This application guideline is the archive of previous year.

Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences

Master’s Programs

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:

Master’s Program in Biology (general students)Master’s

August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Wednesday, August 23 Thursday, August 24
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 Biology English

Evaluate the Score on the TOEIC, TOEFL or TOEFL iBT® Home Edition.
See (Note) 1 – 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)
January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Friday, January 26
Subject Foreign Language
(100 points)
Oral Examination
(100 points)
Program Time 10:00 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Biology English
Evaluate the Score on the TOEIC, TOEFL or TOEFL iBT® Home Edition.

See (Note) 1 – 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.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview. And LCD projector will be available for use. See (Note) 3.

* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to https://www.mbs.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/e/index.html.)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Biology will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  1. Submit the original of TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with your photo on), TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report (with your photo on) or TOEFL iBT® Home Edition Score Report (with your photo on) (Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal mail) when you apply for the entrance examination. Submit only the score of the test in August 2021 afterwards if you apply for examination in August, or January 2022 afterwards if you apply for the examination in January to February.
  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. TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT
    879
    100
  4. 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: [January to February Selection Process] 9:00 am – 9:30 am (strictly observed)
  5. For information on the examination contact:
    Office of Master’s Program in Biology
    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 Biology (foreign students)Master’s

August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Thursday, August 24
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 13:00 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Biology 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 and 2.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview. An LCD projector will be available for use. See (Note) 2.
January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Friday, January 26
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 10:00 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Biology 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.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview. An LCD projector will be available for use. See (Note) 2.

* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to https://www.mbs.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/e/index.html.)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Biology will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  1. If you take the interview in Japanese, submit your TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with your photo on) , TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Record (your photo on) or TOEFL iBT® Home Edition Score Report (Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal mail) 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). Submit only the score of the test in August 2021 afterwards if you apply for examination in August, or January 2022 afterwards if you apply for the examination in January to February.
  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 Selection Process: 12:15 – 12:45 (strictly observed)
    • January to February Selection Process: 9:00 – 9:30 (strictly observed)
  3. For information on the examination contact:
    Office of Master’s Program in Biology
    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 Biology Master’s

August Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Thursday, August 24
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 13:00 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Biology 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.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview. An LCD projector will be available for use. See (Note) 1.
January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Friday, January 26
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 10:00 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Biology 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.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview. An LCD projector will be available for use. See (Note) 1.

* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. (Refer to https://www.mbs.life.tsukuba.ac.jp/e/index.html.)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Biology will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  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 Selection Process: 12:15 – 12:45 (strictly observed)
    • January to February Selection Process: 9:00 – 9:30 (strictly observed)
  2. For information on the examination contact:
    Office of Master’s Program in Biology
    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 Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology Master’s

August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Thursday, August 24
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, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module.
Individual Interview
Presentation on the research plan (5 minutes)
Interview about your specialty, fundamental knowledge and future plans based on the presentation, either in English or Japanese.
Whiteboard/ blackboard placed in the interview room will be available for use.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview.
January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Friday, January 26
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, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module.
Individual Interview
Presentation on the research plan (5 minutes)
Interview about your specialty, fundamental knowledge and future plans based on the presentation, either in English or Japanese.
Whiteboard/ blackboard placed in the interview room will be available for use.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview.

* 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/)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  1. Submit the original of TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with your photo on), TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report (with your photo on), TOEFL iBT® Home Edition Score Report (with your photo on) (Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal mail) or IELTS Official Test Report Form when you apply for the entrance examination.
    Limited to English scores after August 2021 (August selection Process) and January 2022 (January to February Selection Process).
  2. 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.
  3. TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS
    860
    95
    7.0
  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:
    Hideyuki SHIGEMORI, Chair of the Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology
    (Phone +81-29-853-4603, FAX +81-29-853-4603, E-mail shigemori.hideyuk.fn#@#u.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)

Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and TechnologyMaster’s

August Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Thursday, August 24
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) 1.
January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Friday, January 26
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) 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/)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  1. 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.
  2. For information on the examination contact:
    Hideyuki SHIGEMORI, Chair of the Master’s Program in Agro-Bioresources Science and Technology
    (Phone +81-29-853-4603, FAX +81-29-853-4603, E-mail shigemori.hideyuk.fn#@#u.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)

Master’s Program in GeosciencesMaster’s

August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Wednesday, August 23 Thursday, August 24
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, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module.
See (Note) 1 – 3.

