Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI[Global Environmental Studies Program]
Doctoral Program 2025
Special Admissions for Applicants Residing Abroad(Privately Financed International Students, First-Round)

1. General Prospectus
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI was founded as a national university
in Japan on October 1, 1988. The basic concept of SOKENDAI is to develop a new postgraduate
education system in Japan. Its key features are as follows:

1)

SOKENDAI offers both three-year and five-year doctoral programs.

2)

SOKENDAI consists of 20 programs under one institute operated by 20 Inter-University
Research Institutes and Independent Administrative Institutions (“parent institutions”).

3)

Research and education are carried out in close cooperation with the parent institutions.

4)

Broad and international visions are fostered by enhanced interchange between various
institutions and universities in Japan and abroad.

The parent institutions provide Japanese and foreign scientists with opportunities to conductadvanced joint research in various scientific branches. They are equipped with extensive
research facilities and function as centers for advanced studies. Presently, they cooperate toestablish a world-class program for postgraduate education at SOKENDAI[Admission Policy]<What SOKENDAI expects of our grad students>
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, seeks students who have a strong
interest in research, who constantly hone their abundant intellect and sensitivity with the aim ofconducting research that will open up a new era, while taking a “bird's-eye view” of the entire
field of study, and who have the will and enthusiasm to be active on the international stage.
<Basic policy for the selection of our grad students>
In selecting students for admission, SOKENDAI places importance on basic academic abilityand logical thinking ability to actively promote research in the cutting-edge 20 research institutes
affiliated with SOKENDAI. In order to properly judge such abilities, various selections will bemade according to the respective fields of specialization.

2. Global Environmental Studies Program Outline
The Global Environmental Studies Program is based on international research projects
promoted by the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN). This interdisciplinary
research with elements of transdisciplinarity utilizes a problem-solving approach in collaboration
with society. The program is designed for students to gain knowledge and methodologies
accumulated in the academic fields that constitute Global Environmental Studies and to become
independent researchers who will engage in solving global environmental issues with theirexpertise. The program provides small-group education and research training in an environment
conductive for cutting-edge research.
RIHN is developing comprehensive research that transcends existing academic fields anddisciplines through a “Program-Project system” that unites several research projects under aProgram. Programs consist of the Research Programs and the Strategic Program, with several
research projects under each Program. The research projects are conducted in accordance withthe priority issues set for each Program.
Fundamental Research Department has been established to support overall research activities
at RIHN through providing research infrastructure to promote collaboration with various
stakeholders in society toward the establishment of Global Environmental Studies, and topromote the continuous utilization of diverse research results from Research Programs andProjects. Fundamental Research Department is responsible for a wide variety of tasks incooperation with Research Programs and Projects while conducting research in Global
Environmental Studies.

3. Doctoral Degree Requirements
A Doctor of Philosophy degree shall be conferred on students who have satisfied therequirements of their respective doctoral programs, as prescribed below:[Three-year doctoral program]Students must be enrolled in SOKENDAI for at least three years, earn the necessary credits,
receive the necessary research guidance, and pass the examination for a doctoral thesis.
Students who are recognized as having achieved significant progress may be able to graduate
in a shorter timeframe.

4. Doctoral Programs and Number of Students AcceptedDoctoral Programs

Number of Students Accepted
October 2025

Three-year doctoral programA few

5. Qualifications for Application[Qualifications for the three-year doctoral program]
Applicants must fulfill one of the following conditions:
1)

Master’s degree or a degree equivalent to a Professional degree has been conferred or is
expected to be conferred by the month preceding enrollment;

2)

Have been recognized by SOKENDAI as having academic ability equivalent to or superior
to those who have a master’s degree or a professional degree by the individual screeningof the Admission Qualifications of SOKENDAI and have attained an age of 24 years by theend of the month preceding enrollment. (Note)

Notes:*The qualifications do not concern the date of completion of the master’s course of study, but
the date of conferral of a master’s or equivalent professional degree.
*Applicants who intend to apply under the above provision (2) are required to have a qualification
screening to confirm “having academic ability equivalent to those who have a master’s degree
or a professional degree” before the application can be submitted.
Additionally, those who have completed or are expected to complete a master’s course before
the time of enrollment in the doctoral program but are not expected to be granted a master’s orprofessional degree by that time must undergo extra screening procedures before applying theapplication. If applicable, please contact the Student Affairs Section via email before October30, 2024.
*Besides the above qualifications (Qualifications 1 and 2), eligible applicants include those whootherwise satisfy or will satisfy the qualification requirements for general admission toSOKENDAI. If you have any questions regarding the qualifications for admission, pleasecontact the Student Affairs Section before October 30, 2024.

6. Required Conditions and Notes
Applicants are expected to satisfy each of the following conditions.
1)

Are foreign nationals currently residing overseas.

2)

Arrival in Japan: Are able to arrive in Japan in time for the semester that begins in April 2025
or October 2025.

3)

Health: Are physically and mentally healthy enough to complete graduate studies at auniversity in Japan.

4)

Language Ability: Have a good command of English or Japanese.

5)

Security Export Control: Depending on the specifics of the education and research
instructions they wish to receive upon entering the doctoral program, applicants may besubject to regulations on the export/transfer of controlled technologies based on the Foreign
Exchange and Foreign Trade Law. Please consult the Student Affairs Section of SOKENDAI
for further details.

