Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering,
Life and Earth Sciences, Comprehensive Human Sciences

Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation

Life Science Innovation
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process) Entrance: April 2027
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process) Entrance: April 2027

Important Notice

The University is currently applying to establish a new graduate school, the Graduate School of Integrative and Global Multidisciplinary Arena (G-SIGMA), for implementation in Academic Year 2027 (April 2027), under the system of a “basic organization for the delivery of inter-graduate school programs” designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

If the establishment is approved, students enrolling from April 2027 will be affiliated with the Doctoral Programs in Life Science Innovation of G-SIGMA.

As approval is expected around autumn 2026, the entrance examination conducted in August 2026 will be administered under the current program. If the application is approved, successful applicants of the August examination will enroll in the new Doctoral Programs in Life Science Innovation. In addition, the entrance examinations scheduled for January–February will be conducted under the new graduate school.

Please note that, in the Doctoral Programs in Life Science Innovation of G-SIGMA, October admission is planned to be discontinued, and only April admission will be offered.

Furthermore, the Early Completion Program for working Individuals will be temporarily suspended starting from applicants for enrollment in AY2027 due to the transition to the new graduate school. Admissions are expected to resume in accordance with the progression of students in the doctoral program after the establishment.

Information regarding entrance examinations for the new graduate school will be updated in the Application Guidelines around autumn 2026 and announced on the “Information” page of the University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions website. Applicants are advised to check the website for the latest information.

・University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions Website
・G-SIGMA Website

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!

 
(A) No eligibility screening is required for the following individuals:
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree by March 2027
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a specialized degree by March 2027
  • Individuals who have earned or are expected to earn a master’s degree from a university outside Japan as of March 2027
  • Others(If you have any questions about your eligibility, send us an email.)
 
(B) Eligibility screening is required for the following individuals:
  • Individuals who have graduated from, or are expecting to graduate from, a junior college or upper secondary school as the latest academic background
  • Individuals who have graduated from, or are expecting to graduate from, a vocational school or similar school with the latest academic background
  • Individuals who have graduated from, or are expecting to graduate from, a four-year university as the latest academic background
  • Others(If you have any questions about your eligibility, send us an email.)
 
Please contact your prospective supervisor in advance and consult with them regarding your application.
〈For inquiries regarding research fields (majors), please refer to this link:〉
   
Assessment of Eligibility for Application

Email us to obtain the necessary documents by the schedule below. If you are deemed eligible for admission, you will be given a passcode needed for the Web Entry System.

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process: July 3, 2026
  • January to February Selection Process: November 24, 2026
 
Applicants Who Need Considerations

If you need consideration due to disability, contact the Division of Admission, Department of Educational Promotion.
*We may not be able to accommodate your request for consideration.

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process: July 3, 2026
  • January to February Selection Process: November 24, 2026
Web Entry

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

    【Application Period】

  • August Selection Process: July 9 (from 12 p.m. JST) – July 22, 2026 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process: November 30 (from 12 p.m. JST) – December 10, 2026 (by 3 p.m. JST)

After the application period has ended, changes to the desired program or the intended enrollment period will not be permitted.

Sign Up

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

Activation

When you sign up, the activation email will be sent to your registered email address. Click the activation URL in the email to activate your account.

Login

For the first time after the activation, you’re already logged in. Just click on the “Login” button to begin. When you visit our Login page the second time or later, enter your email address and password to log in.

My Page

On the “My Page”, you need to click on the “Application Form” button for the Doctoral Program.
On the 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
  2. Course Information/ Preferences
  3. Eligibility
  4. Educational Background

Each section will be saved when you click on the “Proceed” button on each confirmation page. After saving, you can continue from where you left off when you log back in.

On “1. Applicant’s Information,” upload your ID photo in JPEG format.

On “3. Eligibility,” describe your Study plan, Background, and Future Career Plan, with about 1,000 words in English.

