Doctoral Programs / Three-year Doctoral Programs (Art and Sport, Interdisciplinary Sciences) | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences

Doctoral Programs (Art and Sport, Interdisciplinary Sciences)

Neuroscience
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Art
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process/ Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Design
  • July Selection Process (General Selection Process)
  • October Selection Process (General Selection Process)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Heritage Studies
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)

Three-year Doctoral Programs (Art and Sport, Interdisciplinary Sciences)

Public Health
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
Sports Medicine
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process)

Coaching Science
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)

The following are combined application guidelines for all the programs above.

Security Export Control

The University of Tsukuba has established the University of Tsukuba Rules on Security Export Control in accordance with the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA), and conducts strict examinations for acceptance of international students etc. International applicants who fall under any of the conditions set out in said regulations may be unable to enter their desired program.

[IMPORTANT] Procedures for “Deemed Export” for Security Export Control

In order to strengthen the prevention of leakage of sensitive technology related to security, “deemed export control” was clarified and related laws and regulations were revised (effective May 1, 2022).
As a result, our university has decided to require all applicants to our graduate school to confirm the applicability of Specific Categories.
Please review the link below and check the corresponding items on the web application system.

・Procedures for “Deemed Export” for Security Export Control

Application Process Overview Chart

Check your qualifications!
(For more details)

 
* To meet the social demand for re-education of working adults at graduate schools, people who wish to apply to join the Doctoral Program in Art on the basis of the Special Selection of Working Individuals must have, or expect to have by March 2026, at least 1 year’s experience in full- or part-time employment. This includes employment in companies, government offices, or educational institutions, or as a homemaker, etc.
 
(A) No Eligibility Screening is required for the following individuals:
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a master’s degree
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a specialized degree
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a master’s degree in a foreign country
  • Others
  
(B) Eligibility Screening is required for the following individuals:
  • Individuals who have graduated from a junior college or a high school as latest academic background
  • Individuals who have graduated from a vocational school or a similar school as latest academic background
  • Individuals who have graduated from a four-year university as latest academic background
  • Others
 

Before you apply, you are expected to contact a prospective supervisor (a faculty member from whom you wish to receive academic instruction) in advance.
Download the PDF below.

If you have any questions about the curriculum or the research field, contact the department that runs your desired program.

   
   
Assessment of Eligibility for Application

Individuals who are expected to undergo the Eligibility Screening should contact Academic Service Office for the Art and Sport Sciences Area, University of Tsukuba in advance.
E-mail us to obtain necessary documents and e-mail the documents for the assessment. If you are deemed eligible for admission, you will be given a passcode required for the “Educational Background” page of the Web Entry system.
(* Individuals who have previously applied for the Eligibility Screening and been deemed eligible should also apply for the screening again.)

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： May 22, 2025
  • August Selection Process： July 2, 2025
  • October Selection Process： August 28, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： November 25, 2025
 
Applicants Who Need Assistance

If you require assistance due to a disability, submit the designated application form, a doctor’s certificate, and a copy of your disability certificate to the Division of Admission (1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki) by the following dates:
※We may not be able to accommodate your request for consideration.

    【The deadline for documents is on the following dates, so contact us in time to meet this deadline.】

  • July Selection Process： May 22, 2025
  • August Selection Process： July 2, 2025
  • October Selection Process： August 28, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： November 25, 2025
Web Entry

You can apply to the University of Tsukuba online through our Web Entry system. Read the guidelines carefully before applying.

    【Application Period】

  • July Selection Process： May 23, 2025 – June 3, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • August Selection Process： July 9, 2025 – July 22, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • October Selection Process： September 1, 2024 – September 11, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process： December 1, 2025 – December 11, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
Sign Up

First, you will need your own account to login. Once create an account, you may save the data you entered and log back in later to continue.
Activation

When you sign up, an activation URL will be sent to your registered e-mail address. Click the URL to activate your account.
Login

For the first time after you activate your account, you will be automatically logged in. Just click the “Login” button to begin. Thereafter, when you visit our Login page, you will need to enter your e-mail address and password to begin.
My Page

On “My Page,” you need to click the “Application Form” button for the appropriate program.
On this page, you can edit your login information or reset your password.
Application Form

There are four sections in the Application Form:

  1. Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice
  2. Field of Research
  3. Eligibility
  4. Educational Background

Each section will be saved when you click the “Proceed” button on each confirmation page. After saving, you can continue from where you left off when you login again. Use one-byte letters and numbers to input all the information.
Upload JPEG file of your ID photo in “1. Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice”.
Payment

You must pay the examination fee before submitting your application. The university accepts:

–Online credit card payments for both domestic and overseas applicants
–Convenience store payments for domestic applicants only

Credit Card Payment: Follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and pay your fees by credit card. After the payment, you will be notified of a receipt number. Enter the number into the “Receipt Number” box and click the “Submit” button to proceed.

