Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences

Doctoral Programs

Biology / Geosciences
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / General Selection Process (October Entry)/ Special Selection Process for Working Individuals / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals (October Entry))
Agricultural Sciences
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals (October Entry))
Life and Agricultural Sciences / Bioindustrial Sciences
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
Environmental Studies
  • August Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)
  • January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)

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

Important Notice:
To International Students and Applicants Residing Abroad

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 eligibility!

 
*Those who wish to apply for the “Special Selection of Working Individuals” must have at least one year of full-time or part-time work experience by entrance.
 
(A) No Eligibility Screening is required for the following individuals:
(General Selection Process)

  • 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

(Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)

  • Individuals who have earned a master’s degree
  • Individuals who have earned a specialized degree
  • Individuals who have earned a master’s degree in a foreign country
  • 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 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, send us an email.)
 
   
   
Assessment of Eligibility for Application

Individuals who are expected to undergo the Eligibility Screening should contact Academic Service Office for the Life and Environmental Sciences Area in advance.
E-mail us to obtain necessary documents and 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】

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

If you need assistance due to disability, contact us by the following dates:

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process : July 2, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process : November 25, 2025

* We may not be able to accommodate your request for consideration.

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, 2025 (from 12 p.m. JST) – July 22, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process : December 1, 2025 (from 12 p.m. JST) – 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. Degree Program / Applicant’s Information
  2. Supervisor
  3. Eligibility
  4. Educational Background

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) in each section are required fields and must be filled in. (If a required field is left blank or entered improperly, an error message will be displayed and you will not be able to proceed to the next section.)

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 alphabets and numbers to input all the information.

In the “1.Degree Program / Applicant’s Information” section, please upload a JPEG image of your proof photo.

In the “4.Education Background” section, upload a JPEG file of your degree certificate to the Web Entry System.

Payment

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

  1. Online credit card payments for both domestic and overseas applicants
  2. 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, after the 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 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.

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 print the PDF documents.
You can download them from the Web Entry system only while the system is open.

    【Application Period】

  • August Selection Process : July 9, 2025 (from 12 p.m. JST) – July 22, 2025 (by 3 p.m. JST)
  • January to February Selection Process : December 1, 2025 (from 12 p.m. JST) – 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 submitted by registered mail, such as EMS no later than the deadlines mentioned below.
Your application will not be reviewed unless all required documents are received.

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process :July 23, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process : December 12, 2025
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】

  • August Selection Process :August 1, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process :January 8, 2026
Examination Dates
  • August Selection Process : August 20, 21, 2025
  • January to February Selection Process : January 27, 28, 2026

Please note that exam dates vary for each program.

Announcement of Admission Results
  • August Selection Process : September 11, 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.
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 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 (Fri.) 2026
    (Successful applicants for the January-February Selection Process)
    【Date to send email: for entrants in October 2026】

  • Late June 2026
Procedure for Enrollment
  • April entry: In the beginning of March 2026
  • October entry: In the late of August 2026
Entrance
  • April entry: On April 1, 2026
  • October entry: On October 1, 2026