Graduate Program on Environmental Sciences (GPES) — Masters Course

2 years English open

Entry requirements

Both routes Schedule 1 — September 2027 entry Schedule 2 — April 2028 entry

Eligibility

Appendix (1) — graduate of a Japanese university
"Those who have graduated from a Japanese university or are expected to graduate before the enrollment date." Japanese universities means universities within Japan as prescribed in Article 83 of the S
Appendix (2) — 16 years of school education abroad
"Those who have completed, or are expected to complete before the enrollment date, 16 years of school education abroad." Includes a correspondence programme provided by a foreign school while residing
Appendix (3) — bachelor-equivalent foreign degree, 3-year programmes included
"Those who have been conferred a degree equivalent to that of a bachelor's degree or are expected to be conferred before the enrollment date from a foreign university or other foreign institution (lim
Appendix (4) — MEXT-designated institutions
Graduates of the Japan branch of a foreign school designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; a designated specialized training college with a programme duration
Appendix (5) — NIAD bachelor's degree
"Those who have been conferred a bachelor's degree or are expected to have conferred before the enrollment date by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Educa
Appendix (6) — individual screening of entrance qualifications (age 22+)
"Those who are 22 years or older on the enrollment date, whom this graduate school has recognized through individual screening of entrance qualifications, as having abilities that are at least equival
Advance consultation for any other non-standard qualification
"Applicants whose qualifications differ in any other respect from those stated above must contact the GPEAK Admissions Office by August 31, 2026 (Schedule 1) or April 9, 2027 (Schedule 2)."
Nationality and age
"There are no restrictions based on nationality." "Yes, you can apply to GPES as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. There is no maximum age limit for applying to GPES." Japanese nationals

Accepted tests and qualifications

Test / QualificationRequirementNotes
GRE General Test — required "Please note that applications to both the GPES Masters and PhD courses require a GRE general test score as part of the application." Two forms are needed: "1) [PDF] A copy of your Test Taker Score Re
GRE Subject Test — optional "Subject test scores may be submitted if available." · Guidance
GRE score age "For GRE we ask you to submit a test taken within the last three years upon application."
GRE minimum score No minimum GRE score is published. · Guidance
Bachelor's degree or equivalent before the enrollment date "Those who have completed or who expect to complete their undergraduate education (a Bachelor's degree or the equivalent) before the enrollment date are eligible to apply for the Masters Course."
Schedule 1 applicants graduating on the enrollment date itself "Note: In Schedule 1, those who expect to complete their undergraduate education (a Bachelor's degree or the equivalent) on September 30, 2027 must consult the GPEAK Admissions Office in advance." No
Certificate of (expected) Bachelor's Degree and Transcript of Academic Records Both are required documents. "Successful applicants must submit the original certificates before you enroll in the program. Please ask the Office of Registrar at your school to certify your degree ins

English proficiency

TOEFL or IELTS score report (two forms required) "1) [PDF] A copy of your Test Taker Score Report (TOEFL) or Test Report Form (IELTS) must be uploaded to the designated link together with other application documents by the application deadline. 2) A
Arrival deadline for the institutional report The institutional report "must arrive at the office by November 30, 2026 for Schedule 1 or July 20, 2027 for Schedule 2".
Accepted and excluded formats "TOEFL-ITP is not accepted." "(TOEFL iBT) Either a recent, valid Test Date score or the MyBest score must be sent to our office." The FAQ adds that "TOEFL scores are valid for two years."
Minimum score "We do not provide specific minimum scores for the results. However, the submitted scores should show an outstanding level of academic excellence that is generally expected of incoming graduate studen
Native English speakers and holders of English-medium degrees "Applicants whose native language is English or who have obtained or are expected to obtain a Bachelor's or other advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education where English is th

Required documents

  • Short Essay (1000 words, official form, two parts) Required

    "Write the essay in 1000 words according to instructions on Short Essay form", answering both Part 1 and Part 2. Named in the guidelines among the materials selection is based on.