¥Convenience Store Payment: Follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and pay your fees at a convenience store in Japan. When you apply for ‘Convenience Store Payment’ online, you will receive the Examination Fee Statement with an 11-digit or a 13-digit code. After the payment, enter the code and payment date into the boxes on the Web Entry system and click the “Submit” button to proceed.
For more details, please refer to 4. Examination Fees.

(*However, the examination fees are exempted for those who are.
1.The Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakushoscholarship).
2.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.
* Those who complete the program in March and enroll in April of the following year will be required to pay the examination fee.)

Submission

After the payment is confirmed, you can submit your application by clicking the “Submit to Apply” button. Once you click on the button, the information you have entered will be sent to the university, and you will not be able to go back to make edits. Be sure to double-check before proceeding.
After you submit your application, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to the registered e-mail address. Be sure to check it.

(*Check and adjust the spam filter settings in your e-mail account beforehand so that you can receive an e-mail from the “webentry.ap-graduate.tsukuba.ac.jp” domain.)
Create PDF

After you submit your application, follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry and be sure to download the PDF documents. You can download them from the Web Entry system only while the system is open.

    【Application Period】

  • July Selection Process： May 23, 2025 – June 3, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • August Selection Process： July 9, 2025 – July 22, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • October Selection Process： September 1, 2025 – September 11, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process： December 1, 2025 – December 11, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)

Web Entry
Submission of Documents

Original copies of the documents listed in 3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted need to be received by mail no later than the deadlines mentioned below.
Your application will not be reviewed unless all required documents are received.

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： June 4, 2025
  • August Selection Process： July 23, 2025
  • October Selection Process： September 12, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： December 12, 2025

If you submit the application documents in person, visit here.

Information and Instructions for Examinees

We will post the “Information and Instructions for Examinees” on our website. Check the documents before the examination.

    【Estimated Release Dates】

  • July Selection Process： June 16, 2025
  • August Selection Process： August 1, 2025
  • October Selection Process： September 24, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： January 8, 2026
Examination Dates
  • July Selection Process： July 8, 2025
  • August Selection Process： August 20 – August 26, 2025
  • October Selection Process： October 16, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： January 28 – February 2, 2026
Announcement of Admission Results
  • July Selection Process： July 18, 2025
  • August Selection Process： September 11, 2025
  • October Selection Process： October 31, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： February 13, 2026

The examinee number of the successful applicants will be posted on the website. https://webentry.ap-graduate.tsukuba.ac.jp/
Letter of Acceptance will be issued online.
For successful applicants, 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.
Documents for Enrollment

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 October 2025】

  • July 18, 2025
    【Date to send email:For entrants in April 2026】

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

  • Late June 2026
Procedure for Enrollment
  • Entrants in October 2025 ：
    August 22, 2025 submission deadline
  • Entrants in April 2026 ：
    March 3, 2026 submission deadline (scheduled)
  • Entrants in October 2026 ：
    Late August 2026 submission deadline (scheduled)
Entrance
  • October Entry in 2025: On October 1, 2025
  • April Entry in 2026: On April 1, 2026
  • October Entry in 2026: On October 1, 2026

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

Copyright © University of Tsukuba All Rights Reserved.

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1. Number of Students to be Admitted and 2. Eligibility for Admission | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

1. Number of Students to be Admitted

Doctoral Programs・Three-year Doctoral Program

Program Enrollment in October 2025 Enrollment in April 2026
July Selection Process August Selection Process October Selection Process January to February Selection Process
General Selection Process General Selection Process General Selection Process General Selection Process Special Selection Process for Working Individuals
Neuroscience － 4
＊1		 － 1
＊1		 －
Physical Education,
Health and
Sport Sciences 		－ － － 15 －
Art － － － 7
＊2
Design A few
＊1＊3		 － 4
＊1		 2
＊1＊4		 －
Heritage Studies － － － 5
＊4		 －
Public Health － 12
＊1		 － 6
＊1		 －
Sports Medicine － 10
＊1		 － － －
Coaching Science － － － 6 －

＊1 The number of applicants for Neuroscience, Design, Public Health and Sports Medicine includes students who apply for the Cooperative Graduate School System. For more information on the Cooperative Graduate School System, click here.
＊2 The number of applicants for the Art includes a few students who apply for the Special Selection Process for Working Individuals.
＊3 Admission for successful applicants is in October 2025.
＊4 Successful applicants can choose admission in either April 2026 or October 2026.

2. Eligibility for Admission

(A) No Eligibility Screening is required for the following individuals.