7. Application Procedure[Application Period]

December 5 to December 11, 2024 5:00 pm JST**The application must arrive no later than the last day of the application period, without failure.
[Contact the prospective supervisor]
Before applying, the applicant must contact the prospective supervisor and confirm whether
he/she can accept the applicant if the applicant passes the examination. Please see the following
URL for the list of faculty members.
https://www.soken.ac.jp/en/admission/application_info/ges/file/List_of_Faculty_Members.pdf[Application Method]
The applicant must submit a complete set of application documents either by mail or email. For
details, please confirm the following points 1) and 2). The application must reach SOKENDAI nolater than the application deadline of December 11, 2024 at 5:00 pm JST.
1)

Mail

The complete set of application documents must be submitted by registered express mail or asimilar service. If there are any problems with the submitted documents, SOKENDAI will contact
the applicant via email.
Mailing address;
Student Affairs Section, Division of Academic and Student Affairs
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI
Shonan Village, Hayama, Miura, Kanagawa 240-0193 JAPANTelephone number +81-46-858-1526
2)

EmailThe complete set of application documents must be submitted via email. If the attached files
contain more than 10 megabytes, please send them separately, and number each email subject.
Additionally, when sending files, please attach them to your email directly without using
uploaders.
After receiving the applicant’s email, SOKENDAI will send the applicant a confirmation email. Ifthe applicant does not receive our email within a week of submitting the documents, pleasecontact us.
Email address; gakusei@ml.soken.ac.jp (Student Affairs Section, SOKENDAI)
Notes: If the applicant is accepted for enrollment, the applicant must submit the original officialtranscript and certification of graduation.

8. Application Documents
Please read “Application checklist” on our website.
1)

Application Form (Attached)

Please attach a photograph (sized 4.5 cm×3.5 cm taken within the past six months, upper
body, full-faced with no hat) on the Application Form. Your signature is required on theApplication Form.
2)

Examination fee: 30,000 yen

For payment details, please refer to “Instructions on how to make a payment” on our website.
3)

Official Transcripts
Applicants applying for the three-year doctoral program must submit the Official
Transcripts of each academic year from both undergraduate and graduate schools.

Applicants applying for the five-year doctoral program must submit the OfficialTranscripts of each academic year from their undergraduate school.

4)

Certificate of Graduation or Expected Graduation (originals or certified copies)
Applicants applying for the three-year doctoral program must submit Certificates ofGraduation for both undergraduate and graduate schools.

Applicants applying for the five-year doctoral program must submit a Certificate ofGraduation for undergraduate school.

Applicants who have not yet graduated from a university must submit an attested
document certifying that the applicant will graduate before entering the doctoralprogram.

5)

Certified copy of degree diploma
Applicants who have already graduated from a university must submit certified copies ofdegree diplomas, as follows:Applicants applying for the three-year doctoral program must submit certified copies aof their bachelor’s and master’s degree diplomas.

Applicants applying for the five-year doctoral program must submit a certified copy of
their bachelor’s degree diploma.

6)

Recommendation letter from a person who knows the applicant’s research/academic
activities well (e.g., the applicant’s academic supervisor at the university in which theapplicant is currently enrolled or the university that the applicant previously attended).
addressed to the President of SOKENDAI. (Original, free format)

7)Your past research work and activities (if applicable)

8)

Summary of your graduation thesis
If the applicant has no theses or publications, please submit a summary of his/hercurrent research project.

9)

Field of Study and Research Plan (Attached)

10) Photocopy of the applicant’s passport pages showing the applicant’s name, date of birth,
nationality, gender, photograph, and passport number.
Notes:
The application documents must be prepared in Japanese or English. If the documents areprepared in languages other than Japanese or English, an official English translation must
be included.

The application documents mentioned above must be prepared using word processing
software. Print all the required documents on A4 size paper (if possible).

Your admission may be rescinded at any time, even after enrollment, if the application
documents are found to be invalid or contain false information.

9. Selection Schedule and Method
Screening of application materials and an interview (if necessary) with the applicant which will be
conducted online on January 22, 2025 (JST) or January 23, 2025 (JST). Applicants will beseparately informed of additional selection details after their documents have been submitted.

10. Announcement of Result
The result will be announced to all applicants in February 2025 via email.

11. Admission Procedures(1) The period of admission procedures is scheduled as follows:
Late September 2025 for the enrollment of October 2025
Successful applicants must complete the admission procedures during the prescribed period.
Further details will be provided separately to successful applicants.
(2) Fees required for admission are as follows:
Entrance Fee: JPY 282,000
Tuition Fee for six months: JPY 267,900*If entrance or tuition fees are revised at the time of or during enrollment, the revised fees
shall be applied from the date of the revision.

12. Student Visa
Each candidate who is selected as a privately financed student must apply for a visa in personat the nearest Japanese consulate to enter Japan after receiving the Certificate of Eligibility
which is mailed from SOKENDAI.

13. Contact Details for InquiriesStudent Affairs Section, Division of Academic and Student Affairs
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI
E-mail: gakusei@ml.soken.ac.jp