2024 (April Admissions)

Doctoral Program
Guidelines for Applicants(Including Special Admissions for Professionals and for International Students)

The information in the guidelines is subject to change due to the current situation regarding
COVID19. Any future changes will be posted on the website of the Graduate School of Energy
Science or be announced individually. ＜Website：https://www.energy.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/＞

Graduate School of Energy Science
Kyoto University
Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
TEL: +81-75-753-9212
E-mail: energykyoumu@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Contents
I.

Enrollment Capacity ............................................................................................................................... 1

II.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants ................................................................................................. 1

III.

Eligibility Screening ............................................................................................................................... 1

IV.

Special Admissions for Professionals ..................................................................................................... 2

V.

Application for Admissions ...................................................................................................................... 2
i. Application documents ..................................................................................................................... 2
ii. Request for Admission Guidelines .................................................................................................... 3iii. Application Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 3

VI.

Selection Methods and Examination Schedule ...................................................................................... 4VII. Examination Voucher ............................................................................................................................. 4
VIII. Announcement of Successful Applicants ............................................................................................... 4
IX.

Admission Procedures ............................................................................................................................ 4

X.

Admission Fees and Tuition ................................................................................................................... 5

XI.

Notes ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

XII. Examination Guidelines ......................................................................................................................... 5○Application Documents Forms○Graduate School of Energy Science: Research Groups○Main Campus（map）

I.

Enrollment Capacity

Department of Socio-Environmental
Energy Science
Department of Energy Conversion
Science

35students
124

Department of Fundamental Energy
Science
Department of Energy Science andTechnology

12
7

Total
35
◎Enrollment capacity for the Special Admissions for Professionals and International Students: a few for eachdepartment

II.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

An applicant for a Doctoral Program must satisfy one of the following qualifications by the end of March, 2024
1) Possession of a Master’s Degree, Professional Master’s Degree or Juris Doctor Degree.
2) Completion of a program abroad equivalent to the Master’s Program or the professional degree program of Kyoto
University Graduate School.(Note 1)
3) Completion of the a program equivalent to a Master’s Program or professional degree program of Kyoto
University Graduate School by completing a correspondence course conducted by a graduate school of a university
abroad while residing in Japan.(Note 1)4) Completion of a foreign graduate school program (only if the program is equivalent to a Master’s Program orprofessional degree program of Kyoto University Graduate School) in Japan at an educational facility that has been
accredited as having an approved program under the educational system of said country and is so designated by the
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. (Note 1)5) Completion of a curriculum at the United Nations University (under the provisions of Paragraph 2 of Article 1 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 of 1976), and receipt of a degree
equivalent to a Master’s Degree.
6) Passing of a Qualifying Examination or equivalent assessment at an institution in another country, and recognition
by Kyoto University as having academic ability on a par with or higher than that of a person with a master’s
degree.(Note 2)7) Designation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Science, Sports, and Technology.(Note 2)8) Recognition by the Graduate School of Energy Science of Kyoto University as having a scholastic ability on a parwith or higher than that of a person eligible under Paragraph 1 as a result of an individual screening of
qualifications, where the applicant is aged 24 or over. (Note 2)
Note 1: Applicants who qualify under requirement 2,3 or 4 must contact the School Affairs Office of the
Graduate School of Energy Science by June 2 (Fri), 2023 to inquire about application documents.
Note 2: Applicants who qualify under requirement 6,7 or 8 must undergo a preliminary eligibility screening.

III.

Eligibility Screening (Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 6 , 7 or 8 only)

i. Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 6

Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 6 above must submit the following documents for preliminary
eligibility screening to the School Affairs Office of the Graduate School of Energy Science (Research Building
No. 8, 1st floor) by 5:00 p.m. on May 12 (Fri), 2023.
When mailing the documents, use registered mail and write “Application for Eligibility Screening for Doctoral
Program of Graduate School of Energy Science (April Admissions)” in red on the front of the envelope. The
required documents must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 12 (Fri), 2023.

