Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Master’s Programs / Five-year Consecutive Doctoral 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:
Doctoral Program in Integrative Environment and Biomass Sciences 
August/February (General Admission)
| August | Wednesday, August 22 | Thursday, August 23 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | Thursday, January 31 | Friday, February 1 | |||
| Subject | Foreign Language (200 points) |
Specialized Subject (200 points) |
Oral Examination (200 points) |
||
| Program | Time | The time of meeting: 9:30 10:00 – 12:00 (If you choose the third option below, see (Note) 3.) |
13:30 – 15:00 | 10:00 – 16:00 | |
| Doctoral Program in Integrative Environment and Biomass Sciences |
English
Choose one from the following three options. |
Essay
Choose one from the following subjects at the time of application. |
Individual Interview
Interview about graduation research and plans after enrollment. |
||
- (Note)
-
- 1.Contact the faculty member of your area of specialization prior to the application process. (Refer to http://www.ies.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/biomass/english/index.html)
- 2.For the English examination, submit the original copy of either 1: TOEIC or 2: TOEFL or TOEFL ITP test carried out by the University of Tsukuba (the Administration Center or the International Student Center) at the time of application along with other application documents (The Official Score Certificate of TOEIC, the Examinee Score Record of TOEFL, or the Score Report of TOEFL ITP which was taken within two years from the examination day). Or take the TOEFL ITP test carried out on the examination day.
Scores are evaluated based on the reference scores shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is evaluated as perfect (200 points), and a score below it is proportionately reduced.
The numbers in the parentheses indicate the minimum passing scores.TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT TOEFL PBT/
TOEFL ITP test carried out by the University of Tsukuba860 (350)98 (36)595 (418) - 3.Applicants who chose the third option for the Foreign Language must be seated on the designated seat at the examination site 30 minutes advanced to the examination time.
- 4.Contact for information on the examination
Akira NAKAMURA, Chair of the Doctoral Program in Integrative Environment and Biomass Sciences (Phone +81-29-853-6637)
(E-mail senkocho#@#ies.life.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
Master’s Program in Geosciences 
August/February (General Admission)
| August | Wednesday, August 22 | Thursday, August 23 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | Thursday, January 31 | Friday, February 1 | |||
| Subject | Foreign Language (150 points) |
Specialized Subject (250 points) |
Oral Examination (100 points) |
||
| Program | Time | 13:30 – 15:30 | 10:00 – 17:00 | ||
| Master’s Program in Geosciences |
Evaluate the score on the TOEIC Official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee Score Record, or IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form. See (Note) 1 and 2. |
(Geoenvironmental Science Field) (Earth Evolution Science Field) |
(Interview about the area of specialization and future plans.) |
||
- (Note)
-
- 1.For the Foreign Language (English) examination, choose to submit either the TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with photo attached), TOEFL Examinee Score Record (with photo attached), or IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form at the time of application.
- 2.Test Scores taken within two years from the examination day are valid. Scores are evaluated based on the reference scores shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is evaluated as perfect (150 points), and a score below it is proportionately reduced.
- 3.Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
- 4.Refer below for details of the research and contact information of faculty members of your desired research area.
