3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted

You must submit the application online via our Web Entry system. Read this section carefully before applying.
Please print the PDF files that are generated after completing your application. Please paste original copies of the documents listed below on to the printed form and submit by registered mail.

You must obtain the consent of faculty member who will be your academic advisor after admission. Please refer https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/academic-staff-en/.

Don’t place space characters of the beginning of the first line in any fields, including the Research Plan.

Required information for Web Entry

Information Required for Remarks
1. Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice All applicants You are required to upload the JPEG file (max 500KB and 2,000 pixels in both width and height) of your photo for the Reference Card. The photo must be taken within three months with no hats, masks or other head adornments.
2. Supervisor of Your Choice All applicants The consent is needed.
3. Eligibility All applicants
Research Plan All applicants Summarize plans in Japanese in 2000 characters or English in 1000 words or less.
Be sure to write in the SAME language as the oral examination.
If you write in different language, your application will be rejected.

You may use the prescribed form downloadable from the Web Entry system only if it is essential for you to use mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols, which cannot be entered into the system. Fill it out and send it together with the other required documents by mail. The format of the form must not be changed. Any texts may not be written outside the box.
Research and Practice Overview All applicants Summarize your research overview in Japanese in 2000 characters or English in 1000 words or less.
Be sure to write in the SAME language as the oral examination.
If you write in different language, your application will be rejected.

All applicants describe either their research or work experiences.
You may use the prescribed form downloadable from the Web Entry system only if it is essential for you to use mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols, which cannot be entered into the system. Fill it out and send it together with the other required documents by mail. The format of the form must not be changed. Any texts may not be written outside the box.
List of Research Results All applicants Categorize your academic results into thesis, academic articles, conference presentations, patents, projects, etc. and number them serially in each category. Put circles at the beginning of the academic results you chose to submit as your major Research Results.

  1. (1) For the academic articles, fill in the author(s) including the co-author(s), the title, the name of the journal, the volume, the number, the year of publication and the first and last page numbers. If the article is written in language other than Japanese and English, please add the abstract for the article in Japanese or English.
  2. (2) For conference presentations, fill in the author(s) including the co-author(s), the title, the name of the conference and the date.
  3. (3) For project participation, fill in the name of the project, the term, outline and your role.
  4. (4) Conform the style above for other categories.
4. Educational Background All applicants If you have graduated from a foreign university, please upload your degree certificate in JPEG format (max 3MB and 2,000 pixels in both width and height).
Research Activities Applicants who have research history
Employment Records Applicants who have employment history
5. Examination Fee All applicants
(Excluding Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho：MEXT) Scholarship student and those 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)		 Examination Fee is 30,000 JPY.
Follow the instructions given on the last page of the Web Entry system and pay your fee.
The following payment methods are available.
By Credit Card (recommended):
Pay your fee online. After the payment, enter the receipt number into the box on the Web Entry system.
At Convenience Store (only domestic applicants):
Pay your fee at a convenience store in Japan. After the payment, enter the information below into the box on the Web Entry system.
・Number given by the store
・Date of payment
・Name of the convenience store

Documents to be sent

Please print-out in A4 or Letter size the PDF files generated after completing your application.
Please note that PDF files cannot be printed after the Web Entry System Application Period.
The original copies of the following documents need to be submitted to us by registered mail. All documents must be in English or in Japanese.
When submitting a translation of the original documents as a certificate, the translation must be certified by an embassy or a notary public office.
Submit the original copies issued by a university or another official institution. We will not accept photocopies as the application documents.
In principle, the submitted certificates will not be returned. If the original copies cannot be reissued, enclose the request memo that you want us to return the original copies and the way of returning. Applicants are responsible for the cost of returning. We will return after the examination day.

Documents Who must submit Instructions
(Expected) Graduation Certificate
Note1, Note2		 All applicants Submit a graduation certificate (or an attested document certifying that you will graduate) issued by a university or another educational institution.