［Documents to be submitted for eligibility screening (Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 6)］
1. Application form for doctoral program eligibility screening. (Use the designated form)
2. Official certificate of passing a Qualifying Examination or equivalent assessment.
3. Documents which detail the examination procedure and qualifying criteria of the Qualifying Examination orequivalent assessment.
4. Academic transcript of a program equivalent to a master’s program which the applicant has completed.
(prepared and sealed by institution you last attended)
5. The curriculum details (course list and course outlines) of a program equivalent to a master’s program which
the applicant has completed.
1. Applicants may be requested to submit additional materials.
2. Screening results will be mailed to applicants on June 23 (Fri), 2023.
ii. Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 7 or 8

Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 7 or 8 above must submit the following documents for preliminary
eligibility screening to the School Affairs Office of the Graduate School of Energy Science (Research Building
No. 8, 1st floor) by 5:00 p.m. on June 9(Fri), 2023.
1

When mailing the documents, use registered mail and write “Application for Eligibility Screening for Doctoral
Program of Graduate School of Energy Science (April Admissions)” in red on the front of the envelope. The
required documents must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 9(Fri), 2023.
[Documents to be submitted for eligibility screening (Applicants filing under eligibility requirement 7 or 8)]
1. Application form for
Use the designated form.
eligibility screening
2. Academic transcript
Submit academic transcript prepared and sealed by institution you last
(last institution attended)attended.
3. Statement of research(Applicants filing under requirement 7) Use the designated form.
achievements
Outline your research achievements (contribution to knowledge etc.) in yourfield of specialization.
4. Certificate of research(Applicants filing under requirement 7) Use the prescribed form.
participation
This item must be prepared and sealed by institution to which you belong.
5. Research progress report(Applicants filing under requirement 8)
Describe the progress of your research project in your field of specialization.
(Any format acceptable.)
6. Qualifications, licenses etc.
(Applicants filing under requirement 8)
Submit photocopy of document that can be used as reference for eligibility
screening, such as a license in your field of specialization
1. After document screening, there will be an oral examination to test applicant’s academic ability (master’s
degree level).
2. Oral examination will be conducted at the Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University on
June 15 (Thu), 2023.
3. Screening results will be mailed to applicants on June 23(Fri), 2023.

IV.

V.

Special Admissions for Professionals

Special selection will be available for individuals who meet one of the eligibility requirements noted in Section II,
who are employed in a public agency or company at the time of application and intend to maintain theiremployment after enrollment, and who have been recommended by their managers.

Application for Admission

i. Application documents
1. Application form foradmission , photographcard, examination
voucher
2. Academic transcript
and certificate of
master’s course
completion (orexpected completion)
3. Master’s thesis

4. Letter of approval for
entrance examination
5. The certificate ofresidence or thephotocopy of resident
card
6. Form for affixing
evidence of payment
for application fee

Use the designated form.

Applicants who are enrolled in or have graduated from Graduate School ofEnergy Science, and those who qualify under eligibility requirement 6, 7 or 8
need not submit this item.
Applicants who are enrolled in or have graduated from Graduate School ofEnergy Science, and those who qualify under eligibility requirement 6, 7 or 8
need not submit this item. Applicants who are expected to complete master’s
program may submit research report (A4-size; any format acceptable), instead of
this item.
If you are enrolled in doctoral program of another graduate school or are
employed in public agency or company at time of application, submit letter ofapproval from the Dean of your graduate school or the head of youragency/company. (Any format acceptable.)(Only international students) Submit a certificate of registered items in alien
registration indicating residence status and permitted period of residence in Japan.
If you cannot provide this item at time of application, submit photocopy of yourpassport (photo page). Proper certificate must be submitted by time of admission.
Use the designated form. (Japanese Government [Monbukagakusho]sponsored international students and students expecting to complete Kyoto
University’s master’s program need not submit this item.)Application fee: 30,000 yen ※Payment period: June 26 (Mon), 2023 – July 7(Fri), 2023
(Payment Procedure)①Access "Kyoto University EX settlement service", then put the article which
needed following the instruction and pay the application fee.
2

URL：https://www3.univ-jp.com/kyoto-u/en/ens/②Print out the storage certificate from your confirmation screen, and submit itwith other application documents.