- Geoenvironmental Science Field Website: http://www.geoenv.tsukuba.ac.jp/e_about.html
- Earth Evolution Science Field Website: http://www.geol.tsukuba.ac.jp/index-e.html
- 5.For information on the examination contact:
- Geoenvironmental Sciences
Jun ASANUMA, contact person for the field (Phone +81-29-853-6704, E-mail asanuma#@#ied.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”) - Earth Evolution Sciences
Toshiaki TSUNOGAE, Chair of Master’s Program in Geosciences (Phone +81-29-853-5239, E-mail tsunogae#@#geol.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
- Geoenvironmental Sciences
TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS 860957.0Research Area
Field Research Area (Specialized Subject) Geoenvironmental Science Human Geography, Regional Geography, Geomorphology, Hydrological Science, Atmospheric Science, Spatial Information Science, Terrestrial Water Cycle System, Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction System Earth Evolution Science Paleobiological Science, Paleogeosphere Science, Geodynamics, Petrology, Mineralogy, Planetary Resource Geology, Earth Historical Analysis
Master’s Program in Biological Sciences (general students) 
August/February (General Admission)
| August | Wednesday, August 22 | Thursday, August 23 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Foreign Language (100 points) |
Specialized Subject (100 points) |
Oral Examination (100 points) |
|
| Program | Time | 10:00 – 12:00 | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| Master’s Program in Biological Sciences |
English
Evaluate the TOEIC Official Score Certificate or TOEFL Examinee Score Record. See (Note) 1 and 2. |
Specialized Subject
Answer to 4 basic questions in 8 fields (one question from each field): Taxonomy/Phylogeny and Evolution, Ecology, Plant Development and Physiology, Animal Physiology, Animal Development, Molecular Cell Biology, Genome Sciences, Biochemistry. |
Individual Interview
Interview about graduation (or previous) research, the area of Biological Sciences, and future plans. (approx. 15 minutes) |
|
| February | Friday, February 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Foreign Language (100 points) |
Oral Examination (100 points) |
|
| Program | Time | – | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Master’s Program in Biological Sciences |
English
Evaluate the TOEIC Official Score Certificate or TOEFL Examinee Score Record. See (Note) 1 and 2 |
Individual Interview
Presentation on the graduation research and research plans after enrollment (10 minutes), followed by interview about the presentation and the area of specialization (20 minutes), either in English or Japanese. |
|
* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to http://www.mbs.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/e/index.html.)
- (Note)
-
- 1.Submit your TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with photo attached) or TOEFL Examinee Score Record (with photo attached) at the time of application (photocopies are not accepted). Test scores taken within two years from the examination day are valid.
- 2.Scores of TOEIC and TOEFL are evaluated based on the reference scores shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is evaluated as perfect, and a lower score is proportionately reduced.
- 3.[February] If you wish to use the LCD projector, bring your material data saved as PDF files to a USB memory stick on the day of the examination. Copy the files to the computer in the examination site and check its operation within the designated time below.
Time for computer operation: 9:00 am – 9:30 am (strictly observed) - 4.For information on the examination contact:
Office of Master’s Program in Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Phone +81-29-853-6600 (Office hours: 9:00 – 12:15, 13:15 – 16:30)
E-mail seibutsu-senkou-jimu#@#un.tsukuba.ac.jp (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
TOEIC L&R TOEFL (PBT) TOEFL-iBT 879 600 100
Master’s Program in Biological Sciences (foreign students) 
August/February (General Admission)
| August | Thursday, August 23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | |
| Program | Time | 13:00 – 17:00 |
| Master’s Program in Biological Sciences |
Individual Interview Presentation on the graduation research (or other previous research) and research plans after enrollment, either in English or Japanese (15 minutes), followed by interview (15 minutes). See (Note) 1. |
|
| February | Friday, February 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | |
| Program | Time | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Master’s Program in Biological Sciences |
Individual Interview Presentation on the graduation research (or other previous research) and research plans after enrollment (15 minutes), followed by interview about the presentation and the area of specialization (15 minutes) either in English or Japanese. See (Note) 1. |
|
* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to http://www.mbs.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/e/index.html.)
- (Note)
-
- 1.If you take the interview in Japanese, submit your TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with photo attached) or TOEFL Examinee Score Record (with photo attached) at the time of the interview. If you cannot submit either of them, bring instead a score report of International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or English score in The International Baccalaureate (IB). Test scores taken within two years from the examination day are valid.
- 2.If you wish to use the LCD projector, bring your material data saved as PDF files to a USB memory stick on the day of the examination. Copy the files to the computer at the examination site and check its operation within the designated time below.
Time for computer operation: August 12:15 – 12:45 (strictly observed) February 9:00 – 9:30 (strictly observed) - 3.For information on the examination contact:
Office of Master’s Program in Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Phone +81-29-853-6600 (Office hours: 9:00 – 12:15, 13:15 – 16:30)
E-mail seibutsu-senkou-jimu#@#un.tsukuba.ac.jp (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
Master’s Program in Biological Sciences 
August/February (Special Selection of Working Individuals)
| August | Thursday, August 23 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | ||||
| Program | Time | 13:00 – 17:00 | |||
| Master’s Program in Biological Sciences |
Individual Interview
Presentation on the graduation research (or other previous research) and research plans after enrollment (15 minutes). Interview (15 minutes). Interview in English is available. |
||||
| February | Friday, February 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | ||||
| Program | Time | 10:00 – 17:00 | |||
| Master’s Program in Biological Sciences |
Individual Interview
Presentation on the graduation research (or other previous research) and research plans after enrollment (15 minutes), followed by interview about the presentation and the area of specialization (15 minutes) either in English or Japanese. |
||||
* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to http://www.mbs.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/e/index.html.)
