Application Guidelines
International Graduate Programme for East Asia
Sustainable Economic Development Studies(EA Programme)
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University
For Doctoral Programme Enrolment
in 2024Academic Year(3-year programme for Master’s degree holders)

ATTENTION:
For your application, please read the Application Guidelines and theFrequently Asked Questions and Answers carefully. We respond toinquiries only when answers cannot be found in the Application
Guidelines or the FAQ.

Re-Updated on 25th March 2024

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[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

Contents
Application for Doctoral Programme
Application Schedule ................................................................................................................... 3
Application Flow Chart ............................................................................................................... 4
The Number of Applicants to Be Admitted ........................................................................... 5
Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Steps for Application...................................................................................................................... 5
After the Announcement of Successful Applicants ............................................................... 11International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

3

Doctoral Programme
Application Schedule:
Doctoral Programme (3-year programme for Master’s degree holders)February 2024

Announcement of Call for Applications

1st April to 8th May 2024

Submission of Application Documents (Online
Application System)
and Payment of Examination Fee

Late May 2024

Notification of VoIP (e.g. Zoom) Interview
Schedule and Zoom Test

Late May 2024

Submission of Designated Original
Application Documents (via Postal Mail)

Late May to Early June 2024

Interview via VoIP (e.g. Zoom)

14th June 2024

Announcement of Screening Results

August 2024

Enrolment Procedures

October 2024

Commencement of Doctoral ProgrammeInternational Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

Eligible to Apply for Doctoral Programme?
STEP 1: Admissions Assistance Office (AAO)
Screening Process (Obtain a Supervisor)

cannot apply
cannot obtained

approval obtained
STEP 2: Submission of Application Documents (via E)
and Payment of Examination Fee

STEP 3: Notification of VoIP (e.g. Zoom) Interview Schedule
STEP 4: Submission of Hard Copy of Application Documents(via Postal Mail)

STEP 5: Interview via VoIP

unsuccessful
STEP 6: Announcement of Screening Results

Enrolment Procedures
Entrance to Programme in Oct

[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

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Number of Applicants to Be Admitted
Approximately five (5) students are admitted to the programme each year.
The Graduate School of Economics offers a double degree doctoral programme incollaboration with the College of Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow which isopen to students with research topics in socio-economic and/or business history.
Students who enrol on the EA Programme are eligible to apply to transfer to this double
degree doctoral program. Application for the double degree programme takes placearound December, i.e. after October enrolment in the EA programme. Note thatapplication itself is not a guarantee of participation in the double degree programme
and that the selection of candidates takes place after an interview and screening
process. Further details will be provided during enrolment.

Eligibility
Applicants who have already obtained or will obtain a Master's degree (including MBA)by the enrolment day at Kyoto University are eligible to apply for our Doctoral
Programme. They are eligible regardless of whether their Master’s degree was or will
be awarded by Kyoto University or another institute of higher education.

Applicants who have or will have a Master’s degree in a field other than economics or
management are also eligible to apply for our Doctoral Programme, and there is no
particular requirement regarding an applicant’s field of undergraduate study. However,
if applicants would like to have a stronger background in Economics, we recommendthat they first go through our Master’s Programme.

Applicants who graduated from university a long time ago and are currently working or
retired are also eligible to apply for our Programme. We are pleased to receive
applications from applicants of any background.



Those who are currently registered at another university and have already been
granted a MEXT Embassy Recommendation Scholarship are welcome to apply. If they
are successfully admitted to the EA Doctoral Programme they can transfer thescholarship to their doctoral degree studies. Please ask the administrative office in yourcurrent university about any necessary procedures.

Steps for Application (see “Application Flow Chart”)
All procedures will be conducted in English.

STEP1: AAO Screening Process [For Applicants who are enrolled or were enrolled atuniversities outside Japan]Before accessing the AAO (Admission Assistance Office) system, please check the list of
faculty members and their research specialities on the following website to help identify
your preferred supervisor[s].



http://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kueac/programme/faculty-members/
Please don’t contact the named professor directly without his/her approval until after the
AAO process.

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

6[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

Please access the following website of the Admission Assistance Office (AAO).



https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/education-campus/education-and-admissions/graduatedegree-programs/how-to-apply/for-graduates-of-overseas-universities
Applicants will be asked to name a prospective supervisor who they think would best suit
their research theme in the process of AAO screening. He/she will check the application
documents and inform the applicant whether they can move to the next step.

