International Program in Agricultural Development Studies (IPADS)

2 years English applications-closed

Entry requirements

All routes Round One Round Two JJWBGSP (MSc) route

Eligibility

Bachelor's degree or equivalent by 30 September of the enrolment year
"A Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required as of 30 September 2026. The admission automatically becomes void if a student who has applied prior to the conferment of a Bachelor's degree fails to at
16 or more years of education, including at least 3 years of higher education
"applicants must have completed, as of 30 September 2026, a total of 16 or more years of education, including a minimum of three years of higher education for a Bachelor's or equivalent degree. Applic
Excellent academic records
"Applicants must possess excellent academic records and a sound plan for their MSc research that suits the program's philosophy." The requirements page phrases it as "an excellent academic record and
Very high level of English language proficiency
"A very high level of English language proficiency adequate to engage in world-class postgraduate study is required."
Sufficient funds and good health
The requirements page adds that applicants must have "secured enough fund to support themselves and families for the duration of their stay" and be "in good health". The guideline states that for stud
Nationality and residence — no restriction
"The program welcomes applicants from all countries, including Japanese citizens and permanent residents." No exclusion of applicants residing in Japan or holding Japanese degrees is published.
Arrival in Tokyo by the designated date in September
"All newly admitted students must arrive in Tokyo by the designated date in September 2026. Those who cannot arrive in Tokyo by September 2026 must obtain late arrival permission from the IPADS Office
Security export control screening
"international students and some Japanese students are required to undergo screening prior to acceptance... if a student falls under any of the items regulated by the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trad
No deferral of admission
"In accordance with university regulations, deferral of admission is not permitted under any circumstances."

Accepted tests and qualifications

Test / QualificationRequirementNotes
GRE / GMAT Neither the admission guideline nor the website mentions GRE or GMAT anywhere. No standardised aptitude test is required or invited. · Guidance
Written entrance examination No written examination is held. "Selection is based on all application documents submitted to the IPADS Office by the abovementioned deadline." The only live component is an optional online interview. · Guidance
Interview (optional, by invitation) "An interview may be conducted via video link for a limited number of applicants. Applicants will be notified in advance if this is the case." The website calls this a "Video/Telephone Interview" and · Guidance
Proof of a Bachelor's degree "Electronic copy of an original document with the official seal of the institution such as a degree certificate. If the document is in a language other than English or Japanese, an official English tr
Official transcripts from every institution attended "Electronic copies of original transcripts from all universities and colleges the applicant has previously attended, with the official seal of the institution. Transcripts must clearly demonstrate the
Original degree and transcript documents at enrolment "Original documents of the following (2) and (3) should be physically submitted to the Graduate Student Section of the Graduate School during the enrollment registration period in September 2026. Note
Minimum GPA No minimum GPA is published. Applicants report their GPA in the online form ("Grade point average (GPA) of the coursework component") and academic records are assessed comparatively. · Guidance

English proficiency

Accepted tests: TOEFL or IELTS (Duolingo only for qualifying applicants) "Proof of English proficiency—Either a TOEFL Score Report or an IELTS Test Report Form." TOEFL iBT Home Edition is acceptable and "Scores of TOEFL Essentials can also be accepted as an alternative". "
Score expectation — no official cut-off "While IPADS does not have the official cut-off scores for English proficiency tests, the program welcomes applicants who score TOEFL iBT – 98 and above, IELTS – 7.0 and above." This is a stated expec
Hard minimum test score No official cut-off score is published; IPADS states explicitly that it does not have one.
Test date validity window "For both TOEFL and IELTS, only test reports taken on or after 1 December 2023 for Round One and 1 April 2024 for Round Two will be accepted." The website confirms the same window applies to Duolingo
How scores must reach IPADS "For TOEFL iBT, applicants must arrange for the ETS (Educational Testing Service) to electronically forward the report to IPADS, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the University of To
IPADS may demand evidence from anyone "the School reserves the right to request further evidence of English proficiency from all applicants, regardless of their nationalities and educational background, including those who qualify for the
Degree taught entirely in English in one of seven countries Exempt if you "have completed or are completing their Bachelor's program that is taught entirely in English in one of the following 7 countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa,
Three of the past six years working in English in one of the seven countries Exempt if you "have worked full-time in a professional or academic environment where English has been used solely for at least three of the past six years in one of the above countries". Such applican
An English-official-language country is not itself an exemption "Please note that applicants from countries where English is an official language are not exempt from the English language requirement unless they meet one of the exemption criteria listed below."
Double degree programmes — on-site study minimums "Applicants who have completed or are enrolled in a double degree program and wish to be exempted from the English language requirement based on study in one of the 7 designated English-speaking count
Duolingo English Test as an alternative (not an exemption) Duolingo is accepted in place of TOEFL/IELTS only for applicants who satisfy either the academic criteria (all of: completed or completing a Bachelor's or Master's programme at a university outside th
Decision aid IPADS publishes a "Yes-No flow chart for English proficiency (2026 Oct. intake IPADS MSc and PhD)" on the English language proficiency page.

