Degree Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences

Master’s Programs

6. Screening Criteria

Candidates for admission will be selected on the basis of comprehensive assessment of the documents submitted and the examination results.

Examination Schedule and the Subjects

Refer to the schedule below.

HumanitiesMaster’s

July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
Date Friday, July 5
Subject Essay
(150 points)		 Oral Examination
(150 points)
Program Time 10:00-12:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)		 13:00-17:00
(JST, UTC+09:00)
Humanities Essay based on specialized literature written in a foreign language. Individual Interview:
Questions about your specialized field.
【Selection at the time of application】
    • Select one from the language list below:
      Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during examination.
    • Subprogram in Philosophy: English, German, French, Chinese, Chinese classics, or Japanese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in History and Anthropology: English, German, French, or Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select one from the above-mentioned languages and Japanese except your mother tongue.
    • Subprogram in Literature: English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Chinese, or classical languages (classical languages include Greek, Latin, and classical Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in Linguistics: English, German, Russian, Chinese, or Korean. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in Modern Culture Studies: English, German, French, or Spanish. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
    • Subprogram in English Language Education: English. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.

    The “mother tongue (first language)” means your most proficient language in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. In other words, the language which you received your education with and have a good command of for expressing your opinion, thought, emotion, etc.

    January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
    Date Wednesday, January 29 Thursday, January 30
    Subject Specialized Subject
    (150 points)    		 Oral Examination
    (150 points)
    Program Time 10:00-12:00
    (JST, UTC+09:00)    		 10:00-15:00
    (JST, UTC+09:00)
    Humanities Questions about your specialized fields, including specialized literature written in a foreign language. Individual Interview:
    Questions about your specialized field.
    【Selection at the time of application】
      • Select one from the language list below:
        Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during examination.
      • Subprogram in Philosophy: English, German, French, Chinese, Chinese classics, or Japanese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in History and Anthropology: English, German, French, or Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select one from the above-mentioned languages and Japanese except your mother tongue.
      • Subprogram in Literature: English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Chinese, or classical languages (classical languages include Greek, Latin, and classical Chinese. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in Linguistics: English, German, Russian, Chinese, or Korean. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in Modern Culture Studies: English, German, French, or Spanish. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.
      • Subprogram in English Language Education: English. If your mother tongue (first language) is not Japanese, select Japanese.

      The “mother tongue (first language)” means your most proficient language in the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. In other words, the language which you received your education with and have a good command of for expressing your opinion, thought, emotion, etc.

      International Public PolicyMaster’s

      July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
      Date Friday, July 5
      Subject Essay
      (100 points)      		 Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 13:00-17:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)
      International Public Policy Select one Essay subject from International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, Economics or Area Studies closely related to your specialty and research plan. (Note) Individual Interview:
      Questions about your specialized field and Research Plan.
      【Selection at the time of application】
      • International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science: Questions are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
      • Sociology: Questions are given and must be answered in Japanese.
      • Economics: Questions are given and must be answered in English.
      • Area Studies: At the time of your application, select one question from “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” or “Society and Culture.” Questions of “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” and “Society and Culture” are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
      October Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Thursday, October 10 Friday October 11
      Subject Foreign Language
      (100 points)      		 Specialized Subject
      (200 points)       		Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 11:30-12:30
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 10:00-17:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)
      International Public Policy Japanese or English
      (Note 1)       		Select one subject from International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, Economics or Area Studies.
      (Note 2)      		 Individual Interview:
      Questions about your specialized field and Research Plan.
      【Selection at the time of application】 【Selection at the time of application】
      1. English: Questions must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Japanese: Questions must be answered in Japanese.
        Applicants CANNOT select their mother language (first language) as their chosen foreign language. Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during this examination. If the following languages―Chinese, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese―are highly relevant to the applicant’s research theme which they plan to study in our program, applicants can select one of these languages as their chosen language for the foreign-language examination. If applicants want to designate one of the languages noted above, they must inform the office by September 2, 2024 by providing a statement (within 1200 letters in Japanese or 400 words in English) explaining the relationship between their chosen research area, research plan, and designated foreign language. For detail, please consult with our office (ipp-office@un.tsukuba.ac.jp).
      2. International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science: Questions are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Sociology: Questions are given and must be answered in Japanese.
        Economics: Questions are given and must be answered in English.
        Area Studies: At the time of your application, select one question from “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” or “Society and Culture.” Questions of “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” and “Society and Culture” are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
      January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Wednesday, January 29 Thursday, January 30
      Subject Foreign Language
      (100 points)      		 Specialized Subject
      (200 points)       		Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 11:30-12:30
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 10:00-17:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)
      International Public Policy Japanese or English
      (Note 1)       		Select one subject from International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science, Sociology, Economics or Area Studies.
      (Note 2)       		Individual Interview:
      Questions about your specialized field and Research Plan.
      【Selection at the time of application】 【Selection at the time of application】
      1. English: Questions must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Japanese: Questions must be answered in Japanese.
        Applicants CANNOT select their mother language (first language) as their chosen foreign language. Applicants CANNOT use dictionaries during this examination. If the following languages―Chinese, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese―are highly relevant to the applicant’s research theme which they plan to study in our program, applicants can select one of these languages as their chosen language for the foreign-language examination. If applicants want to designate one of the languages noted above, they must inform the office by December 2, 2024 by providing a statement (within 1200 letters in Japanese or 400 words in English) explaining the relationship between their chosen research area, research plan, and designated foreign language. For detail, please consult with our office (ipp-office@un.tsukuba.ac.jp).
      2. International Relations (including International Law), Social Development, Anthropology, Political Science: Questions are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.
        Sociology: Questions are given and must be answered in Japanese.
        Economics: Questions are given and must be answered in English.
        Area Studies: At the time of your application, select one question from “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” or “Society and Culture.” Questions of “Politics and Economy,” “Geography and History,” and “Society and Culture” are given in both English and Japanese and must be answered in either English or Japanese.