Applicants are required to submit through the AAO system their CV, research proposal
and an academic transcript(s), all of which will be forwarded to the prospective
supervisor and also submitted to the Programme Committee in STEP2. Prospective
supervisors may request additional documents from applicants. Only after applicants
successfully obtain approval from their prospective supervisor(s), may they submit all
application documents to the Programme (STEP2).



It usually takes a few weeks before we receive feedback from AAO. Therefore, we advise
you to begin the AAO procedure at least two weeks before the deadline for theapplication submission.

Finding an appropriate supervisor is crucial to be admitted to our Programme. Applicants
may receive a suggestion from the Programme Committee regarding a potential andappropriate supervisor(s). Please note that obtaining approval from a prospective
supervisor(s) is also an essential part of the whole application procedure.

The deadline by which an applicant is required to have obtained approval from aprospective supervisor(s), is 8th May, 2024.



Please note that the AAO system and Actual Online Application System are completely
different and Applicants need to apply to both of them.

STEP2: Submission of Application Documents on the Online Application SystemThose who successfully obtained the approval of their prospective supervisor canaccess the Online Application System below and upload the application
documents. The submission period is from 1st April to 8th May 2024 [Japan Timeor UTC+9:00]. Please note that we do not accept any applications submitted after
the deadline.

Out of the documents that applicants need to submit (please see the section“Application Documents” below), an original hard copy of the followings must be
sent below by postal mail after the result of the initial screening is announced:
Official Notice of TOEFL or IELTS score, Academic Transcript(s) of yourundergraduate study, and graduate programme, Certificate(s) of graduation fromthe institute(s) previously attended. Applicants do NOT need to send these
documents via postal mail at this stage.



Applicants may NOT change their application documents after their submission
unless they are requested to do so by the Programme Committee.

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]7

The Online Application System:

Refer to the following details (1-8) and enter the required applicant information on the
online system.
<Online Application System URL>
https://kjs.gakusei.kyoto-u.ac.jp/EAP2024D
During the application period, we usually send a message from the address“office@gakusei.kyoto-u.ac.jp”. Please do not overlook the email from this email address.
As the aforementioned email address is SEND ONLY, if you want to reply to a message fromthis address, please send your message through the Online Application System and do not
reply directly to the email.
1. Requirements

Confirmation of eligibility. Applicants need to input their AAO ID number.
2. Personal Information


Photo - The photo must be taken within 6 months. It must only show theapplicant’s full face with eyes open. Do not wear a hat. National ID is not
accepted as the photo.

Passport - Please upload a copy of the page in your passport which shows yourphoto and passport number on the Online Application System. The passport
must be valid at the time of your application. Please note that we require a
copy of your passport and NOT a national ID card. If you do not have a valid
passport, please contact the Programme Committee directly.

3. BackgroundIf applicants have a CV, it can be uploaded here.

4. Language Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)

Applicants can upload their official TOEFL/IELTS score.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit an official
notice of a TOEFL or IELTS score taken within a period of two years prior to theapplication deadline.



TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) is not accepted.



TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required for those who have completed theirbachelor’s degree in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada(excluding universities in Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, the United
Kingdom, and the United States of America. However, applicants are still
strongly recommended to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Please note that thisexception does not usually apply to the country in which you completed yourmaster’s degree due to the shorter duration of Masters programmes.

Applicants who have completed their bachelor’s degree in one of the countries
mentioned above having transferred from universities in other countries, forexample in the case of double/joint degree programmes, also need to submit
TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Applicants who have completed or expect to complete their bachelor’s degree
in an English taught programme in countries such as India, Malaysia, theInternational Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

8[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]
Philippines, and the Republic of South Africa may submit a certification issued
by their universities that validates the programme was conducted in English
instead of their TOEFL or IELTS scores. However, applicants are strongly
recommended to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.


There may be some exceptional cases where we waiver the requirement tosubmit a TOEFL or IELTS score. Please contact the Programme Committee formore details, outlining why you think your case should be considered as suchan exception.



