International Joint Degree Master’s Programin Agro-Biomedical Science in Food and Health,Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba
Application Guidelines for September 2025 Enrollment(August Selection Process)For applicants who wish to choose a faculty memberof the University of Tsukuba as their supervisor“Food and Health” is a global issue, extending beyond national borders. With the aim to develop highly
specialized professionals who can both appreciate “Food and Health” and be active internationally, theUniversity of Tsukuba established the International Joint Degree Master’s Program in Agro-Biomedical
Science in Food and Health in cooperation with the University of Bordeaux (France) and National Taiwan
University (Taiwan). Students of this program attend lectures and receive research guidance for at least asemester on site at each university and will receive a “Master of Agro-Biomedical Science in Food and
Health” degree upon graduation, jointly awarded by the three universities. For more details, please visit our
website (http://www.gip.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/index.html).
If you wish to enroll in this program, please read the application guidelines below before applying.
Those who wish to choose a faculty member of the University of Bordeaux or National Taiwan University as
their supervisor cannot apply through these guidelines.
Key Dates
Application period
Oral examination
Announcement ofadmission results
Date of enrollment

July 9, 2024 to July 22, 2024
August 26, 2024

In case of high demand, we will conduct another examination on August 28, 2024.

September 12, 2024
September 1, 2025

1. Prospective Students

This program seeks students with a background in medical or agro-biological resources science and acooperative spirit who are strongly determined to innovate and contribute to the future of society andMankind by overcoming national and academic boundaries to assertively tackle global-scale issues
related to the fields of health and food.

2. Number of Students to be Admitted
3 students

3. Eligibility for Application

Eligible applicants of the Graduate School must meet one of the following requirements, in accordancewith the provisions of the School Education Act:(A) No eligibility screening is required for the following individuals:
 Individuals who have graduated or who will graduate from a Japanese four-year university by
August 2025.
 Individuals who have graduated from a university outside Japan that implements 16 or more years

of school curriculum, up to university graduation, and earned a bachelor’s degree by August 2025.
 Others (for applicants who do not fall into the above 2 categories)(B) Eligibility screening is required for the following individuals:
 Individuals who have reached 22 years of age or will reach 22 years of age by August 2025, whohave been admitted to the graduate school of the University with academic ability equivalent or
superior to that of a university graduate through an individual admission eligibility screening
conducted by the graduate school of the University.
 Others (for applicants who do not fall into the above category.)
Individuals expected to undergo eligibility screening must contact the Office of the International Joint
Degree Master’s Program in Agro-Biomedical Science in Food and Health (see below, 13. Contact Us) inadvance. The required screening documents must be submitted by July 3 2024.
For eligibility details and the documents required for screening, visit the university website:
Graduate Eligibility for Admission - University of Tsukuba

4. Notices Before Applying

It is recommended, but not required, to contact your prospective supervisor in advance.
A minimum score of 61 for TOEFL iBT, 600 for TOEIC Listening & Reading Test, 5.0 for IELTS or
EIKEN Test Grade Pre-1 is required as this program conducts all lectures and research guidance in English.
Scores from the TOEFL iBT Home Edition test can be accepted as certification of English proficiency.

5. Examination Fee

JPY 30,000 (except for Government-Sponsored [Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship]
foreign students)
1. Payment Period: July 9, 2024 ～ July 22, 2024
2. Procedure: Payment must be made by a credit card or at a convenience store (for details, refer to theattachment.)

6．Documents to be Submitted

We will review applicant contents and bachelor’s program results, purposes and plans of study in thisprogram, career plans after graduation, and English proficiency. We will also evaluate the applicant’s
background and determination to solve global issues concerning “food and health” as well as aptitude forinternational and interdisciplinary study based on the documents below.
All documents from (1) to (12) must be prepared in English. If you are submitting in a language otherthan English under unavoidable circumstances, attach the English translation along with the original.

(1) Application Form (Official Form)
Attach the “Certificate of Payment” issued by a convenience store or a credit card to the designatedcolumn of the application form.
(2) Curriculum Vitae/Employment Record (Official Form)
Submission of the Employment Record is required only for applicants who have a work history.
(3) Reference Card/Photo Card (Official Form)
Paste an identical photograph on both cards.
(4) Essay (Official Form)