Applicants will be deemed eligible if they meet one of the following requirements.

Enrollment in October 2025
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree by September 2025.
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a specialized degree by September 2025.
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree in a foreign country by September 2025.
  • Others
    (Please refer here for the details of eligibility. However, please replace “March 2026” with “September 2025.”)
Enrollment in April 2026
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree by March 2026.
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a specialized degree by March 2026.
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree in a foreign country by March 2026.
  • Others
    (Please refer here for the details of eligibility.)
Enrollment in October 2026
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree by September 2026.
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a specialized degree by September 2026.
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree in a foreign country by September 2026.
  • Others
    (Please refer here for the details of eligibility. However, please replace “March 2026” with “September 2026.”)

＊People who wish to apply to join the Doctoral Program in Art on the basis of the Special Selection of Working Individuals, must meet the above application eligibility criteria, and must have, or expect to have by March 2026, at least 1 year’s experience in full- or part-time employment. This includes employment in companies, government offices, or educational institutions, or as a homemaker, etc.

(B) Eligibility Screening is required for the following individuals.

Applicants that fall under one of the following conditions are required to go through the eligibility screening.

Enrollment in October 2025
  • Individuals who have graduated from a university and have been engaged in research at a university, research institute, etc. for 2 years or more, and who are recognized as having academic ability equivalent or superior to a master’s degree or a professional degree based on the results of their research.
  • Individuals who have completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country or 16 years of correspondence courses provided by a foreign school in Japan, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for 2 years or more, and who are recognized as having academic ability equivalent or superior to a master’s or professional degree based on the results of said research.
  • Individuals who are 24 years of age or older as of September 2025, and whose qualification is recognized as equivalent to a master’s degree or a first professional degree as the result of the Eligibility Screening conducted by us.
  • (Please refer here for the details of eligibility. However, please replace “March 2026” with “September 2025.”)
Enrollment in April 2026
  • Individuals who have graduated from a university and have been engaged in research at a university, research institute, etc. for 2 years or more, and who are recognized as having academic ability equivalent or superior to a master’s degree or a professional degree based on the results of their research.
  • Individuals who have completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country or 16 years of correspondence courses provided by a foreign school in Japan, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for 2 years or more, and who are recognized as having academic ability equivalent or superior to a master’s or professional degree based on the results of said research.
  • Individuals who are 24 years of age or older as of March 2026, and whose qualification is recognized as equivalent to a master’s degree or a first professional degree as the result of the Eligibility Screening conducted by us.
  • (Please refer here for the details of eligibility.)
Enrollment in October 2026
  • Individuals who have graduated from a university and have been engaged in research at a university, research institute, etc. for 2 years or more, and who are recognized as having academic ability equivalent or superior to a master’s degree or a professional degree based on the results of their research.
  • Individuals who have completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country or 16 years of correspondence courses provided by a foreign school in Japan, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for 2 years or more, and who are recognized as having academic ability equivalent or superior to a master’s or professional degree based on the results of said research.
  • Individuals who are 24 years of age or older as of September 2026, and whose qualification is recognized as equivalent to a master’s degree or a first professional degree as the result of the Eligibility Screening conducted by us.
  • (Please refer here for the details of eligibility. However, please replace “March 2026” with “September 2026.”)

＊Applicants who have graduated from a six-year undergraduate course (related to medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine) and do not hold a master’s degree must be screened for eligibility.

【 Application for Eligibility Screening 】

  1. (1) Individuals who are expected to undergo the Eligibility Screening should contact Academic Service Office for the Art and Sport Sciences Area, University of Tsukuba (taigeiin.admission@un.tsukuba.ac.jp) by e-mail regarding the following in advance.
    • Contact Address
    • Name
    • Phone number
    • Email Address
    • Name of degree program to which you plan to apply
    • Your last academic history
    • Description about the situation of Eligibility Screening
  2. (2) We will reply with the prescribed forms, such as the applicant’s record, which are necessary for the screening of application eligibility.
  3. (3) When you receive the prescribed form, please submit it together with the certificates and other documents required for the application eligibility screening.
  4. (4) If you are deemed eligible for admission, you will be given a passcode required for the “Educational Background” page of the Web Entry system.

    5. ＊If you have any questions about your eligibility, send us an e-mail.

    【Documents required for eligibility screening】
    All documents will be sent by e-mail.

    (A) Application Form
    (B) CV for Eligibility Screening
    (C) Documents Needed for Application
    (D) Other documents graduate school recognize it as necessary

      【Due Dates for eligibility screening documents】

    • July Selection Process： May 22, 2025
    • August Selection Process： July 2, 2025
    • October Selection Process： August 28, 2025
    • January to February Selection Process： November 25, 2025

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

Copyright © University of Tsukuba All Rights Reserved.