On “4. Educational Background,” applicants who have graduated from a university outside Japan are required to upload their degree certificate in JPEG format, which is one of the documents to be submitted. (Since each country has a different education system, we need to confirm their eligibility for the application.) Click here for details on information, certificates, and supporting documents required for the application.

Payment

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

  1. Online credit card payment for both domestic and overseas applicants
  2. Convenience store payment for domestic applicants only

Please note that the examination fees are exempted for those who are

  1. The Government-Sponsored (MEXT scholarship) students.
  2. Completed the University of Tsukuba Master’s Program and will continue on to the University Doctoral Program within one year of the completion date.

Click here for details. (Or please see “4. Examination Fee” in the Application Guidelines)

Submission

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 edit it. Make sure to double-check before proceeding.

Print Generated PDF Documents

After clicking on the “Submit to Apply” button, “Reference Card” and “Address Sheet” will be generated in PDF for printing.
You can download them from the Web Entry system only during the application period.

    【Application Period】

  • August Selection Process: July 9 (from 12 p.m. JST) – July 22, 2026 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process: November 30 (from 12 p.m. JST) – December 10, 2026 (by 3 p.m. JST)

After the application period has ended, changes to the desired program or the intended enrollment period will not be permitted.

Web Entry

Submission of Certificates and Supporting Documents

Submit originals of all required certificates and supporting documents to the T-LSI Office by postal mail, or you can submit them directly.

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process: July 23, 2026 PM 3:00 (JST)
  • January to February Selection Process: December 11, 2026 PM 3:00 (JST)

Click here for details.

Information and Instructions for Examinees

Information and Instructions for Examinees will be sent by email.

Examination Dates
  • August Selection Process: August 19 – August 21, 2026
  • January to February Selection Process: January 26 – January 28, 2027
Announcement of Admission Results
  • August Selection Process: September 10, 2026
  • January to February Selection Process: February 15, 2027

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.
*It may take up to an hour from the announcement to receive the email.

Documents for Enrollment

(1) Enrollment Procedure
The information on Admission Procedure will be provided to successful applicants to the email address registered for the application.
Please follow the instructions in that email to conduct the admission procedure. Admission will be permitted upon completion of the prescribed admission procedure.

    【Date to send email】

  • Emails will be sent sequentially on the date of the announcement of acceptance.

(2) Due Date for Enrollment

  • Early March 2027

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

All applicants with a full-time job must submit a document or letter from their employer providing that they are available to complete the program (e.g., an order for a training course, a letter for a leave of absence, or an approval letter)

Entrance
  • April 1, 2027

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

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

1. Number of Students to be Admitted

August Selection Process

Graduate School/
Degree Programs
Program Number of Students to be Admitted
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences/ Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Disease Mechanism)
3
Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Drug Discovery)
Graduate School of Science and Technology/ Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Food Innovation)
4
Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Environmental Management)
Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Biomolecular Engineering)
Graduate School of Science and Technology/ Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Bioinformatics)
2

(Note) The time of entrance is April 1, 2027.

January to February Selection Process

Graduate School/
Degree Programs
Program Number of Students to be Admitted
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences/ Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Disease Mechanism)
A few students
Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Drug Discovery)
Graduate School of Science and Technology/ Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Food Innovation)
A few students
Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Environmental Management)
Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Biomolecular Engineering)
Graduate School of Science and Technology/ Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
(Bioinformatics)
A few students

(Note) The time of entrance is April 1, 2027.

2. Eligibility for Application

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

No Eligibility Screening Required
  • Individuals who have a master’s degree or who will have one by March 2027
  • Individuals who have a specialized degree or who will have one by March 2027
  • Individuals who have earned a degree from a university outside Japan equivalent to a master’s degree or a specialized degree as of March 2027
  • Individuals who have obtained or are obtaining relevant qualifications as specified by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology
Eligibility Screening Required
  • Individuals who are 24 years of age or older as of March 2027, and whose qualification is recognized as equivalent to a master’s degree or a first professional degree as a result of the Eligibility Screening conducted by us
  • Others

*If you have any questions about your eligibility, please send us an email.