If the certificate (original) is issued online by the university outside Japan, a “copy of the page and the URL” of the official website of the issuing institution (university) that describes how to apply for the online certificate must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the online certificate is recognized as original by the institution (university).
(Expected)
Degree Certificate
Note1, Note2		 Applicants who graduated from a graduate school outside Japan Submit the graduation certificate for your master’s degree.

If the certificate (original) is issued online by the university, a “copy of the page and the URL” of the official website of the issuing institution (university) that describes how to apply for the online certificate must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the online certificate is recognized as original by the institution (university).
Academic Transcript
Note1, Note2		 All applicants Submit an academic transcript (the official transcript) issued by a university or another educational institution. If any credits were transferred from another school, submit an original academic transcript from the former school.

If the certificate (original) is issued online by the university outside Japan, a “copy of the page and the URL” of the official website of the issuing institution (university) that describes how to apply for the online certificate must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the online certificate is recognized as original by the institution (university).
Letter of Recommendation Applicants of Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants and Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English A Letter of Recommendation from your academic advisor is required. There is no designated format for the recommendation. Please submit the original signed document in A4/letter size.
Be sure it contains the signature, title and affiliation of the recommender.
Peer-reviewed academic paper Applicants who are applying through criteria (2) of the “Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants” After submitting documents, you will receive an email with the subject “Submission Instruction of Research Results” from tosyoss-daigakuin@un.tsukuba.ac.jp. Follow the instructions and upload a single PDF file including your research paper.
Research Results
(Peer-reviewed academic paper etc.)		 Applicants who want to submit them After submitting documents, you will receive an email with the subject “Submission Instruction of Research Results” from tosyoss-daigakuin@un.tsukuba.ac.jp. Follow the instructions and upload a single PDF file including your research articles (not more than 5 items).
Research Plan Only applicants whose “Research Plan”, “Research and Practice Overview” includes mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols that cannot be entered in the Web Entry system Fill out your research plan, research and practice overview on the designated format in page each and submit them.
The fixed format must not be changed. Any texts may not be written outside the box.
Research and Practice Overview
Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of Examination Fee Statement Applicants who made a convenience store payment Detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given at the convenience store and paste it onto the “Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee”.
Copy of “Application Completed” Page of Examination Fee Payment by Credit Card Applicants who made a credit card payment Include a copy of the “Application Completed” page.
Letter of approval for Entrance Examination Applicable applicants

  1. Applicants who currently attend a university or graduate school as a full-time student (except those who are expected to graduate by March, 2026, for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English applicants, September, 2026)
  2. Applicants who currently work full-time
  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 stating that the applicant will withdraw from the university before enrollment. Any format is acceptable, but the letter must be printed on A4 or letter size paper. It must be signed.
  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. Please use A4/letter size. It must be signed.
Certificate of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship student Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship student who are enrolled in another university in Japan Submit a “Certificate of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship student” issued by the university that you are currently enrolled in.
Address Sheet All applicants Attach the address sheet to your envelope when you submit the required documents to us by registered mail.

Note1: In case your current name is different from that on the documents you submit (e.g., because of marriage), submit 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 enrollment procedure.

Note2: For graduates of Chinese universities, 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.

Bring on the day of the Examination

Documents Who must bring Remarks
Reference Card All applicants Please print it out and bring it with you at the oral examination.

Results from the entrance examination, as well as personal information obtained by the University of Tsukuba from the application documents, will be used for affairs concerning admission and screening, and may also be used for research and study to improve the admission procedure and university education after generating non-personally identifiable data. 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.

1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan

Copyright © University of Tsukuba All Rights Reserved.

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6. Screening Criteria | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

6. Screening Criteria

We will determine the students to be admitted by comprehensively evaluating the submitted documents and the result of the examination.

Examinations for 2026 academic year will be conducted online.