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5. Application Procedure | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

5. Application Procedure

  1. Visit the Web Entry System to apply. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make edits. Be sure to double-check before proceeding.
      【Application Period】

    • July Selection Process： May 23, 2025 – June 3, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
    • August Selection Process： July 9, 2025 – July 22, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
    • October Selection Process： September 1, 2025 – September 11, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
    • January to February Selection Process： December 1, 2025 – December 11, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  2. Some of the documents have to be submitted by mail, and these must be received by the deadline. When you submit your application online, the system will ask you to create an Address Sheet in PDF format. Print out the sheet and submit it along with the other required documents to us.
    If your documents are not received by the due date, you will not be able to take the exam.

      【Due Dates】

    • July Selection Process： June 4, 2025
    • August Selection Process： July 23, 2025
    • October Selection Process： September 12, 2025
    • January to February Selection Process： December 12, 2025

    ※If you submit the application documents in person, visit here.
    ※After you complete the application procedure on the Web Entry System, you are not allowed to change the program of your choice.
    ※Unless requested, all documents submitted will not be returned to you.
    ※Examination fees which have been paid are non-refundable.
    ※Should you have any question about the curriculum or the research field, contact the department that runs your desired program.
    ※If any false or forged statements are found in the application documents, or if there is any obvious examination misconduct, the acceptance and admission may be revoked.


6. Screening Criteria | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

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 NeuroscienceDoctoral

Date Thursday, August 21
Subject Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 10:00-17:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Neuroscience You will be asked to make a presentation about your master’s thesis, or the contents of research recognized as equivalent to a master’s thesis, and your research plans after entrance, and will be examined orally about each research field.
Date Friday, January 30
Subject Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 10:00-17:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Neuroscience You will be asked to make a presentation about your master’s thesis, or the contents of research recognized as equivalent to a master’s thesis, and your research plans after entrance, and will be examined orally about each research field.
  1. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
  2. Information about your oral examination will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check your email.
  3. Web page relating to this doctoral program:
    https://www.neurosci.tsukuba.ac.jp/

Doctoral Program in Physical Education, Health and Sport SciencesDoctoral

Date Monday, February 2
Subject Foreign Language
(100 points)		 Master’s or other thesis
(100 points) 		Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time ━ 10:00-17:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Physical Education,
Health and Sport Sciences		 English
Submit the TOEIC Official Score Certificate or TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report on the exam day.		 In addition to the Research Outline submitted at the time of application, submit the thesis in electronic format (PDF), and conduct an oral presentation about the thesis. There will be a question-and-answer session on this basis, and evaluation as a thesis. Individual Interview
You will conduct an oral presentation about your research plans. There will also be a question-and-answer session on this basis.
  1. In the case of foreign language, affix the original of the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Official Score Certificate or the TOEFL (Test Taker Score Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS via postal mail to this department’s stipulated form, and submit it on the exam day.
  2. Applicants who have taken the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test and have been issued the Digital Official Score Certificate should follow the instructions when submitting the web application, enter the URL and submit the printed copy of the Digital Official Score Certificate on the department’s stipulated form on the exam day. In this case, there is no need to submit the originals of the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Official Score Certificate.

    Once the Digital Official Score Certificate is issued, please send the URL of the Digital Official Score Certificate and Degree program applied to Admissions Committee for Doctoral Program in Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba (nyushi.taiiku.dc@ml.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp) by e-mail as soon as possible. In addition, please submit a printed copy of the Digital Official Score Certificate on the exam day.

  3. It is not acceptable to submit photocopies of the TOEIC Official Score Certificate or the TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report, or to submit the TOEIC SW Test Official Score Certificate, TOEIC Bridge Test Official Score Certificate, TOEIC Institutional Program (IP) Score Report, or TOEFL ITP Score Report.
  4. The TOEIC Official Score Certificate and TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report should be valid in the case of examinations taken within two years before the examination day. The submitted originals will not be returned.
  5. The TOEIC or TOEFL scores will be evaluated on the basis of the below specifications. Scores above the specifications will be taken to be passes. Scores below the specifications will be converted.
    6. TOEIC TOEFL-iBT
    879
    100
  6. For the master’s or other thesis, submit the thesis relating to the study contents stated in the Research Outline (e.g. your master’s thesis) in electronic format(PDF), Upload instructions will be notified on the web entry completion screen. If a thesis is not submitted by the due date (January 16, 2026) , then, irrespective of the reasons, your master’s or other thesis will be taken as incomplete application, and you will be excluded from the candidates for selection. If you would like to submit an electronic file of your thesis after application, please contact the address listed below【11】.
  7. The oral examination will include a presentation about the Master’s thesis or other thesis and about your research plans, so persons who are to take the examination should prepare four copies of presentation materials (hand-outs, for which the format is not specified), in Japanese or English, and bring them to the oral examination. The presentation time is totally 15 min.
  8. In the thesis presentation and the oral examination you can use either the presentation materials alone, or also a PC projector. The presentation time is 15 minutes. If a PC projector is to be used, this and other required equipment will be prepared in the examination room, but the examinee should prepare his/her own computer. If you have any questions about thesis presentation and the oral examination, such as the equipment, ask the below contact point about them before the examination.
  9. The applicant should contact a supervisor in his/her preferred research field and get an approval from the supervisor before the examination. The email addresses, etc., of faculty members are shown on the web page for this doctoral program.
  10. Information about the thesis presentation and the oral examination will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check your email.
  11. Refer to the following web page for information about this doctoral program:
    Doctoral Program in Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences
    https://d-pehss.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/

