Special Selection for International Applicants, Graduate School of Science (listed by the University of Tokyo as the Graduate School of Science "Graduate Program for International Students")

2 years English open

Entry requirements

All routes Application Period 1 — April 2027 entry Application Period 2 — October 2027 entry (MEXT University Recommendation window) Application Period 3 — October 2027 entry (December window) Application Period 4 — Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship candidates

Eligibility

One qualification category must be met
"1. Applicant Qualifications (must meet one of the following qualifications listed below)" — for the Master's Program, categories (1)1 to (1)3 below, with category (1)4 applying additionally to Embass
Education completed abroad (or equivalent)
"Regardless of nationality, students can apply to this selection if they have completed both senior high school and college education abroad, or if they have obtained similar education in Japan. For i
Only one application per enrolment term
"Applicants for both Master's and Doctoral programs are not allowed to submit more than one application for the same enrollment term in the Graduate School of Science. However, applicants are allowed
Consent of a potential supervisor before applying
Application Document 10 requires "Proof of your prior consultation with the potential supervising professor(s) at the Graduate School of Science". Without it the application is incomplete. "The proof
Security export control screening
"The University of Tokyo has established the 'The University of Tokyo Security Export Control Regulations' in accordance with Japan's 'Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act' ... In particular, pre-en
Visa
"At the time of admission, you must have a 'College Student Visa'. For details regarding visa information, please contact the International Team at intl.s@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp"
Accuracy of the application
"We reserve the right to reject your application even after enrollment if a misstatement regarding your educational background or any false information is to be found in the application form."

Accepted tests and qualifications

Test / QualificationRequirementNotes
GRE — Department of Physics Subject Test required: Physics. General Test not required.
GRE — Department of Astronomy Subject Test required: Physics. General Test not required. The department adds: "Applicants for the Department of Astronomy are requested to submit each copy of Official Score Report and Examinee's Sc
GRE — Department of Earth and Planetary Science For Application Period 4 (2027 Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship students): "Requirements set by individual faculty members", per the department's published list of subjects and examination methods
GRE — Department of Chemistry Subject Test not required. General Test required.
GRE — Department of Biological Sciences Subject Test not required. General Test required — "Applicants may submit the score of Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry instead of General Test score."
How GRE scores are submitted "Please upload a scanned copy of your Examinee's Score Report, and also submit the Official Score Report." The GRE code number for the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Science is 7048; the Offi
Minimum GRE score No minimum GRE score is published. "We do not officially release any information regarding minimum score requirements for TOEFL/GRE." · Guidance
16 years of education abroad (Master's qualification 1) "One who has completed, or is expected to complete 16 years of education abroad before entering the Master's Program of the University of Tokyo."
Bachelor's-equivalent degree from a recognised foreign institution (Master's qualification 2) "One who has been conferred a degree equivalent to that of a bachelor's degree or is expected to be conferred one before entering the Master's program of the University of Tokyo from a foreign univers
Individual entrance screening, age 22 or over (Master's qualification 3) "One who has been approved by the Graduate School of Science of the University of Tokyo through an individual entrance screening as being academically equivalent or superior to a college graduate and
Additional condition for Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship candidates (Master's qualification 4) "Those applying as an Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho Scholarship Candidate must be considered in the categories 1.-3. listed above and must also have passed the preliminary selection by a Japanese
Documentary proof of completion "Transcripts of all colleges and universities attended AND statement of (expected) completion of all colleges or universities attended (if unavailable, copy of diploma)." Documents in a language other

English proficiency

TOEFL score (mandatory) "TOEFL Score. Please upload a scanned copy of your Test Taker Score Report and also submit the Institutional Score Report." The TOEFL code number for the University of Tokyo, School of Science is 8002
Score validity: two years "GRE and TOEFL test scores are invalid if the tests were taken more than two years ago counting from the application start date." "Applicants who wish to retake the exam during the application period
IELTS is not accepted "Can I submit an IETLS score instead of TOEFL for proof of proficiency in English? — Currently, we only accept TOEFL scores as an official English language test."
Minimum TOEFL score No minimum is published. "We do not officially release any information regarding minimum score requirements for TOEFL/GRE." The instructions warn only that "Some Departments may reject applicants whos
If the score will not arrive in time "I am taking the TOEFL/GRE test before the application deadline but the test score may not be available until after the application deadline. What should I do? — Applicants must contact the Graduate S
Exemption for native speakers of English, by advance approval only "Applicants whose native language is English may in some cases be exempted from submitting a TOEFL score, with the advance approval of the Graduate School of Science. Those who wish to request such an
Exemption for a degree taught in English There is no automatic exemption for a degree obtained in an English-speaking country. "My native language is not English however, I obtained a degree from a university in an English speaking country.

