Application Guidelines for
Undergraduate Program ofInternational Social Studies

For September 2025

Table of Contents
I.

Program Overview

2

II.

Entrance Examination Schedule

3

III.

Application Requirements

4

IV.

Selection Method

5

V.

Application Procedures

6

VI.

Application Documents

8

VII.

Announcement of the Screening Results

11

VIII.

Admissions Procedures

11

IX.

Disclosure of Information about Entrance Examinations

12

X.

Handling of Personal Information

12

XI.

Contact Desk

12

Tsukuba Scholarship

13

App.

July 2024
University of TSUKUBA

I. Program Overview
Undergraduate Program of International Social Studies
This course, in which students are able to earn an academic
degree through classes conducted in English, aims todevelop students into global citizens who can respond to a
Academic Objectives

range of global issues by analyzing political, economic,
cultural, and other significant issues that arise ininternational societies, as well as in Japan, from multidisciplinary perspectives.
1. General Qualifications
As globalization progresses, students who can demonstrateacademic interest in political, economic, cultural andinternational issues and who possess a potential to analyze
events from a variety of perspectives are sought for thisprogram.

Admissions Policy

2. Student Evaluation and Selection
The university will make a comprehensive evaluation of
applicants based on submitted documents and individualinterviews, proficiency in English, basic academic capability
to acquire knowledge in the applicantsʼ major fields ofstudy, and their own unique perspectives on various
problems in modern society, etc.
School of Social and International Studies

Schools and Colleges *College of Social Sciences
College of International Studies

Year of Acceptance

The first year
8 students

Number of Students

4 for College of Social Sciences
4 for College of International Studies

DegreeBachelor of Arts in International Social Sciences

Inquiries about Application

E-mail Address: ac.intl@un.tsukuba.ac.jp

Inquiries about Programand Curriculum

E-mail Address: jinsya-g30@un.tsukuba.ac.jp*In the Undergraduate Program of International Social Studies, the college that applicants
choose to apply for will be regarded as their first choice; the other college will automaticallybe regarded as their second choice. An acceptance to the second choice may be offered tosome applicants.

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II. Entrance Examination Schedule (Japan Standard Time (JST))

Online Application and Payment of the Examination Fee for the First Stage Screening
October 23 to December 1 (5:00 pm), 2024▼
Notification of Examinee Number
January 8, 2025▼
Announcement of Successful Applicants from the First Stage Screening
10:00 am, February 12, 2025▼
Payment of the Examination Fee for the Second Stage Screening
February 12 to 18 (5:00 pm), 2025▼
Second Stage Screening (Individual Interviews)
February 28 to March 10, 2025▼
Announcement of Final Successful Applicants
10:00 am, March 27, 2025▼
Admissions Procedures
April 7 to 21, 2025▼
Enrollment Date
September 1, 2025▼
Entrance Ceremony and Orientation
Late September, 20253

III. Application Requirements
A. Applicant Eligibility
Persons who fall under any one of categories 1 through 5 are eligible.

1. Persons who have completed or are expected to complete a 12-year curriculum of formal
school education (*1) in a country other than Japan by August 31, 2025.
2. Persons who have completed or are expected to complete a 12-year curriculum in Japan at
an international school designated by the Minister of MEXT (*2) by August 31, 2025.
3. Persons who hold or are expected to hold an International Baccalaureate, European
Baccalaureate, Abitur (Germany), Baccalauréat (France), or GCE A-Level/International ALevel (United Kingdom*3) by August 31, 2025.
4. Persons who have completed or are expected to complete a 12-year curriculum at a school
accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), CIS (Council ofInternational Schools), ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), NEASC (NewEngland Association of Schools and Colleges), or Cognia by August 31, 2025.
5. Among those who do not fall under any one of categories 1 to 4 above, those who take theindividual eligibility screening conducted by the university and are regarded as eligible to apply
for the program by September 30, 2024.
*Please send an email to “XI. Contact Desk” by September 30 if you are not sure if you are
eligible or not.