Examination Schedule and the Subjects

July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – July 4 (Fri) or July 7 (Mon)
Language used in the oral examination – Japanese or English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview Same language as the oral examination –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Letter of Recommendation, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview, Peer-reviewed paper and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 30 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 7 minutes, in the same language as the oral examination). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of the presentation and basic knowledge in related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Friday, June 13, 2025
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

August Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – August 21 (Thu) or August 22 (Fri)
Language used in the oral examination – Japanese or English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview Same language as the oral examination –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 45 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 15 minutes, in the same language as the oral examination). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of your presentation and basic knowledge in the related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Friday , August 1, 2025
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – January 27 (Tue) or January 28 (Wed)
Language used in the oral examination – Japanese or English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview Same language as the oral examination –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 45 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 15 minutes, in the same language as the oral examination). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of your presentation and basic knowledge in the related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Thursday, January 8, 2026
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – January 27 (Tue) or January 28 (Wed)
Language used in the oral examination – English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview English –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Letter of Recommendation, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 45 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 15 minutes, in English). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of your presentation and basic knowledge in the related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Thursday, January 8, 2026
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan

Copyright © University of Tsukuba All Rights Reserved.

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7. Testing Location, Announcement of Acceptance, and Enrollment Procedure | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

7. Testing Location, Announcement of Acceptance, and Enrollment Procedure

Testing Location

University of Tsukuba Kasuga Area (1-2 Kasuga, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8550, Japan)
Refer to “10. Information and Regulations for Examinees” for details.

Examinations for 2026 academic year will be conducted online.

Announcement of Acceptance

  • July Selection Process： July 18 (Fri), 2025
  • August Selection Process： September 11 (Thu), 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： February 13 (Fri), 2026

A list of examinee number of successful applicants will be posted by the examinee number on the website below:
https://webentry.ap-graduate.tsukuba.ac.jp/.
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.
In some cases, additional admissions will be offered to applicants who took the entrance examination administered in January to February Selection Process. Applicants will be notified by phone (or e-mail in exceptional cases) around mid-March 2026 for April 2026 admissions and around early September 2026 for October 2026 admissions.

Enrollment Procedure

  1. The information on Admission Procedures will be sent to successful applicants to the email address registered for the application.
    Please follow the instructions in that email to conduct the admission procedures.
     

      【Date to send email: For entrants in April 2026】

    • Mid-January to Mid-February 2026 (scheduled)
      (Successful applicants for except the January-February Selection Process)
    • February 13 (Fri), 2026
      (Successful applicants for the January-February Selection Process)
      【Date to send email: For entrants in October 2026】

    • Late June 2026
  2. Due Date for Enrollment
    • Early March, 2026 (EXCEPT Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English).
    • Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English : Late August, 2026.

    Note: For the date of deadline and the details of procedures, refer to Enrollment Procedure Guidelines.

  3. Estimated Expenses Upon Entrance
    1. (a)Entrance fee is 282,000 Japanese Yen (nonrefundable)
    2. (b)Tuition: The tuition for the first semester (April-September) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. The tuition for the second semester (October-March) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. Annual Amount: 535,800 Japanese Yen
        (Note)

      1. (1)If fees are revised before entrance or while enrolled in graduate school, the revised tuition fees will be applied.
      2. (2)The entrance fees are exempt for those who are the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho：MEXT) scholarship students or those 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. If you enroll after retirement, please submit a retirement certificate.
  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 our graduate program as an international student must acquire the status of residence as a “Student.”


8. Example of Previous Examinations | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

8. Example of Previous Examinations

No written examinations are available.


9. Applicants Who Need Assistance, 10. Information and Regulations for Examinees and 11. Contact Us | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

9. Applicants Who Need Assistance

If you need assistance due to disability, submit a designated application form, a medical certificate, and a copy of their disability certificate to the Division of Admission (1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8577, Japan) by following dates.
＊We may not be able to accommodate your request for consideration.

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： May 22 (Tue), 2025
  • August Selection Process： July 2(Wed), 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： November 25 (Tue), 2025
Examples of considerations:
  • Use of a computer for writing, vision aid, hearing aid, and other aids
  • Sign language interpreter and other assistants

To request these accommodations, applicants must submit documents to prove their condition.

10. Information and Regulations for Examinees

We will post the “Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination” on our website（https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination）.

