adversely
        affect their duties. Any format is acceptable, but the letter must be printed on A4 paper.
        〔Individuals who are planning to resign and enter the university may replace the letter of approval for entrance examination with a letter clearly stating to that effect, provided however, that in this case, a “letter of resignation” at admission procedures should be submitted.〕
      10. Certificate of Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship) Foreign Student If applicable The certificate must be submitted by airmail.
      If you are enrolled in another university at the time of application, submit the certificate of the government-sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship) foreign student issued by the university.

      *In case your current name is different from that on the documents you submit (e.g., because of marriage), submit with the proof (e.g., copy of your marriage license).
      If the student wishes to register under his/her maiden name, he/she can apply for the use of his/her maiden name during the enrolment procedure

      PDF to Be Created After Completing Web Entry

      Documents Created for Remarks
      Reference Card All applicants The Web Entry system instructs you to supply a photograph for your Reference Card in JPEG format. The photograph must be taken within the last three months and must not include hats or other head adornments.
      Print out the Reference Card with your photograph and bring a copy of the card to the venue with you on the examination day.
      Address Sheet All applicants Attach the address sheet to your envelope when you submit the required documents to us by airmail or in person.

        【Due dates】

      • October Selection Process： September 2, 2024 – September 13, 2024
      • January to February Selection Process： December 2, 2024 – December 13, 2024

      If you submit the documents in person, you have to submit them by 5 p.m. JST.

      Address Sheet for Thesis Submission If applicable Fill in the required items on this sheet and attach it to an envelope for submitting your thesis or paper.
      Thesis Title Sheet If applicable Fill in the required items on this sheet and attach it to the front page of each thesis or paper to be submitted. (This sheet may be photocopied.)
      Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee Applicants who made a convenience store payment Attach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of the Examination Fee Statement to the form and submit it to us by airmail.

      Results from the entrance examination, as well as personal information obtained by the University of Tsukuba from the application documents, will be used not only for affairs concerning admission and screening, but also research and study aimed at improvement of the admission procedure and the university education. We will carefully take care of the data not to be disclosed as a specific person.

    • 4. Examination Fees

      30,000 Japanese Yen (nonrefundable)

      However, the examination fees are exempted for those who are.
      1. The Government-Sponsored(Japanese Government Monbukagakusho scholarship).
      2. Who have completed or will have completed the University of Tsukuba Master’s Program and will continue on to the
      University Doctoral Program within one year of the completion date.

      Payments are made from prescribed banking establishments, etc

      * University of Tsukuba have the special measures of examination fee exemption for the victims of disasters in Japan. For more details, please confirm this website.
      This applies only to the victims of disasters in Japan.

        Payment period：

      • October Selection Process： September 2, 2024 – September 12, 2024
      • January to February Selection Process： December 2, 2024 – December 12, 2024

      Credit Card Payment (for all applicants):

      Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and American Express are accepted.
      You can make a payment by using your credit card at the last stage of the Web Entry system or at this website.

      After the payment, you will be provided with a receipt number; enter the number into the box on the Web Entry system.
      Print out the application completed page after the payment and submit it together with other required documents to us by mail.

      For details, see the payment instructions.
      Administration fees need to be covered by the applicant.

      Convenience Store Payment (for domestic applicants only):

      Payments can be made at LAWSON, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Circle K Sunkus, or MINISTOP.
      To pay your fee at a convenience store, follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system or at this website (available in Japanese only).

      After the payment, enter the name of the convenience store that you used, the date of payment, and the number given by the store into the box on the Web Entry system.

      1. 7-Eleven: 13 digits
      2. LAWSON, FamilyMart, MINISTOP, Circle K Sunkus: 11 digits

      Detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given to you at the convenience store and affix it to the “Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee”. You can create the form in PDF format and print it out from the Web Entry system. Submit it together with other required documents to us by mail.
      For details, see the payment instructions.
      Administration fees need to be covered by the applicant.

    • 5. Application Procedure
      1. Visit the Web Entry System to apply. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make edits. Be sure to double-check before proceeding.
          【Application Period】

        • October Selection Process： September 2, 2024 (from noon JST) – September 12, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
        • January to February Selection Process： December 2, 2024 (from noon JST) – December 12, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
      2. The documents have to be submitted by mail or in person, and these must be received by the deadline. When you submit your application online, the system will ask you to create an Address Sheet in PDF format. Print out the sheet and submit it along with the other required documents to us.
        If your documents are not received by the due date, you will not be able to take the exam.

          【Due dates】

        • October Selection Process： September 13, 2024
        • January to February Selection Process： December 13, 2024

        If you submit the documents in person, you have to submit them by 5 p.m. JST.