*1. Persons from an international school might not fall under the eligibility 1 above. Pleaseask “XI. Contact Desk” in case you are not sure if you are eligible to apply for the program
or not.
*2. See the MEXT website below: “List of Schools for Non-Japanese Designated as Equivalent
to Foreign Upper Secondary Schools in Japan”(https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1395
424.html)*3. For the GCE A-Level, applicants must complete the subjects and assessments that havebeen set by the university below.

Complete three or more Advanced Level subjects at grade E or above,
including a “social science” subject. (It is recommended to include a “naturalscience or mathematics” subject as well.)4

B. Conditions for Application
Conditions for application include a recommendation by the school principal or similar person,
and an English test score such as TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, or an equivalent test.


Recommendation (Reference Letter)
Please see “VI. Application Documents” for details.

English test
The required English levels are as follows:- TOEFL (iBT): 61 or higher- TOEIC (Listening & Reading): 600 or higher- IELTS (Academic): 5.0 or higher*Applicants whose language of instruction at the high school (upper secondary) level
was English for three years including the final year are not required to submit TOEFL,
TOEIC, or IELTS scores.

C. Application Fees
JPY17,000 in totalYou need to pay JPY4,000 via online application website when applying.

If you pass the first stage screening, you need to pay JPY13,000 for the second stage
screening.

IV. Selection Method

Admissions screening procedures consist of two selection stages. Only those who passed the firststage can proceed to the second stage.
A. First Stage Screening
A comprehensive evaluation of the submitted documents (qualification certificates, transcripts,
certificates of English ability, reference letter, study plan, and other supporting documents)
B. Second Stage Screening
Individual interviews will be conducted via Zoom or other teleconferencing system for applicants
who have passed the first stage screening. The interview will be used for an overall evaluationof the applicantʼs English abilities, basic academic knowledge in the field of specialization, anddesire to contribute to international social studies.

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V. Application Procedures
A. Application Procedures
1. Online Application
 Access “The Admissions Office” online application website (hereinafter called “TAO"), andselect “University of Tsukuba” on the top page.
*You need to create an account as an applicant to apply.
 Select the “Department/Course”, “Program/Major” and “Admission Scheme” that you want
to apply for and click “Start my application”.
“The Admissions Office” (https://admissions-office.net/en/portal)
2. Submitting the “documents prepared by applicant”
 Submit the necessary documents following the guidance on the left sidebar.
 Some documents require typing the necessary information into TAO, and others require
submitting the documents by uploading PDF files. Please see “VI. Application Documents”
for details.
3. Submitting the “documents prepared by person other than applicant”* “Documents prepared by person other than applicant” are those submitted by a third
person based on a request by applicant through TAO.
 An applicant needs to send the PDF forms to the person in advance and ask them toprepare the documents. Please see “VI. Application Documents” for details about theforms.
 Please type the email address of the person and other necessary information, and click“Request”.
4. Payment of examination fee
 Make a payment for the 1st stage screening (JPY4,000) via TAO. Payments can be made bycredit card only. *An administrative fee will be charged at the time of payment.
(Important Notes)


Please make sure to click “Complete my application” to finish the process. Be notedthat you cannot change the contents of the application after you complete it.

You donʼt need to send anything via postal mail at the stage of applying. Only
those who passed the final exam will be required to submit the original copies of“Qualification Certificate” and “Official Transcript” by August 31, 2025 (JST).

B. Application Period and Due Date (JST)Online application website is available from October 23 to December 1 (5:00 pm), 2024.
It is necessary to complete the online registration, submitting necessary documents, and thepayment of examination fee for the first stage screening via TAO by the end of this period.