Fill in your motivation and background for entrance to this program and your research plan during
the program (including purpose and plan of study plus career plan) within 500 words in English.
The font must be Times New Roman and the size 11 points. Any alteration in style and/or insertionof figures and graphs will cause the essay to be rejected.
(5) (Expected) Graduation Certificate/Academic Transcript
Submit a graduation certificate (or an official document certifying that you are expected to graduate)
issued by a university or other type of educational institution that awarded or will award you abachelor’s degree.
If any subject mentioned in the transcript has been certified because of a transfer, please also submit
the academic transcript from the previous school, etc., along with the latest transfer.
If your GPA is not mentioned in the transcript and you possess other GPA certification, please submit
this documentation as well.
* Submit only original documents with an official seal. When submitting copies of certificates thatcannot be reissued or for other reasons, a copy may be submitted only if the issuer of the certificate
certifies that the copy is identical to the original (official seal of the issuer is required).
* If the certificate (original) is issued online by an overseas university office, a copy of the page andthe URL of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to the certificate
to confirm that the online certificate is equivalent to the original one.
* For graduates of Chinese universities, substitution of the original English version of the Academic
Credentials Verification Report issued by the 'China Higher Education Information and Student
Information Office (CHSI (Japan))' is acceptable. For those who have completed the 「自学考試（本科）」and obtained a degree, the original transcript and degree certificate issued by theinstitution conducting the 「自学考試」must be submitted. Applications from applicants who have
not yet completed 「自学考試」are not accepted.
(6) Degree Certificate
Applicants who graduated or expected to graduate from a foreign university must submit a document(degree certificate) to certify that they have a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
Applicants who have obtained a qualification for application from the National Institution for
Academic Degrees and University Evaluation must submit a certificate of the degree awarded (acertificate of acceptance of application for the degree), an academic transcript, and other certificates
related to earning the degree.
* If the certificate (original) is issued online by an overseas university graduate office, a copy of thepage and the URL of the official website of the issuing institution (university) must be attached to thecertificate to confirm that the online certificate is equivalent to the original one.
(7) Letter of Recommendation
This should be obtained from your supervisor or homeroom teacher of your university (with affixed
seal or signature.) If it is written in a language other than English, attach the English translation.
(8) Documents to Prove English Proficiency
You are required to submit an original copy of your TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Official Score
Certificate/ Official Score Report, TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Digital Official Score Certificate,
TOEFL Examinee (Test Taker) Score Report which is sent to the TOEFL examinee from ETS by postal
mail (scores of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition test can be also accepted), IELTS Academic Module
Test Report Form (IELTS Online results are not acceptable), or Certificate of Passing EIKEN Test
Grade Pre-1 or higher. Certificates must be original or reissued originals as photocopies areunacceptable. However, print outs of TOEIC Digital Official Score Certificates are acceptable.
Although there is no specific time limit for past examinations, it is preferable for the examination
to have been taken within the past five years.

Applicants eligible for an exemption from submitting TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS academic scorerequirements or Certificate of Passing EIKEN Test include the following:1) Those whose first or native language is English.
2) Those from a country where English is an official language.
3) Those who completed undergraduate courses fully conducted in English.
If you fall under one of the above categories and wish to request this exemption, submit a letter thatbriefly summarizes your own linguistic background to support your request.
(9) Letter of Approval for Entrance Examination
Applicants who currently attend a university or graduate school (except those who are expected tograduate by August 2025) must submit a letter of approval for taking the entrance examination issued
by the head of their university, or submit a written self-declaration stating that the applicant will
withdraw from their current university before enrollment. (free format, A4 size)
Applicants who currently work for a government agency, school, or company (except for part-timeworkers) must submit a letter of approval for taking the entrance examination issued by the head of theinstitute (or department). Applicants who plan to leave their company to enroll in the graduate school
may submit a written self-declaration stating that the applicant will withdraw from the company before
enrollment as a substitute for the letter of approval.
(10) Certificate of Government-Sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship)
Foreign Student
If you are enrolled in another university at the time of application, submit a Certificate of GovernmentSponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship) Foreign Student issued by theuniversity.
(11) Self-Declaration on Specific Categories for Security Export Control (Official Form)
All applicants should submit this form.
(12) Application Form for Online Entrance Examination (Official Form)
Submit this form if you reside abroad at the time of application.
*In principle, documents submitted in support of your application will not be returned to you.
*If your current name is different from that on submitted certificates (for example, because of marriage),
submit a copy of the relevant section of your family register/official records. If you wish to use yourmaiden name for student registration after enrollment, you may proceed with necessary procedures
during admission.
* Erroneous or suspect scores on any submitted score sheet will be confirmed with the issuer.
* If any false or forged statements are found in the application documents, or if there is any obvious
examination misconduct, acceptance and admission may be revoked.

