Doctoral Programs (Informatics) | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

Degree Program in Comprehensive Human Sciences

Doctoral Programs (Informatics)

Informatics

Examinations for 2025 academic year will be conducted ONLINE.

  • July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)
    Note: The Web Entry System for July Selection Process is available only in Japanese.
  • 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 of Global Individuals in English)

All applicants need to contact and obtain confirmation from your prospective academic advisor before the application.

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, part of the provision of sensitive technology to graduate students is now subject to control under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law, and all applicants to our graduate school are required 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:
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a master’s degree by the end of March, 2025 (for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English, September, 2025)
  • Individuals who have earned or expect to earn a specialized degree by the end of March, 2025 (for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English, September, 2025)
  • Others

    • ＜Click here for details of the Eligibility Screening＞

 
(B) Eligibility Screening is required:
  • Individuals who have graduated from a junior college or a high school
  • Individuals who have graduated from a vocational school or a comparable school
  • Individuals who have graduated from a four-year university
  • Others
    ＜Click here for details of the Eligibility Screening＞
 

Before you apply, you are expected to contact a prospective academic advisor (a faculty member from whom you wish to receive academic instruction) in advance.

Please refer https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/academic-staff-en/

 
 
Assessment of Eligibility for Application

Individuals who are expected to undergo the Eligibility Screening should contact the Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media Science Area in advance.
Submit the documents for the assessment by e-mail or mail. 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 been deemed eligible in their past applications need to reapply for the Eligibility Screening again.)

    【Due Dates】

  • August Selection Process： July 3 (Wed), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： November 26 (Tue), 2024

＜a designated application form ＞

 
Applicants who Need Assistance

If you need assistance due to disability, submit a designated application form, a medical certificate, and a copy of their disability certificate to the Division of Admission, Department of Educational Promotion by the following dates:

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： May 22 (Wed), 2024
  • August Selection Process： July 3 (Wed), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： November 26 (Tue), 2024

Click here for examples of consideration.

Web Entry

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

    【Application Period】

  • July Selection Process： 12:00 p.m., May 24 (Fri) – 3:00 p.m., June 3 (Mon), 2024
  • August Selection Process： 12:00 p.m., July 9 (Tue) – 3:00 p.m., July 22 (Mon), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： 12:00 p.m., December 2 (Mon) – 3:00 p.m., December 12 (Thu), 2024
Sign Up

You need to create your own account using your e-mail address. Once you have created an account, you may save the data you entered and log back in later to continue.

Activation

An activation URL will be sent to your registered e-mail address. Click the URL to activate your account.

Login

Click the “Login” button to begin. When you visit the Login page again, you will need to reenter your e-mail address and password.

My Page

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

Application Form

There are four sections in the Application Form:

  1. Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice
  2. Supervisor of Your Choice
  3. Eligibility
  4. Educational Background

The fields marked with “Required” in each section are required. If those items are left empty or are entered incorrectly, an error message will be displayed, and you will not be able to proceed to the next section.
The data you input 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.
For “1 Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice”, upload your photo in JPEG format (max 500KB and 2,000 pixels in both width and height).
For “4 Educational Background”, if you have graduated from a foreign university, please upload your degree certificate in JPEG format (max 3MB and 2,000 pixels in both width and height). We will check the eligibility in advance.

Click here for details of the Application form

Payment

You must pay 30,000 JPY as the examination fee before submitting your application.
However, the examination fees are exempted for the following person.
1. The Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho) scholarship student.
2. The person 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 (Not applicable for students who complete the course in March 2024 and enroll in April 2025, as it will take more than one year from the date of completion).
The university accepts:

  1. –Online credit card payments (recommended)
    https://e-shiharai.net/english/?schoolcode=OPU5100850000000
  2. –Convenience store payments for domestic applicants

Credit Card Payment: Follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and pay your fee by credit card. After the payment, you will be notified of a receipt number. Enter the number into the “Receipt Number” box on the Web Entry system and click the “Submit” button to proceed. After completing the payment, click “Print this Page” to print the payment completion screen. You are required to submit this print-out along with other documents.
Convenience Store Payment: Follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and pay your fee at a convenience store in Japan. After the payment, enter the code, payment date and convenience store name into the boxes on the Web Entry system and click the “Submit” button to proceed.