      3. After you complete the application procedure on the Web Entry System, you are not allowed to change the program of your choice.
      4. Unless requested, all documents submitted will not be returned to you.
        Examination fees which have been paid are non-refundable.
      5. Should you have any question about the curriculum or the research field, contact the department that runs your desired program.
    • 6. Screening Criteria

      We will determine the students to be admitted by evaluating the submitted documents and their academic skills as a whole.

      Examination Schedule and the Subjects

      Refer to the schedule below:

      Education (General Selection Process and Special Selection Process for Working Individuals) Doctoral

      October Selection Process / January to February Selection Process
      October Selection Process Friday, October 11
      January to February Selection Process Tuesday, January 28
      Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
      Program Time 10:00-17:00
      Education

      Individual Interview

      An oral assessment about specialized issues on education, the thesis submitted with your application (master’s thesis, etc.), and research plan will be held.
      (Refer to Note 4.)

      1. For the application, you should establish preliminary contact with a faculty member in the area of study (Updated on August 23, 2024) of your choice.
      2. The Doctoral Program in Education consists of the following areas of study.　
        Philosophy of Education, History of Japanese Education, Lifelong Learning and Adult Education, Sociology of Education, Educational System and Organization, Educational Policy and Planning, Comparative and International Education, School Management, Higher Education Study, Teaching Method, Moral Education, Career Education, Social Studies Education, Education in School Subjects, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Special Activities, Curriculum Studies
      3. The point allocation is on a 200-point scale with the entry of the submitted “thesis (master’s thesis, etc.) which is 100 points.
      4. The research plan (in Japanese, within 2000 characters, or in English, within 900 words up to two A4 sized sheets in portrait orientation and written horizontally, and one-side printing) should be submitted describing the following items in relation to your previous works（master’s thesis, etc.). 1) Research theme, area of study of your choice, and academic advisor of your choice, 2) purpose of research, 3) research content, 4) research methods and planning (for 3 years), 5) rationale of the study based on the literature reviews, and 6) references. Furthermore, the references are not counted within the 2,000 characters in Japanese or 900 words in English, however, it shall be adduced in the text.
      5. For details on this doctoral program, refer to the website at https://www.education.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/doctoral-program/

      Psychology Doctoral

      January to February Selection Process
      January to February Selection Process Wednesday, January 29 Thursday, January 30
      Subject English (200 points) Oral Examination (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-12:00 10:00-17:00
      Psychology

      English

      (Check the reading comprehension and expressiveness in English. Dictionaries cannot be used.)

      		 It will be given based on the research plan and master’s thesis submitted with your application.
      The examination will be administered individually.
      1. For the application, you should establish preliminary contact with a faculty member of your choice.
        For more information on the Cooperative Graduate School System, click here.
      2. Attendance will be confirmed at 9:50 on the day of the oral examination so gather at the waiting room for the oral examination at that time. If your attendance is not confirmed, you cannot take the oral examination.
      3. For the oral examination, there is a presentation of previous major research (master’s thesis, etc.) and future research plan (15 minutes). Examinees will make a Power Point presentation. Prepare the file of the Power Point presentation and bring it in a USB flash drive. Furthermore, we will have an operation check after the end of the foreign language examination on the first day. We have a projector and PC available for use. Moreover, if you have backup material for the oral presentation, print 16 copies in A4 sized paper and bring it to the oral presentation site.
      4. An applicant who is currently a working individual should address inquiries to and consult in regard to course registration and research guidance after admission with a faculty member of one’s choice in advance.
      5. For details on this doctoral program, refer to the following website.
        https://www.human.tsukuba.ac.jp/psychology/program-en/

      Disability Sciences Doctoral

      January to February Selection Process
      January to February Selection Process Wednesday, January 29
      Subject Oral Examination (500 points)
      Program Time 9:00-17:00
      Disability Sciences After a 15-minute oral presentation (refer to notes 1 and 2) on the research plan submitted with your application was given, an oral assessment will be held.
      1. The oral presentation and oral assessment in the oral examination will be held in Japanese.
      2. 2. The oral presentation will be held based on the documents (handout) prepared by the examinee. Six copies of the handout (should be made using the PowerPoint, print one slide per page on an A4 landscape sheet, single-sided, and stapled together) that reflect the assertions in the presentation sheet should be prepared and brought to the oral examination location.
      3. The point allocation is on an 800-point scale with the entry of the assessment of the submitted “thesis (master’s thesis, etc.) which is 300 points in the 500 points of the oral examination.
      4. For the application, you should establish preliminary contact and consultation with a faculty member (refer to the list of areas of study ) who you wish to have guidance.
        If making contact, refer to the address of the Doctoral Program in Disability Sciences (dsdc#@#human.tsukuba.ac.jp; delete “#” before the e-mail is sent).
      5. For details on this doctoral program, refer to the following website.
        https://www2.human.tsukuba.ac.jp/ids/disability-dp/en
    • 7. Testing Location, Announcement of Acceptance, and Enrollment Procedure

      Testing Location

      University of Tsukuba (1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken)
      Refer to “10. Information and Instructions for Examinees” for details.