Required documents

  • Departmental interviews and online written examinations Required

    "Some Departments may have additional requirements such as interviews and online written examinations to applicants." Applicants must check the department-specific pages.

  • Online examination — Department of Earth and Planetary Science Required

    "Applicants who pass the documentary assessment will be invited by the Department to take an online examination. The final admission decision regarding the success or failure of applications will be a

  • Online interviews — Department of Astronomy Required

    "Selection will be based primarily on submitted documents, but online interviews may be conducted if necessary."

  • Written statements Required

    In place of an essay, applicants submit the Personal Statement and the Statement of Purpose, each 1–2 pages of A4 in English, single-spaced, in any format.

  • Portfolio Required

    No portfolio is required for any department; published papers are submitted only where the applicant has them.

  • Accommodations for applicants with disabilities Required

    The Special Selection instructions do not publish a procedure for requesting examination accommodations. The Graduate School of Science operates a Disability Services Office, but no application-stage

Other

Application Form
"Fill out the form directly on the web." Applicants select up to three potential supervisors from a drop-down list (one only for the Department of Physics).
GRE Subject or General Test score
Scanned copy of the Examinee's Score Report uploaded, plus the Official Score Report sent directly by ETS (code 7048). The required test differs by department — see standardisedTests. Applicants to th
TOEFL score
Scanned copy of the Test Taker Score Report uploaded, plus the Institutional Score Report sent directly by ETS (code 8002-01). TOEFL iBT single test date only, not MyBest.
Transcripts and statement of (expected) completion
"Transcripts of all colleges and universities attended AND statement of (expected) completion of all colleges or universities attended (if unavailable, copy of diploma)."
Payment confirmation of the Application Fee
"Monbukagakusho Scholarship Students are exempted from paying the Application Fee. If you are a Monbukagakusho Scholarship Student, please instead submit a Certificate of a Japanese Government (Monbuk
Transcript of any master's or doctoral programme already attended
"For Applicants to Master's program: If you are currently enrolled in a Master's program or a Doctoral program, have completed one such program, or have withdrawn after having fulfilled the requiremen
Most recent GPA score report
"The most recent GPA (Grade Point Average) score report from your university / college, if available."
Personal Statement
"1 or 2 pages of A4-size paper, in English, single space, in any format: Please describe what you have studied, what research you have conducted, and your other activities. Give detailed descriptions
Statement of Purpose
"1 or 2 pages of A4-size paper, in English, single space, in any format: Please describe the research content you wish to conduct at the Graduate School of Science. Give detailed descriptions of your
Proof of prior consultation with the potential supervising professor(s)
"Please contact your potential supervisor and submit the proof of your prior consultation such as a copy of correspondence e-mails." Department of Earth and Planetary Science applicants for the 2027 M
Two recommendation letters
"Two recommendation letters from your current supervisors or individuals who are familiar with your academic or scientific work: Please enter the referees' names, organizations, positions and email ad
Official translations
"Whenever a transcript, statement of completion or diploma, or recommendation letter is written in neither English nor Japanese, an English or Japanese translation of the document must be officially i
Non-return rule
"All documents and the Application Fee are non-returnable." "All application documents must arrive by the end of the application period."
Application Period 1 — April 2027 entry
"From October 15 to October 30, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in April 2027." Admission decision at the end of December 2026. Self-funded applicants and applicants with outside funding
Application Period 2 — October 2027 entry, with access to the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship
"From October 15 to October 30, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in October 2027. *Those who have applied during this period can apply for 'University Recommended Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Sch
Application Period 3 — October 2027 entry (December window)
"From December 7 to December 22, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in October 2027. *Applications to the Department of Biological Sciences (Master's or Doctoral Courses) will not be accepte
Application Period 4 — Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship candidates
"From July 1 to August 10, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in either April or October 2027 as an Embassy Recommended Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship Student." Only applicants who "have
Programme sources (15)