7. Application Procedure

Submit originals of all required certificates and supporting documents by simplified registered mailor at the GIP-TRIAD Office before the application deadline.
Application submission period: July 9, 2024 to July 22, 2024
Registered mail must arrive at the GIP-TRIAD Office by July 22. If submitting the application
documents at the GIP-TRIAD Office, bring them by 17:00 (Japan Standard Time) on July 22.
Where to submit: GIP-TRIAD Office (International Joint Degree Master’s Program in AgroBiomedical Science in Food and Health) (see below, 13. Contact Us).

8. Screening Criteria

Screening of documents will proceed based on the documents mentioned in “6. Documents to be
Submitted.”

The oral examination in English will be conducted on August 26, 2024.
(In the case of many applications, we will conduct another examination on August 28, 2024.)*The oral examination will be conducted online for applicants who reside abroad. Such applicantsmust submit the Application Form for Online Entrance Examination within the application period.
Screening Method and Criteria
Application
Document Screening(100 points)
Group
Discussion(100 points)
Aptitude Screening
Based on the
Presentation
Application
and Q&A
Documents
session (100points)Oral Examination(200 points)
90 minutes

Debate on global issues related to“Food and Health”

10 minutes

Presentation of motivation andresearch plans
Q&A session on contents of thepresentation and basic knowledge thatwill be required on this program

20 minutes

For the presentation, prepare your slides in PowerPoint (slides must have a white background). The
slides must be converted into a PDF file and both PowerPoint and PDF files must be sent to
gip_info@un.tsukuba.ac.jp before 17:00 (Japan Standard Time) on August 19, 2024. On theexamination day, bring your USB memory stick in which your presentation documents are saved.

9. Testing Location

University of Tsukuba (1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan)
For details of the date and meeting place, refer to the “Information and Instructions for Examinees” thatwill be sent after the application deadline.

10. Applicants in Need of AssistanceIf you need assistance because of a disability, contact the Office of the International Joint Degree
Master’s Program in Agro-Biomedical Science in Food and Health by July 3, 2024 (see below, 13.
Contact Us).

11. Announcement of Acceptance

September 12, 2024
Successful applicants will be notified about further procedures via email.
Please understand that we cannot respond to any inquiries regarding examination results.

12. Enrollment Procedure

Follow the directions in the Enrollment Procedure Guidelines which will be sent out to successful
applicants.

Expenses Required Upon Entrance(1) Entrance fees: JPY 282,000(2) Yearly tuition: JPY 535,800
Academic year 2025 (September 2025 – March 2026): JPY 312,550* Government-sponsored (Japanese Government Monbukagakusho Scholarship) foreign students are
exempted from paying the entrance fees.

* The students of this program will rotate through the University of Tsukuba, University of Bordeaux,and National Taiwan University to spend a semester studying at each university. Students who haveentered the University of Tsukuba through this examination will not be required to pay tuition or
entrance fees to the University of Bordeaux or National Taiwan University.
Expenses that need to be paid after enrollment include costs related to visa applications, travel
expenses to France and Taiwan, living expenses, and insurance fees.
* According to the University of Tsukuba's guidelines, students are prohibited from traveling abroadwhen the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues Level 2 or higher safety information (including
danger and infectious disease risk) for an affected country/region. (Level 2: Avoid non-essential
travel) In such circumstances, students in Japan might need to attend online or on-demand classes
offered by the University of Bordeaux or National Taiwan University.
* Other Notes
Individuals with nationalities other than Japanese must follow the Immigration Control and Refugee
Recognition Act and be qualified for a resident status to enter graduate school before proceeding to theenrollment procedures. Individuals who wish to enroll in the university as a foreign exchange student
must qualify for a “Student” resident status.

13. Contact Us
International Joint Degree Master’s Program in Agro-Biomedical Science in Food and Health(GIP-TRIAD) Office, University of Tsukuba
1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
Tel: +81-(0)-29-853-3228
E-mail: gip_info@un.tsukuba.ac.jp
Opening Hours: 8:30-12:15 and 13:15-17:15

14. Disclosure of Entrance Examination Results

Entrance examination results will be disclosed only to unsuccessful applicants who have taken the GIPTRIAD entrance examination.
1. Results disclosed
Total entrance examination score of the unsuccessful applicant
2. Applicant
Examinee who took the entrance examination
3. How to request
Print the Request Form for Disclosure of Admission Information on
A4-size paper. Send the following required materials by post:
1) Completed Request Form
2) Reference Card (Jukenhyo) It will be returned when the disclosed
information is sent by post.
(In case you lost your Reference Card, submit proof of identity, such as a
copy of your Student ID card or driver’s license.)
3) A return envelope with the applicant’s name, complete address withpostal code, and stamps in the amount of 460 JPY.
If you reside abroad, please contact the below by email.
4. Application period
May 1~ May 30, 2025
5. How to disclose
After the application period, the disclosed information will
be sent to the examinee in the return envelope by registered mail.
6. For inquiries
1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan 305-8577
Division of Admission, Department of Educational Promotion,