      Announcement of Acceptance

      • October Selection Process： October 31, 2024 (from 10 a.m. JST)
      • January to February Selection Process： February 14, 2025 (from 10 a.m. JST)

      The examinee numbers for successful applicants will be posted on our website.
      Letter of Acceptance will be issued online.
      An email will be sent to the email address registered for the application from 10:00 a.m. on the day of acceptance announcement sequentially.
      Please follow the instructions in that email to download Letter of Acceptance.

      Enrollment Procedure

      1. An enrollment packet (which contain documents to be submitted before entrance) will be sent to successful applicants.
          Date of dispatch: for entrants in April 2025
          Sent out in two instalments.

        • October 31 (Thu.) 2024
          (Successful applicants for the August and October Selection Process)
        • February 14 (Fri.) 2025
          (Successful applicants for the January-February Selection Process)

        Note: The successful applicants need to notify us in advance if they are moving house permanently before the date above or travelling when the documents are expected to be delivered.

      2. The documents should be mailed using a designated envelope (which will be sent to you long with the Enrollment Procedure Guidelines) by early March 2024. The deadline will be mentioned in Enrollment Procedure Guidelines.
      3. Estimated Expenses Upon Entrance
        1. (a)Entrance fees are 282,000 Japanese Yen (nonrefundable).
        2. (b)Tuition: The tuition for the first semester of the academic year (April – September) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. The tuition for the second semester (October – March) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. (Yearly Amount: 535,800 Japanese Yen)
          (Note)

          1. (1)If fees are revised before entrance or while enrolled in this Graduate School, the revised tuition fees will be applied.
          2. (2)However, the Entrance fees are exempted for those who are.
            1) The Government-Sponsored(Japanese Government Monbukagakushoscholarship).
            2) Who have completed the University of Tsukuba Master’s Program and will continue on to the University Doctoral Program within one year of the completion date.
      4. All applicants with a full-time job need a document or a letter (e.g., an order for a training course, a letter for a leave of absence, or an approval letter) from the employer to prove that they are available to complete the program.
      5. International applicants must acquire a Status of Residence suitable for entrance to a graduate school, in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951), before beginning the enrollment procedures. Those who wish to enter this Graduate School as an international student must acquire Status of Residence as a “Student”.
    • 8. Previous Examinations
      Program Browsing Photocopy Postal Delivery Contact Direct Phone Number
      Education (Note 1) × × × General Affairs Office for Human Sciences
      Graduate School Academic Affairs Office for Doctoral Programs in Education      		 +81 29.8536619
      Psychology (Note 2) General Affairs Office for Human Sciences
      Graduate School Academic Affairs Office for Doctoral Programs in Phycology      		 +81 29.8534597
      Disability Sciences (Note 1) General Affairs Office for Human Sciences
      Graduate School Academic Affairs Office for Doctoral Programs in Disability Sciences      		 +81 29.8534595
        Notes:

      1. For the oral examination, there are no examination questions to be released.
      2. For English questions, previous questions are not released because of copyright issues.
    • 9. Applicants Who Need Assistance

      If you need assistance due to disability, contact the Division of Admission by following dates:

        【Due Dates】

      • October Selection Process： August 29, 2024
      • January to February Selection Process： November 26, 2024

      Click here for sending your request.

    • 10. Information and Instructions for Examinees

      We will post the “Information and Instructions for Examinees” on our website.

        【Estimated Release Dates】

      • October Selection Process： September 24，2024
      • January to February Selection Process： January 9, 2025
    • 11. Contact Us

      If you have any questions about the application guidelines, contact us at:

      Academic Service Office for the Human Sciences Area, University of Tsukuba
      1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki-ken 305-8577 Japan
      e-mail ningen-dnyushi＃@＃un.tsukuba.ac.jp (Delete “#” before the e-mail is sent.)
      Hours: 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday except national holidays
    • 12. Register Extending System

      Eligible Applicants

      Working students or those who need to take care of family members, such as children or the elderly.

      Overview

      Register Extending System allows students to complete a master’s or a doctoral program in a period longer than usual.
      Master’s programs: The period can be extended from standard 2 years to 3 or 4 years.
      Doctoral programs: The period can be extended from standard 3 years to 4 or 5 years.

      Application Period

      Consult your academic advisor, etc. for approval of application. Submit required documents to the Executive Dean of the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences.
      Those who wish to start from the second year after entering the school shall perform the same procedure by January of the first year.

      How to apply

      Details of the register extending system will be published in website of the Graduate School of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba (http://www.chs.tsukuba.ac.jp/) at the middle of January 2025. If you are interested in the register extending system, apply until the designated date after confirming the details published in the website.