Required documents

  • Motivation essay (800–1000 words) Required

    "What do you want to study and achieve through IPADS? How would you like to contribute to the society after graduation?" Submitted in Word or PDF at the online prescreening stage. JJWBGSP applicants a

  • Sample of the applicant's own research work Required

    Bachelor's thesis, Honor's thesis or equivalent; a work in progress of more than 1,000 words including research structures is acceptable for applicants still studying; graduates of programmes with no

  • Online interview by invitation Required

    "An interview may be conducted via video link for a limited number of applicants. Applicants will be notified in advance if this is the case." Windows: early to mid January (Round One) and mid to late

  • Portfolio Required

    No portfolio is required for this programme.

Research plan

Research plan — assessed through the essay and thesis summary, not as a standalone proposal document
Eligibility criterion (3) states: "Applicants must possess excellent academic records and a sound plan for their MSc research that suits the program's philosophy." IPADS does not, however, ask MSc app

Supervisor contact

Prior contact with a supervisor is explicitly not required for the MSc
"Applicants are not required or expected to contact potential supervisors prior to admission." The research-component page is equally explicit: "For the MSc program, prospective students shortlisted f

Other

Online application form (prescreening)
"Potential applicants must show their intention to apply by submitting an online application form available on the program website along with electronic copies of the documents marked * in 5B." The fo
Summary of the thesis or of a coursework subject (300 words or less, PDF)
"Summary of the thesis for research and coursework/research degrees or summary of coursework subject for coursework only (300 words or less) [PDF format]".
Essay, 800–1000 words (PDF or Word)
"Essay in word or PDF format: 'What do you want to study and achieve through IPADS? How would you like to contribute to the society after graduation?' (800-1000 words)".
Scanned official transcript (PDF)
From every university and college attended, with the institution's official seal and an official English translation if not in English or Japanese. Original paper copy required at enrolment registrati
Scanned certificate of graduation / diploma or expected-graduation certificate (PDF)
Original document with the official seal of the institution; official English translation attached if not in English or Japanese. Original paper copy required at enrolment registration.
Scanned TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score (PDF)
Plus, for TOEFL and Duolingo, arrangement for the testing body to forward the report electronically to IPADS (TOEFL DI Code C351).
Scanned certificate of employment or employment contract (PDF)
"IMPORTANT: this section is mandatory for those who could qualify for English test exemption or Duolingo English Test based on their work history", and mandatory for JJWBGSP applicants.
Statement explaining academic history
Required only from "applicants with less than 16 years of academic history including primary, secondary, and higher education".
Application form with face photograph and signature
"The form will be distributed to shortlisted candidates. A face photograph of the applicant—must be taken within 6 months of the submission deadline; 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, upper body only, full face withou
Research work conducted by the applicant
"A Bachelor's thesis, Honor's thesis, or equivalent. A work in progress, more than 1,000 words including research structures, is acceptable for those who have not completed their Bachelor's degree at
Proof of citizenship
"A document issued by an official authority such as a copy of a passport ID page, a citizenship certificate or a certified copy of family registration. If the document is in a language other than Engl
Two letters of recommendation
"These should be written by university academics who were nominated at the prescreening and are familiar with the applicant's academic achievement, such as supervisors of undergraduate's thesis (or Ma
Proof of examination fee payment
"The details regarding the examination fee will be notified at the time of shortlisting." The fee is payable only on being shortlisted.
Certificate showing current MEXT scholarship status
Required from current MEXT scholarship recipients to obtain the waiver of examination fee, enrollment fee and tuition.
Deadline discipline
"The IPADS Office will not consider late applications." "Applicants are strongly advised to prepare them well in advance of the deadline, prior to the announcement of the shortlist if necessary, as la
MEXT University Recommendation — Round One only
"Screening procedures for MEXT scholarship University Recommendation are conducted concurrently by IPADS Examination Committee on applications in ROUND ONE selection ONLY." "The examination fee should
MEXT Embassy Recommendation — Round Two only for the MSc
"The prospective scholars with MEXT Embassy Recommendation can apply for Round Two only." "Selection processes for the scholarship and IPADS admission (Round Two for MSc / Round One and Two for Ph.D.)
JJWBGSP — extra eligibility, an extra referee and a separate World Bank application
Applicants use a separate JJWBGSP application page and guideline. They must "fulfill the application criteria stipulated by JJWBGSP... including minimum three-years employment record in the developmen
JICA-funded applicants follow the JICA schedule
"An applicant from a developing country who concurrently applies for a scholarship scheme supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) should follow the application schedule published by
Applicants needing special assistance
"Persons with disabilities who need special assistance during exams and study should contact the IPADS Office as soon as possible, and no later than 19 October, 2025 for Round One applicants and 15 Fe
University of Tokyo Fellowship — opt in on the application
"Selection for the University of Tokyo Fellowship will be conducted concurrently with the admissions process. Applicants who wish to be considered must indicate their interest on the application form.
Programme sources (18)