- (Note)
-
- 1. If you wish to use the LCD projector, bring your material data saved as PDF files to a USB memory stick on the day of the oral examination. Copy the files to the computer at the examination site and check its operation within the designated time below.
Time for computer operation: August 12:15 – 12:45 (strictly observed) February 9:00 – 9:30 (strictly observed) - 2. For information on the examination contact:
Office of Master’s Program in Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Phone +81-29-853-6600 (Office hours: 9:00 – 12:15, 13:15 – 16:30)
E-mail seibutsu-senkou-jimu#@#un.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
- 1. If you wish to use the LCD projector, bring your material data saved as PDF files to a USB memory stick on the day of the oral examination. Copy the files to the computer at the examination site and check its operation within the designated time below.
Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology 
August/February (General Admission)
| August | Thursday, August 23 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Friday, February 1 | ||
| Subject | Foreign Language (100 points) | Oral Examination (200 points) | |
| Program | Time | 10:00 – 17:00 | |
| Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology |
English
Evaluate the score on the TOEIC Official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee Score Record, or IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form. |
Individual Interview
Presentation on the research plan (5 minutes) |
|
- (Note)
-
- 1.Make sure to contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to https://www.bres.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/masters-program/)
- 2.At the time of application choose one from the following score reports to submit for the English examination: TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with photo attached), TOEFL Examinee Score Record (with photo attached), and IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form. Original test scores taken within two years from the examination day are valid.
- 3.Reference scores for the English examination are shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is calculated to be 100 points, and a lower score is proportionately reduced.
- 4.From the beginning of the individual interview session (10:00) to the start of each applicant’s interview period, applicants are requested to wait at the waiting room.
Applicants are allowed to bring in their lunch, etc. and eat and drink at the waiting room. - 5.For information on the examination contact:
Sosaku ICHIKAWA, Chair of the Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology
(Phone +81-29-853-4627, FAX +81-29-853-4627, E-mail ichikawa.sosaku.fn#@#u.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS 860957.0
Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology 
August/February (Special Selection of Working Individuals)
| August | Thursday, August 23 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | Friday, February 1 | ||||
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | ||||
| Program | Time | 10:00 – 15:00 | |||
| Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology | About 20 minutes for each applicant, conducted individually |
Approximately 10 minutes of presentation on your previous research or experience, motivation for applying, and research plans after enrollment, followed by about 10 minutes of interview. You may conduct the interview in English. (Note) 2. |
|||
- (Note)
-
- Make sure to contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
(Refer to https://www.bres.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/masters-program/) - Presentation will be performed on the Laptop brought in by the applicants. The VGA Adapter for the projector is 15 Pin Mini D Sub Connector. If your Laptop does not support this type of adapter, bring your own adapter to the examination site. Applicants must perform preview beforehand accordingly to the instruction by staffs [Time for preview: 9:20~9:40 (time is strictly observed)].
In preparation for trouble, applicants must bring their presentation documents saved as PDF files to a virus-free USB memory stick. - For information on the examination contact:
Sosaku ICHIKAWA, Chair of the Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology
(Phone +81-29-853-4627, FAX +81-29-853-4627, E-mail ichikawa.sosaku.fn#@#u.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
- Make sure to contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences 
August/February (General Admission)
| August | Wednesday, August 22 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| February | Thursday, January 31 | ||
| Subject | Foreign Language (100 points) |
Oral Examination (100 points) |
|
| Program | Time | If you choose the fourth option in the Foreign Language section on the application form. See (Note) 5. The time of meeting: 9:30 10:00 – 12:00 |
13:30 – 17:00 |
| Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences |
Evaluate the score on TOEIC Official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee Score Record, IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form, or TOEFL ITP test carried out by the program on the examination day. |
Interview about your specialty, your understanding of environmental issues and future plans based on the research plan. |
|
- (Note)
-
- 1.Before sending an application from, every applicant MUST contact a prospective advisor and discuss about a research proposal.