We accept a Test Taker Report at this stage. However, applicants who progressto the interview stage will be requested to submit the original official score
report. Those who do not have an official score report may request that test
administering organizations send their scores directly to Kyoto University. For
sending TOEFL score from ETS, the institution code of Kyoto University is 9501.
These procedures might take some time, and thus if the applicants decide tosend his/her score directly from the test administering organization to Kyoto
University, we recommend that he/she prepares for this in advance and also
informs the Programme Committee.

5. Documents to Upload

Reason for Application and plan after completion, Research Proposal, :

Reason for Application and Plan after Completion: Please write in English. The
total number of pages must be two (2) A4 pages.



Research Proposal: Upload the PDF on the Online Application System. Pleasewrite in English. The total number of pages must be five (5) A4 pages (around2,000-2,500 words long excluding references) for the research proposal. Thereis no specific format requirement, but it must be well structured according toa standard academic style (for example, it should include the background ofresearch, research objectives, literature review, research questions,
methodology, expected results and implications, and a reference list).

Official academic transcripts of your undergraduate study and graduate
programme, Certificate(s) of completion from the undergraduate study andgraduate programme(s) previously attended The certificate(s) and the Transcript must include the date of issue.
 If the original certificate is written in a language other than English or Japanese,a certified English translation must be attached.
 This should be an official certificate issued by your university for the purpose ofcertifying your graduation toward an external party. It is different from a copyof the diploma you received at the time of graduation.
 Applicants can request to their University to upload the certificates on theOnline Application System directly as well.
 Those who have already completed a graduate programme are required tosubmit all of their transcripts, including the academic transcript(s) ofundergraduate study. Those who are currently enrolled in a graduate
programme are required to submit all available transcripts to date.

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

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Reference paper such as a master’s thesis or an equivalent paper
There is no limit on the total number of pages. If the paper is written in alanguage other than English, a translated summary and table of contents in
English must be attached.
If an applicant cannot complete their graduation thesis before the application
submission deadline, they can submit an essay as a substitute.
In principle, a joint paper is not appropriate; however, if the joint paper is the
only one that the applicant can submit, the following two requirements have to
be fulfilled:
i)
ii)



that clear indication of the parts where the applicant contributed to thejoint paper is given.
that a letter from the supervisor or co-author is attached which certifies
the contribution of the applicants to the joint paper.

A Letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor, the dean, or thehead of the institution the applicant attended

An applicant needs to name and send a message to the person they request
a letter of recommendation from through the Online Application System.
The message sent out from the system will include the link to the webpage
where they can upload their letter. Therefore, the letter must be uploaded
via the Online Application System.

The letter must be written within a period of six months prior to theapplication.



The letter must be on an official letterhead of the university or institution,and include their signature by hand (a digital signature is not accepted), theiraffiliation and contact information, and remarks on the applicant’s academic
performance such as achievements, accomplishments, and attitude.



If applicants do not have an academic supervisor, they should try to find afaculty member or a staff member of their institution who can write arecommendation letter. If the applicant graduated from a university a longtime ago and has difficulty in contacting professors, we may also accept aletter of recommendation written by a non-academic person (e.g. someone
in a senior position in the workplace). However, please note that a
recommendation by a non-academic person is not as highly regarded as acertification for an applicant’s academic credentials.

6. Declaration
Please complete the declaration.
7. Application FeePlease follow the instructions on the Online Application System. Applicants canonly pay the examination fee (JPY10,000) by credit card. Please upload a copy ofthe certificate of payment. Be careful to print/save any evidence of payment,The examination fee is not refundable under any circumstances.

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

10[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

STEP3: Notification of VoIP Interview Schedule and Testing VoIP set upAll interviews will be conducted from late May to early June 2024.



Around the middle of May 2024, those who completed STEP1 and STEP2 will be
informed of a schedule for an interview via VoIP (e.g. Zoom). Please understandthat we cannot change the date and time of the interview to adjust according to
the applicant’s schedule.

Applicants will be asked to contact the Programme Committee via VoIP to test
the connection between the applicant and Kyoto University during a designatedperiod before the actual interview. To avoid technical issues later, the testing
must be conducted at the same place and by the same connection method as
his/her actual interview.

STEP4: Submission of Original Application Documents (via Postal Mail)

Applicant is required to submit original documents as below which he/she has
uploaded on Application System.



