Degree Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences

Doctoral Programs

Humanities (Subprogram in Philosophy/ Subprogram in History and Anthropology/ Subprogram in Literature/ Subprogram in Linguistics/ Subprogram in Modern Culture Studies/ Subprogram in English Language Education)
    Enrollment in April 2025

  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)
International Public Policy
    Enrollment in October 2024

  • July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
    Enrollment in April 2025

  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process)*
International and Advanced Japanese Studies
    Enrollment in October 2024

  • July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
    Enrollment in April 2025

  • July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
  • October Selection Process (General Selection Process)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)*

*Applicants who take January to February Selection Process for the Doctoral program in International Public Policy or International and Advanced Japanese Studies may also choose to enroll in October 2025.

The following application guidelines apply to all of the programs listed above.

If you have any questions about the application process, please check the information in this application guideline before contacting us, and inquire at the contact information in “11. Contact Us”.

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!

 
*Those who wish to apply for the “Special Selection Process for Working Individuals” must have at least one year of full-time or part-time work experience by enrollment.
 
(A) No Eligibility Screening is required for the following individuals:
(Note: Persons who are expecting to graduate cannot apply for Special Selection Process for Working Individuals Examination.)

  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a master’s degree by enrollment
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a specialized degree by enrollment
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn the equivalent of a master’s degree or a specialized degree from a university outside Japan by enrollment
  • Others
    (If you have any questions about your eligibility, contact us by email.)
 
(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
    (If you have any questions about your eligibility, contact us by email.)
 
   
   
Assessment of Eligibility for Application

Individuals who need to undergo Eligibility Screening should contact the Academic Service Office for the Humanities and Social Sciences Area in advance.
Email us to obtain the necessary forms and email your documents for 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 apply for the screening again.)

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process: May 22, 2024
  • October Selection Process: August 29, 2024
  • January to February Selection Process: November 26, 2024
 
Applicants Who Need Assistance for the Entrance Examination

If you need assistance at the time of the entrance examination due to disability, contact us by the following dates:

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process: May 22, 2024
  • October Selection Process: August 29, 2024
  • January to February Selection Process: November 26, 2024
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 24, 2024 (from noon JST) – June 3, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • October Selection Process: September 2, 2024 (from noon JST) – September 12, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process: December 2, 2024 (from noon JST) – December 12, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
Sign Up

First, you will need your own account to login. Once you have created an account, you can save the data you have entered and log back in later to continue.

Activation

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

Login

After you activate your account, you will be automatically logged in. Just click the “Login” button and proceed to “My Page”. From the next login, you will need to enter your email address and password.

My Page

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

Application Form

There are four sections in the Application Form:

  1. Degree Program / Applicant’s Information
  2. Supervisor
  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 characters and numbers to input all the information.

Payment

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

  1. Online credit card payments
  2. Convenience store payments

Credit Card Payment: Follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and pay your fees by credit card. After 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 13-digit code. After payment, enter the code and payment date into the boxes on the Web Entry system and click the “Submit” button to proceed.

However, the examination fees are exempted for those who are.
1. The Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government MEXT 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.

Submission

After the payment is confirmed, you can submit your application by clicking the “Submit to Apply” button. Once you click on this 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 all information before proceeding.
After you submit your application, a confirmation email will be sent to your registered email address. Be sure to check it.

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

Create and Print PDF

After you have submitted your application, follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and be sure to download and print out all PDF files. You can download them from the Web Entry system only during the web application period.

    【Application Period】

  • July Selection Process: May 24, 2024 (from noon JST) – June 3, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • October Selection Process: September 2, 2024 (from noon JST) – September 12, 2024 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process: December 2, 2024 (from noon JST) – December 12, 2024 (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” must be submitted by registered mail or by bringing them to the Graduate School Affairs, Academic Service Office for the Humanities and Social Sciences Area no later than the due date specified below.
Your application will not be accepted if your documents are not submitted by the due date or if they are incomplete.

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process: June 4, 2024 (must arrive)
  • October Selection Process: September 13, 2024 (must arrive)
  • January to February Selection Process: December 13, 2024 (must arrive)

Note: If you bring your documents to the office, the closing time is 5:00 p.m. on each due date.

Information and Instructions for Examinees

We will post “Information and Instructions for Examinees” on our website. Be sure to read this before the entrance examination.

    【Estimated Release Dates】

  • July Selection Process: June 17, 2024
  • October Selection Process: September 24, 2024
  • January to February Selection Process: January 9, 2025
Examination Dates
  • July Selection Process: July 5, 2024
  • October Selection Process: October 10-11, 2024
  • January to February Selection Process: January 29-30, 2025

Click here to check the availability of past examination papers.

Announcement of Admission Results
  • July Selection Process: July 18, 2024
  • October Selection Process: October 31, 2024
  • January to February Selection Process: February 14, 2025
Documents for Enrollment

An enrollment packet (which contain documents to be submitted before entrance) will be sent to successful applicants.

    Date of dispatch: for entrants in October 2024

  • The notification will be sent on the day of the Acceptance Announcement (July 18, 2024).
    Date of dispatch: for entrants in April 2025

  • Successful applicants for the July and October Selection Process:October 31, 2024
  • Successful applicants for the January to February Selection Process:February 14, 2025
    Date of dispatch: for entrants in October 2025

  • Late June, 2025
Procedure for Enrollment

Documents must be submitted by the following due dates for each enrollment period.

  • Due Date for Enrollment in October 2024: August 23, 2024
  • Due Date for Enrollment in April 2025: March 4, 2025
  • Due Date for Enrollment in October 2025: late August, 2025
Entrance
  • October 1, 2024, April 1, 2025 or October 1, 2025