Academic Year 2024 DC

Academic Year 2024

Hokkaido University Graduate School of Economics and Business
Application Guidelines for the Doctoral Program【 Attention】
Depending on the BCP level of Hokkaido University, the date and format of the entrance examination may
change after the application deadline. For details of the BCP, please refer to Hokkaido University's website.
(https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/university-life/health-and-wellness/covid-19-health-alerts-and-advisories/).

Purpose of the Graduate School

By offering an advanced level of education and research in economics and business administration, this graduate
school aims to train educators and researchers with a considerable depth and breadth of academic learning and awealth of creativity and professionals with advanced, specialized knowledge useful for the development of an
economic society. It also aims to contribute to the development of the disciplines of economics and businessadministration.

Admissions Policy

The specialized course of the Division of Modern Economics and Management at the Hokkaido University Graduate
School of Economics and Business aims to train highly specialized professionals who have in-depth, advanced
knowledge in the fields of economics and business administration and who are likely to contribute to thedevelopment of the economic society. For this reason, through the entrance examination, the graduate school selects
individuals who have, in addition to basic academic learning, (1) keen sensibilities with regard to economics andbusiness administration; (2) knowledge in their preferred fields of research and research topics; (3) interest andinsight into advanced, specialized professions; (4) mental faculties that include a keen intellect, expressiveness, andcommunication skills; and (5) characters to conduct on-going and developmental education and research. The
school focuses on selecting candidates who can respond to the various needs of society for advanced professionals
in the fields of economics and business administration.
Prospective students should have learned their major field in economics or management in the master's program.
In addition, they should have a good command of English and other languages that are necessary for research in the
doctoral course.

1. The number of admissions

Division of Modern Economics and Management: 8 people

2. Application Qualifications

Applicants must fulfill one of the following criteria:(1) Individuals who have been awarded or expect to be awarded a master’s degree or a professional degree prescribedin Article 5-2 of the Degree Regulations (Ordinance No. 9, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, 1953)
based on Article 104, Clause 3, of the School Education Act by March 2024.
(2) Individuals designated by the Japanese minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology (Notice No.
118, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, 1989)
1) Individuals who have 2 years or more of experiences involved in research in university, research institute orother organizations after graduation from university and are recognized by this graduate school as possessing
equivalent or greater academic skill compared to those who have a master's degree based on these research
results
2) Individuals who meet one of the following:• Those who have completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country• Those who have completed 16 years of school education of a foreign country by taking a correspondence
course in Japan offered by a school of that foreign country
Furthermore, all individuals who apply to this graduate school as per the qualifications in this category musthave 2 years or more of experience involved in research at a university, research institute or other organization
after education is completed and are recognized by this graduate school as possessing equivalent or greater
academic skill compared to those who have a master's degree based on these research results(3) Individuals who have been awarded or expect to be awarded an equivalent degree of Masters or a professional
equivalent degree in a foreign country by March 2024.
(4) Individuals who have been awarded or expect to be awarded an equivalent degree of Masters or a professional
equivalent degree in a foreign country by taking a correspondence course in Japan offered by a school of that- 1 -Academic Year 2024 DC
foreign country by March 2024.
(5) Individuals who have completed a coursework of a foreign university at an educational institution in Japan thatis positioned within the school education system of that foreign country as an educational body with a university
course (The educational institution is required to be designated by the Japanese minister of education, culture,
sports, science and technology.) and have been awarded or expect to be awarded an equivalent degree of Masters or
a professional equivalent degree of that foreign university by March 2024.
(6) Individuals who have been awarded or expect to be awarded an equivalent degree of Masters by March 2024
through course completion at the United Nations University as prescribed in Article 1, Clause 2, of the Act on
Special Measures incidental to Enforcement of the Agreement between the United Nations and Japan regarding
the Headquarters of the United Nations University (Act No.72, 1976), which was established under the December
11, 1972 resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations(7) Individuals who have completed an education course of a foreign school at an educational institution prescribedin qualification options (5) or of the United Nations University and passed an examination or a judgment
designated by Article 16, Clause 2, of the Standards for Establishment of Universities.
Furthermore, all individuals who apply to this graduate school as per the qualifications in this category should
also meet one of the following:• Those who hold a master’s degree• Those who are recognized or expect to be recognized by this graduate school as possessing equivalent or greater
academic skill compared to those who have a master's degree by March 2024
(8) Individuals who are recognized by this graduate school as possessing equivalent or greater academic skill
compared to those who have a master's degree or a professional degree (based on an individualized admission
qualification investigation) and who will be 24 years of age or older as of March 31, 2024

3. Preliminary Review of Application Qualifications

Those applying under qualification options (2), (4), (5), (7), or (8) in section 2, “Application Qualifications,” must
undergo a preliminary review of their application qualifications before submitting their admission application. These
applicants should therefore submit the necessary documentation between November 9 (Thu.), 2023 and 4 p.m.
(Japanese Standard Time) on November 13 (Mon.), 2023 (Materials sent in via postal mail must be received by thedeadline indicated above).

