This application guideline is the archive of previous year.

Degree Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences

Doctoral Programs

3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted

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

Information Required for Web Entry

Information Required for Remarks
1. Degree Program / Applicant’s Information All applicants Follow the instructions in the Web Entry system.
You are required to upload a photograph for your Reference Card in JPEG format. The photograph must have been taken within the last three months and must not include hats or other head coverings.
2. Supervisor No entry required for this section in the Web Entry.
3. Eligibility All applicants Follow the instructions in the Web Entry system.
4. Educational Background All applicants Follow the instructions in the Web Entry system.
Research Activities All applicants who have research history
Employment Records All applicants who have employment history
Examination Fees All applicants
(*Refer to “4.Examination Fees.”)
Follow the instructions 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 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 payment, enter the name of the convenience store, the date of payment, and the number given by the store into the boxes on the Web Entry system.

Documents Required for Application (Certificates etc. to be obtained by the applicant)

(The original documents must be submitted by registered mail or bringing to the office. A copy of the original cannot be accepted.)

*If your current name is different from that on the documents you submit (e.g. because of marriage), submit proof of your name change (e.g. a copy of your marriage certificate).

*Applicants must submit certificates with an original official seal (of the university that issued the document), signatures or authorization stamp.

*Certificates must be issued in Japanese or English. If the university does not issue certificates in Japanese or English, please submit a translation certified by official institutions (embassy, notary public, etc.) together with the original certificate issued by the university.

*If you wishes to register under your maiden name, you can apply for the use of your maiden name during the enrolment procedure.

Documents Who must submit Instructions
Letter of Recommendation 【ONLY JULY SELECTION PROCESS】 After confirming the recommendation requirements, submit a strictly sealed document prepared by the supervisor or an equivalent person based on the designated form.
International Public Policy
International and Advanced Japanese Studies
(Expected) Graduation Certificate* All applicants Submit a certificate of completion (or an attested document certifying that you will complete your current program) issued by a university or other educational institution that meets the application requirements for the Doctoral Programs of this Graduate School.
(All documents must be in English or Japanese.)

* If the certificate (original) is issued online by an overseas university graduate, a ‘copy of the page and the URL’ of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the certificate is an ‘online certificate = original’.

* For graduates of Chinese universities, see ‘Note 2 and Note 3 below’.

(Expected) Degree Certificate* Applicants who completed or will complete a graduate program outside Japan If you have completed or complete a graduate program outside Japan, submit a certificate (degree certificate etc.) verifying that you have received or expect to receive a master’s degree. All documents must be in English or Japanese.

* Upload a JPEG file of your certificate to the Web Entry system.

* If the certificate (original) is issued online, a ‘copy of the page and the URL’ of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the certificate is an ‘online certificate = original’.

* For graduates of Chinese universities, see ‘Note 2 and Note 3 below’.

Academic Transcript* All applicants Submit an academic transcript (the official record of your courses and grades etc.) issued by a university or other 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 too.
(All documents must be in English or Japanese.)

* If the certificate (original) is issued online by an overseas university graduate, a ‘copy of the page and the URL’ of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the certificate is an ‘online certificate = original’.

* For graduates of Chinese universities, see ‘Note 2 and Note 3 below’.

Research Plan All applicants Submit a research plan (no designated form) for what you would like to do after entering graduate school, following the instructions provided by your program of choice.
Attach the designated cover page to your Research Plan.
Information Sheet All applicants Fill in the required items and submit it.
 

Click here for information about the research fields and faculty in your program of choice.

Thesis All applicants Submit one of the following.

  1. Master’s thesis (Photocopies are acceptable).
  2. Applicants who completed a Master’s program in or prior to the previous academic year may submit a more recent paper instead of their Master’s thesis (photocopies are acceptable).
  3. Applicants who were not required to write a Master’s thesis may submit an equivalent paper instead.

Attach a “Thesis Title Sheet” to the cover of your thesis.

Abstract of Thesis (no designated form) If applicable If you submit a thesis written in a language other than Japanese or English, you must also submit an abstract written in Japanese (about 4,000 characters) or English (about 1,500 words). Any format is acceptable.
Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of Examination Fee Statement Applicants who make a convenience store payment
(*Refer to “4.Examination Fees.”)
After payment, detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given to you at the convenience store.
Then affix the Receipt Portion to the designated form (a PDF you will create online and print out after you complete the Web Entry procedures) and submit the form.
Copy of “Application Completed” Page for Examination Fee Payment by Credit Card Applicants who make a credit card payment
(*Refer to “4.Examination Fees.”)
After online payment, print out the “Application Completed” page and submit it.
Letter of Approval for Entrance Exam (no designated form) If applicable

  1. Individuals who are currently attending a university or graduate school
    *Except for October 2023 entry applicants who are expected to graduate by September 2023, April 2024 entry applicants who are expected to graduate by March 2024 and October 2024 entry applicants who are expected to graduate by September 2024
  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.
Certificate of Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship) Foreign Student If applicable If you are enrolled in another university at the time of application, submit the certificate of the government-sponsored (Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship) foreign student issued by the university.

(Note 1) All submitted documents will not be returned in principle.
Only certificates for which the original cannot be reissued, they will be returned upon request as follows at the time of submission. Documents will not be returned even if the request is made after submission.

<Returning by mail>
 Submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a note indicating which certificates you wish to have returned, along with certificates and other documents. They will be returned after the announcement of acceptance.

<Return at the examination venues or at the Academic Service Office>
Submit a note stating which certificates you wish to have returned and how you wish to receive them, along with the certificates.

(Note 2) Substitution of the original English version of the Academic Credentials verification report issued by the ‘China Higher education Information and Student Information (CHSI (Japan))’ is acceptable.

(Note 3) For those who have completed the 「自学考試(本科)」and obtained a degree, the original transcript and degree certificate issued by the institution conducting the 「自学考試」must be submitted. Applications from applicants who have not yet completed the 「自学考試」are not accepted.

PDF to Be Created After Completing Web Entry

Documents Created for Remarks
Reference Card All applicants Print out the Reference Card with your photograph and bring the card to the venue with you on the examination day.
Address Sheet All applicants Attach the address sheet to your envelope and submit the originals of your required documents by registered mail or bringing them to the Graduate School Affairs, Academic Service Office for the Humanities and Social Sciences Area.

    【Due dates】

  • July Selection Process:June 2, 2023 (must arrive)
  • October Selection Process: September 15, 2023 (must arrive)
  • January to February Selection Process: December 15, 2023 (must arrive)

Note: If you bring your documents to the office, the closing time is 5:00 p.m. on each due date.

Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee Applicants who make a convenience store payment Attach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of the Examination Fee Statement to this form and submit it to us by registered mail or bringing to the office.

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. Also, we will use the data to screen students for scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization, which are offered to individuals who have completed the enrollment procedures.