7. Self-addressedenvelope for mailingexamination admission
card
8. Address labels forfurther communication※For households in regions where the Disaster Relief Act is effective and whose
principal wage-earner has been adversely affected by the March 2011 Great East
Japan Earthquake (Tohoku earthquake), the April 2016 Great West Japan
Earthquake (Kumamoto earthquake), an exemption may be made to the paymentof Entrance Examination Fees for cases where a risaishomeisho (Disaster Victim
Certificate) has been issued. For further details, contact the administrative officeat the Graduate School of Energy Science by June 12 (Mon), 2023.
Use a designated envelope.
Write your name, address and postal code on the envelope and affix a 254-yenstamp (for express mail).) An examination voucher will be mailed to the applicant
to the address provided by the applicant.
Use the designated forms.

For further communication on the examination results

Write your name, address and postal code (for Aug. – Sep., 2023) on thedesignated form.

For further communication on admission procedures

Write your name, address and postal code (for February, 2024) on the designatedform.
(If you change your address after applying, you must promptly inform the School
Affairs Office of the new address.)
Note: The application fee shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
* Applicants for special admissions for professionals must submit the following documents in addition to thoselisted above.
1. Letter of recommendation
Use the designated form.
(Submit letter of recommendation written by your department head oranother person in a supervisory position.)
2. Research achievements report Outline the research project you conducted in your field of specialization,
during employment. (Any format acceptable.)ii. Request for Admission Guidelines
To receive a copy of the Guidelines for Applicants and an application packet by mail, write to the address below
enclosing a 390-yen stamped, and self-addressed (name, address and postal code) envelope (kakugata No. 2, 24cm  33.2 cm). Be sure to write “Request for Guidelines for Applicants: Doctoral Program of the Graduate
School of Energy Science (April Admissions)” in red on the front of the envelope.
iii. Application Procedures
Applicants must submit, in person or by mail, all required documents to the address shown below.
In mailing the completed application documents, write “Application documents for Doctoral Program of the
Graduate School of Energy Science (April Admissions) enclosed” in red on the front of the envelope and send it
by registered mail.
[Application period](In person)
July 6 (Thu ) and 7 (Fri), 2023
Submission hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(By mail)
Deadline: 5:00 p.m. on 7 (Fri), 2023
Your application documents must have arrived by the above deadline. The application documents postmarked
no later than July 4 (Tue) and sent by registered express mail will also be accepted even if they arrive after thedeadline.
[Address to which application is to be sent](In person)
School Affairs Office, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University(Research Bldg. No. 8, 1F)
TEL: +81-75-753-9212(By mail)
Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University
3

Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, JAPANVI. Selection Methods and Examination Schedule

Entrance examinations are conducted as per the following schedule at the Graduate School of Energy Science,
Kyoto University.
Examination Schedule (Exam schedule of each department shown below also applies to professionals andinternational students who apply for special selection.)
Date
Department
Department of Socio-Environmental
Energy ScienceTime
10:00 - 12:00
13:00 - 17:00

August 23(Wed)
Test subjects
English and specialized subjects
Oral examination

Date
Department
Department of Fundamental Energy
ScienceTime
10:00 - 12:00
13:00 - 17:00

August 25(Fri)
Test subjects
English and specialized subjects
Oral examination

Date
Department
Department of Energy Conversion
ScienceTime
10:00 - 12:00
13:00 - 17:00

August 4(Fri.)
Test subjects
English and specialized subjects
Oral examination

Date
Department
Department of Energy Science andTechnology

Time
10:00 - 12:00
13:00 - 17:00

August 24(Thu)
Test subjects
English and specialized subjects
Oral examination

Instructions regarding examination will be mailed to all applicants, together with an examination voucher.
Instructions will also be posted on the bulletin board in front of the School Affairs Office of the Graduate
School of Energy Science (Research Bldg. No. 8, 1F) on August 22(Tue), 2023 for Socio-Environmental
Energy Science and on August 24(Thu), 2023 for Fundamental Energy Science ,and on August 3(Thu), 2023
for Departments Energy Conversion Science, and on August 23(Wed), 2023 for Energy Science andTechnology.

