A: Yes, it is possible. Our department hopes to actively support the academic work of students with professions in the doctoral course and has established a system of credit accreditation. As part of the reform of the admissions procedures, the “Special Selection for Students with professions” program has been abolished from the 2014 entrance examinations. However, this is only a change in the admissions process, and we still offer most of the support for students with professions while they are in school.

A: Submitted documents, including undergraduate grades, are evaluated during the oral examination and will affect your admission result. However, poor undergraduate grades do not immediately result in a failure of admission.

A: This information is available on “Admissions” page of the DOIS website.

A: For the ordinary examination for the Master’s course, 25% is for English (TOEFL-ITP), 35% for specialized subjects, and 40% for oral examination (including screening of documents). (as of April 4, 2022)

A: For the ordinary examination for the Master’s course (Examination Schedule A and Schedule B), we do not set a threshold below which students fail automatically. This holds for English test, specialized subjects (Examination Schedule A), written examination (Examination Schedule B), and oral examination (including screening of documents). Final admission decision will be based on the overall score. Therefore, a low score in English does not mean an automatic failure.

A: Yes. We do not specify undergraduate degrees to select students. We welcome students with diverse specialties, both in natural sciences or social sciences.

A: You can choose your supervisor from our Core Members and Collaborative Programs. However, assistant professors do not take students. For details on the faculty members, please refer to Faculty members.

A: In the past three years, 80% of successful applicants have had their first choice faculty member as their supervisor.

A: No. Please indicate only one prospective supervisor on the “Inquiry sheet.”In the doctoral course, it is essential that the research themes of the supervisor and the student match to some extent, so we ask prospective students to choose only one supervisor before applying for the doctoral course. If you have written names of more than one faculty member on the “Inquiry sheet ” we will treat the first faculty member listed as your first choice of academic supervisor.

A: In the examination for the doctoral course (oral examination), applicants are required to make a “research presentation of the master’s thesis (or an alternative research thesis).” Examination Schedule A (Oral Examination) will be held in late August of the year prior to graduation, at which point it is likely that the master’s thesis of applicants who “expect to complete a master’s degree in March of the following year” will not have been completed. We are giving these instructions for the above reasons. However, even if you “expect to complete a master’s degree in March of the following year,” you may apply for “Examination Schedule A” as long as you are able to “give a research presentation of your master’s thesis (or an alternative research thesis)” at the time of Examination Schedule A.

A: The examination includes document screening and an oral examination. The document screening is based on the documents submitted by applicants. As stated in the “Guide to the 20XX Entrance Examination of Master & Doctor Courses,” the oral examination consists of “Screening of the submitted documents, presentation of a master’s thesis or equivalent research outcomes and a Ph.D. research plan for 15 minutes followed by questions and answers as well as an interview to ask reasons for applying for Ph.D. and other aspects for 15 minutes.” In the past, we have required a written test, but this is no longer a requirement.

A: Regardless of whether you are applying for a master’s or doctoral course, it is possible to visit laboratories or contact the faculty members by email before the application deadline. Consulting with prospective faculty members in advance about your research will enable you to confirm whether the research content of the laboratory of your choice fits with your own research plans and will lead to smooth research activities after you are admitted. Especially in the doctoral course, it is essential that the research themes of the supervising professor and the student match to some extent. Therefore, it is advisable to contact a prospective advisor before applying and consult about your research plan. However, it is not a requirement for application. For faculty members’ contact information, please refer to Faculty members.

A: No, whether the applicant has visited the laboratory or not does not affect the selection process.

A: For the statement of purpose for application, the instruction given is: “Statement of purpose containing your goals after entering the program, past academic and non-academic accomplishments (both within and outside of the university in which you studied), and a theme of the master’s research. Use one page of A4 or letter-sized paper. You may insert figures/tables. Handwriting is not permitted but color printing is permitted.” There is no format for this.

A: No, the applicants taking the Ordinary Examination for Master’s Course may NOT submit a TOEFL and/ or TOEIC score instead of taking TOEFL-ITP. All applicants for Ordinary Examination for Master’s Course must take the TOEFL-ITP at the examination site. “Table 2: Examination Schedule” of the Guideline for Applicants” provides instructions for applicants selecting the “Special Selection for Applicants with Overseas Education.”

A: All applicants for Special Selection for Applicants with Overseas Education are required to submit English language competency test score or take the TOEFL-ITP test on the site. However, if the applicant has completed more than two education levels out of upper-secondary education in certain countries, they can apply for exemption to submit the English language competency test score. For details, please refer to the “Guide to The 20XX Entrance Examination of Master & Doctor Courses.”

A: We do not disclose the “admission ratio of laboratories” in the examination. The number of applicants for each laboratory changes considerably from year to year. Laboratory assignement will be informed to applicants with the admission results. Applicants may withdraw admission after receiving a letter of acceptance. Therefore, you may decline admission after the laboratory assignment is announced.

A: Yes, it is perfectly permissible for applicants who were not successful in the “Examination Schedule A” to apply for the “Examination Schedule B.”

A: It is difficult to give a definite number since it also depends on the number of students who withdraw after being admitted at the Examination Schedule A.

A: While it depends on the number of applicants and other factors, we expect approximately 20 applicants.

A: We expect to announce successful applicants for the document screening in early January. Announcements will be posted on the bulletin board of the department (next to the entrance to the lecture room on the 7th floor of the Kashiwa Campus Environmental Building) and on the website.

A: The evaluation axis of “Examination Schedule B” is different from that of “Examination Schedule A.”

A: Yes. Even if the master’s thesis or equivalent research outcomes is written in English, it is perfectly acceptable for applicants to present their research in Japanese.

A: Our department does not give specific recommendation on an appropriate supervisor.

A: Our department strongly encourages prospective students who wish to enroll in doctoral course to contact the supervisors of your choice prior to submitting an application. Please note that it is prohibited to contact the supervisors of your choice after the application period.