University of Tsukuba
E-mail: dai.daigakuinka@un.tsukuba.ac.jp

【Research Supervisors for International Joint Degree Master's Program in Agro-Biomedical Science in Food and Health】
Name

Position and
Affiliation

Masao ICHIKAWA

Professor,
Faculty of
Medicine

Osamu OHNEDA

Professor,
Faculty of
Medicine

Email

Research Area

Researchmasao@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

Global Public
Health

1. Global health research
2. Community design & health
3. Injury prevention & control

oohneda@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

Regenerative
Medicine andStem Cell
Biology

1. Analysis of differentiation and proliferation mechanisms of humanmesenchymal stem cells (MSC)
2. Development of clinical therapies using MSC
3. Analysis of the effects of aging and disease on MSC function

Clinical andTranslational
Research
Methodology

1. Development of functional foods to increase immune function,
prevent lifestyle-related diseases, etc.
2. Development of new medical devices, e.g., for digital health
3. Construction of seamless platforms for translational research
4. Education of experts of the integrative celerity research process
for translational researches

Koichi HASHIMOTO

Professor,
Faculty of
Medicinekoichi.hashimoto@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

Kazuya MORIKAWA

Professor,
Faculty of
Medicine

Infection
1. Control of infection strategies in human pathogens
morikawa.kazuya.ga@u.tsukuba.ac.jp Biology
2. Antimicrobial resistance(Bacteriology)

Ryosuke OHNIWA

Associate
Professor,
Faculty of
Medicine

Norihiko OHBAYASHI

Tadachika
KOGANEZAWA

Associate
Professor,
Faculty of
Medicine
Associate
Professor,
Faculty of
Medicine

1. Science communication in food and health issues
2. Prototype development of foodstuffs
3. Science, technology, and society in food and health issues
4. Development of methodology (science and East Asian traditional
philosophy)

ohniwa@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

Integrated
Study onHealthInformation

nohbayashi@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

Cellular and
1. Analysis of membrane trafficking mechanisms in mammalian cells
Physiological
2. Analysis of melanocyte activation mechanisms
Biologyt-kogane@md.tsukuba.ac.jp

Neurophysio
logy

1. The neural regulation of the cardiovascular system
2. The neural regulation of the respiratory system
3. Neural regulation-based cardiovascular and respiratory diseases

AssistantProfessor,
Faculty of Life
Fabien LOMBARDO
lombardo.renaud.gf@u.tsukuba.ac.jp
andEnvironmental
Sciences* No faculty members are scheduled to retire until March 2026.

Plant
Molecular
Biology

1. Plant physiology and study of fruit development
2. Improvement of plant breeding traits using molecular technologies

Attachment
Payment of Examination Fees
The applicant should pay the examination fee before submitting application documents. The University accepts
either online credit card payments for both domestic and overseas applicants or convenience store payments
for domestic applicants only.
【Examination fee】

JPY 30,000(Applicants who have received or will receive a MEXT scholarship are exempted from paying the fees.)【Payment Period】

July 9, 2024 to July 22, 2024

【Payment Method】① Payment by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMERICAN EXPRESS)
E-payment service - e-shiharai.net (in Japanese) or - e-shiharai.net – (in English)
Please pay by credit card using the URL above. After payment, access "Inquiry (申込内容照会)" at Epayment Service (URL above), print out the Certificate of Payment (収納証明書), then cut and affix theindicated portion of the Certificate of Payment to column "8" on the Application Form. Submit together
with other required documents to the University.
② Payment at convenience stores (Lawson, Seven-Eleven, FamilyMart, Mini stop)
E-payment service - e-shiharai.net (in Japanese)
Please pay at a convenience store using the URL above. After payment, take the “Application Fee
Statement” and cut out the "Certificate of Payment" part, affix it to column "8" on the Application Form.
Submit it to the University together with other required documents.
Please note that the payment fees should be paid by the applicant.
*If the "Certificate of Payment" or the proof of payment is not affixed in the designated space of the
Application Form, the application documents will not be accepted.