1. TOEFL or IELTS score

2.Academic Transcript(s) of your undergraduate study, and graduate programme(if applicable)



3.Certificate(s) of graduation from the institute(s))

Submission will only be accepted by postal mail (in-person delivery is not
accepted). The documents must reach the Programme Committee no later than
24th May 2024.
address:
Student Affairs Office (EA Programme Committee)
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University
Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, JAPAN
TEL:+81-(0)75-753-3493

Applicants who wish to have their original documents returned to them may
contact the Programme Committee via e-mail in advance. Please note that only
documents that cannot be reissued will be returned.

STEP5: Interview via VoIP (e.g. Zoom)


The Interview will be conducted in English and take around 30 minutes.

It will cover a discussion of the applicant’s research proposal and other related
questions by interviewers. The interview is aimed to check the applicant’s English
language and communication skills, relevance and feasibility of research
proposal, and academic potential as a whole through various questions from theinterviewers.

Please understand that we cannot accept any questions regarding any further
details of the interview.

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

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STEP6: Announcement of Screening Results

The announcement of screening results is scheduled for 14th June 2024.

The application numbers of successful applicants will be posted on the news fieldof our website (https://www.econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kueac/ ). All successful applicants will
also receive a letter by email.



Due to a large number of applications the Programme Committee receives, it is
not possible to provide any feedback on unsuccessful applications, nor is it
possible to inform them about the details of the screening process regardless ofwhether they pass or fail.

After Announcement of Successful Applicants
Enrolment Procedures for Successful Applicants The Student Affairs Office of the Graduate School of Economics will contact all
successful applicants regarding their application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and
Visa by July, 2024.
The Student Affairs Office will also send documents for enrolment procedures inAugust, 2024. The successful applicants are requested to return some of the documents
after filling them out.

Please make sure to inform the Programme Committee if there is a change in yourmailing address from the time of the application in order for the documents to arrive.

Payment of matriculation fee and tuition Detailed information on the payment procedures for the matriculation fee and tuition
will be given to the successful applicants in August, 2024 via postal mail. For theamount of tuition and fees, please refer to the following link.
https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/current/how_to/tuition/tuition-and-fees.html
VISA
 The International Service Office of Kyoto University (kuiso-s[at]mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp)
will be in charge of VISA application procedures. If you would like to learn more about
the VISA application process, please refer to the Office's website in the link below.

https://kuiso.oc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/before_arriving/aboutvisa/ Tuition ExemptionGraduate students of excellent academic standing who are facing financial
difficulties may be eligible for an exemption of all or half of the tuition fee.

Scholarships
Points to Note: The selection process for scholarships are very competitive since the financial
resources of the scholarship programmes are limited, and the number ofapplicants is increasing.


Some scholarships require that the University must manage the imbursement ofscholarship funds to the recipient. In such a case it is essential that you informthe Programme Committee via e-mail (eac-admission [at] econ.kyoto-u.ac.jp)
prior to your application about such scholarships.

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University

12[APPLICATION GUIDELINES]

The following are some scholarship programmes that international students could
potentially apply for (Note: there are other scholarship programmes, not listed here, towhich you may apply):Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship (Gakushushoreihi)

Privately financed international students studying at a university in Japan are eligible to apply
for an Honors Scholarship offered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). There
are some different categories in this scholarship (in terms of eligibility, grant period, etc.). For
further details, please refer to JASSO’s website.
Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students
https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/ryugaku/scholarship_j/shoreihi/about.html Foreign
Government Scholarships
Foreign government scholarships are a further scholarship option. For further information
on application periods and benefits, please contact the appropriate agency in your country.



Other Scholarships for Privately-financed International Students
Please refer to the link below of Kyoto University’s website regarding scholarships.

https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/current/how-to/financial-aid/scholarships-for-privatelyfinanced-international-students Kyoto University International Houses
The Student Affairs Office of the Graduate School of Economics contacts eligible, successful
applicants via e-mail regarding application to be admitted to Kyoto University's international
houses by July, 2024. Application for admission to the international houses can be done via email. Please note that the number of available units is limited. For more information, please
see the link below.
https://kuiso.oc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/housing/facilities/

Other Accommodation

Please refer to the following links of Kyoto University International Service Office for
information on other accommodations.
https://kuiso.oc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/housing/info/

International Graduate Programme for Sustainable Development Studies
Graduate School of Economics, Kyoto University