Updated in April, 2025

Postgraduate International Research Student (non-degree)

Definition:

A Postgraduate International Research Student (Kenkyusei in Japanese) is a non-degree-pursuing student who studies a specific subject under the supervision of a faculty member of the Graduate School. Postgraduate international research students can also prepare for the entrance examination of the master's or doctoral program, usually for 1 year. During this period, postgraduate international research students can also learn Japanese useful for campus activities and daily life.

Entering this program does not guarantee applicant's entrance into our master's or doctoral programs. If the applicant wish to enter one of our master's or doctoral programs, he/she will need to take an entrance examination. Please refer to the following URL for more details: https://www.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/edu/entra/entra_e.shtml

How to apply?

First you must decide to which department you want to apply, and under which professor to take academic instruction. You can contact professors in Graduate School of IST from the following webpages:
https://www.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/edu/intro/index_e.shtml
http://www.i.u-tokyo.ac.jp/news/search_e/search-a_e.shtml

Please contact the professor directly by email and get an informal acceptance from him/her. We recommend you attach your research plan (you can use Form 2 if you would like), official transcripts, graduation/completion certificate, recommendation letter and CV so that the professor can make a judgment.
When you receive the informal acceptance (by e-mail, a letter etc.) from the professor, please make sure to keep it with you because you will need it when you apply online.

Period of Application

Winter semester (October 2025) entrance → Mon. April 21, 2025 to Fri. May 9, 2025
Summer semester (April 2026) entrance → Mon. October 20, 2025 to Fri. November 7, 2025

School expenses for the International research student program

Examination fees →　9,800 Japanese Yen
Admission fees →　 84,600 Japanese Yen
Tuition → Summer term 173,400 Japanese Yen,
　　　　　 Winter term 173,400 Japanese Yen (As of April 2024)

Application Guide

Admission Application Procedure for October 2025 and April 2026
(In Japanese / In English)
Research Plan (Form 2)

CoE Application procedure
・Please download the procedure and the forms from your "My Page" on WEB Application System.

Online Application Procedures

1. Prepare the necessary materials for your application.

Check the Application Guide and prepare the necessary materials for your application.
This may include your transcripts, certificates, photograph, the proof of your examination fee payment (See 3. below), etc.

2. Enter and check the details of your application through the application system below.

(*Available from 4/21)

Enter WEB Application System for International Research Students here.

■Notes on Photograph Data■

・Upload your photograph to the 'WEB Application System'.
・This photograph will be used for your student ID card after your enrollment.
・Prepare a photograph as guided below:
　　－Format: jpeg
　　－Size: length 308 pixels × width 236 pixels　　
　　－A clear photograph taken within the past 3 months that shows your upper body
　　　facing forward with your head uncovered, with plain background
　　－Must be different from your passport photo

3. Pay your examination fee.

1) E-shiharai.net (by credit card):
Refer to the 'How to make Payment of Examination Fee at E-shiharai.net' and pay your examination fee as instructed.

→Click here to navigate to 'E-shiharai.net'. 【Available period: 4/14-5/9】

Notes:
■On "School Selection" page, choose "The University of Tokyo (Graduate Schools)".
■Examination fee is 9,800 JPY.

4. Submit (Upload) your application documents.

【Important】 Application documents must be submitted only by uploading the files to the WEB Application System. (*No need to mail them by post.)

5. Submission of Recommendation Letter

Request the letter from your recommender in advance of your application.

【Submission Procedures】

1. Examinees should register the necessary information about the examinees themselves and their recommenders through the 'Registration Form for Recommender'. (*Available from 4/21)

2. The URL for uploading the recommendation letter will be notified to the recommender by email.

3. The recommender should upload the recommendation letter to the website indicated in that email.
【The deadline for uploading the recommendation letter】5/16 (Fri), 2025

4. After the recommender completes uploading, both the recommender and the examinee will receive a confirmation message by email.

Notes on Applying

• After the application process is completed, no changes to the documents will be accepted and the examination fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Contact

Office of International Relations,
Graduate School of Information Science and Technology
The University of Tokyo
TEL: +81-3-5841-4478
istoir.t(at)gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp