Application
Guidelines2024

University of Tsukuba
Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences
Degree Program in International Public Policy

University of Tsukuba
Academic Environment
Established in October 1973, the University ofTsukuba has inherited the history and tradition downfrom its predecessor (Tokyo University of Education),
which was founded in 1872. As the firstcomprehensive university in Japan to be establishedunder a nation-wide university reform plan, theUniversity of Tsukuba emphasizes openness in higher
education. It offers students a new system ofeducation and research through its New University
administration.
In addition to its leading position in university reform,
the University of Tsukuba plays a major role as theprime academic facility in Tsukuba Science City, whichis the home of many of the nation’s top research
institutions. We strive to maintain an exceptional levelof education and research, to foster our university’s
unique character, and to create an internationallycompetitive academic institution.
The University of Tsukuba offers undergraduate
degrees and at the graduate level, master’s, doctoral,
and professional degree programs.
Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities
and Social Sciences is the only institution in Japan thatoffered a combined program for MA and PhD degrees
with a specific focus on Eurasian region. This program
heavily built upon successful experience of conducting
training and research within Special Program forCentral Asian Countries established in the Universityof Tsukuba in 2006.

Master of Arts Graduate
Program in Sustainable
Development Goals
Background of the ProgramThis English-language program is a unique program
offering students MA degree. It is intended for students
from the Eurasian region: Central Asia, Azerbaijan,
and Georgia (applicants from Georgia are eligible,
subject to final approval by the funding institution).
Classes, guidance, and writing theses anddissertations are conducted in English. Areas ofexpertise consist of various subjects related to thehumanities and social sciences disciplines including
the fields of Japanese, Eurasian, and InternationalStudies. The graduates of the program are expected
to contribute to the understanding of SDGs and theirimplementations as well as to play active roles in theeducational and research institutes of their homecountries.

Aims of the Program
The main goals of the program are:
1. To foster human resources to promote a better
understanding of SDGs as well as the associatedproblems pertaining to Central Asia, Azerbaijan,and Georgia (applicants from Georgia are eligible,
subject to final approval by the funding institution).
2. To reinforce the networks between Eurasia andJapan through the goals mentioned above.

Program Content
The program is promoted by the Graduate School ofBusiness Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciencesof the University of Tsukuba.
First, students enroll in the MA Program, which offers
more than 50 courses in English, and develops
international, interdisciplinary, and problem-oriented
approach to the understanding of a specific country oran area.

Structure of the Program
The program consists of a 1.5-year Master’s Program.
Over the course of their studies, students will have an
opportunity to receive their education using Englishlanguage-based curriculum in addition to having an
opportunity to enroll in complimentary Japanese
language education. By the end of their studies,
students are expected to become leading specialists
in the chosen area of their specialization. The
curriculum of the program features, among othersubjects, seminars conducted by JICA, UN, ADB andgovernmental agencies, colloquiums based oncollaborative research projects and internships at theJapanese companies. Those graduating from thisprogram will be in a position to seek employment in
the academic and research institutions, UN agencies,
governmental institutions and corporate community.

Collaboration with Nippon Foundation
Central Asia – Japan HumanResource Development Project
The program offers students to join “Nippon
Foundation Central Asia-Japan Human Resource
Development Project”. The project has been launchedin January 2019, sponsored by The Nippon
Foundation, to foster human resources, who willcontribute to achieve “Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)” of Central Asian region. Thoseapplicants who demonstrate outstanding abilities willbe “Nippon Foundation Central Asia-Japan Human
Resource Development Project” and awarded
scholarships. The project provides special courses forunderstanding main ideas of SDGs and its
implementation in Japan and Central Asian region.

2University of Tsukuba
Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences
Degree Program in International Public Policy

Note: Please note that those selected for the programand eventually awarded Nippon Foundation fellowshipawards will be required to participate in the events
organized for the fellows and submit their reports
about these events. In addition, the information
regarding the details of the fellows such as theirnames, short biographies as well as their activities with
their photos is to be published online and distributed
widely as a part of promotional activities of theprogram. Also, the photos and videos of events
organized for the fellows will be made public on thewebsite. Thus, those who apply for the fellowship need
to be aware that their application for the fellowshipis considered to be their consent to the conditions
above.