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

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5. Application Procedure | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

5. Application Procedure

  1. Visit our Web Entry system to apply. The Web Entry system will be available during the following period.
      【Application Period】

    • August Selection Process: July 9, 2026, 12:00 pm– July 22, 2026, 3:00 pm
    • January to February Selection Process: November 30, 2026, 12:00 pm – December 10, 2026, 3:00 pm
  2. Some of the documents have to be mailed to the Office of Master’s/Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation by express mail. Your documents need to be received by the deadline. When you submit your application online, the system will ask you to create the Address Sheet. Print out the sheet created and attach it to the envelope when sending the required documents to us.
  3. In principle, submitted certificates and other required documents will not be returned. If you wish to have them returned due to unavoidable circumstances, you must contact the T-LSI Office by the application deadline.
      【Due dates】

    • August Selection Process: arrives no later than July 23, 2026
    • January to February Selection Process: arrives no later than December 11, 2026

If the documents do not arrive within the specified period or if any documents are missing, the application will not be accepted, and you will not be able to take the entrance examination.

Should you have any questions about the curriculum or research field, contact us.


6. Selection Process | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

6. Selection Process

Examination Site

University of Tsukuba

Note* The TLSI program will have our entrance exam at the university. However, we will allow those who live outside of Japan to take our entrance examination online.
Those who wish to have our entrance exam online need to submit the Application form to take the exam online during the application period.

Examination Schedule and the Subjects

August Selection Process August 19 – August 21, 2026
January to February Selection Process January 26 – January 28, 2027
Subject English proficiency (score 100) Individual Interview (score 100)
Content Evaluation according to the submitted English score Oral presentation about the research plan in English
*English language proficiency will also be assessed.


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

7. Announcement of Acceptance and Enrollment Procedure

Announcement of Acceptance

  • August Selection Process: September 10, 2026
  • January to February Selection Process: February 15, 2027

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.
*It may take up to an hour from the announcement to receive the email.

Enrollment Procedure

  1. The information on Admission Procedure will be provided to successful applicants to the email address registered for the application.
    Please follow the instructions in that email to conduct the admission procedure. Admission will be permitted upon completion of the prescribed admission procedure.

    【Date to send email】
     Emails will be sent sequentially on the date of the announcement of acceptance.

    Due Date for Enrollment

    Early March 2027

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

  2. Expenses Required Upon Entrance
    • (a) Admission fee
      282,000 Japanese yen (non-refundable)
    • (b) Tuition fee
      **the payment made after enrollment.
    • You will need to register a Japanese bank account.
      Please note that tuition fee is different depending on whether you are an international student or not.

        Tuition fee(Except international students)

      • The first term (April – September): 267,900 Japanese yen
      • The second term (October – March): 267,900 Japanese yen (Annual: 535,800 Japanese yen)
        Tuition fee(For international students)

      • The first term (April – September): 304,400 Japanese yen
      • The second term (October – March): 304,400 Japanese yen (Annual: 608,800 Japanese yen)

      * International students refer to individuals residing in Japan under the ‘Student’ residence status as specified in Table (4) of Appended Table I of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951).
      *1:If fees are revised before admission or while enrolled in thee university, the revised amount of fees will apply.
      *2:Tuition exemption applications will be processed after enrollment.

  3. All applicants who have a full-time job must submit a document or a letter (e.g. an order to attend a training course, a letter of leave of absence or an approval letter) issued by the employer to prove that you are approved to enroll in the university.
  4. Applicants with foreign nationality must acquire a status of residence which is suitable for admission, in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951), before beginning enrollment procedures. Those who wish to enroll in the university as an international student must obtain a “Student” visa and enter Japan with a residence status of “Student.”


8. Applicants Who Need Considerations, 9. Instructions for Taking the Examination, and 10. Contact Us | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

8. Applicants Who Need Considerations

If you need consideration due to disability, contact the Division of Admission, Department of Educational Promotion by the following dates:
*We may not be able to accommodate your request for consideration.