VII. Examination Voucher

An examination voucher will be mailed to each applicant, using the envelope submitted by the applicant.

VIII. Announcement of Successful Applicants

１．Department of Energy Conversion Science
August 18(Fri), 2023
Examinee numbers of successful applicants will be posted on the bulletin board in front of the School Affairs
Office of the Graduate School of Energy Science at 3:00 p.m.
Examinee numbers of successful applicants will be listed on the website of the Graduate School of Energy
Science at 3:00 p.m. (Visit http://www.energy.kyoto-u.ac.jp/jp/)
A list of successful examinees’ numbers will also be sent to all non-passing applicants. (Telephone inquiries
about the selection results shall not be accepted.)
２．Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science、Fundamental Energy Science、Energy Science andTechnology
August 31(Thu), 2023
Examinee numbers of successful applicants will be posted on the bulletin board in front of the School Affairs
Office of the Graduate School of Energy Science at 3:00 p.m.
Examinee numbers of successful applicants will be listed on the website of the Graduate School of Energy
Science at 3:00 p.m. (Visit http://www.energy.kyoto-u.ac.jp/jp/)
A list of successful examinees’ numbers will also be sent to all non-passing applicants. (Telephone inquiries
about the selection results shall not be accepted.)

IX. Admission Procedures

Detailed instructions regarding admission procedures will be mailed to successful applicants in late February,
2024.
4

X. Admission Fees and Tuition

Admission fee: 282,000 yen (tentative)[No admission fee will be charged to those who are expected to complete master’s program of Kyoto
University in March 2024.]
Tuition (annual): 535,800 yen (tentative)[No admission fee or tuition will be charged to Japanese government-sponsored international students.]*The amounts indicated above are tentative and may be revised.
*If the above amounts are revised at or after the time of enrollment, the new amounts shall apply as of such
revision.

XI. Notes

1. Applicants with physical disabilities who require special arrangements for examinations should contact inadvance the School Affairs Office of the Graduate School of Energy Science by phone or other means.
2. The contents of submitted documents may not be changed under any circumstances.
3. In accordance with “Kyoto University Regulations Regarding Personal Information Protection,” personal
information (including information relating to performance evaluation) provided in application documents is used
only for the following purposes: ①entrance examinations, ②admission procedures, scholarship etc. and ③
preparation for accepting students.
4. The Graduate School of Energy Sciences provides the long-term study program that allow students to extend theirstudy period up to twice of the standard study period for completion under certain circumstances/conditions suchas work, children, childcare, nursing to other family in special need and disabilities. If you have any inquiries,
please contact the GSES office.

XII. Examination Guidelines○Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science

Application and examination procedures for the Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science are detailed
below. Applicants should prepare required documents and take examinations in accordance with the following
instructions.