    Contact for information on the examination
    Admissions Committee of Doctoral Program in Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences
    (E-mail nyushi.taiiku.dc@ml.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp)
    If you ask questions by email, title the message “Question about the examination (XX [applicant’s name])”.

Doctoral Program in ArtDoctoral

Date Thursday, January 29
Subject Oral Examination
(200 points)
Time 10:00-18:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Art You will make a presentation about the contents of your research to date, and your research plans after admission, and there will be a question-and answer session about your presentation and specialized field.
  1. The presentation as part of the oral examination is made using a PC projector. Prepare 30 copies of a printed summary of the presentation contents, in Japanese or English, on A4 paper, and bring them to the oral examination with you.
    Bring the relevant data with your presentation on a USB memory stick. The projector and computer will be prepared for you.
  2. Information about the oral examination will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check your email address.
  3. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
  4. For details about this doctoral program, refer to the following web page:
    https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/dpart/en/
  5. Contact for information on the examination
    Chair of Doctoral Program in Art
    HOTOKEYAMA Terumi (E-mail hotoke@geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp)
    KANNO Chiaki (E-mail kanno@geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp)
    If you ask questions by email, title the message “Question about the examination (XX [applicant’s name])”.

Doctoral Program in DesignDoctoral

Date Tuesday, July 8
Subject Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 10:00-18:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Design Interview (approx. 30minutes)
You will be asked to give a presentation for approx. 15minutes about the contents of the research for your master’s thesis, or the research recognized as equivalent to a master’s thesis, and your research plans in Doctoral Program. On the basis of this presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session.
NOTE: Conducted online.
Date Thursday, October 16
Subject Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 13:30-18:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Design Interview (approx. 30minutes)
You will be asked to give a presentation for approx. 15minutes about the contents of the research for your master’s thesis, or the research recognized as equivalent to a master’s thesis, and your research plans in Doctoral Program. On the basis of this presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session.
NOTE: Conducted on-site at Tsukuba campus.
Date Friday, January 30
Subject Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 10:00-18:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Design Interview (approx. 30minutes)
You will be asked to give a presentation for approx. 15minutes about the contents of the research for your master’s thesis, or the research recognized as equivalent to a master’s thesis, and your research plans in Doctoral Program. On the basis of this presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session.
NOTE: Conducted online.
  1. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application. If you have two desired supervisors, please contact both of them.
    (Persons submitting applications by the Cooperative Graduate School System should contact one of full-time faculty members in relating research area together with a desired supervisor.)
  2. Further information about the oral examination will be sent to your registered email address.
  3. Prepare the keynote file of your presentation for oral examination in advance. Estimated presentation time is approximately 15 minutes. Detail information about the presentation time will be sent to your registered email address.

    In the oral examination conducted online, you will be asked to share your screen and show your keynote file.

    In the oral examination conducted on-site at Tsukuba campus, you will be asked to show your keynote file on a projector. Bring your own laptop computer with HDMI connectivity.

  4. For details about this doctoral program, refer to the following web page:
    https://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/dpd/

Doctoral Program in Heritage StudiesDoctoral

Date Thursday, January 29
Subject Oral Examination
(300 points)
Time 10:00-18:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Heritage Studies Individual Interview
You will give a presentation lasting about 20 minutes, about the contents of research for your master’s thesis or research recognized as equivalent to a master’s thesis, and about your future research directions after admission. On the basis of this presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session.
  1. The total score will be out of 400, including 100 points for the submitted thesis (e.g. master’s thesis).
  2. Information about the oral examination will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check your email address.
  3. For details about this doctoral program, refer to the following web page:
    https://www.heritage.tsukuba.ac.jp/
  4. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
  5. Contact for information on the examination
    Heritage Studies staff Tel +81.29.853.2997
    E-mail　heritage.tsukuba@un.tsukuba.ac.jp
    If you ask questions by email, title the message “Question about the examination (XX [applicant’s name])”.