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C. Notes
1. You can apply for only one among the following programs:- Undergraduate Program of International Social Studies- Interdisciplinary Program of Life and Environmental Sciences- Undergraduate Medical Science Program for International Students (only for transfer
students)- Bachelorʼs Program in Interdisciplinary Engineering- Bachelorʼs Program in Global Issues*You cannot change the program nor college once you apply.
2. Incorrect entries and incomplete applications can void your application.
3. If you need any special consideration for study due to disabilities or other issues, pleasecontact us before application period.
4. Application documents will not be returned and examination fees that has been paid will not
be refunded.
5. If any falsification, fabrication or factual discrepancy is found in the information in theapplication documents after admission to the university, admission may be revoked.
6. If you are not able to meet applicant eligibility by August 31, 2025 (JST), your admission
will be revoked.
7. For all of the documents uploaded to the online application website, the university may ask
the applicant to send the original documents if needed. Please keep the originals withyou.

7VI. Application Documents
A. Documents prepared by applicant
Documents
Entry Form

Notes
- Type the necessary information into the form on TAO.
- Describe your study plan at the university on form 1 and upload it inStudy Plan

PDF format.

(form 1)- The study plan should be written in 800 to 1,200 words.
- See the attached “How to write your study plan” for details.

Financial Plan
(form 2)- Describe in detail your financial plan for study and living expenses
after your enrollment on form 2 and upload it in PDF format.
- See the attached “How to write your financial plan” for reference.

Certification of- Scan and upload the certification of your Applicant Eligibility in PDF

Applicantformat.

Eligibility*Please see the table 1 on page 10 as well.

Official Transcript- Scan and upload the official transcripts for three years including thefinal year of the last high school (upper secondary) that you attended.
- Scan and upload a copy of the ID page of your passport in PDF

Copy of Passport

format.
*If you do not have a passport, please submit a copy of a certificate ofyour name and the date of birth.
- Scan and upload a copy of English test score (TOEFL iBT, TOEIC
Listening & Reading, or IELTS Academic) in PDF format or make arequest to the test organization to send your score directly to theEnglish test scoreuniversity.
*In the case of sending directly, the score should be received by thelast day of the application period.
*For TOEFL iBT, the institution code of University of Tsukuba is “C238”.

Other documents- You can upload other documents that show your strengths as ato support yourcandidate (SAT, EJU, awards, etc.) in PDF format.

application- In case you submit multiple documents, please combine them into a(optional)

single file to be uploaded.

* Forms 1-4 are available on the website.
(https://ac.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/examinations/application-guidelines/#global)

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B. Documents prepared by person other than applicant
Documents
SchoolInformation Form
(form 3)

Notes
- Send the form 3 to a teacher or an officer of your school to ask the
person to fill out the form in advance, and then make a request to
submit it via TAO.
- Please follow the guidance by TAO about the submitting process.
- Send the form 4 to the school principal or similar person to ask theReference Letter

person to write a reference letter for you in advance, and then make a(form 4)

request to submit it via TAO.
- Please follow the guidance by TAO about the submitting process.

* Forms 1-4 are available on the website.
(https://ac.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/examinations/application-guidelines/#global)(IMPORTANT)You donʼt need to send anything via postal mail at the stage of applying. Only those who
passed the final exam will be required to submit the original copies of “Qualification Certificate”
and “Official Transcript” by August 31, 2025.

Notes:
Forms 1-4 are available on the website below.
(https://ac.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/examinations/application-guidelines/#global)All the documents uploaded on TAO should be in PDF format.

Submitted application documents will not be returned.

All documents must be written in English. If any documents issued by your school are in alanguage other than English, translate these documents into English, have your school
certify the translation, and attach it to the original. Documents supporting your application(optional) can be translated by the applicants.

For all of the documents uploaded to TAO, the university may ask the applicant to send
the original documents if needed. It is recommended to keep the originals with you.

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Table 1: Certification of Applicant Eligibility (for First Year Admission)
Choose 1 or 2 and A to G to check your necessary document.