I. The Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science classifies applicants into three categories: ① general
selection, ② working professional special selection and ③ international student special selection. Please note thatthe required documents and examination process vary by category.
II. Before submitting their applications, applicants to the doctoral program must obtain the informal consent of their
desired supervisor.
III. In addition to the documents required of all applicants to Graduate School of Energy Science, applicants to the
Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science must submit a research plan via the designated form
“Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science – Doctoral Research Plan.”
Entrance Examination
1. Written examination: English and specialized subjects(1) English exam: The exam comprises two questions: one English-Japanese translation and one essay in English on
the specified topic. Questions are given in Japanese and English. Regarding the English-Japanese translationquestion, international students may summarize an English language text instead of translating it into Japanese.
The use of dictionaries is not permitted.
(2) Specialized subjects exam: One question is asked from each field. Answer the question from your chosen field.
2. Oral examination(1) Applicants must obtain informal consent from their desired supervisor in advance, then prepare a research planusing the designated form “Department of Socio-Environmental Energy Science – Doctoral Research Plan,” andsubmit the completed form together with other application documents. Applicants should select a supervisor fromamong faculty members listed on the attached document “Graduate School of Energy Science - Research Fields
and Topics of Faculty Members.”(2) In the oral examination, the applicant will give a presentation on ① master's thesis or achievements of past
research and ② doctoral research plan, using a projector and PDF slides (one page each for ① and ②, fontshould be embedded). Do not include animations in the PDF slides. The presentation is 15 minutes, followed by a
15 minute Q&A session. The applicant must bring the PDF file in a USB flash drive and 10 hard copies (A4 paper,
duplex printing) of the two presentation slides on the examination day.
3. Exemption from written examination
Those who are recognized through screening of the submitted documents as having a certain level of academic
ability are exempted from the written examination.

○Department of Fundamental Energy Science51. In selecting a supervisor, refer to the “List of Research Sections/Laboratories by Department,” included in the
Admission Guidelines, and the attached document “Research Fields and Topics of Faculty Members.” Enter the nameof your desired supervisor and other required information on the annexed “Notification of Desired Supervisor” form,and submit the completed form with your seal affixed to it, along with other required documents.
You should obtain the consent of your desired supervisor before submitting your application.
2. Written examination
A written examination will be given to determine whether the applicant has the basic academic ability in the desired
field of specialization to pursue doctoral research. Consult with the expected supervisor about the examination andrelated matters
3. Oral examination
In the oral examination, the applicant will make a PowerPoint or PDF presentation on ① master’s thesis orachievements of past research and ② doctoral research plan The presentation time is 30 minutes. Applicants must
prepare four hard copies of the presentation slides and submit them to their prospective supervisor in advance.
4. Exemption from written examination
Those who are recognized through screening of the submitted documents as having a certain level of academic ability
are exempted from a written examination.

○Department of Energy Conversion Science

1. Documents to be submitted
Complete and submit the attached form “Notification of Prospective Supervisor in Doctoral Program” with otherrequired documents. In selecting a supervisor, refer to the “List of Groups by Department” included in “Doctoral
Program/Guidelines for Applicants”, and the attached document “Graduate School of Energy Science: ResearchContent of Academic Staff by Group.”
2. Entrance Examination(1) Written examination: English and specialized subjects
A written examination will test the applicant’s basic academic ability in English and the desired field ofspecialization.
(2) Oral examination
The applicant will make presentation on past research projects, reasons for pursuing a doctoral program, researchplans, prospects etc. The presentation time is 20 minutes, followed by a Q&A session.
3. Exemption from written examination
Applicants who are recognized through screening of the submitted documents as having a certain level of academic
ability may be exempted from a written examination.
4. Other
Before submitting their applications, applicants should obtain the informal consent of their prospective supervisors.

○Department of Energy Science and Technology

1. In selecting a supervisor, refer to the “List of Research Sections/Laboratories by Department,” included in the
Admission Guidelines, and the attached document “Research Fields and Topics of Faculty Members.” Enter the nameof your desired supervisor and other required information on the annexed “Notification of Desired Supervisor” formand submit the completed form with your seal affixed, along with other required documents.
2. Entrance Examination(1) Written examination: English and specialized subjects
A written examination will be given to determine whether the applicant has the basic academic ability in English
and the desired field of specialization to pursue doctoral research.
(2) Oral examination
The applicant will make a PowerPoint presentation to describe past research projects, details of planned research(reasons for selecting the chosen theme, content etc.), expected outcome and future prospects.
The presentation time is approx. 30-minutes, followed by oral exam session.
3. Exemption from written examination
Applicants who are recognized through screening of the submitted documents as having a certain level of academic
ability may be exempted from a written examination.
4. Other
Before submitting their applications, applicants should obtain the informal consent of their prospective supervisors.

6