(Geoenvironmental Science Field)
Answer common questions and questions on one area selected at the time of application from the list.
(Earth Evolution Science Field)
Answer one common question and 2 questions on areas selected during the examination from the list (total 3 questions.)

(Interview about the area of specialization and future plans.)

January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Thursday, January 25 Friday, January 26
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, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module.
See (Note) 1 – 3.

(Geoenvironmental Science Field)
Answer common questions and questions on one area selected at the time of application from the list.
(Earth Evolution Science Field)
Answer one common question and 2 questions on areas selected during the examination from the list (total 3 questions.)

(Interview about the area of specialization and future plans.)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Geosciences will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.

  1. 1. Submit the original of TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with your photo on), TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report (with your photo on) or TOEFL iBT® Home Edition Score Report (with your photo on) (Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal mail) , IELTS Official Test Report Form when you apply for the entrance examination.
    Limited to English scores after August 2021 (August Selection Process) and January 2022 (January to February Selection Process).
  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. TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS
    860
    95
    7.0
  4. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
    Research Area
  5. Field Research Area (Specialized Subject)
    Geoenvironmental Science Human Geography, Regional Geography, Geomorphology, Hydrological Science, Atmospheric Science, Spatial Information Science, Analysis of Environmental Dynamics, Water-related Disaster Science, Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction System
    Earth Evolution Science Paleobiological Science, Paleogeosphere Science, Geodynamics, Petrology, Mineralogy, Planetary Resource Geology, Earth Historical Analysis
  6. Refer below for details of the research and contact information of faculty members of your desired research area.
  7. For information on the examination contact:
    • Geoenvironmental Science Field
      Jun TSUTSUMI, Contact person for the field (Phone +81-29-853-4398, E-mail jtsu#@#geoenv.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)
    • Earth Evolution Science Field
      Yuji YAGI, Chair of Master’s Program in Geosciences (Phone +81-29-853-8491, E-mail yagi-y#@#geol.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)

Master’s Program in Environmental SciencesMaster’s

August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Wednesday, August 23
Subject Foreign Language (100 points) Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 13:30 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences Evaluate the score on the TOEIC, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module. Individual Interview
The interview will be about your area of expertise, understanding of environmental issues, reasons for application, and research plan based on the submitted documents (15 minutes).
January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Thursday, January 25
Subject Foreign Language (100 points) Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 13:30 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences Evaluate the score on the TOEIC, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module. Individual Interview
The interview will be about your area of expertise, understanding of environmental issues, reasons for application, and research plan based on the submitted documents (15 minutes).

* Before sending an application form, every applicant MUST contact a prospective advisor and discuss about a research proposal.

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  1. Refer to the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences website (https://www.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) for e-mail address of the faculty member of your desired research area.
  2. Reference scores for the English examination are shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is calculated to be 100 points.
  3. TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS
    860
    98
    7.0
  4. For information on the examination contact e-mail:
    Admission office of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences (E-mail admission#@#envr.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)

Master’s Program in Environmental SciencesMaster’s

August Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Wednesday, August 23
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 9:15 – 13:00
Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences Individual Interview
10-minute presentation about past research achievements, work/civic activities gained after graduation, thoughts on the environment through the experience, motivations for application and research plan after enrollment. The presentation is followed by a comprehensive interview (15 minutes).
January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Thursday, January 25
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 9:15 – 13:00
Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences Individual Interview
10-minute presentation about past research achievements, work/civic activities gained after graduation, thoughts on the environment through the experience, motivations for application and research plan after enrollment. The presentation is followed by a comprehensive interview (15 minutes).