    【Estimated Release Dates】

  • July Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., June 13 (Fri), 2025
  • August Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., Aug 1 (Fri), 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., January 8 (Thu), 2026

11. Contact Us

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

Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media Science Area
tosyoss-daigakuin at un.tsukuba.ac.jp (Please change “ at ” to @.)
1-2, Kasuga, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8550, Japan
Tel: +81-29-859-1120/1121
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday except national holidays.

12. Disclosure of Admission Examination Results

The following disclosure is made upon request in relation to the performance of an applicant who was unsuccessful in the entrance examination for the Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, (Doctoral Program in Informatics).

  1. Contents of Disclosure
    Total Score of the Candidate Who Failed the Examination
    ※ However, the results will not be disclosed if:
    (1) Absentee from one or more subjects
  2. Applicant
    The Examinee Himself /Herself
  3. How to Request
    Please send your request by mail, enclosing the following.
    (1) Request Form for Disclosure of Admission Information
    (2) Reference Card (to be returned at the time of disclosure)
    (If you have lost the Reference Card, a copy of your student ID, driver’s license, etc.)
    (3) Reply Envelope (long size #3) with your name and address written on it and a 460 Yen Stamp Affixed.
    However, if you are an outside Japan resident, please inquire by E-mail to the billing office.
  4. Request Period
    May 1, 2026 – May 29, 2026
  5. Disclosure Method
    Disclosed information will be mailed to the person in question after the deadline of the request period.
  6. Billing Office
    1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
    Division Graduate Admissions Office, University of Tsukuba
    E-mail: dai.daigakuinka at un.tsukuba.ac.jp (Please change “ at ” to @)


Register Extending System | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

13. Register Extending System

Register Extending System allows students to complete a doctoral program in a period longer than usual.
The period can be extended from the standard 3 years to 4 or 5 years.
Extended applicants pay discounted tuition allocated per registered period. The total amount of tuition is the same as that of students who finish the program in the standard 3 years. This system is for students who prefer to complete the program over a longer period of time. Applicants are reviewed individually after the application.

For details, please refer to our website
(https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/programs-courses-en/long-term/).


Requirements for Eligibility | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

14. Requirements for Eligibility

In the case of applicants falling in category (1)-(2) of the Requirements for Eligibility shown below, eligibility screening (We will examine whether the applicant has more academic ability than who have completed the master’s course) is necessary. Please contact us.

  1. (1) Individuals recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as having an ability equivalent or superior to a Master’s Degree or Professional Degree recipient in what concerns the admission to a graduate program, based on the Enforcement Regulation of the School Education Law, Article 156 Paragraph 5.
    1. ① Individuals who have graduated from a four-year university, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for more than two years.
    2. ② Individuals who have completed in course a 16-year program of school education in a country other than Japan or who, while residing in Japan, completed in course a 16-year program of school education abroad, through correspondence courses, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for more than two years.
  2. (2) Individuals who have been recognized by Doctoral Programs in Informatics in their individual qualification screening process as having an ability equivalent or superior to a Master’s Degree or Professional Degree recipient and who are 24 years old or will be 24 years old by the end of March, 2026 (September, 2026, for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English).
    Qualified person: Individuals who have graduated from a university, a junior college or an upper secondary school, individuals who have graduated from a vocational school or a similar school, individuals who have graduated from a university of a foreign country that implements less than 16 years of a school curriculum
【How to apply】

Download the following documents and send it to us by mail or e-mail with required certificates, your address, telephone number and e-mail address. The deadline is July 2 (Wed), 2025 (for August) or November 25 (Tue), 2025 (for January to February). Please contact us before sending.
If you choose to send your graduation certificate and academic transcript by e-mail, please convert it JPEG format or PDF file. If your application qualification is approved after the eligibility screening, we will notify your certification number for the Web Entry. Please send the original copy of these documents with the application documents.

【Required Documents of Eligibility Screening】
  1. (a) Applicant Information
  2. (b) Curriculum Vitae
  3. (c) Graduation Certificate
  4. (d) Academic Transcript
  5. (e) List of Research Results

If you have any questions, please contact us.