Language of Instruction
English is the main language of instruction for thisprogram.

Degrees ObtainedStudents will receive an MA degree in International
Public Policy at the Graduate School of Business
Sciences, Humanities and Socials Sciences at theUniversity of Tsukuba.

Admissions
Eligibility
1. Nationality. Applicants must be from Kazakhstan,Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan,Azerbaijan, or Georgia (applicants from Georgia
are eligible, subject to final approval by the fundinginstitution).
2. Age. Applicants who have been born on or afterApril 2, 1985.
3. Educational background. Applicants who have anundergraduate degree and who have completed 16years of school education.
4. Language Qualifications (proofs will only berequested during the second stage of theapplication process). Applicants must demonstrate
their English language proficiency by submittingscores in English Language Proficiency Tests(TOEFL IBT 80, TOEFL CBT 230, TOEFL PBT 500,IELTS 6.0). The scores provided above areapproximate, i.e. each applicant’s ability will bechecked and considered on a case-by-case basis.
5. Arrival in Japan. Applicants must be able to arrive
to Japan by the last week of September 2024.
6. Other. Any applicant who falls under the following
conditions is not eligible. If identified after thecommencement of the scholarship period, theapplicant will be required to withdraw from thescholarship.

a. The applicant is already the recipient of ascholarship from an organization other than theNippon Foundation.
b. The applicant is considered a “future graduate’and selected as such, is unable to graduate
within the present date or unable to fulfill
graduation requirements.

Enrollment Quota
This program admits up to 10 students per year. Thoseapplicants who demonstrate outstanding abilities will
be awarded up to 10 scholarships of Nippon
Foundation (subject to availability and approval offunds by the funding institution).
Those who qualify for the program but unable tosecure a scholarship of Nippon Foundation will beadmitted into the program as privately financedstudents. They will be responsible for the costs of theirtuition and residence in Japan over the period of theirstudies.

Enrollment Date
October 1, 2024.

Scholarship (Nippon Foundation
Central Asia-Japan Human ResourceDevelopment Project)
Those demonstrating outstanding abilities will beawarded the following scholarships (up to 10
scholarships per year, subject to availability andapproval of funds by the funding institution) on acompetitive basis. Amount of scholarship is 113,350
yen/month (MA students). This amount is subject tochange.

Travel Expenses
Each grantee of the Nippon Foundation Central AsiaJapan Human Resource Development Project under
this program will be provided with an airplane ticketfrom the international airport nearest to his/her homeaddress in his/her home country to Narita InternationalAirport.
Upon completion, the grantee will be provided with anairplane ticket if he/she returns to his/her homecountry during the designated period of time.

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University of Tsukuba
Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences
Degree Program in International Public Policy

Application Documents
There are several stages of the application as below.
First Stage (Fellowship application): The
completion and submission of the Preliminary
Application Form is the first stage of application
process. The preliminary application form should besent to the following address:
E-Mail: spca-info@ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp
Second Stage (Program application): Additional
documents will need to be submitted by those
applicants who passed the first stage. An interview
and an exam conducted in the applicant’s homecountry constitutes the second stage of screening.
Each applicant should bring all related documents(certifying statements of academic and professional
background and authenticated English proficiency
certificate [TOEFL, IELTS, GRE etc.]) on the interview
day or send them by post to the following address.
SPJES, Special Program in Japanese andEurasian Studies,
Degree Program in International Public Policy,
Graduate School of Business Sciences,
Humanities and Social Sciences,
University of Tsukuba
Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken
JAPAN 305-8571
E-Mail: spca-info@ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp

exams. Those who are selected for the second stage
will be informed individually. However, due to the highvolume of applications, the Selection Committee
cannot acknowledge the receipt of applications or
notify those who are not selected for the interview
stage.
After the first stage of application screening, the faculty
members of the University of Tsukuba will conduct
interviews with the semi-finalists (those who proceedto the second stage of screening). Successful
applicants will then have their files reviewed for final
approval and related procedures at the University ofTsukuba.