Submission

After the payment is confirmed, you can submit your application by clicking the “Submit to Apply” button. Once you click the button, the information you have entered will be sent to the university, and you will not be able to make any changes. Please check carefully before submitting.

After submitting your application, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to your registered e-mail address.

(Check and adjust the spam filter settings in your e-mail account so that you can receive an e-mail from the “webentry.ap-graduate.tsukuba.ac.jp” and “un.tsukuba.ac.jp” domains.)

Download and Print PDF

After submitting your application through the Web Entry system, follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system and download a PDF file. Print out the PDF file.

Please bring the printed Reference Card with you at the oral examination.
The PDF file can be downloaded only during Application Period.

Web Entry
Submission of Documents

Original documents listed in “3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted” in this guideline must be sent by registered mail and be received during submission period for documents no later than the deadline mentioned below.
Please be sure to send your documents by a traceable method, as we will not respond to inquiries regarding the arrival status of the application documents.

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： June 4 (Tue), 2024
  • August Selection Process： July 23 (Tue), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： December 13 (Fri), 2024

Click here for details of the submission of Documents.

Release Dates of Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination

“Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination” will be posted on our website.
Please be sure to check the contents of this page for important information on the entrance examination schedule, practice session, advance preparation, etc.

  • July Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., June 14 (Fri), 2024
  • August Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., Aug 2 (Fri), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., January 9 (Thu), 2025
Examination Dates
  • July Selection Process： July 5 (Fri) or 8 (Mon), 2024 (To be conducted online)
  • August Selection Process： August 22 (Thu) or 23 (Fri), 2024 (To be conducted online)
  • January to February Selection Process： January 28 (Tue) or 29 (Wed), 2025 (To be conducted online)
Announcement of Admission Results
  • July Selection Process： 10:00 a.m., July 18 (Thu), 2024
  • August Selection Process： 10:00 a.m., September 12 (Thu), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： 10:00 a.m., February 14 (Fri), 2025

A list of examinee number of successful applicants will be posted by the examinee number on the website below:
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.
In some cases, additional admissions will be offered to applicants who took the entrance examination administered in January to February Selection Process. Applicants will be notified by phone (or e-mail in exceptional cases) around mid-March 2025 for April 2025 admissions and around early September 2025 for October 2025 admissions.

Shipment of Documents for Enrollment

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

    Date of dispatch: for entrants in April 2025

  • October 31 (Thu), 2024
    (Successful applicants for the July and August Selection Process)
  • February 14 (Fri), 2025
    (Successful applicants for the January-February Selection Process)
    Date of dispatch: for entrants in October 2025

  • Late June 2025
Due Date for Enrollment
  • Early March, 2025 (EXCEPT Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English)
  • Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English : Late August, 2025
【Entry to the Graduate School】
  • April 1, 2025 (All students except those who are accepted through the Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English)
  • October 1, 2025 (Students who are accepted through the Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English)

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

Copyright © 2024 University of Tsukuba All Rights Reserved.

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

1. Number of Students to be Admitted

July Selection Process

Number of Students to be Admitted Remarks
Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants 3 Applicant must guarantee enrollment if accepted.

August Selection Process

Number of Students to be Admitted Remarks
General Selection Process 6
Special Selection Process for Working Individuals Few

January to February Selection Process

Number of Students to be Admitted Remarks
General Selection Process 3
Special Selection Process for Working Individuals Few
Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English Few Month of enrollment is in October.

2. Eligibility for Admission

Applicants will be deemed eligible if they meet one of the following requirements:

  • Individuals who have obtained a Master’s degree or are scheduled to obtain it by the end of March, 2025 (for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English, September, 2025)
  • Individuals who have completed a Professional Degree Program or are scheduled to complete the program and obtain the degree by the end of March, 2025 (for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English, September, 2025)
  • Individuals who have been granted a degree comparable to a Master’s Degree or a Professional Degree in a foreign country, or who are scheduled to obtain it by the end of March, 2025 (for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English, September, 2025)
  • Individuals who have been designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
  • Individuals who have been judged to have academic ability equivalent or superior to individuals with a master’s degree or specialized degree by means of the eligibility screening conducted in a graduate school of our university and who has attained 24 years of age or who shall be 24 years of age until March 2025 (for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English, September, 2025)
  • Other (For more details: check here for application qualifications and eligibility screening other than those listed above)

Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants

The applicant who meets either of the following requirements and can guarantee enrollment if the applicant is accepted.