Doctoral Program in Public Health3yr Doctoral

Date Wednesday, August 20
Subject Written(100 points) Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 10:00-11:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)		 11:10-12:10
(JST, UTC+09:00)		 13:30-17:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)
Public Health English
(Japanese examinees can use an English to Japanese dictionary, and overseas examinees can use dictionaries from their native language to Japanese or English. However, electronic devices with dictionary functions, etc., must not be used.)		 Specialized Subject Individual Interview
There will be an oral examination lasting 15 to 20 minutes, about your research plans, master’s thesis, etc.
Date Wednesday, January 28
Subject Written(100 points) Oral Examination
(100 points)
Time 10:00-11:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)		 11:10-12:10
(JST, UTC+09:00)		 13:30-17:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)
Public Health English
(Japanese examinees can use an English to Japanese dictionary, and overseas examinees can use dictionaries from their native language to Japanese or English. However, electronic devices with dictionary functions, etc., must not be used.)		 Specialized Subject Individual Interview
There will be an oral examination lasting 15 to 20 minutes, about your research plans, master’s thesis, etc.
  1. Applicants should contact their preferred supervisors before the application.
    Applicants for the Cooperative Graduate School System should also contact Professor Masao Ichikawa (masao@md.tsukuba.ac.jp).
    Contact information can be found on the Program’s website.
  2. If applicant cannot reach their preferred supervisors, please contact Professor Masao Ichikawa (masao@md.tsukuba.ac.jp).

Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine3yr Doctoral

Date Tuesday, August 26
Subject Foreign Language (200 points) Oral Examination
(400 points)
Time – 10:00-17:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Sports Medicine English
Submit the TOEIC Official Score Certificate.		 Individual Interview
The oral examination will be about items relating to your preferred research field, and your own research plans.

  1. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
    (If you would like a supervisor at a Cooperative Graduate School System, contact the Chair of Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine, Professor Koichi Watanabe, beforehand.)
  2. Applicants who have taken the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test and have been issued the Digital Official Score Certificate should follow the instructions when submitting the web application, enter the URL and submit the printed copy of the Digital Official Score Certificate on the department’s stipulated form at the application. In this case, there is no need to submit the originals of the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Official Score Certificate.

    Once the Digital Official Score Certificate is issued, please send the URL of the Digital Official Score Certificate and Degree program applied to Academic Service Office for the Art and Sport Sciences Area, University of Tsukuba (taigeiin.admission@un.tsukuba.ac.jp) by e-mail as soon as possible. In addition, please submit a printed copy of the Digital Official Score Certificate on the exam day.

  3. It is not acceptable to submit photocopies of the TOEIC Official Score Certificate, or to submit the TOEIC SW Test Official Score Certificate, TOEIC Bridge Test Official Score Certificate, or TOEIC Institutional Program (IP) Score Report.
  4. The TOEIC Official Score Certificate is valid in the case of examinations taken within two years before the examination day. The submitted originals will not be returned.
  5. Prepare your Research Plan from the following perspective:
    Enter the background, objectives, subjects and methods precisely for the research topic, and summarize the results you expect, and your future aims.
  6. Information about the oral examination will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check your email address.
  7. Contact for information on the examination
    Admissions Committee of Doctoral Program in Sports Medicine
    (E-mail : nyushi.sp-med.dc@ml.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp)
    If you ask questions by email, title the message “Question about the examination (XX [applicant’s name])”.