Tentative Application Time Schedule
First Stage: Fellowship application processNovember 6, 2023 – Program is officially announced(Preliminary application form and application
guidelines will be available through the Program
Website: http://www.chiiki.tsukuba.ac.jp/spca.html↓
January 15, 2024 – Deadline for the preliminary
application and the first stage screening of theapplication at the University of Tsukuba↓
February-March 2024 – Interviews/exams by thecommissioning faculty members of the University ofTsukuba

Application Checklist for the Second Stage*These are to be submitted by those applicants whopassed the first stage of application process.
 Program application form (to be provided for those
who passed the first stage) 8 photographs (30x40mm)
 Letter of Recommendation in sealed envelope.
 Official transcripts or official copies of diplomas fromall undergraduate and graduate institutions previouslyattended. *If you are currently studying at theuniversity, please submit a current transcript.
 TOEFL, IELTS, GRE etc. original score report. *The
test should be taken no earlier than 2 years prior thesubmission date of your application.

Second stage: Program application process
Mid-April 2024 - Additional Documents to be submitted↓
Late April 2024 - Second stage interviews/exams by
the commissioning faculty members of the Universityof Tsukuba↓May 2024 – Receiving an acceptance letter from theUniversity of Tsukuba↓
September 20-30, 2024 – Arriving in Japan

Selection and Notice of Selection
Applicants will be selected based on a comprehensive
assessment of their preliminary and programapplications, and the results of their interviews and↓October 1, 2024 – Enrolling in the M.A. Program inInternational Public Policy as full time students

4University of Tsukuba
Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences
Degree Program in International Public Policy

Tuition and related fees
This program admits up to 10 students per year. Thoseapplicants who demonstrate outstanding abilities will
be awarded scholarships of Nippon Foundation (up to10 scholarships per year, subject to availability andapproval by the funding institution).
Those who qualify for the program but unable tosecure a scholarship of Nippon Foundation will beadmitted into the program as privately financed
students. They will be responsible for the costs of theirtuition and residence in Japan over the period of theirstudies.

Student accommodation
Successful applicants will be given an opportunity toreside in the university residence halls. The monthly
rent is approximately 15,380- 44,000 yen.

Campus Life

(4) Satellite Room: An air-conditioned computer room
(8A210) is available 24 hours per day. Students canuse printers (up to 1200 sheets for free per year; may
be subject to change)(5) Mail Box(6) Personal Locker

Faculty Members and Curriculum
For information about our faculty members, pleasecheck the program’s homepage:https://www.ipp.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/staff/

Contact Information
SPJES, Special Program in Japanese and EurasianStudies
Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities
and Social Sciences
University of Tsukuba
Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken JAPAN
305-8571
E-Mail: spca-info@ml.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp

Academic Calendar
1. Autumn Semester: October-March
Entrance Ceremony and Guidance: End of September
Orientation with Supervisors: Early OctoberClasses Begin: October 1
University Festival: November 6-8
Winter Break: December 29-January 5
Thesis Submission: Early January
Thesis Oral Defense: Mid-January
Last Day of Classes: Mid-February
Thesis Midterm Presentation: Mid-February-April
Spring Break: Mid-February-March 31

For more information, please visit the pages below:
University Main Page:
http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/english/
SPCEA website:
http://www.chiiki.tsukuba.ac.jp/spca.html

2. Spring Semester: April-September
Classes Begin: Early April
Last Day of Classes: Early August
Summer Break: Early August-September 30
Graduation Ceremony: End of September
These dates may be subject to modification and are
not legally binding. The Academic Calendar is alsoavailable athttps://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/academics/academiccalendar/2024.html

Student Facilities
Students will be able to benefit from the following
services:(1) Tutor: A tutor will be arranged for each student.
They will help students with their life in Tsukuba.
(2) Copy Card (up to 1000 sheets for free per year;
may be subject to change).
(3) Study Room: The study room for SPJES students
is located in the building of Master’s Programs in
Humanities and Social Sciences.

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