  1. (1) Individuals who are enrolled in a Master’s course and have earned in approximately 70% or more A (excellent) grades among the total credits earned in graduate school by the time of application
  2. (2) Individuals who have accepted peer-reviewed academic papers (journal articles or international conference papers)

Applicants of Special Selection Process for Working Individuals

Individuals who have more than 3 years of work experience as of April 1, 2025

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

Copyright © 2024 University of Tsukuba All Rights Reserved.

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3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

3. Web Entry and Documents to be Submitted

You must submit the application online via our Web Entry system. Read this section carefully before applying.
Please print the PDF files that are generated after completing your application. Please paste original copies of the documents listed below on to the printed form and submit by registered mail.

You must obtain the consent of faculty member who will be your academic advisor after admission. Please refer https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/academic-staff-en/.

Required information for Web Entry

Information Required for Remarks
1. Applicant’s Information / Program of Your Choice All applicants You are required to upload the JPEG file (max 500KB and 2,000 pixels in both width and height) of your photo for the Reference Card. The photo must be taken within three months with no hats, masks or other head adornments.
2. Supervisor of Your Choice All applicants The consent is needed.
3. Eligibility All applicants
Research Plan All applicants Summarize plans in Japanese in 2000 characters or English in 1000 words or less.
Be sure to write in the SAME language as the oral examination.
If you write in different language, your application will be rejected.

You may use the prescribed form downloadable from the Web Entry system only if it is essential for you to use mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols, which cannot be entered into the system. Fill it out and send it together with the other required documents by mail. The format of the form must not be changed. Any texts may not be written outside the box.
Research and Practice Overview All applicants Summarize your research overview in Japanese in 2000 characters or English in 1000 words or less.
Be sure to write in the SAME language as the oral examination.
If you write in different language, your application will be rejected.

All applicants describe either their research or work experiences.
You may use the prescribed form downloadable from the Web Entry system only if it is essential for you to use mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols, which cannot be entered into the system. Fill it out and send it together with the other required documents by mail. The format of the form must not be changed. Any texts may not be written outside the box.
List of Research Results All applicants Categorize your academic results into thesis, academic articles, conference presentations, patents, projects, etc. and number them serially in each category. Put circles at the beginning of the academic results you chose to submit as your major Research Results.

  1. (1) For the academic articles, fill in the author(s) including the co-author(s), the title, the name of the journal, the volume, the number, the year of publication and the first and last page numbers. If the article is written in language other than Japanese and English, please add the abstract for the article in Japanese or English.
  2. (2) For conference presentations, fill in the author(s) including the co-author(s), the title, the name of the conference and the date.
  3. (3) For project participation, fill in the name of the project, the term, outline and your role.
  4. (4) Conform the style above for other categories.
4. Educational Background All applicants If you have graduated from a foreign university, please upload your degree certificate in JPEG format (max 3MB and 2,000 pixels in both width and height).
Research Activities Applicants who have research history
Employment Records Applicants who have employment history
5. Examination Fee All applicants
(Excluding Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho：MEXT) Scholarship student and those 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)		 Examination Fee is 30,000 JPY.
Follow the instructions given on the last page of the Web Entry system and pay your fee.
The following payment methods are available.
By Credit Card (recommended):
Pay your fee online. After the payment, enter the receipt number into the box on the Web Entry system.
At Convenience Store (only domestic applicants):
Pay your fee at a convenience store in Japan. After the payment, enter the information below into the box on the Web Entry system.
・Number given by the store
・Date of payment
・Name of the convenience store

Documents to be sent

Please print-out in A4 or Letter size the PDF files generated after completing your application.
Please note that PDF files cannot be printed after the Web Entry System Application Period.
The original copies of the following documents need to be submitted to us by registered mail. All documents must be in English or in Japanese.
When submitting a translation of the original documents as a certificate, the translation must be certified by an embassy or a notary public office.
Submit the original copies issued by a university or another official institution. We will not accept photocopies as the application documents.
In principle, the submitted certificates will not be returned. If the original copies cannot be reissued, enclose the request memo that you want us to return the original copies and the way of returning. Applicants are responsible for the cost of returning. We will return after the examination day.

Documents Who must submit Instructions
(Expected) Graduation Certificate
Note1, Note2		 All applicants Submit a graduation certificate (or an attested document certifying that you will graduate) issued by a university or another educational institution.