      International and Advanced Japanese StudiesMaster’s

      July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
      Date Friday, July 5
      Subject Essay
      (100 points)      		 Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 13:00-17:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one from among the following 7 specialized subjects (questions): Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/Philosophy; Law; Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; and Research in Japanese Language Education.

      Questions for Politics, Economics, Literature/Culture/Philosophy, Law, Society/Media/Information, and Linguistics will be given in both Japanese and English. Applicants can answer either in Japanese or English.

      Questions for Research in Japanese Language Education will be given in Japanese only. Applicants must answer in Japanese.

      		An approximately 15-minute interview per person about their research proposal (see Note 2).
      【Select at the time of application】
      (see Note 1.)
      1. Applicants are not allowed to change the subjects selected at the time of application on the day of the examination. Also, the use of a dictionary or other reference materials is not allowed during the examination.
      2. During the oral examination, applicants are not allowed to read from their research proposals or other prepared materials.
      October Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Thursday, October 10 Friday, October 11
      Subject Specialized Subject
      (100 points)      		 Foreign Language
      (100 points)       		Oral Examination
      (100 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 12:00-13:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)      		 9:00-16:00
      (JST, UTC+09:00)
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one from among the following 7 specialized subjects (questions): Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/Philosophy; Law; Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; and Research in Japanese Language Education.

      Questions for Politics, Economics, Literature/Culture/Philosophy, Law, Society/Media/Information, and Linguistics will be given in both Japanese and English. Applicants can answer either in Japanese or English.

      Questions for Research in Japanese Language Education will be given in Japanese only. Applicants must answer in Japanese.

      		Select either Japanese or English (see Note 2). An approximately 15- minute interview per person about their research proposal. (see Note 3).
      【Select at the time of application】
      (see Note 1).      		 【Select at the time of application】
      (see Note 1).
      1. Applicants are not allowed to change the subjects selected at the time of application on the day of the examination. Also, the use of a dictionary or other reference materials is not allowed during the examination.
      2. Applicants cannot select their native language(s). Also, the use of a dictionary is not allowed during the examination.
      January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
      Date Wednesday, January 29 Thursday, January 30
      Subject Specialized Subject
      (100 points)      		 Foreign Language
      (100 points)       		Oral Examination
      (100 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00 12:00-13:00 9:00-16:00
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one from among the following 7 specialized subjects (questions): Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/Philosophy; Law; Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; and Research in Japanese Language Education.

      Questions for Politics, Economics, Literature/Culture/Philosophy, Law, Society/Media/Information, and Linguistics will be given in both Japanese and English. Applicants can answer either in Japanese or English.

      Questions for Research in Japanese Language Education will be given in Japanese only. Applicants must answer in Japanese.

      		Select either Japanese or English (see Notes 2). An approximately 15-minute interview per person about their research proposal (see Notes 3).
      【Select at the time of application】
      (see Note 1).      		 【Select at the time of application】
      (see Note 1).
      1. Applicants are not allowed to change the subjects selected at the time of application on the day of the examination. Also, the use of a dictionary or other reference materials is not allowed during the examination.
      2. Applicants cannot select their native language(s). Also, the use of a dictionary is not allowed during the examination.
      3. During the oral examination, applicants are not allowed to read from their research proposals or other prepared materials.
      January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
      Date Wednesday, January 29
      Subject Specialized Subject
      (100 points)      		 Oral Examination
      (200 points)
      Program Time 10:00-11:00 13:00-17:00
      International and Advanced Japanese Studies Select one from the following 7 specialized subjects (questions): Politics; Economics; Literature/Culture/Philosophy; Law; Society/Media/Information; Linguistics; and Research in Japanese Language Education.

      Questions for Politics, Economics, Literature/Culture/Philosophy, Law, Society/Media/Information, and Linguistics will be given in both Japanese and English. Applicants can answer either in Japanese or English.

      Questions for Research in Japanese Language Education will be given in Japanese only. Applicants must answer in Japanese.

      		 An approximately 15-minute interview per person about their research proposal (see Note 2)
      【Select at the time of application】
      (see Note 1.)
      1. Applicants are not allowed to change the subjects selected at the time of application on the day of the examination. Also, the use of a dictionary or other reference materials is not allowed during the examination.
      2. During the oral examination, applicants are not allowed to read from their research proposals or other prepared materials.