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process: July 3, 2026
  • January to February Selection Process: November 24, 2026
  • 9. Instructions for Taking the Examination

    “Information and Instructions for Examinees” will be sent via email by the following dates:

    • August Selection Process: August 3, 2026
    • January to February Selection Process: January 8, 2027

    10. Contact Us

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

    Office of Master’s/Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
    School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of Tsukuba
    1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-city, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
    Phone: +81-29-853-3662
    E-mail: tlsi-sigma#@#un.tsukuba.ac.jp
    (Remove “#” from the above e-mail address before sending mail.)
    Hours: 9:00 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm (Japan time) on Monday through Friday, except for Sundays, Saturdays, and national holidays

    Disclosure of Admission Examination Results

    The Following disclosure is made in relation to the performance of a candidate who was unsuccessful in the entrance examination for the Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation.

    1. Contents of Disclosure
      Total Score of the Candidate Who Failed the Examination
    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 email to the Billing Office.
    4. Request Period
      May 1, 2027 – May 31, 2027
    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: admission.grad#@#un.tsukuba.ac.jp (Remove “#” from the above e-mail address before sending mail.)


Early Completion Program for Working Individuals in Doctoral Programs in the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Early Completion Program for Working Individuals in Doctoral Programs in the Graduate School of Sciences and Technology

Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation (Bioinformatics, Food Innovation, Environmental Management, Biomolecular Engineering at Graduate School of Science and Technology) (Disease Mechanism, Drug Discovery at Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences), has introduced a system to support working individuals who wish to complete the doctoral programs in a shorter period. The Early Completion Program applies to work individuals with a certain degree of research achievements and competency and provides them with opportunities to complete a three-year doctoral program in a minimum of one year.

  1. Students eligible for early completion

    Working individuals who have research achievements related to a research field in the Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation (Bioinformatics, Food Innovation, Environmental Management, Biomolecular Engineering at Graduate School of Science and technology) (Disease Mechanism, Drug Discovery at Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences), and wish to earn a doctoral degree in a shorter period.

  2. Documents to be submitted to apply for the Early Completion Program
    After passing the entrance examination, submit the documents and reports specified in 1) – 4) below. The procedures will be notified to successful applicants at the time of the announcement of acceptance.

    1. 1) Applicant’s statement (includes the applicant’s area of specialization, activities at the school last attended, and their relation to the desired area of research.)
    2. 2) List of achievements (includes peer-reviewed papers and presentation materials)
      The number of peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations required for the application in the program is shown below.
    3. 3) Self-assessment form (prescribed form)
    4. 4) Plan of doctoral dissertation (2 – 4 pages of A4 size paper, format of your choice, including your theme and studies in related areas)
  3. Qualifications for the Early Completion Program
    Based on the documents listed in 2 above, an interview will be conducted if necessary to determine whether the applicant qualifies for the program. The application procedures will be notified along with the announcement of acceptance.
  4. Notes
    Consult with your prospective advisor in advance before applying.
  5. Doctoral Programs    Doctoral
    Program Peer-Reviewed Paper Presentation in international conference
    Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation (Bioinformatics) A minimum of 2 first author original papers (published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals) A minimum of 1 first author presentation in an international conference (poster or oral)
    Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
    (Food Innovation)
    A minimum of 2 first author original papers (published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals) A minimum of 1 first author presentation in an international conference (poster or oral)
    Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
    (Environmental Management)
    A minimum of 2 first author original papers (published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals) A minimum of 1 first author presentation in an international conference (poster or oral)
    Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
    (Biomolecular Engineering)
    A minimum of 2 first author original papers (published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals) A minimum of 1 first author presentation in an international conference (poster or oral)
    Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
    (Disease Mechanism)
    A minimum of 2 first author original papers (published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals) A minimum of 1 first author presentation in an international conference (poster or oral)
    Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation
    (Drug Discovery)
    A minimum of 2 first author original papers (published or in press in international peer-reviewed journals) A minimum of 1 first author presentation in an international conference (poster or oral)