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

Doctoral Program in Life Science Innovation

Click here for more details about the program.

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