1: I have

2: I am expectedcompleted/holdto complete/hold

A: a 12-year curriculum of formal school education in a country other

1-A

2-A

1-B

2-B

C: an International Baccalaureate

1-C

2-C

D: an European Baccalaureate

1-D

2-D

E: an Abitur (Germany)

1-E

2-E

F: a Baccalauréat (France)

1-F

2-F

G: GCE A levels/International A-Level (United Kingdom)

1-G

2-G

1-H

2-H

than Japan.
B: a 12-year curriculum in Japan at an international school designatedby the Minister of MEXT.

H: a 12-year curriculum at a school accredited by WASC, CIS, ACSI,NEASC, or Cognia

1-A, 1-B or 1-H: Certificate of graduation/completion issued by the school/ministry of education etc.
1-C: International Baccalaureate Diploma. *Please make a request to the IB office to send your Final Examination Result tothe university as well.
1-D: European Baccalaureate Diploma
1-E: Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife and results described in the certificate.
1-F: Diplome du Baccalauréat de lʼEnseignement du Second Degré and Relevé de Notes.
1-G: Test results of Advanced Level subjects.
2-A, 2-B or 2-H: Certificate of expected graduation/completion issued by the school/ministry of education etc.
2-C: Certificate that you are expected to hold the International Baccalaureate Diploma and predicted grades issued by theschool/IB coordinator. *Please remember to make a request to the IB office to send your Final Examination Result to theuniversity when you take the final examination.
2-D: Certificate that you are expected to hold European Baccalaureate Diploma issued by the school.
2-E: Certificate that you are expected to hold Abitur issued by the school.
2-F: Certificate that you are expected to hold a Baccalauréat issued by the school.
2-G: Predicted grades of Advanced Level subjects issued by the school.

10VII. Announcement of the Screening Results
A. First Stage Screening
The examinee numbers of successful applicants will be announced on February 12, 2025,
10:00 am (JST) on the University of Tsukuba English Programs website.
(https://ac.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/)

Successful applicants from the first stage screening must pay the fee for the second stage
screening (JPY 13,000) within the designated payment period.
*Details about the second stage screening will be announced together with the first stage
screening results.
*Applicants who have not completed the payment procedures cannot proceed to thesecond stage screening.
*If an applicant has not paid the fee by the due date, he/she will be regarded as declining
the offer of second stage screening.
*To those who completed the payment, information about the interview date/time will beannounced later.

B. Second Stage ScreeningExaminee numbers of final successful applicants will be announced on the University ofTsukuba English Programs website (please see the URL given above) on March 27, 2025,
10:00 am (JST).

The “Letter of Acceptance” and the other documents necessary for admission procedures
will be sent to the final successful applicants.

VIII. Admissions Procedures
A. Period for Admission Procedures
1.

The period for the procedures is from April 7 to 21, 2025 (JST).

2.

You need to complete the admission procedures within the above period.
*There are some documents to be sent via postal mail while the other items need to beregistered on the online admission procedures website. More details will be sent alongwith the Letter of Acceptance.

B. Admission Fee and Tuition Fee
1.

The admission fee is JPY282,000.

2.

The tuition fee for the Fall Semester (JPY267,900) together with the tuition fee for the
Spring Semester (JPY267,900) amount to a total annual tuition fee of JPY535,800.
*In addition to the above, tuition fee for September (JPY44,650) is necessary to be paid
along with the fee for the first Fall Semester.

3.

If any fees are revised at the time of admission or during enrollment, the new amounts will
be applied from the time of revision.

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4.

Tuition should be paid by bank transfer through a Japanese financial institution in May (first
period) and November (second period) from the Spring Semester in the following year after
your enrollment.

5.

The university offers a full or partial tuition fee waiver for those students who are deemed
to find it difficult to pay the tuition for financial reasons or who are in the other unavoidable
circumstances.