* Before sending an application form, every applicant MUST contact a prospective advisor and discuss about a research proposal.

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.
However, the entrance examination will be conducted online for those who reside overseas and wish to take it.
Applicants must submit the “Application form to take exam online” within the application period.

Application form to take exam online PDF
Online Admission Examination Schedule PDF

  1. Applicants must bring their own laptops for the presentation. LCD projector that connects to the HDMI terminal and mini D-Sub 15 pin VGA terminal is available for use at the examination site. If your Laptop does not support any of the connection terminals, bring a connection adapter yourself.
  2. Refer to the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences website (https://www.envr.tsukuba.ac.jp/eng/) for e-mail address of the faculty member of your desired research area.
  3. For information on the examination contact e-mail:
    Admission office of the Master’s Program in Environmental Sciences (E-mail admission#@#envr.tsukuba.ac.jp) (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)

Master’s Program in Mountain StudiesMaster’s

August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Wednesday, August 23
Subject Foreign Language
(100 points)
Specialized Subject
(100 points)
Oral Examination
(100 points)
Program Time 10:00 – 11:00 13:30 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Mountain Studies English
Evaluate the score on the TOEIC, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module.
Written Examination
Choose and answer one of questions from several fields of geosciences, biology, agro-bioresource sciences, and environmental science.
Refer to *.
Individual Interview
Presentation on your research plan (3 minutes).
Interview about your specialty, fundamental knowledge and future plans based on the presentation, either in English or Japanese.
Whiteboard / blackboard placed in the interview room will be available for use.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview.
January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Date Thursday, January 25
Subject Foreign Language
(100 points)
Specialized Subject
(100 points)
Oral Examination
(100 points)
Program Time 10:00 – 11:00 13:30 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Mountain Studies English
Evaluate the score on the TOEIC, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition or IELTS Academic Module.
Written Examination
Choose and answer one of questions from several fields of geosciences, biology, agro-bioresource sciences, and environmental science.
Refer to *.
Individual Interview
Presentation on your previous research and research plan (5 minutes).
Interview about your specialty, fundamental knowledge and future plans based on the presentation, either in English or Japanese.
Whiteboard / blackboard placed in the interview room will be available for use.
Materials and computers may not be brought into the interview.

* Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application, and confirm our guideline of the written examination.
(Refer to https://mountain-studies.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/en-program/en-member/)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Mountain Studies will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.

  1. Submit the original of TOEIC Official Score Certificate (with your photo on), TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report (with your photo on) or TOEFL iBT® Home Edition Score Report (with your photo on) ( Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal mail) , IELTS Official Test Report Form when you apply for the entrance examination. Submit only the score of the test in August 2021 afterwards if you apply for examination in August, or January 2022 afterwards if you apply for the examination in January to February.
  2. Reference scores for the English examination are shown below. A score equal to or over the reference score is calculated to be 100 points.
  3. TOEIC L&R TOEFL-iBT IELTS
    860
    95
    7.0
  4. For information on the examination contact:
    Admission staff of the Master’s Program of Mountain Studies sangaku-admission#@#ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)

Master’s Program in Mountain StudiesMaster’s

August Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Wednesday, August 23
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 13:30 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Mountain Studies Individual Interview (20 minutes)

Presentation on your social and academic experience and on research plans after enrollment using presentation software (8 minutes), followed by interview about the presentation and the area of specialization either in English or Japanese.
(Note) 1.

January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Date Thursday, January 25
Subject Oral Examination (100 points)
Program Time 13:30 – 17:00
Master’s Program in Mountain Studies Individual Interview (20 minutes)

Presentation on your social and academic experience and on research plans after enrollment using presentation software (8 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 https://mountain-studies.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/en-program/en-member/)

The entrance examination for the Master’s Program in Mountain Studies will be held at the “University’s examination venues”.

  1. 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.
  2. For information on the examination contact:
    Admission staff of the Master’s Program of Mountain Studies sangaku-admission#@#ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp (*Replace “#@#” with “@.”)