This application guideline is the archive of previous year.

Degree Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences

Master’s Programs

6. Screening Criteria

Candidates for admission will be selected on the basis of comprehensive assessment of the documents submitted and the examination results.

Examination Schedule and the Subjects

Refer to the schedule below.

HumanitiesMaster’s

July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
Date Wednesday, July 6
Subject Essay
(150 points)		 Oral Examination
(150 points)
Program Time 10:00-12:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)		 13:00-17:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)
Humanities Essay based on specialized literature written in a foreign language. Individual Interview:
Questions about your specialized field.
【Selection at the time of application】
    • Select one from the language list below:
      Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during examination.
    • Subprogram in Philosophy: English, German, French, Chinese, Chinese classics, or Japanese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in History and Anthropology: English, German, French or Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select one from the above-mentioned languages and Japanese except your mother tongue.
    • Subprogram in Literature: English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Chinese, or classical languages (classical languages include Greek, Latin, and classical Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in Linguistics: English, German, Russian, Chinese, or Korean. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in Modern Culture Studies: English, German, French, or Spanish. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in English Language Education: English. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.

    The “mother tongue (first language)” means your most proficient language in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. In other words, the language which you received your education with and have a good command of for expressing your opinion, thought, emotion, etc.

    January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
    Date Monday, January 30 Tuesday, January 31
    Subject Specialized Subject
    (150 points)    		 Oral Examination
    (150 points)
    Program Time 10:00-12:00
    (JST, UTC+09:00)    		 10:00-15:00
    (JST, UTC+09:00)
    Humanities Questions about your specialized fields, including specialized literature written in a foreign language. Individual Interview:
    Questions about your specialized field.
    【Selection at the time of application】
      • Select one from the language list below:
        Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during examination.
      • Subprogram in Philosophy: English, German, French, Chinese, Chinese classics, or Japanese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in History and Anthropology: English, German, French or Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select one from the above-mentioned languages and Japanese except your mother tongue.
      • Subprogram in Literature: English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Chinese, or classical languages (classical languages include Greek, Latin, and classical Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in Linguistics: English, German, Russian, Chinese, or Korean. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in Modern Culture Studies: English, German, French, or Spanish. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in English Language Education: English. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.

      The “mother tongue (first language)” means your most proficient language in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. In other words, the language which you received your education with and have a good command of for expressing your opinion, thought, emotion, etc.

      International Public PolicyMaster’s

      July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
      Date Wednesday, July 6
      Subject Essay
      (100 points)      		 Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 notify applicants individually
      International Public Policy Select one Essay subject from International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology or Area Studies closely related to your specialty and research plan. (Note)
      Examination will be conducted online using E-learning system “manaba”, etc.       		Individual Interview:
      Questions about your specialized field and Research Plan.
      Oral examination will be conducted using Zoom, etc.
      【Selection at the time of application】
      • International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science: Questions are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
      • Sociology: Questions are given and must be answered in Japanese.
      • Area Studies: At the time of your application, select one question from “Economics,” “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” or “Society and Culture.” Questions of “Economics” are given and must be answered in English. Questions of “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” and “Society and Culture” are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
      October Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Thursday, October 13 Friday or Saturday, October 14 or 15
      Subject Foreign Language
      (100 points)      		 Specialized Subject
      (200 points)       		Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 11:30-12:30
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 notify applicants individually
      International Public Policy Japanese or English
      Written examination will be conducted online using E-learning system “manaba”, etc.
      (Note 1)       		Select one subject from International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology or Area Studies.
      Written examination will be conducted online using E-learning system “manaba”, etc.
      (Note 2)      		 Individual Interview:
      Questions about your specialized field and Research Plan.
      Oral examination will be conducted using Zoom, etc.
      【Selection at the time of application】 【Selection at the time of application】
      1. English: Questions must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Japanese: Questions must be answered in Japanese.
        Applicants CANNOT select their mother language (first language) as their chosen foreign language. Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during this examination. If the following languages―Chinese, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese―are highly relevant to the applicant’s research theme which they plan to study in our program, applicants can select one of these languages as their chosen language for the foreign-language examination. If applicants want to designate one of the languages noted above, they must inform the office by September 5, 2022 by providing a statement (within 1200 letters in Japanese or 400 words in English) explaining the relationship between their chosen research area, research plan, and designated foreign language. For detail, please consult with our office (ipp-office@dpipe.tsukuba.ac.jp).
      2. International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science: Questions are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Sociology: Questions are given and must be answered in Japanese.
        Area Studies: At the time of your application, select one question from “Economics,” “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” or “Society and Culture.” Questions of “Economics” are given and must be answered in English. Questions of “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” and “Society and Culture” are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
      January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Monday, January 30 Tuesday, January 31
      Subject Foreign Language
      (100 points)      		 Specialized Subject
      (200 points)       		Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 11:30-12:30
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 notify applicants individually
      International Public Policy Japanese or English
      Written examination will be conducted online using E-learning system “manaba”.
      (Note 1)       		Select one subject from International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology or Area Studies.
      Written examination will be conducted online using E-learning system “manaba”, etc.
      (Note 2)       		Individual Interview:
      Questions about your specialized field and Research Plan.
      Oral examination will be conducted using Zoom, etc.
      【Selection at the time of application】 【Selection at the time of application】
      1. English: Questions must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Japanese: Questions must be answered in Japanese.
        Applicants CANNOT select their mother language (first language) as their chosen foreign language. Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during this examination. If the following languages―Chinese, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese―are highly relevant to the applicant’s research theme which they plan to study in our program, applicants can select one of these languages as their chosen language for the foreign-language examination. If applicants want to designate one of the languages noted above, they must inform the office by December 2, 2022 by providing a statement (within 1200 letters in Japanese or 400 words in English) explaining the relationship between their chosen research area, research plan, and designated foreign language. For detail, please consult with our office (ipp-office@dpipe.tsukuba.ac.jp).
      2. International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science: Questions are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Sociology: Questions are given and must be answered in Japanese.
        Area Studies: At the time of your application, select one question from “Economics,” “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” or “Society and Culture.” Questions of “Economics” are given and must be answered in English. Questions of “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” and “Society and Culture” are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.

