【Applicants Who Have Graduated or Are Expected to Graduate from a Japanese University or Equivalent Institution】
Paper certificates and other documents required for application (See below) should be mailed (using registered mail) or brought in person. All required documents must be put in an envelope which fits unfolded A4 size paper with an Address Sheet attached. You can download your Address Sheet in PDF from the Web Entry System.
The documents must arrive to our office by the deadline (See “1. Schedule”). If your documents fail to arrive by the deadline or any of the required documents is incomplete, invalid or missing, you will not be allowed to take the exam. Documents brought in after 5:00 p.m. JST on the last day of the submission period will not be accepted. The deadlines are strictly observed.
In case of delays caused by the carrier, submit a written notice from the carrier indicating the situation.
Note: If it is difficult to submit the original certificate(s) within the application period due to circumstances such as being overseas, please contact the office below in advance for consultation.
Place to Submit:
SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba (See “13. Contact Us.”)
【Applicants Who Have Graduated or Are Expected to Graduate from an Overseas University or Equivalent Institution】
Applicants who have graduated or are expected to graduate from an overseas university or equivalent institution and who have difficulty submitting the required documents by mail may be permitted to take the entrance examination by submitting PDF files of the following documents by email: transcripts, certificates of graduation, certificates of degree completion (including expected degree completion certificates), TOEIC/TOEFL/IELTS or other official score reports, and proof of payment of the examination fee.
Applicants who wish to submit certificates and other documents by email must check the designated box in the Web Application System and send the PDF files of the required documents to the following contact address.
Submission Address: g-sigma@un.tsukuba.ac.jp (SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba)
Note: The original copies of the transcripts, certificates of graduation, and certificates of degree completion must be submitted. Please submit the original documents by mail or in person to the office below before completing the enrollment procedures. Applicants whose original documents cannot be verified before the enrollment procedures cannot be admitted as enrolled students.
Mailing Address:
1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
Contact: SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba
Location: 7th Floor, General Research Building A, Area 2, Central Area
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
(Excluding national holidays, substitute holidays, and the year-end/New Year holiday period.)
Note:
In principle, all documents submitted will not be returned to you. For certificates that cannot be reissued, please submit a copy certified by the issuer or an official institution (See below).
If you are unable to obtain a photocopy that meets our requirement, please submit the original document with a return request.
Documents Required for Application (Certificates etc. to be obtains by the applicant)
Submission of original documents by registered mail or in person
(Note: For applicants from overseas universities or equivalent institutions who have difficulty submitting documents by mail, submission of PDF files of certificates and other required documents by email is permitted.)
Note:
*If any certificate is issued in a language other than English, the applicant must obtain a certificate in Japanese or English from the issuing institution. If the issuing institution is unable to provide such a certificate, the applicant must submit both the original certificate issued by the institution and a Japanese or English translation certified by an official authority (e.g., an embassy or a notary public).
*If the applicant’s name on the certificate differs from the current name due to marriage or any other reason, a copy of the applicant’s family register extract (Koseki Shohon) or an individual family register certificate (Koseki Kojin Jiko Shomeisho) verifying the name change must be submitted. If you wish to register under your maiden name, you can apply for the use of your maiden name during the enrolment procedure.
| Documents | Who must submit | Instructions |
| Letter of Recommendation | Applicants to Innovative Legal Studies | The letter of recommendation must be prepared responsibly by the applicant’s academic supervisor at their current university/institution or by a person who is able to evaluate the applicant’s academic qualifications, and must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Letter of Recommendation (Legal) M * If the recommender (e.g., academic supervisor) submits the letter of recommendation directly, submission by email is permitted. Please send the document to the following email address: ils-sigma@un.tsukuba.ac.jp(SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba) |
| (Expected) Graduation Certificate* | All applicants | Submit a certificate of completion (or an attested document certifying that you will complete your current program) issued by a university or other educational institution that meets the application requirements for the Doctoral Programs of this Graduate School. (All documents must be in English or Japanese.) * If the certificate (original) is issued online by an overseas university graduate, a ‘copy of the page and the URL’ of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the certificate is an ‘online certificate = original’. *Applicants who have graduated or are expected to graduate from an overseas university or equivalent institution and wish to submit certificates by email (PDF format) must follow the procedures described under“7. Documents to Be Submitted, Reference Card etc” for【Applicants Who Have Graduated or Are Expected to Graduate from an Overseas University or Equivalent Institution】 *If the relevant certificate is not issued by an overseas university or equivalent institution, please request the university to issue the certificate using the form provided below. ・Expected Graduation Certificate Sample * For graduates of Chinese universities, see ‘Note 2 and Note 3 below’. |
| (Expected) Degree Certificate* | Applicants who completed or will complete a graduate program outside Japan | *If you have completed or complete a graduate program outside Japan, submit a certificate (degree certificate etc.) verifying that you have received or expect to receive a master’s degree. All documents must be in English or Japanese. * Upload a JPEG file of your certificate to the Web Entry system. * If the certificate (original) is issued online, a ‘copy of the page and the URL’ of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the certificate is an ‘online certificate = original’ *Applicants who wish to submit certificates by email (PDF format) are required to follow the procedures described under“7. Documents to Be Submitted, Reference Card etc” for【Applicants Who Have Graduated or Are Expected to Graduate from an Overseas University or Equivalent Institution】 *If the relevant certificate is not issued by an overseas university or equivalent institution, please request the university to issue the certificate using the form provided below. ・Expected Degree Certificate Sample * For graduates of Chinese universities, see ‘Note 2 and Note 3 below’. |
| Academic Transcript* | All applicants | - Submit an academic transcript (the official record of your courses and grades etc.) issued by a university or other educational institution that meets the application requirements for the Master’s Programs of this Graduate School.