4. Application Period

Online application registration: November 27 (Mon.) through December 1 (Fri.), 2023
Submission of application materials: December 5 (Tue.), 2023
(In-person) accepted between 8:30am and 4:00pm on the day(Postal Mail) must be received by this date

5. Application Procedures

After completing the online application registration and paying the examination fee, applicants should send the
documents listed below to the graduate school. (except for documents (8) and (9) if you are qualified to apply by abovementioned (7) of 2. Application Qualifications.)
Notes:※ Applications will be accepted only from applicants who have completed all of the following application
procedures by December 5 (Tue.), 2023: (1) online application registration, (2) payment of the examination fee,and (3) submission of all required documents (in the case of mailing, the documents must be received by the datespecified).
※ If you are sending your application by postal mail, please write “Graduate School Application Materials” in red
letters on the envelope and send it by registered mail.
※ To complete the online application registration, visit the online application page on Hokkaido University’s
website (https://e-apply.jp/e/hokudai-eco/) and read the instructions and important notes before completing yourapplication.

If you are mailing your application, please write “Graduate School Application Materials” in red letters on the envelopeand send it by registered mail.
1) Admission application, resume, examination admission card, and examinee verification form: After entering therequired information on the online application site, print out the admission application, resume, examination
admission card, and examinee verification form generated by the site on A4-sized paper, affix your photos in theappropriate spots, and submit the materials.
2) Transcript: Issued by the dean of the university or university department in which you are currently enrolled or inwhich you were last enrolled.

(Not required of those who expect to graduate from the master’s program or professional degree program of- 2 -Academic Year 2024 DC

our graduate school.)

3) Certificate of graduation/completion (or expected graduation/completion): Issued by the dean of the university oruniversity department in which you are currently enrolled or in which you were last enrolled.
(Not required of those who expect to graduate from the master’s program or professional degree program of our
graduate school.)※Applicants who graduated/ are expected to graduate from Chinese University(except Taiwan, Hongkong, andMacau) need to submit the following documents besides the certificate of graduation /completion (orexpected graduation/completion).
◇Applicants who already graduateda)Online Verification Report of Qualification Certificate（教育部学籍在线验证报告）b)Copy of Certificate of Completion（毕业证书）and Copy of Degree Certificate（学位证书）◇Applicants who are expected to graduatea)Online Verification Report of Student Record（教育部学籍在线验证报告）As for the above documents a), please get them from the website CHSI（中国高等教育学历证书查询https://www.chsi.com.cn/xlcx/bgys.jsp）. There need to be at least 15 days left in the web authentication
expiration dates at the time of submission.
4) Research plan: Download the form from the online application site, print it out on A4-sized paper, and complete it
for submission.
5) Documents verifying English proficiency: Copy of Examinee Score Report of TOEFL, Official Score Certificate /Digital Official Score Certificate of TOEIC, Test Report Form of IELTS. Note that scores must be from a test taken
within four years of conducted month of entrance exam.
6) Self-addressed return envelopes: two pieces.
(Self-addressed return envelopes will be used to mail your examination admission card and notify you of theexam result. Use the envelopes designated by our university. Write your name and address on both envelopes.
Affix 344 JPY worth of postage stamps to each envelope.)
7) Examination fee: ¥30,500(including handing charge).
(Not required of those who expect to graduate from the master’s program or professional degree program of our
graduate school.)(a) The examination fee should be paid in accordance with the instructions provided on the payment screen shown
after your online application has been registered.
(b) Please be aware that examination fee payments cannot be made via ordinary bank transfer or in cash.
(c) You should print out the payment completion e-mail issued when the payment was made and keep it as your proofof payment.
For details, visit the online application page and carefully read the “Payment of Examination Fee” section on the“Introduction” page.
Note: Examination fee already paid will not be refunded for any reason except as follows:• If an individual paid the examination fee but did not apply for admission (did not submit an application or
submitted an application that was not accepted)• If the examination fee was accidentally paid twice
Inquiries regarding refunds: Academic affairs coordinator, Graduate School of Economics and Business/School of Economics and Business (011-706-3163，ecokyomu@jimu.hokudai.ac.jp)
8) Master's thesis (or of equivalent thesis): 3 copies
Generally, applicants should submit a master's thesis or a thesis for applying for master's degree. A thesis which canbe recognized as equivalent to a master's thesis is acceptable for special circumstances (Including a thesis written
after the master's thesis). Our graduate school will only accept a thesis in English or Japanese.
For those who prospect to graduate in March 2024 and the master’s thesis will not be completed within the application
period, please contact to the student affairs office in advance and submit it by January 17 (Wed), 2024.
9) Abstract of master's thesis (or of equivalent thesis): 3 copies
For those who prospect to graduate in March 2024 and the master’s thesis will not be completed within the application
period, please contact to the student affairs office in advance and submit it by January 17 (Wed), 2024.
10) Other(i) International applicants should also submit the documents listed below to the graduate school.
• Copy of foreign resident registration card or passport• Certificate of government-sponsored international student issued by the university enrolled (Only required ofgovernment-sponsored international student)• Certificate of financial responsibility: A document, such as a bank account balance statement or copy of abankbook, verifying that you have the funds to pay for your school and living expenses(ii) Certificates or other documents in any language other than Japanese or English must be accompanied by a
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translation in either of these two languages. If possible, a public institution—such as the Japanese government oran overseas diplomatic office of a foreign government—should verify the translation.