      International and Advanced Japanese StudiesMaster’s

      October Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Thursday, October 13 Friday, October 14
      Subject Specialized Subject
      (100 points)      		 Foreign Language
      (100 points)       		Oral Examination
      (100 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 12:00-13:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 9:00-16:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one of following 6 Specialized Subjects (questions) : Politics; Economics; Literature/ Culture / Philosophy; Law/Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; Japanese Language Education.
      Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/Philosophy; Law/Society/Media/Information; Linguistics are given in Japanese and English, so applicants must answer in Japanese or English.
      Japanese Language Education is given in Japanese, so applicants must answer in Japanese.
      The examination will be conducted by Google Forms and Google Meet.       		In principle, select either Japanese or English (see Notes 2). Regarding other languages, see Note 3.
      The 60-minute examination will be conducted by Google Forms, and Google Meet.       		Interview about research content and research plan. (see Notes 4).
      A 15-minute interview per person will be conducted by Google Meet. For those applicants who have problems with their equipment during the oral examination, it may be held again on Saturday, 15th.
      【Selection at the time of application】
      (see Notes 1).      		 【Selection at the time of application】
      (see Notes 1).
      1. The subjects selected at the time of application cannot be changed at the time of the examination. Also, dictionary and other material use is not allowed during the examination.
      2. You cannot select your mother tongue (first language). Also, dictionary use is not allowed during the examination.
      3. In addition to Japanese and English, the following languages are available: Chinese, Korean, German, French, and Russian. If you wish to select one of these languages, you must submit an additional document (maximum 1,200 characters in Japanese or 400 words in English) explaining the relationship between your research plan and language you wish to select. This document must be submitted to doctoral program office by Friday, July 29. Upon submission, please indicate the name of your prospective supervisor. If you select one of these languages without submitting the required document in advance, your application will not be accepted. For more details, contact the Office of the Master’s Program and Doctoral Program in International and Advanced Japanese Studies.
        info@japan.tsukuba.ac.jp
      4. During the oral examination, you cannot refer your research plan or other pre-prepared materials.
      January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Monday, January 30 Tuesday, January 31
      Subject Specialized Subject
      (100 points)      		 Foreign Language
      (100 points)       		Oral Examination
      (100 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00 12:00-13:00 9:00-16:00
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one of following 6 Specialized Subjects (questions) : Politics; Economics; Literature/ Culture / Philosophy; Law/Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; Japanese Language Education.
      Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/Philosophy; Law/Society/Media/Information; Linguistics are given in Japanese and English, so applicants must answer in Japanese or English.
      Japanese Language Education is given in Japanese, so applicants must answer in Japanese.
      The examination will be conducted by Google Forms and Google Meet.       		In principle, select either Japanese or English (see Notes 2). Regarding other languages, see Note 3.
      The examination will be conducted by Google Forms and Google Meet.       		Interview about research content and research plan (see Notes 4).
      Around 15-minute interview per person will be conducted by Google Meet. For those applicants who have problems with their equipment during the oral examination, it may be held again on Wednesday, February 1.
      【Selection at the time of application】
      (see Notes 1).      		 【Selection at the time of application】
      (see Notes 1).
      1. The subjects selected at the time of application cannot be changed at the time of the examination. Also, dictionary and other material use is not allowed during the examination.
      2. You cannot select your mother tongue (first language). Also, dictionary use is not allowed during the examination.
      3. In addition to Japanese and English, the following languages are available: Chinese, Korean, German, French, and Russian. If you wish to select one of these languages, you must submit an additional document (maximum 1,200 characters in Japanese or 400 words in English) explaining the relationship between your research plan and language you wish to select. This document must be submitted to doctoral program office by Friday, October 28. Upon submission, please indicate the name of your prospective supervisor. If you select one of these languages without submitting the required document in advance, your application will not be accepted. For more details, contact the Office of the Master’s Program and Doctoral Program in International and Advanced Japanese Studies.
        info@japan.tsukuba.ac.jp
      4. During the oral examination, you cannot refer your research plan or other pre-prepared materials.
      January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
      Date Monday, January 30
      Subject Specialized Subject
      (100 points)      		 Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00 13:00-17:00
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one of following 6 questions : Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/ Philosophy; Law/Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; Japanese Language Education.
      Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/ Philosophy; Law/Society/Media/Information; Linguistics are given in Japanese and English, so applicants must answer in Japanese or English.
      Japanese Language Education is given in Japanese, so applicants must answer in Japanese.
      The examination will be conducted by Google Forms and Google Meet.       		Interview about research proposal (see Notes 2)
      Around 15-minute interview per person will be conducted by Google Meet. For those applicants who have problems with their equipment during the oral examination, it may be held again on Tuesday, January 31.
      【Selection at the time of application】
      (see Notes 1.)
      1. The subjects selected at the time of application cannot be changed at the time of the examination. Also, dictionary and other material use is not allowed during the examination.
      2. During the oral examination, you cannot refer your research plan or other pre-prepared materials.