IX. Disclosure of Information about Entrance Examinations
The university discloses the information about entrance examinations for the 2025
Undergraduate English Programs to applicants upon their requests from September 1 to October
31, 2025 (JST). For detailed information, please contact the “XI. Contact Desk.”
X. Handling of Personal Information
The University of Tsukuba is committed to the proper management of personal information inaccordance with the "Act on the Protection of Personal Information" and the University ofTsukuba's Personal Information Protection and Management Regulations.
The names, birth dates, genders, and other personal information of applicants and examinees at
the time of application and admission procedures will be handled strictly and used for thefollowing purposes.


Selection, Announcement of Successful Candidates and Admission Procedures

Post-entrance services for successful applicants, including academic affairs (student
registration, academic guidance, etc.), student support (health management, scholarship
applications, etc.), and tuition fees.

Research, analysis and study for improvement of admission selection methods, etc. andpublic relations

Processing and use of statistical data in a form that does not allow individuals to be
identified

We will not provide personal information to any third party without the consent of theindividual, except as stipulated in each item of Article 27, Paragraph 1 of the "Act on theProtection of Personal Information".

The University's handling of personal information is as follows(https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/about/disclosure-ho-kisoku/s-01/pdf/2022hks17.pdf)
XI. Contact Desk
Admissions Center, University of Tsukuba
1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
E-mail Address: ac.intl@un.tsukuba.ac.jp*Please refrain from making inquiries by phone.

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2025 University of Tsukuba Student Support Scholarship “Tsukuba Scholarship”
for Undergraduate Students in English Programs
The University of Tsukuba offers the following scholarships in faculties offering English Programs.
Only students who have applied for English Programs can apply for this scholarship.

1. University of Tsukuba Student Support Scholarship “Tsukuba Scholarship”
The scholarship is provided for students with outstanding academic records. Eligible students will be selectedfrom applicants who have passed the entrance examination for each program and also from university
students who are currently enrolled in the program. The details of the scholarship are as follows:

Application Qualifications and Conditions
Applicants for this scholarship must fulfill the following conditions:(1) Nationality: Applicants with non-Japanese nationalities.
Note: Applicants who have multiple citizenship with Japanese nationality and permanent residents
are also eligible.
(2) Applicants who, upon entering the University of Tsukuba, do not receive nor expect to receive ascholarship or scholarships from any other scholarship-granting organizations or bodies for the
purpose of studying abroad.
(3) As a general rule, applicants who are certain to obtain a “Student” visa before entering Japan.
(4) Applicants who fulfill the qualifications for entering the Degree Programs in English in any of thefollowing undergraduate schools:(Reference) Programs to be offered in 2025
-Undergraduate Program of International Social Studies, School of Social and International
Studies-Interdisciplinary Program of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Life and Environmental
Sciences

Scholarship AmountA living allowance of ¥60,000 per month (From September 2025 to March 2026)

Selection Process for Scholarship Students
Year of Initial Admission: Selection is based on entrance examination scores, etc.
From successive years: Selection is based on the previous year’s grades during enrollment, etc.
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Number of Tsukuba Scholarship Students in 2024
(Undergraduate Program of International Social Studies)First-year Students: 2, Second-year Students: 2 Third-year Students: 2, Fourth-year Students: 2,
Fifth-year Students:2(Interdisciplinary Program of Life and Environmental Sciences)
First-year Students: 3, Second-year Students: 3, Third-year Students: 4, Fourth-year Students: 3,
Fifth-year Students:2

2. [Important] How to Apply for the Tsukuba Scholarship
The University of Tsukuba will send a Tsukuba Scholarship application guide and an application form by email
between 10th February 2025 and 14th February 2025 (JST) to all those who pass the first stage screening.
Please use the application form if you plan to apply for the scholarship. In case if you don’t receive theapplication guide and the application form by 14th February 2025(JST), please inform us by email
immediately. The deadline for applications is 28th February 2025 (JST).

3. Inquiries about Scholarships
If you have any further inquiries about the Tsukuba Scholarship qualifications, please e-mail the following
address.
E-mail Address: isc-shien@un.tsukuba.ac.jp

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