* Even if applicants have already obtained a master’s or doctoral degree, certificates issued by the university from which they obtained their bachelor’s degree are still required. - Applicants who have completed or are expected to complete a graduate program are also required to submit an academic transcript issued by their graduate school.
*Applicants who have graduated or are expected to graduate from an overseas university or equivalent institution and wish to submit certificates by email (PDF format) must follow the procedures described under“7. Documents to Be Submitted, Reference Card etc” for【Applicants Who Have Graduated or Are Expected to Graduate from an Overseas University or Equivalent Institution】 * If the certificate (original) is issued online by an overseas university graduate, a ‘copy of the page and the URL’ of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate to confirm that the certificate is an ‘online certificate = original’. * For graduates of Chinese universities, see ‘Note 2 and Note 3 below’. |
Confirmation of TOEIC Official Score Certificate, TOEIC Digital Official Score Certificate, TOEFL Examinee Score Report, and IELTS Test Report Form 【Score Validity Period】 Admission Examination in October: Scores obtained in October 2024 or later Admission Examination in January–February: Scores obtained in January 2025 or later | All applicants (If English is your native language or if you have received higher education in English, the requirements in the left column apply.) | Please refer to “Handling of External English Test Scores” and submit a valid score report. The score report does not need to be attached to the designated sheet when submitted. *Applicants whose native language is English, or who have obtained or are expected to obtain a degree from an educational program in which English was the primary language of instruction, may be exempt from submitting an English test score report. For details, please contact SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba. *Among applicants who have graduated from an overseas university or equivalent institution, those who wish to submit certificates by email (PDF format) may also submit their English test score reports by email. |
| Research Plan | Applicants to the Innovative Legal Studies, Social Ecology and Co-creative Next Generation Energy | 〇Applicants to Innovative Legal Studies and Social Ecology Master’s need to prepare the research plan according to the preparation guidelines for their desired degree program provided on the designated cover sheet and submit it with the designated cover sheet attached. *The main text of the research plan may be prepared in any format. The research plan must be submitted as a PDF file, including the cover sheet. ・Research Plan Cover Sheet 〇Applicants to Co-creative Next-Generation Energy need to complete the designated form (approximately 2,000 Japanese characters or 1,000 English words) and submit it by mail together with the certificates and other required documents. (However, among applicants who have graduated from an overseas university or equivalent institution, those who wish to submit certificates by email (PDF format) may also submit their research plan by email.) |
| Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of Examination Fee Statement | Applicants who make a convenience store payment (*Refer to “5. Examination Fee.”) | After payment, detach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) from the Examination Fee Statement given to you at the convenience store. Then affix the Receipt Portion to the designated form (a PDF you will create online and print out after you complete the Web Entry procedures) and submit the form. |
| Copy of “Application Completed” Page for Examination Fee Payment by Credit Card | Applicants who make a credit card payment (*Refer to “5. Examination Fee.”) | After online payment, print out the “Application Completed” page, and submit it. *For graduates of overseas universities who wish to have their certificates (PDF) sent via email, proof of payment of the examination fee may also be sent via email. |
| Letter of Approval for Entrance Exam (no designated form) | If applicable - Individuals who are currently attending a university or graduate school
*Except for October 2026 entry applicants who are expected to graduate by September 2026, April 2027 entry applicants who are expected to graduate by March 2027 and October 2027 entry applicants who are expected to graduate by September 2027 - Individuals who are currently working for a government agency, school, or company (except for part-time workers)
| - 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 the applicant (stating that he/she will withdraw from the university before enrolment). Any format is acceptable, but the letter must be printed on A4 paper.
- 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, but the letter must be printed on A4 paper.
Moushitate Sample |
| Certificate of Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship) Foreign Student | If applicable | If you are enrolled in another university at the time of application, submit the certificate of the government-sponsored (Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship) foreign student issued by the university. |
(Note 1) In principle, all documents submitted will not be returned to you. For certificates that cannot be reissued, please submit a copy certified by the issuer or an official institution (See below).
If you are unable to obtain a photocopy that meets our requirement, please submit the original document with a return request.
(Note 2) 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.
(Note 3) For those who have completed the 「自学考試(本科)」and obtained a degree, the original transcript and degree certificate issued by the institution conducting the 「自学考試」must be submitted. Applications from applicants who have not yet completed the 「自学考試」are not accepted.
PDF to Be Created After Completing Web Entry
| Documents | Created for | Remarks |
| Reference Card | All applicants | Print out the Reference Card with your photograph and bring the card to the venue with you on the examination day. (The PDF can be generated only during the online application entry period. Please make sure to print all required documents before the deadline.) See “1. Schedule.” |
| Address Sheet | Applicants Submitting Application Documents by Post | Attach the address sheet to your envelope and submit the originals of your required documents by registered mail or by bringing them to SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba. 【Due Dates】 See “1. Schedule.” Note: If you bring your documents to the office, the closing time is 5:00 p.m. on each due date. |
| Form for Submission of the Certificate of Payment of Application Fee | Applicants who make a Convenience Store Payment | Attach the Receipt Portion (Certificate of Payment) of the Examination Fee Statement to this form and submit it to us by registered mail or by bringing to SIGMA Office, University of Tsukuba. |
*Results from the entrance examination, as well as personal information obtained by the University of Tsukuba from the application documents, will be used not only for affairs concerning admission and screening, but also research and study aimed at improvement of the admission procedure and the university education. We will carefully take care of the data not to be disclosed as a specific person. 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.
*Applicants who have any questions regarding the application process should contact the office indicated in “13. Contact Us.”
*If any false information or falsification is discovered in the application documents, or if there is clear evidence of misconduct during the examination, the applicant’s acceptance may be revoked and admission may be cancelled.