English language proficiency : Test score submission, Exemption and Alternative English test

Applicants to IPADS are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official results of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). 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.

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 Tokyo (DI Code C351). TOEFL iBT Home Eddition is acceptable as well. Scores of TOEFL Essentials can also be accepted as an alternative to above mentioned TOEFL scores. Scores of TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) are not accepted. In addition, only individual scores from a single test date are accepted. (“My Best Score” is no longer considered.)

For IELTS, the score report indicating TRF (Test Report Form) number must be submitted. (Scores of IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted.)

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 for 2026 intake.

English Test Exemption

The English language test requirement is waived for applicants who meet one of the following criteria (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.):

have completed or are completing their Bachelor’s or Master’s program that is taught entirely in English in one of the following countries*
have worked full-time in a professional or academic environment where English is solely used for at least three of the past six years in one of the following countries*
are completing Master’s program in IPADS and are applying for IPADS Ph.D. program starting in the same year with your Master’s graduation

*Countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, UK

How to be qualified →　Applicants who meet one of the above criteria are required to chose “English Test Exemption” from the pull-down menu at English Proficiency section while applying online. Those who fulfill the criteria 2. must fill out their employment history in detail in Working Experience section and submit an official letter proofing English as the sole official language with a hand-written signature of your work supervisor from organization/company, at online application.

English Test Waiver Conditions for Double Degree Programs—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 countries above* must have studied on-site in that country for at least two years for a bachelor’s degree or at least one year for a master’s degree. (An exception applies for the COVID period from 2020 to 2022.) Please note that periods of online enrollment will NOT be counted toward these requirements, even for single-degree programs.

Duolingo English Test as Alternative English Test

For applicants who meet one of the following criteria (academic or work hisotry), an official score of DUOLINGO English Test is acceptable in place of TOEFL/IELTS test as proof of English proficiency. In addition to the submission of an electronic copy of the certified test result, applicants must arrange to forward the test result electronically to IPADS, the University of Tokyo. Only test reports taken on or after 1 December 2023 for Round One and 1 April 2024 for Round Two, will be accepted for 2026 intake

For applicants who meet following academic criteria (satisfying all 1-3) or work history criteria (satisfying all 4 & 5),

have completed or are completing their Bachelor’s or Master program in universities which are located in countries other than the aforementioned countries (*)
confirmed in the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED) that English is included as the language of instruction
have an official letter proofing English as the sole instruction language with a hand-written signature of the head of the department or equivalent from universities
have worked full-time in a professional or academic environment where English is solely used for at least three of the past six years in countries other than aforementioned countries(*)
have an official letters proofing English as the sole official language with a hand-written signature of your supervisor from organization/company

How to be qualified →　Applicants who fulfill academic or work history criteria are required to choose “Duolingo English Test” from the pull-down menu at English Proficiency section while applying online and upload the scores of Duolingo English test and the official letter. Those who fulfill the criteria 4 & 5 (work history) must fill out their employment history in detail in Working Experience section at online application.

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English language proficiency : Test score submission, Exemption and Alternative English test