How to apply MSc

Application for the Round One of October 2025 intake has been closed. The Round Two will be opened before Jan. 2025.

>>How to apply JJWBGSP (MSc)

IPADS MSc Official Rules of Admission for October 2025 intake

 

IPADS Introductory Course

Application timetable – October 2025 intake (all times JST)

Selection is carried out in two separate rounds as per the timetable below.
Those who apply for internal/external funding opportunities need to do so in the specific round.
>>For details about various funding opportunities

Self-financed applicants or those applying for a scholarship other than those mentioned below are also welcome to apply for both Round One and Round Two selections.

  Round One Round Two
Internal funding opportunities MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship

University of Tokyo Fellowship

– University of Tokyo Fellowship
Online application (pre-screening) closes 21 October 2024 16 February 2025
Shortlist announced by 18 November 2024 by 7 March 2025
Document submission for shortlisted applicants closes 11 December 2024 28 March 2025
Video/Telephone Interview  Early to Mid January 2025

Late April 2025

Final results announced by 10 February 2025 by 13 May 2025

Applicants who is unsuccessful in Round One screening can apply again in Round Two screening if they wish to do so.

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Following the pre-screening based on the information submitted online, those who meet the eligibility criteria and are considered suitable for consideration for admission (shortlisted applicants) will be invited to submit the application documents listed at the bottom of this page.

Shortlisted applicants will be announced at https://ipads.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
We will not notify the result of the pre-screening to each applicant separately or respond to inquiries about the result of the pre-screening.

Shortlisted applicants will be given about three weeks to submit the additional documents.

An interview may be conducted to the limited number of applicants via online as part of the selection process. Applicants will be notified if this is the case. The final selection result will be informed by email.

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IPADS accepts all the application documents in digital format for screening process. However, on being admitted, prospective students will be asked to submit original copy of official transcript and diploma at enrollment registration. If any of the details given in these original documents diverge from the information provided during application process for admission to IPADS, admission will be canceled at any time even after the enrollment.

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Internal funding opportunities offered in IPADS admission

Applicants to IPADS can seek the following internal funding opportunities together with application for admission to IPADS. Applicant(s) selected during the process could be nominated for the fellowship or scholarship by IPADS. Number of each fellowship and scholarship available for applicants in IPADS is limited and changes in each year.
Screening procedures for MEXT scholarship are conducted concurrently by IPADS Examination Committee on applications in ROUND ONE selection ONLY.

The University of Tokyo Fellowship
MEXT “University Recommendation” Scholarship (Not available for Round 2)
General information on MEXT Scholarship from University >>

MEXT Guideline (University Recommendation) for FY 2024 (FY 2025 is not available yet. We will update after it is officially opened.)

2024 Japanese government (MEXT) Scholarship (University Recommendation) Application Guidlines>>

Please note that an applicant is not allowed to apply for both MEXT “Embassy Recommendation” and “University Recommendation” Scholarships at the same time of admission.

Screening process for university recommendation for MEXT Scholarship in IPADS Round One screening

 

Questions we ask during the online application process

Be sure that you have all necessary information before starting the application as our online application form does not have a function to “save and resume”

Documents need to be uploaded at online application

Personal Data:

・Name
・Birth date
・Nationality
・Address
・Phone number
・Email address

For degrees attained (or expected to be attained on or before 30 September  2025):

・Name of institution
・Country of institution
・Degree attained
・Year and month commenced and graduated
・Language(s) used in the program
・Grade point average (GPA) of the coursework component, for coursework and coursework/research degrees
・Summary of the thesis for research and coursework/research degrees or summary of coursework subject for coursework only (300 words or less) [PDF format]
・Name of the principal supervisor, for research and coursework/research degrees
・Scholarships, awards, medals and prizes awarded during the program
Scanned official transcript (PDF format)
・Scanned certificate of graduation (Diploma) / expected graduation (PDF format)

For working experience(s) :

IMPORTANT: this section is mandatory for those who could qualify for English test exemption or Duolingo English Test based on their work history

・Name of institution/company
・Country of institution/company
・Position
・Year and month commenced and resigned
・Language(s) used
・Description of the job duties in detail (Special characters such as “! & $ * @ # /” are prohibited to use.)
Scanned certificate of employment or employment contract (PDF format)

For English Proficiency and others :

Scanned TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (alternative English test) scores (PDF format)

for a test taken on or after 1 January 2023. While IPADS does not have the official cut-off scores for English proficiency tests, we welcome applicants who meet the following criteria: TOEFL iBT – 98 and above, IELTS – 7.0 and above. Exemptions from submitting the English test scores or alternative English test are granted to applicants who meet our criteria only. >>for details
IPADS Office reserves the right to request a proof of English proficiency from all applicants, regardless of their nationalities and educational background. For TOEFL, applicants must arrange for the ETS to forward the report to University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences – IPADS (DI Code: C351)

If you want to use your Duolingo score, please confirm the criteria (in the link for English proficiency) first.  If you are eligible to use your Duolingo score, please prepare an official letter proofing English as solo instruction/official language in your study/work place, with a hand-written signature of the head of the department or equivalent from universities / your  supervisor from organization/company. Applicants must arrange to forward the test result electronically to IPADS, the University of Tokyo through duolingo English test system.

・Scholarship or funding source for your study in Tokyo
・Names and affiliations of two referees
・Disciplines of interest
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)

 

Documents to be submitted by shortlisted applicants

Detailed instructions on the additional documents to be submitted will be given to those who pass the pre-screening and become shortlisted.
The brief information on the documents are:

・Application form with face photo and signature
・Research work conducted by the applicant, such as a Bachelor’s thesis, Honor’s thesis or equivalent (graduates of Bachelor’s programs with no research component are required to submit essay assignments undertaken for a university course, original essays on agricultural development or any other academic report as a substitute for their thesis)
・Proof of citizenship (Passport copy)
・Two letters of recommendation by university academics nominated at online application
・Proof of Examination Fee payment (the details regarding Examination Fee will be sent out at the time of shortlisting)

NOTE: Applicants are strongly advised to prepare them well in advance of the deadline, prior to the announcement of the shortlist if necessary, as late submissions will not be accepted.