Doctoral Program in Coaching Science3yr Doctoral

Date Friday, January 30
Subject Foreign Language (100 points) Oral Examination
(200 points)
Time – 10:00-17:00 (JST, UTC+09:00)
Coaching Science English
Submit the TOEIC Official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report, or IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form.		 Individual Interview
You will give a presentation about your research outline and research plans after admission, followed by a question-and-answer session.
  1. The total score will be 500, including 100 points for the Research Outline and Research Plan submitted, and 100 points for the Personal records.
  2. Contact the faculty member of your desired research area in advance of the application.
  3. In the case of foreign language, affix the original of the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Official Score Certificate, the original of the TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal mail, or the printed copy of the IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form to this department’s stipulated form, and submit it at the application.
  4. Applicants who have taken the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test and have been issued the Digital Official Score Certificate should follow the instructions when submitting the web application, enter the URL and submit the printed copy of the Digital Official Score Certificate on the department’s stipulated form at the application. In this case, there is no need to submit the originals of the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Official Score Certificate.
  5. It is not acceptable to submit photocopies of the TOEIC Official Score Certificate or the TOEFL Test Taker Score Report, or to submit the TOEIC SW Test Official Score Certificate, TOEIC Bridge Test Official Score Certificate, TOEIC Institutional Program (IP) Score Report, TOEFL ITP Score Report, or IELTS General Training Module Test Report Form.
  6. The TOEIC Official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report and IELTS Academic Module Test Report Form are valid in the case of examinations taken within two years before the examination day. The submitted originals will not be returned.
  7. In the oral examination, the presentation can be made using a PC projector. If you intend to use a PC projector, the PC projector and any other required equipment will be prepared for you in the examination room, but examinees should prepare their own computers. If you have any questions about equipment, etc., ask the below contact point about these beforehand.
  8. Information about the oral examination will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check your email address.
  9. For details about this doctoral program, refer to the following web page:
    https://coaching.taiiku.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/
  10. Contact for information on the examination
    Chair of Doctoral Program in Coaching Science
    NAKAYAMA Masao Tel +81.29.853.8060
    E-mail nakayama.masao.ge@u.tsukuba.ac.jp
    If you ask questions by email, title the message “Question about the examination (XX [applicant’s name])”.


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 (1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken)
Refer to “10. Information and Instructions for Examinees” for details.

Announcement of Acceptance

  • July Selection Process： July 18, 2025
  • August Selection Process： September 11, 2025
  • October Selection Process： October 31, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： February 13, 2026

The examinee numbers of the successful applicants will be posted on the website.
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.

Enrollment Procedure

  1. (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 October 2025】

    • The notification will be sent on the day of the Acceptance Announcement
      July 18, 2025
      (Successful applicants for the Doctoral Program in Design July Selection Process (General Selection Process))
      【Date to send email :For entrants in April 2026】
      Sent out in two instalments.

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

    • Late June 2026

    Note: 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.

  2. (2)Estimated Expenses Upon Entrance
    1. (a)Entrance fees are 282,000 Japanese Yen (nonrefundable).
    2. (b)Tuition:
      ・The tuition for the first semester of the academic year (April-September) is 267,900 Japanese Yen.
      ・The tuition for the second semester (October-March) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. (Yearly Amount: 535,800 Japanese Yen)
    1. Note 1：If fees are revised before entrance or while enrolled in this Graduate School, the revised tuition fees will be applied.
    2. Note 2：However, the Entrance fees are exempted for those who are.
      1)The Government-Sponsored(Japanese Government Monbukagakusho scholarship).
      2)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.
      * Those who complete the program in March and enroll in April of the following year will be required to pay the Entrance fees.
  3. (3)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 this Graduate School as an international student must acquire Status of Residence as a “Student”.


8. Previous Examinations | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

8. Previous Examinations

Graduate School (Program) Browsing Photocopy Postal Delivery Contact Direct Phone Number
Neuroscience (Note1) Laboratory of Advanced Research D Office +81 29.853.2999
Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences (Note1) Physical Education Office +81 29.853.2739
Art (Note1) Art and Design Office +81 29.853.2841
Design (Note1) Art and Design Office +81 29.853.6508
Heritage Studies (Note1) Academic Service Office for the Art and Sport Sciences Area +81 29.853.2997
Public Health Not Available Available
(Note2)		 Laboratory of Advanced Research D Office +81 29.853.2591
Sports Medicine (Note1) Laboratory of Advanced Research D Office +81 29.853.2998
Coaching Science Not Available Physical Education Office +81 29.853.2739
  1. This is an oral examination, so no previous entrance examination questions that have been made public are available.
  2. Details can be found on the Program’s website. (https://hcph.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/)


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

9. Applicants Who Need Assistance

If you require assistance due to a disability, submit the designated application form, a doctor’s certificate, and a copy of your disability certificate to the Division of Admission (1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki) by the following dates:
* We may not be able to accommodate your request for consideration.

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： May 22, 2025
  • August Selection Process： July 2, 2025
  • October Selection Process： August 28, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： November 25, 2025

Click here for sending your request.

10. Information and Instructions for Examinees

We will post the “Information and Instructions for Examinees” on our website.

    【Estimated Release Dates】

  • July Selection Process： June 16, 2025
  • August Selection Process： August 1, 2025
  • October Selection Process： September 24, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process： January 8, 2026

11. Contact Us

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

Academic Service Office for the Art and Sport Sciences Area, University of Tsukuba
(taigeiin.admission@un.tsukuba.ac.jp)
1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki-ken 305-8574, Japan

Hours: 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday except national holidays

12. Disclosure of Admission Examination Results

The Following Information will be Disclosed Regarding the Results of Examinees Who Took the Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences (Doctoral Program) General Selection Process and Special Selection Process for Working Individuals for Adults Who were Not Successful in the Examination.