If the certificate (original) is issued online by the university outside Japan, a “copy of the page and the URL” of the official website of the issuing institution (university) that describes how to apply for the online certificate must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the online certificate is recognized as original by the institution (university).
(Expected)
Degree Certificate
Note1, Note2		 Applicants who graduated from a graduate school outside Japan Submit the graduation certificate for your master’s degree.

If the certificate (original) is issued online by the university, a “copy of the page and the URL” of the official website of the issuing institution (university) that describes how to apply for the online certificate must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the online certificate is recognized as original by the institution (university).
Academic Transcript
Note1, Note2		 All applicants Submit an academic transcript (the official transcript) issued by a university or another educational institution. If any credits were transferred from another school, submit an original academic transcript from the former school.

If the certificate (original) is issued online by the university outside Japan, a “copy of the page and the URL” of the official website of the issuing institution (university) that describes how to apply for the online certificate must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the online certificate is recognized as original by the institution (university).
Letter of Recommendation Applicants of Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants and Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English A Letter of Recommendation from your academic advisor is required. There is no designated format for the recommendation. Please use A4/letter size. It must be signed.
Be sure it contains the signature, title and affiliation of the recommender.
Peer-reviewed academic paper Applicants who are applying through criteria (2) of the “Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants” After submitting documents, you will receive an email with the subject “Submission Instruction of Research Results” from tosyoss-daigakuin@un.tsukuba.ac.jp. Follow the instructions and upload a single PDF file including your research paper.
Research Results Applicants who want to submit them After submitting documents, you will receive an email with the subject “Submission Instruction of Research Results” from tosyoss-daigakuin@un.tsukuba.ac.jp. Follow the instructions and upload a single PDF file including your research articles (not more than 5 items).
Research Plan Only applicants whose “Research Plan”, “Research and Practice Overview” includes mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols that cannot be entered in the Web Entry system Fill out your research plan, research and practice overview on the designated format in page each and submit them.
The fixed format must not be changed. Any texts may not be written outside the box.
Research and Practice Overview
Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of Examination Fee Statement Applicants who made a convenience store payment Detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given at the convenience store and paste it onto the “Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee”.
Copy of “Application Completed” Page of Examination Fee Payment by Credit Card Applicants who made a credit card payment Include a copy of the “Application Completed” page.
Letter of approval for Entrance Examination Applicable applicants

  1. Applicants who currently attend a university or graduate school as a full-time student (except those who are expected to graduate by March, 2025, for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English applicants, September, 2025)
  2. Applicants who currently work full-time
  1. Need to submit a letter of approval issued by the head of their university or graduate school (or the head of their department) allowing them to take the entrance examination, or submit a letter of application stating that the applicant will withdraw from the university before enrollment. Any format is acceptable, but the letter must be printed on A4 or letter size paper. It must be signed.
  2. Need to submit a letter of approval issued by a superior allowing them to take the entrance examination or a written self-declaration stating that attending the entrance examination will not adversely affect their duties. Any format is acceptable. Please use A4/letter size. It must be signed.
Certificate of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship student Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship student who are enrolled in another university in Japan Submit a “Certificate of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) Scholarship student” issued by the university that you are currently enrolled in.
Address Sheet All applicants Attach the address sheet to your envelope when you submit the required documents to us by registered mail.

Note1: In case your current name is different from that on the documents you submit (e.g., because of marriage), submit the proof (e.g., copy of your marriage license).
If the student wishes to register under his/her maiden name, he/she can apply for the use of his/her maiden name during the enrollment procedure.

Note2: For graduates of Chinese universities, substitution of the original English version of the Academic Credentials verification report issued by the “China Higher education Information and Student Information (CHSI (Japan))” is acceptable.

Bring on the day of the Examination

Documents Who must bring Remarks
Reference Card All applicants Please print it out and bring it with you at the oral examination.

Results from the entrance examination, as well as personal information obtained by the University of Tsukuba from the application documents, will be used for affairs concerning admission and screening, and may also be used for research and study to improve the admission procedure and university education after generating non-personally identifiable data. Also, we will use the data to screen students for scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization, which are offered to individuals who have completed the enrollment procedures.


4. Examination Fee | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

4. Examination Fee

30,000 Japanese Yen (nonrefundable)

* The examination fees are exempted for the following person.
1. The Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho) scholarship student.
2. The person 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※.