  • Two letters of recommendation Required

    On the GPES official form, uploaded directly by each evaluator to a dedicated Link for Evaluators by the application deadline.

  • Interview — only if deemed necessary, normally online Required

    "Applicants shall be screened and selected through a comprehensive process. Selection is based on the evaluation of all of the applicant's submitted materials ... recommendation letters, and, if deeme

  • Graduation thesis — optional supporting work Required

    Document 8 is optional "if available"; there is no compulsory portfolio or writing sample beyond the research plan and short essay.

Other

1. Application Form [Official Form] — PDF (1), required
"Download and complete the form. Attach a photograph to the application form." It is an interactive Adobe form: it must be completed electronically in Adobe Reader (Preview on macOS and third-party Wi
2. Receipt of payment of the Application Fee — PDF (1), required
Applicants living abroad: e-payment only, at https://e-shiharai.net/english/. Applicants living in Japan: e-payment, or payment by bank transfer using a specified payment slip, or at a convenience sto
3. Research plan / Statement of Purpose [Official Form] — PDF (1), required
"Describe your previous studies and your proposed future research plan (1000 words)." Completed electronically; handwriting is not permitted.
4. Short Essay [Official Form] — PDF (1), required
"Write the essay in 1000 words according to instructions on Short Essay form." The form has two parts, both of which must be answered; it is completed electronically.
5. Two letters of recommendation [Official Form] — PDF (1) x 2 letters, required
"These should be completed by two evaluators well acquainted with the applicant's academic ability and personality. Each signed letter should be uploaded to the designated link on the GPES website by
6. Transcript of Academic Records — PDF (1), required
"Successful applicants must submit the original documents before you enroll in the program."
7. Certificate of (expected) Bachelor's Degree — PDF (1), required
"Please ask the Office of Registrar at your school to certify your degree instead of sending the original diploma."
8. Graduation Thesis — PDF (1), optional
"Optional, if available."
9. TOEFL or IELTS Score Report — required (TOEFL-ITP is not accepted)
Uploaded copy plus an institutional report sent directly by the testing institution; exemptions apply to native English speakers and holders of English-medium degrees.
10. GRE (General) Score Report — required
Uploaded copy plus a Graduate Institution Score Report sent by the testing institution.
11. Passport-style ID photo — JPEG (1), required
"4cm x 3cm. Taken within the last 6 months. Upper frontal view without hat."
12. Proof of Citizenship — PDF (1), required
"A photocopy of your passport, your census register or other proof of citizenship."
13. Japanese Proficiency Certificate — PDF (1), optional
"Optional, if available." The FAQ confirms that no proof of Japanese ability is needed.
Language of documents
"All documents must be prepared in English."
Application Registration Form (from the Online Registration System)
The Downloads page instructs applicants to "register your application information using the Online Registration System ... and obtain your Application Registration Form", then upload the application d
Return of documents and amendments
"Please note that none of the submitted materials will be returned." "No amendments to the submitted documents are allowed under any circumstances; however, any changes in name, home address, or maili
Schedule 1 (September 2027 entry) — route-specific dates
Advance eligibility contact by August 31, 2026; application fee paid between October 1, 2026 and November 9, 2026; applications November 2–9, 2026 with a 4:00 pm JST cut-off; institutional TOEFL/IELTS
Schedule 2 (April 2028 entry) — route-specific dates
Advance eligibility contact by April 9, 2027; application fee paid between May 1, 2027 and July 2, 2027; applications June 3 – July 2, 2027 with a 4:00 pm JST cut-off; institutional TOEFL/IELTS and GR
MEXT scholarship applicants — application fee
"No application fee is required from Foreign National applicants on MEXT scholarships (Monbukagakusho scholarship recipients). Such applicants who are not currently studying / conducting research at t
Disability accommodations during the entrance examination
"The University of Tokyo provides reasonable accommodations to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not disadvantaged during entrance examinations and studies after enrollment, and provides c
Security export control screening
"The University of Tokyo has established 'The University of Tokyo Security Export Control Regulations' in accordance with Japan's 'Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act', and rigorously screens poten
Programme sources (19)