6. Selection Process and Exam Subjects

Acceptance decisions shall be made based on a comprehensive review of the applicant’s interview (oral exam), thesis
submitted (except for those applying under qualification options (7) in section 2, “Application Qualifications”),
Documents verifying English proficiency, transcript provided by the dean of their home university (or university
department), and so on.

Interview (oral exam): Report the thesis submitted (those applying under qualification options (7) in section 2,“Application Qualifications” report research activities and results of activities). (approximately 20 minutes)

7. Selection Process for International ApplicantsInternational applicants will take exams prescribed in section 6, “Selection Process and Exam Subjects”.

8. Exam Schedules

January 25 (Thu.), 2024
The details of the interview will be announced individually after the applicants will be decided.

9. Announcement of Selection Results

February 9 (Fri.), 2024
Results will be posted on the website of the Graduate School of Economics and Business /School of Economics andBusiness. Applicants will be individually notified at the same time.
(No response to any inquiry over the phone.)

10. Privacy Policy(1) All personal information collected by Hokkaido University will be completely protected in compliance with the Act
on the Protection of Personal Information Held by Independent Administrative Agencies, etc., and other related acts
and pursuant to the Hokkaido University Regulations on Personal Information Management.
(2) Names, addresses, and other personal information written on application documents will be used solely for (a)enrollee selection, (b) the announcement of exam results, (c) admission procedures, (d) surveys and research onenrollee selection methods, and (e) related processes.
(3) Some of these processes may be outsourced by the university to a contracted service provider (hereinafter referred
to as “contractor”). All or some of the personal information written on application documents may be provided tothe contractor only as needed to perform the tasks for which it has been contracted.
(4) Personal information written on application documents will be used only for those who are admitted for (a) school
administration purposes (student registration, academic counseling, etc.), (b) student support services (healthmanagement, scholarship applications, etc.), and (c) tuition and other administrative purposes.
(5) Of the personal information described in item (4) above, only names and addresses will be used to facilitatecommunication with students from the Hokkaido University Frontier Foundation and organizations related to
Hokkaido University, such as (a) the Hokkaido University Athletic Union, (b) the Alumni Association of the
Hokkaido University Faculty of Economics and Business.

11. Other(1) This graduate school generally does not allow dual enrollment.
(2) Those who are physically disabled may need special accommodations to take exams and attend classes; applicantsshould apply to the academic affairs coordinator of Graduate School of Economics and Business of their condition by
November 24 (Fri.), 2023.
(3) Enrollment fee: ¥282,000(Not required of those who expect to graduate from the master’s program or professional degree program of our
graduate school.)(4) Annual tuition: ¥535,800(If these figures are revised at the time of admission or during enrollment, the new amount will apply as of the time ofrevision.)(5) Past exam questions:Published on the homepage of the Graduate School of Economics and Business /School of Economics and Business.
(https://www.econ.hokudai.ac.jp/e_exam/daigakuin )- 4 -Academic Year 2024 DC

October 2023

Graduate School of Economics and Business

Kita 9, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0809
Academic Affairs Office
Graduate School of Economics and Business
School of Economics and Business
Tel: 011-706-3163
Website https://www.econ.hokudai.ac.jp/
Email ecokyomu@jimu.hokudai.ac.jp- 5 -Academic Year 2024 DC
Appendix

