Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences
Yamagata University
Guidelines for April 2025 Applicants

May 2024

Table of Contents
Ⅰ．Admission Policy············································································································ 1
Ⅱ．Enrollment Capacity ······································································································ 2Ⅲ．Applicants with Special Needs Who Require Any Arrangements for
Examinations or While on Campus ················································································ 2
Ⅳ．Admission Examination Schedule ················································································· 3
Ⅴ．Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
1. General Entrance Examination ············································································· 4
2. Entrance Examination for Working Students ······················································· 4
3. Entrance Examination for International Students ··············································· 5
4. Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students ······ 5
5. Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination ··················································· 6Ⅵ．Application Procedure
1. Application Documents ························································································· 7
2. Application procedure ··························································································· 9
3. Payment of examination fee ················································································ 10
4. Additional Information ························································································· 10
Ⅶ．Application Selection Method and Examination Details
1. General Entrance Examination ··········································································· 11
2. Entrance Examination for Working Students ····················································· 11
3. Entrance Examination for International Students ············································· 12
4. Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students ···· 13
5. Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination ················································· 13
Ⅷ．Common Matters
1. Rules of the Examination ···················································································· 13
2. Notification of Successful Applicants ································································· 14
3. Enrollment Procedures ························································································ 14
4. Tuition ·················································································································· 14
5. Sundry Expenses ·································································································· 15
6. Exceptional Measures in the Education Method ··············································· 15
7. Course Term Extension System ·········································································· 15
8. Method of disclosure and request for individual evaluations in
the entrance examinations ·················································································· 15
9. Approval of Course Completion and Degree ····················································· 16
10. Enrollment to the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science,
Iwate University (Doctoral Program) ································································ 16
11. Regarding Security Trade Controls ···································································· 16
12. Other Points ········································································································ 16
13. Introduction: Master’s Program, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences,
Yamagata University ···························································································· 17

Admission Office, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University

Contact andDocument
destination

Address

1-23 Wakaba-machi, Tsuruoka, Yamagata
997-8555, JapanTel+81-235-28-2808

Email Address

yu-nonyu@jm.kj.yamagata-u.ac.jp

Ⅰ．Admission policy【Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences】
The Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences is aimed at nurturing talented people who can cope withmultidimensional aspects and the high level of specialty of agricultural sciences with comprehensive judgment
and a sense of balance. In addition, it aims to train highly specialized persons, from Japan and from overseas
countries, who can respond to diversified and complex societal needs, and they will attain the practical ability
to engage in creative projects, such as research, investigation, and exploitation. The Graduate School of
Agricultural Sciences expects students to have the qualities described below.
◆ Desired Qualities
The Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences desires a broad variety of students, from Japan and fromoverseas counties, who strive to increase their expertise in order to respond to diversified and complex
societal needs for developing and deepening research in each specialty and interdisciplinary field.

Master’s Programs【Department of Agricultural Sciences】
The Department of Agricultural Sciences provides several programs for fostering practical abilities and superior
research skills. One program focuses on agricultural management necessary for safe and sustainable productionof agricultural and livestock products, as well as for acquiring the high-level knowledge required for researchworks, including regional revitalization. In another program, cutting-edge methods in biotechnology and otherkey fields are utilized for the development, modification, improvement, and effective usage of living organism
resources, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. A further program offers specialist lectures andpractical training in forestry and water and soil environmental sciences, while another involves developmentfrom regional and international perspectives that will enable humans to live in harmony with nature. Here,students work to solve various problems in local and international communities. To nurture researchers andengineers, who can take charge of unique scientific and technological developments that will contribute tosocial welfare and the progress of human society, and foster individuals, who can engage in creative businessenterprises, detailed and directed education and research is performed on the axis of individual guidance bysupervisors.
◆ Desired Qualities
The Department of Agricultural Sciences requires students who exhibit the following qualities:• Persons who understand the importance of local, regional, and international contributions and have astrong desire to make such contributions.
• Persons who want to further deepen their basic knowledge of food, agriculture, and environmental
management through the efficient use of limited resources and the production of environmentally sustainableagricultural, livestock, and aquaculture products, while actively using the experiences they gain in fieldworkin this department.
• Persons who are interested in understanding the phenomena of life, biotechnology, and other sciences, aswell as their applications and new technologies. These persons have a keen interest in developing andimproving agricultural, livestock, and aquaculture resources using living organisms to clean the environment.
Also, they seek to understand and apply product quality-maintenance technologies for foods and beverages,
which can enhance health and quality of life.
• Persons who have concern for forests and rivers and wish to share with society the problem-solution
processes and expertise they gain through their study and experiences in this department.
◆ Basic Policy for Selecting Successful Applicants
All applicants are subject to a comprehensive screening process from multiple aspects. To identify those withthe desired qualities, with selection being carried out according to the processes described below.
(1) General Entrance Examination (A comprehensive selection process based on a written examination(specialized subject), an oral examination, and an academic transcript prepared by the institution theapplicant has attended.)(2) Entrance Examination for Working Students (A comprehensive selection process based on a written
examination (essay), an oral examination, and an academic transcript prepared by the institution theapplicant has attended, a statement of purpose, research plan, and professional history submitted by theapplicant.)(3) Entrance Examination for International Students (A comprehensive selection process based on a written
examination (specialized subject), an oral examination, and documents submitted by the applicant.)(4) Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students (A comprehensive selection- 1 -process based on documents submitted by the applicant.)(5) Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination (Selection process based on the result of an oral
examination conducted after consideration of documents, such as an academic transcript prepared by theinstitution the applicant has attended, a letter of recommendation, statement of purpose, etc.)