※Not applicable for students who complete the course in March 2024 and enroll in April 2025, as it will take more than one year from the date of completion.

University of Tsukuba have the special measures of examination fee exemption for the victims of disasters in Japan. For more details, please refer to this website.

Please make your payment by one of the following methods.

(1) Payment Period

  • July Selection Process： May 24 (Fri) – June 3 (Mon), 2024
  • August Selection Process： July 9 (Tue) – July 22 (Mon), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： December 2(Mon) – December 12(Thu), 2024

(2) Payment Method

Credit Card Payment (recommended):

Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and American Express are accepted.
You can make a payment by using your credit card at the last stage of the Web Entry system or at this website (https://e-shiharai.net/english/?schoolcode=OPU5100850000000). You can also pay before you enter the Web Entry system.

After the payment, you will be provided with a receipt number. Enter the number into the box on the Web Entry system.
Print out “the application completed page” after the payment and submit it together with other required documents to us by registered mail.
For details, see the payment instructions.
The applicant needs to cover the remittance charge.

Convenience Store Payment (for domestic applicants only):

Payments can be made at LAWSON, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or MINISTOP.
To pay your fee at a convenience store, follow the instructions given at the last stage of the Web Entry system or at this website (available only on stores in Japan).

After the payment, enter the name of the convenience store that you used, the date of payment, and the number given by the store into the box on the Web Entry system.

  1. 7-Eleven: 13 digits
  2. LAWSON, FamilyMart, MINISTOP: 11 digits

Detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given to you at the convenience store and paste it onto the “Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee”. Submit it with other required documents to us by registered mail.
For details, see the payment instructions.
The applicant needs to cover the remittance charge.


5. Application Procedure | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

5. Application Procedure

  1. Visit the Web Entry system to apply. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any changes, so check carefully before submission. Please pay your examination fee before sending your application data.
      【Application Period】

    • July Selection Process： 12:00 p.m., May 24 (Fri) – 3:00 p.m., June 3 (Mon), 2024
    • August Selection Process： 12:00 p.m., July 9 (Tue) – 3:00 p.m., July 22 (Mon), 2024
    • January to February Selection Process： 12:00 p.m., December 2 (Mon) – 3:00 p.m., December 12 (Thu), 2024
  2. All necessary documents must be sent the university by registered mail, and must be received by the due date. When you submit your application online, the system will ask you to create an Address Sheet in PDF format. Stick the printed Address Sheet to the envelope for sending required documents.
    Please be sure to send your documents by a traceable method, as we will not respond to inquiries regarding the arrival status of the application documents. If your documents are not received by the due date, you will not be able to take the examination.

      【Due date】

    • July Selection Process： June 4 (Tue), 2024
    • August Selection Process： July 23 (Tue) , 2024
    • January to February Selection Process： December 13 (Fri) , 2024
      【Necessary documents】

    • All applicants: (Expected) Graduation Certificate, Academic Transcript, Letter of Recommendation (Applicants of Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants and Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English)
    • Applicable applicants: (Expected) Degree Certificate, Research Plan*, Research and Practice Overview*, Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of Examination Fee Statement, Copy of “Application Completed” Page of Examination Fee Payment by Credit Card, Letter of Approval for Entrance Examination, Certificate of Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho：MEXT) scholarship student

    * If it is essential for you to use mathematical formulae, Greek letters, or special symbols, which cannot be entered into the system.

      【Documents to be uploaded】

    • Applicable applicants: Peer-reviewed paper, Research-results
  3. All documents submitted will not be returned to you.
    Examination fee which have been paid are non-refundable.
  4. If any false or forged statements are found in the application documents, or if there is any obvious examination misconduct, the acceptance or admission may be revoked.

    Note: If you have any questions about the application, contact Graduate Academic Affairs Section, Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media Sciences Area.


6. Screening Criteria | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

6. Screening Criteria

We will determine the students to be admitted by comprehensively evaluating the submitted documents and the result of the examination.

Examinations for 2025 academic year will be conducted online.