(http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) - 2.Refer to the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences website (http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) for the phone number and e-mail address of the faculty member of your desired research area.
- 3.Precautions regarding the examination will be released on the website of Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences (http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) around one week before the examination day, so please make sure to check the notes.
- 4.For information on the examination contact:
Admission office of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences (E-mail admission#@#envr.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”) - 5.Applicants who chose the fourth option for the Foreign Language must be seated on the designated seat at the examination site 30 minutes advanced to the examination time.
- 6.Reference scores for the English examination are shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is calculated to be 100 points.
TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT TOEFL-PBT IELTS 860985957.0 - 1.Before sending an application from, every applicant MUST contact a prospective advisor and discuss about a research proposal.
Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences 
August/February (Special Selection of Working Individuals)
| August | Wednesday, August 22 | |
|---|---|---|
| February | Thursday, January 31 | |
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | |
| Program | Time | 9:15 – 13:00 |
| Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences |
Individual Interview
10 minutes of presentation, referring to the Research Plan and Activity/ Research Achievement Record, on jobs, civil activities, and other experiences gained after graduation, thoughts on the environment through the experience, motivation for applying for the program, and research plans after enrollment. Use of laptops is allowed. (In principle, applicants are required to bring in and operate their own laptops. An LCD projector is available for use on site. Contact the admission office of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences for details.) The presentation is followed by a comprehensive interview (15 minutes). |
|
- (Note)
-
- 1.Before sending an application from, every applicant MUST contact a prospective advisor and discuss about a research proposal.
(http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) - 2.Refer to the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences website (http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) for the phone number and e-mail address of the faculty member of your desired research area.
- 3.Precautions regarding the examination will be released on the website of Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences (http://www2.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) around one week before the examination day, so please make sure to check the notes.
- 4.For information on the examination contact:
Admission office of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences (E-mail admission#@#envr.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
- 1.Before sending an application from, every applicant MUST contact a prospective advisor and discuss about a research proposal.
Master Degree Program of Mountain Studies 
February (General Admission)
| February | Thursday, January 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Foreign Language (100 points) |
Oral Examination (200 points) |
|
| Program | Time | If you choose the fourth option in the Foreign Language section on the application form. See (Note) 4. The time of meeting: 9:30 10:00 – 12:00 |
13:30 – 17:00 |
| Master Degree Program of Mountain Studies |
English
Evaluate the score on the TOEIC official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee Score Record, IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form, or TOEFL ITP test carried out by the program on the examination day. |
Individual Interview
Presentation on the research plan (5 minutes). |
|
- (Note)
-
- 1.Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to http://www.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/~sangaku/en/member.html)
- 2.At the time of application choose one from the following score reports to submit for the English examination:
TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with photo attached), TOEFL Examinee Score Record (with photo attached), and IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form. Original test scores taken within 2 years are valid. - 3.Reference scores for the English examination are shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is calculated to be 100 points
TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS 860957.0 - 4.Applicants who chose the fourth option for the Foreign Language must be seated on the designated seat at the examination site 30 minutes advanced to the examination time.
- 5.For information on the examination contact:
Admission staff of the Master Degree Program of Mountain Studies
sangaku-admission#@#ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
Master Degree Program of Mountain Studies 
February (Special Selection of Working Individuals)
| February | Thursday, January 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Oral Examination (100 points) | ||
| Program | Time | 13:30 – 17:00 | |
| Master Degree Program of Mountain Studies |
Individual Interview (20 minutes)
Presentation on your research and research plans after enrollment using presentation software (10 minutes), followed by interview about the presentation and the area of specialization either in English or Japanese. |
||
- (Note)
-
- 1.Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to http://www.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/~sangaku/en/member.html)
- 2.Presentation will be performed on the Laptop brought in by the applicants. The VGA adapter for the projector is 15 pin Mini D sub Connector. If your PC doesn’t support this type of adapter, bring your own adapter to the examination site. Applicants must perform preview beforehand accordingly to the instruction by staffs.
[Time for preview] 12:50 – 13:10 (time is strictly observed)
In case of trouble, applicants must bring their presentation documents saved as PDF files to a virus-free USB memory stick. - 3.For information on the examination contact:
Admission staff of the Master Degree Program of Mountain Studies
sangaku-admission#@#ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