For inquiries regarding payment of the examination fee,
please contact:
GIP-TRIAD Office, University of Tsukuba(Room 610, Building 4E, Medical Area, University of Tsukuba)
Phone: 029-853-3228
Email: gip_info@un.tsukuba.ac.jp

筑波大日本語サイト（cvs+cre）/英語翻訳版

University of Tsukuba
How to make Payment of Examination Fee at Convenience Store or by Credit Card
Now you can transfer funds to pay for your entrance examination - 24 hours a day from your nearest Lawson, Ministop, FamilyMart, Seven-Eleven, store or Credit Card.

1 Advance Web Application
Visit the payment site homepage from your computer or cell phone at:https://e-shiharai.net/※You can not correct or cancel anything once your credit card payment has been made.
Please check all your information carefully before you confirm the application.
※If you input the wrong information when trying to obtain your application number, please start again
from the beginning and make your payment.
If you are not able to make the required payment before the due date you will receive this deadline
upon completing the online application, all the information you had input will be canceled automatically.

2

Credit Card Payment

It is possible to use a card which
carries a name different from thatof the applicant. However, please
make sure that the information on
the basic information page is theapplicant's information.

[11-digit Customer Number ]お客様番号[4-digit Verification Code ]
確認番号[13-digit Payment Slip Number]
払込票番号

Receipt Number

Please print out your "収納証明書"

Certificate of Payment

Touch theAll Paymentson the touch screen"各種代金お支払い" option
All Payments

番号入力画面に進む
Advance to the "Entering number" page

Multi-Payment Service

Enter your
【お客様番号】【確認番号】
Customer Number

Confirm

Prease write down "受付番号"

Select the "代金支払い" button

Select the"各種代金・インターネット受付"
All Payments・Internet Reception
button on the touch screen

Touch"マルチペイメントサービス"

A multifunction copier can not
be used to make payment.

All of your application information
is displayed. Check and Click "確定".

Touch the "各種サービスメニュー"
option Various Service Menus

Touch the "各種代金お支払い"
All Payments
optionPayment Slip Number

Input your card information.

[11-digit Customer Number ]お客様番号[4-digit Verification Code ]確認番号へTell the counter staff
that you want tomake an"Internet shiharai."
Then provide your Payment【払込票番号】

Please select credit card for thepayment method when making yourWeb application.

Payment has been completed.

The application fee cannot be paid through an ATM.
Be sure to make your payment at the cash register.

Convenience Store Payment

Verification CodeEnter your
【お客様番号】【確認番号】
Customer Number

Verification Code●Loppi, FamiPort, issues a funds transfer receipt.
You will need to take this to the cash register within 30 minutes and make the actual
payment.
●Receive an Application Fee Statement. Detach the Certificate of Payment (receipt) portion.

●Make the payment at the register.
●Receive an Application Fee Statement.
Detach the Certificate of Payment(receipt) portion.

3 Application【Paying at Convenience Store】【Paying by Credit Card】
After making your payment,please make sure you have accessto a printer with paper(A4).
Access "申込内容照会"(Inquiry) at e-shiharai.net.
Please ｢1. Check your card.｣｢2. Input Receipt Number.｣｢3. Input your Birth Date.(YYYY/MM/DD)｣, and click"照会する".
Then all of your application information is displayed.
Click Blue-button "証明書を発行する" .
Affix the cutting portion of "収納証明書"(The Certificate
of Payment) in the designated location.
Enclose in an envelope with all other necessary
application documents.

Affix the receipt portion to "The Certificate of Payment"in the designated location.
入学志願票

入学検定料・選考料 取扱明細書

入学検定料・選考料 取扱明細書

In the case that you have made your payment using a credit card, it is not necessary to enclose
a bank receipt of any kind.

明書
納証
料収
検定
大学
○○

Attach Your (Certificate of Payment) to the Application

納証明書

○○大学

検定料収

※When attaching the certificate of payment, be sure to use glue
which is suitable for use with thermal paper and pressure-sensitive paper.
Please check the glue label.
※In the case that you have made your payment at Convenience Store, it is notnecessary to enclose a bank receipt of any kind.

●During payment periods and application periods mentioned in theapplication documents, you can make a payment anytime.
Please confirm from application documents and complete payment intime for the application period.
●On the last date of the payment period, the web application will be closed
at 11pm, and the final deadline for the information terminal at convenience
stores (Loppi, Fami Port, ) will be at 11:30pm.
●Your inquiry about the payment of the entrance examination fee is notable to be handled at the convenience store. For further information, pleasecheck our website.
●Please note that refund is not possible once you have made a payment of
Entrance examination fee.

●A fee is added to Examination fee. For further info, please visit our website.
●Please directly contact the credit card company if your card is not
accepted.
●It will be announced on our website if either the convenience stores
which handle payments or the methods of payment,are changed.