Examination Schedule and the Subjects

July Selection Process (Special Selection Process for Recommended Applicants)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – Friday, July 5 or Monday, July 8
Language used in the oral examination – Japanese or English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview Same language as the oral examination –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Letter of Recommendation, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview, Peer-reviewed paper and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 30 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 7 minutes, in the same language as the oral examination). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of the presentation and basic knowledge in related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Friday, June 14, 2024
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

August Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – Thursday, August 22 or Friday, August 23
Language used in the oral examination – Japanese or English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview Same language as the oral examination –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 45 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 15 minutes, in the same language as the oral examination). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of your presentation and basic knowledge in the related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Friday , August 2, 2024
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

January to February Selection Process (General Selection Process / Special Selection Process for Working Individuals)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – Tuesday, January 28 or Wednesday, January 29
Language used in the oral examination – Japanese or English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview Same language as the oral examination –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 45 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 15 minutes, in the same language as the oral examination). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of your presentation and basic knowledge in the related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Thursday, January 9, 2025
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/

January to February Selection Process (Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English)

Subject Application Review
(100 points)		 Oral Examination
(300 points)
Date – Tuesday, January 28 or Wednesday, January 29
Language used in the oral examination – English
Language used in Research Plan/ Research and Practice Overview English –
Content Application form, Academic Transcript, Letter of Recommendation, Research Plan, Research and Practice Overview and Research Results will be evaluated. It takes 45 minutes per person. You will be expected to give a presentation about your research result and research plan (approximately 15 minutes, in English). After the presentation, you will be questioned about the content of your presentation and basic knowledge in the related fields.
  1. The time and place of the oral examinations are open to public with Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination on Thursday, January 9, 2025
    at: https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination/


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

7. Testing Location, Announcement of Acceptance, and Enrollment Procedure

Testing Location

University of Tsukuba Kasuga Area (1-2 Kasuga, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8550, Japan)
Refer to “10. Information and Regulations for Examinees” for details.

Examinations for 2025 academic year will be conducted online.

Announcement of Acceptance

  • July Selection Process： July 18 (Thu), 2024
  • August Selection Process： September 12 (Thu), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： February 14 (Fri), 2025

A list of examinee number of successful applicants will be posted by the examinee number on the website below:
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.
In some cases, additional admissions will be offered to applicants who took the entrance examination administered in January to February Selection Process. Applicants will be notified by phone (or e-mail in exceptional cases) around mid-March 2025 for April 2025 admissions and around early September 2025 for October 2025 admissions.

Enrollment Procedure

  1. Enrollment Procedure Guidelines (which include documents to be submitted before entrance) will be sent out to successful applicants. Follow the direction in the Guidelines.
      Date of dispatch: for entrants in April 2025

    • October 31 (Thu), 2024
      (Successful applicants for the July and August Selection Process)
    • February 14 (Fri), 2025
      (Successful applicants for the January-February Selection Process)
      Date of dispatch: for entrants in October 2025

    • Late June 2025

    Note: The successful applicants need to notify us their new address at least one week in advance of the date of dispatch if they will change their address or will be absent when the documents are expected to be delivered.
    In the event of a long-term absence , applicants should take measures such as changing their address to that of a person who can receive deliveries on their behalf.

  2. The documents should be sent by registered mail.
      Deadline :

    • Early March, 2025 (EXCEPT Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English).
    • Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English : Late August, 2025.

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

  3. Estimated Expenses Upon Entrance
    1. (a)Entrance fee is 282,000 Japanese Yen (nonrefundable)
    2. (b)Tuition: The tuition for the first semester of the 2025 academic year (April-September) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. The tuition for the second semester (October-March) is 267,900 Japanese Yen. Annual Amount: 535,800 Japanese Yen
        (Note)

      1. (1)If fees are revised before entrance or while enrolled in graduate school, the revised tuition fees will be applied.
      2. (2)The entrance fees are exempt for those who are the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho：MEXT) scholarship students or those 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.
  4. All applicants with a full-time job need a document or a letter (e.g., an order for a training course, a letter for a leave of absence, or an approval letter) from the employer to prove that they are available to complete the program. If you enroll after retirement, please submit a retirement certificate.
  5. International applicants must acquire a status of residence suitable for entrance to a graduate school, in accordance with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951), before beginning the enrollment procedures. Those who wish to enter our graduate program as an international student must acquire the status of residence as a “Student.”


8. Example of Previous Examinations | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

8. Example of Previous Examinations

No written examinations are available.