Preliminary Review of Application Qualifications
Those applying under qualification options (2), (4), (5), (7), or (8) in section 2, “Application Qualifications,” in theapplication guideline, must undergo a preliminary review of their application qualifications. These applicants should
therefore submit the necessary documentation as indicated below.
Please note that certificates or other documents in any language other than Japanese or English must be accompanied bya translation in either of these two languages. If possible, a public institution—such as the Japanese government or an
overseas diplomatic office of a foreign government—should verify the translation.
I. Application Materials for the Preliminary Review of Application Qualifications• Those applying under application qualification option (2)(i) Application form for the preliminary review of application qualifications: Use the prescribed forms.
(ii) Document indicating research activities in university, research institute or other organizations after graduation.
(list of thesis, explanation of research, etc.)• Those applying under application qualification option (4), (5) and (7)(i) Application form for the preliminary review of application qualifications: Use the prescribed forms.
Curriculum vitae: Use the prescribed forms.
(ii) Certificate of graduation (completion) or copy of diploma (or of equivalent document).
(iii) Those who are not Japanese nationals must also submit a copy of their foreign resident registration card or
passport.
• Those applying under application qualification option (8)(i) Application form for the preliminary review of application qualifications: Use the prescribed forms.
II. Submission Period for Application Materials for the Preliminary Review of Application Qualifications
Submit documents between November 9 (Thu.), 2023 and 4 p.m. (Japan time) on November 13 (Mon.), 2023.
(If you send your materials by postal mail, they must be received by the deadline indicated above.)III. Preliminary Review Interview (Oral Exam)This graduate school conducts interviews (oral exams) with candidates for whom an interview is deemed to benecessary as a supplement to the preliminary review documentation. Candidates who are to be interviewed will be
notified separately.
IV. Notification of Results of the Preliminary Review of Application Qualifications
Applicants will be notified of the results on November 22 (Wed.), 2023.

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Concerning Long-Term Study Students (information for first-year students)“Long-term study students” refers to students who—in consideration of their employment situation or other factors—
have been permitted to complete their academic coursework over a fixed period of time that is longer than the standard
term of study (two years for master’s programs, three years for doctoral programs). Unlike ordinary students, individuals
authorized for long-term study from the time of their enrollment may pay the tuition due for the standard term of study
divided by the actual number of years they are enrolled.
You may apply for long-term study either at the time you enroll or later, but be aware that students who receive permission
for long-term study in their second or third year will pay a higher tuition amount. (Applications for long-term study will
not be accepted in the final year of study.)
1. Eligibility
Those who are eligible for long-term study are applicants to or students currently enrolled in this graduate school’s
Division of Modern Economics and Management (excluding those in their final year of study under the standard termof study) who meet one of the following criteria:(1) Individuals who are engaged in full-time employment, such as those currently employed by government agencies
or companies (excluding those receiving salaries while being on sabbatical/temporarily relieved of their workduties), and self-employed individuals(2) Individuals who are raising children, caring for family members, or facing similar burdens on par with that describedin item (1) above, and deemed by the dean of the graduate school to be adversely affected by these circumstances,causing their graduate school studies to suffer
2. Application ProceduresThose who wish to apply for long-term study should submit the three documents listed below along with their admission
application. The application form for long-term study can be obtained from the academic affairs coordinator office ofGraduate School of Economics and Business Administration/School of Economics and Business Administration.
(1) Application for long-term study(2) Study plan(3) Materials verifying your reasons for needing long-term study approval (e.g., certificate of employment)
3. Application Results
After the application is reviewed, a decision will be made to approve or reject the application. Applicants will be notifiedof the results at the same time as the selection result.
4. Term of Study
Study periods for long-term study applicants are approved in one-year increments. A master’s course applicant may beapproved for a three- or four-year term of study. A doctoral course applicant may be approved for a four-, five-, or sixyear term of study.
5. Annual Tuition AmountThe annual tuition amount for long-term study students is generally calculated by multiplying the annual tuition amountby the number of years in the standard term of study, and then dividing that figure by the actual number of years thestudent will be enrolled. (The total tuition may end up higher than initially calculated due to tuition adjustments madeover time, however.)6. Shortening or Extending a Term of Study
If special circumstances arise, a long-term study student may request (only once) that his/her term of study be shortened
or extended.
(1) Shortened term of study
The term of a long-term study student can be shortened upon approval to a minimum of three years for the master’s
program and four years for the doctoral program (i.e., the standard term of study + one year).
A student who wants to shorten his/her long-term study by one year must submit and receive approval for a request
to change a long-term study term up to two years prior to the day his/her long-term study is scheduled to end. (Adoctoral student who wants to shorten his/her long-term study by two years must complete this procedure up to
three years prior to the day his/her long-term study is scheduled to end.)(2) Extended term of study
A long-term study student may extend his/her term of study. He/she must submit and receive approval for a request
to change to a long-term study term up to one year prior to the day his/her long-term study is scheduled to end. The
long-term study term may not exceed four years for master’s program students and six years for doctoral program
students.
7. Other
To apply for long-term study, contact your prospective academic advisor in advance.

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