How to apply PhD

Source: https://ipads.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/admissions/phd-apply/ Parent: https://ipads.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

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Admissions

How to apply PhD

Applications for the Round Two of October 2026 intake has been closed.

IPADS PhD Admission Guidelines for October 2026 intake

Application timetable – October 2026 intake (all times JST)

Applicants for the PhD program must contact potential supervisor(s) directly and prepare a research proposal with him/her prior to application.

➡　To search potential supervisor and Research component in IPADS

*Please note that the IPADS Office does not offer assistance for potential applicants to select their supervisors. No reply will be given to such inquiries.

Those who apply for internal/external funding opportunities need to do so in the specific round.\ >>For details about various funding opportunities

Selection is carried out in two separate rounds as per the following timetable. Applicants who are unsuccessful in Round One can apply again in Round Two if they wish to do so.

Self-financed applicants or those applying for a scholarship other than those administered in IPADS admission mentioned below are also welcome to apply for both Round One and Round Two selections.

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Following the pre-screening based on the information submitted online, those who meet the eligibility criteria and are considered suitable for consideration for admission (shortlisted applicants) will be invited to submit the application form and other necessary documents listed at the bottom of this page.

Shortlisted applicants will be announced at https://ipads.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

We will not notify the result of the pre-screening to each applicant separately or respond to inquiries about the result of the pre-screening.

Shortlisted applicants will be given about three weeks to submit the additional documents.

An interview may be conducted to the limited number of applicants via online, as a part of the selection process. Applicants will be notified if this is the case. The final selection result will be informed by email.

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IPADS accepts all the application documents in digital format for screening process. However, on being admitted, prospective students will be asked to submit original copy of official transcript and diploma at enrollment registration. If any of the details given in these original documents diverge from the information provided during application process for admission to IPADS, admission will be canceled at any time even after the enrollment.

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Internal funding opportunities offered in IPADS admission

Applicants can seek the following internal funding opportunities together with their applications for admission to IPADS. Applicant(s) selected during the process could be nominated for the fellowship or scholarship by IPADS. Number of each funding opportunity available in IPADS is limited and changes each year.\ Screening procedures for the MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship are conducted concurrently by IPADS Examination Committee on applications in ROUND ONE selection ONLY.

Questions we ask during the online application process

Be sure that you have all necessary information before starting the application as our online application form does not have a function to “save and resume”

＊ Documents need to be uploaded at online application

Personal data:

• Name
• Birth date
• Nationality
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address

For degrees attained (or expected to be attained on or before 30 September 2026):

• Name of institution
• Country of institution
• Degree attained
• Year and month commenced
• Year and month graduated
• Language(s) used in the program
• Grade point average (GPA) of the coursework component, for coursework and coursework/research degrees
• Summary of the thesis for research and coursework/research degrees or summary of coursework subject for coursework only (300 words or less) [PDF format]
• Name of the principal supervisor for research and coursework/research degrees
• Scholarships, awards, medals and prizes awarded during the program
• *Scanned official transcripts (PDF format)  ＊*
• Scanned certificate of graduation (Diploma)/ expected graduation (PDF format)　＊**

For working experience(s):

IMPORTANT: this section is mandatory for those who could qualify for English test exemption or Duolingo English Test based on their work history

• Name of institution/company
• Country of institution/company
• Position
• Year and month commenced
• Year and month resigned
• Language(s) used
• Description of the job duties in detail (Special characters such as “! & $ * @ # /” are prohibited to use.)
• Scanned certificate of employment or employment contract (PDF format)＊****

For English proficiency and others:

• Scanned TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (alternative English test) scores (PDF format)＊****

for a test taken on or after 1 December 2023 and 1 April 2024 for Round One and Round Two respectively. While IPADS does not have the official cut-off scores for English proficiency tests, we welcome applicants who meet the following criteria: TOEFL iBT – 98 and above, IELTS – 7.0 and above. Exemptions from submitting the English test scores or alternative English test are granted to applicants who meet our criteria only. For more detail>>\ IPADS Office reserves the right to request a proof of English proficiency from all applicants, regardless of their nationalities and educational background. For TOEFL, applicants must arrange for the ETS to forward the report to University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences – IPADS (DI Code: C351).\

• If you want to use your Duolingo score, please confirm the criteria (in the link for English proficiency) first.  If you are eligible to use your Duolingo score, please prepare an official letter proving English as solo instruction/official language in your degree program/professional or academic work place, with a hand-written signature of the head of the department or equivalent from universities / your  supervisor from organization/company. Applicants must arrange to forward the test result electronically to IPADS, the University of Tokyo through duolingo English test system.
• Scholarship or funding source for your study in Tokyo\
• Names and affiliations of two referees
• Name of the intended supervisor at IPADS
• Research proposal in PDF format＊
• Letter or email written by a potential supervisor confirming his / her consent to supervise you on admission ＊****
• Essay in Word or PDF format＊: Where and how would you like to contribute to agricultural development after graduation? (400-500 words)

Documents to be submitted by shortlisted applicants

Detailed instructions on the additional documents to be submitted will be given to those who pass the pre-screening and become shortlisted.\ The brief information on the documents are:

• Application form with face photo and signature
• Research work conducted by the applicant, Bachelor’s and Master’s theses or equivalent (if the program is only coursework with no research component, the applicants are required to submit essay assignments undertaken for a university course, original essays on agricultural development or any other academic report written during relevant program as a substitute for their thesis)
• Proof of citizenship (passport copy)
• Two letters of recommendation by university academics nominated at online application procedure
• Proof of Examination Fee payment (the details regarding Examination Fee will be instructed at the time of shortlisting)

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to prepare them well in advance of the deadline, prior to the announcement of the shortlist if necessary, as late submissions will not be accepted.

• Admission requirements
• English language proficiency : Test score submission, Exemption and Alternative English test
• Schedule
• How to apply MSc
• How to apply PhD
• Cost of Study, Scholarships

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