  1. Contents of Disclosure
    Total Score of the Candidate Who Failed the Examination
    ※However, the Following Results Will not be Disclosed
    (1) Absentee from One or More Courses
    (2) Online Entrance Examinations for Those Living Abroad.
  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) Examination Voucher (to be returned at the time of disclosure)
    (If you have lost the Examination Voucher, 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 Overseas 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 Sequentially 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@un.tsukuba.ac.jp


Register Extending System | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Register Extending System

Eligible Applicants

Working students or those who need to take care of family members, such as children or the elderly

Overview

Register Extending System allows students to complete a master’s or a doctoral program in a period longer than usual.
Master’s programs: The period can be extended from standard 2 years to 3 or 4 years.
Doctoral programs: The period can be extended from standard 3 years to 4 or 5 years.

Application Period

Consult the Chair of your program as well as your supervisor for approval of application.
Submit required documents within the time period for enrollment procedure.
Details of the long-term enrollment system will be posted on the website of the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences around the end of January 2026.


Dual Degree Programs at the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Dual Degree Programs at the Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences

Overview

Dual Degree Programs allow doctoral students to enroll in a master’s or professional degree program either at the same graduate school or at different ones to earn a master’s degree there.

In this context, a “dual degree” refers to a degree obtained by a graduate school student enrolled in a doctoral program at this university simultaneously enrolling in a master’s program or professional degree program (except legal professional qualifications at the Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences), and obtaining both degrees.

A Dual Degree Program is currently in operation by the Design Doctoral Program in Design (the primary program) and the Intelligent and Mechanical Interaction Systems Masterʼs Program, at the Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology (the secondary program). For details about this program, refer to the doctoral program homepage.

It is not easy to obtain two degrees within a limited time. However, if you wish to do this, you can consult your expected supervisor in the Design Doctoral Program in Design (included in the list of faculty members’ research fields), get a sufficient explanation, and then submit an application.

If you do decide to submit an application, you should receive the Dual Degree Program Application Form in relation to the graduate school educational activities of the Art and Sport Sciences Area Academic Service Office, which is responsible for the Design Doctoral Program in Design (the primary program), after which you should get the names of your expected supervisors for the primary and secondary programs, and submit the items required for student enrollment by the deadline for application eligibility screening.

If you are approved for the Dual Degree Program on the basis of the screening, we will send you a Dual Degree Program Completion Permission Document, and you should attach a photocopy of this to your application. If you decide to apply simultaneously for the doctoral and master’s programs, you should attach the Dual Degree Program Completion Permission Document to each application, and there will then be no examination fee for the master’s program.

Please be aware that to join the program, you must pass the stipulated entrance examinations, and go through the other entrance procedures. If you have a lot of interest in this program, you may apply simultaneously for the master’s and doctoral programs, but in this case, if you are not accepted for the doctoral program, you will also not be accepted for the master’s doctoral program.

If you pass the entrance examination, neither an admission fee for the master’s doctoral program or tuition fees for the duration of the program will be charged.


Special Provision on Educational Method Stipulated in Article 14 of the Standards for Establishment of Graduate School | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Special Provision on Educational Method Stipulated in Article 14 of the Standards for Establishment of Graduate Schools

Education provided under special provision

Dual Degree Programs allow doctoral students to enroll in a master’s or professional degree program either at the same graduate school or at different ones to earn a master’s degree there.

Along with the progress of science technology and the sophistication of society, there are increasing demands for the return of working individuals to graduate schools. In response to these demands, Article 14 of the Standards for Establishment of Graduate Schools stipulates that graduate schools may, if necessary from an educational standpoint, provide education through appropriate means, which include conducting classes or research guidance in the evening and other certain hours and periods.

This stipulation provides more working individuals with opportunities to receive graduate school education while in employment and to develop the knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in educational research and practices. Under Article 14 of the Standards for Establishment of Graduate Schools, master’s and doctoral programs in the University of Tsukuba Graduate Schools, which have achieved in fostering skilled professionals and re-educating working individuals, have introduced a day/evening course system to enhance education and research activities.

Requirements to complete the program (Doctoral Program in Art)

  1. You must complete four special exercises for the specialized topic of an art-related field (corresponding to Article 14), and your research must be directed as necessary for preparation of a doctoral thesis.
  2. You must receive eight special exercise units, submit your doctoral thesis, and pass the thesis assessment and final examination.
Program Requirement to Complete the Program
Doctoral Program in Art Advanced Seminar : Theory of Art IA（2 credits）
Advanced Seminar : Theory of Art IB（2 credits）
Advanced Seminar : Theory of Art IIA（2 credits）
Advanced Seminar : Theory of Art IIB（2 credits）