9. Applicants Who Need Assistance, 10. Information and Regulations for Examinees and 11. Contact Us | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

9. Applicants Who Need Assistance

If you need assistance due to disability, submit a designated application form, a medical certificate, and a copy of their disability certificate to the Division of Admission (1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8577, Japan) by following dates:

    【Due Dates】

  • July Selection Process： May 22 (Wed), 2024
  • August Selection Process： July 3(Wed), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： November 26 (Tue), 2024
Examples of considerations:
  • Use of a computer for writing, vision aid, hearing aid, and other aids
  • Sign language interpreter and other assistants

To request these accommodations, applicants must submit documents to prove their condition.

10. Information and Regulations for Examinees

We will post the “Information and Regulations for the Oral Examination” on our website（https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/admission-information-en/admission/examination）.

    【Estimated Release Dates】

  • July Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., June 14 (Fri), 2024
  • August Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., Aug 2 (Fri), 2024
  • January to February Selection Process： 2:00 p.m., January 9 (Thu), 2025

11. Contact Us

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

Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media Science Area
tosyoss-daigakuin at un.tsukuba.ac.jp (Please change “ at ” to @.)
1-2, Kasuga, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, 305-8550, Japan
Tel: +81-29-859-1120/1121
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday except national holidays.

12. Disclosure of Admission Examination Results

The following disclosure is made upon request in relation to the performance of an applicant who was unsuccessful in the entrance examination for the Degree Programs in Comprehensive Human Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, (Doctoral Program in Informatics).

  1. Contents of Disclosure
    Total Score of the Candidate Who Failed the Examination
    ※ However, the results will not be disclosed if:
    (1) Absentee from one or more subjects
  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) Reference Card (to be returned at the time of disclosure)
    (If you have lost the Reference Card, 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 outside Japan resident, please inquire by E-mail to the billing office.
  4. Request Period
    May 1, 2025 – May 30, 2025
  5. Disclosure Method
    Disclosed information will be mailed to the person in question 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: dai.daigakuinka at un.tsukuba.ac.jp (Please change “ at ” to @)


Register Extending System | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

13. Register Extending System

Register Extending System allows students to complete a doctoral program in a period longer than usual.
The period can be extended from the standard 3 years to 4 or 5 years.
Extended applicants pay discounted tuition allocated per registered period. The total amount of tuition is the same as that of students who finish the program in the standard 3 years. This system is for students who prefer to complete the program over a longer period of time. Applicants are reviewed individually after the application.

For details, please refer to our website
(https://informatics.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/programs-courses-en/long-term/).


Requirements for Eligibility | University of Tsukuba Graduate Admissions

14. Requirements for Eligibility

In the case of applicants falling in category (1)-(2) of the Requirements for Eligibility shown below, eligibility screening (We will examine whether the applicant has more academic ability than who have completed the master’s course) is necessary. Please contact us.

  1. (1) Individuals recognized by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as having an ability equivalent or superior to a Master’s Degree or Professional Degree recipient in what concerns the admission to a graduate program, based on the Enforcement Regulation of the School Education Law, Article 156 Paragraph 5.
    1. ① Individuals who have graduated from a four-year university, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for more than two years.
    2. ② Individuals who have completed in course a 16-year program of school education in a country other than Japan or who, while residing in Japan, completed in course a 16-year program of school education abroad, through correspondence courses, and have been engaged in research at a university or research institute for more than two years.
  2. (2) Individuals who have been recognized by Doctoral Programs in Informatics in their individual qualification screening process as having an ability equivalent or superior to a Master’s Degree or Professional Degree recipient and who are 24 years old or will be 24 years old by the end of March, 2025 (September, 2025, for Special Selection Process of Global Individuals in English).
    Qualified person: Individuals who have graduated from a university, a junior college or an upper secondary school, individuals who have graduated from a vocational school or a similar school, individuals who have graduated from a university of a foreign country that implements less than 16 years of a school curriculum
【How to apply】

Download the following documents and send it to us by mail or e-mail with required certificates, your address, telephone number and e-mail address. The deadline is July 3 (Wed), 2024 (for August) or November 26 (Tue), 2024 (for January to February). Please contact us before sending.
If you choose to send your graduation certificate and academic transcript by e-mail, please convert it JPEG format or PDF file. If your application qualification is approved after the eligibility screening, we will notify your certification number for the Web Entry. Please send the original copy of these documents with the application documents.

【Required Documents of Eligibility Screening】
  1. (a) Applicant Information
  2. (b) Curriculum Vitae
  3. (c) Resume
  4. (d) Graduation Certificate
  5. (e) Academic Transcript
  6. (f) List of Research Results

If you have any questions, please contact us.