Ⅱ．Enrollment Capacity
Students are selected to the Graduate School through the General Entrance Examination,
Entrance Examination for Working Students, Entrance Examination for International Students, Recommendation-Based
Entrance Examination for International Students, and Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination.

Department

Enrollment
Capacity

Major

Bioproduction Science

Agricultural
Sciences

Bioresource Science

38 students

Bioenvironmental Science

Notes: 1. Enrollment Capacity is based on the total number of applicants for the General Entrance Examination,
Entrance Examination for Working Students, Entrance Examination for International Students,
Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students, and Recommendation-Based
Entrance Examination.
2. A limited number of student will be admitted through the Entrance Examination Working Students,
Entrance Examination for International Students, and Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination forInternational Students, and Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination.
3. If the Enrollment capacity limits are met by the first application, only a limited number of students will be
admitted through the second application.

Ⅲ．Applicants with Special Needs Who Require Any Arrangements for
Examinations or While on Campus
Applicants should talk to the person-in-charge of the Admission Office of the Faculty of Agriculture if special needs services
are required for the exam or while on campus at this Graduate School by the dates mentioned below.
RoundsConsultation Dates

First Examination

May 22, 2024

Second Examination

Oct.16, 2024

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Ⅳ． Admission Examination Schedule

First Examination
General Entrance Examination
Entrance Examination for Working Students
Entrance Examination for International Students
Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students
Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination
May. 27 – May. 31, 2024, 16:30
Application Period

The documents will not be accepted if the period for receiving applications
has elapsed.
（Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students
only）Jun. 24 – Jul. 1, 2024

Entrance Examination

Jul. 11, 2024

Notification of Results

Jul. 26, 2024

Enrollment ProceduresAug. 19 – Aug. 22, 2024

Second Examination
General Entrance Examination
Entrance Examination for Working Students
Entrance Examination for International Students
Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students
Oct. 22 – Oct. 24, 2024, 16:30
Application Period

The documents will not be accepted if the period for receiving applications
has elapsed.

Entrance Examination

Dec. 5, 2024

Notification of Results

Dec. 26, 2024

Enrollment ProceduresJan. 20 – Jan. 23, 2025

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Ⅴ．Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
1. General Entrance Examination
Eligible applicants are those who meet one of the following requirements or are expected to meet it by the end of March, 2025.
(1) A person who has graduated from a university.
(2) A person who holds a bachelor's degree from National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher

Education in Japan.
(3) A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country.
(4) A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country by taking a course equivalent to a course

in Japan that is offered by a school in the said country.
(5) A person who has completed a course offered by a foreign university at an educational institution in Japan that has been

accredited in the education system of the said foreign country and separately designated by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (hereinafter referred to as MEXT Minister). This is limited to courses
whose completion is considered equivalent to completing 16 years of school education in the said foreign country.
(6) A person who holds a degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree at a foreign university or school by completing a curriculumof 3 years or more. It completing a curriculum by taking a correspondence course in Japan that is offered by a school inthe said country or to completing a curriculum at an educational institution in Japan, which has been accredited by theeducation system of the said foreign country and designated in Item (5) is also permitted. This is only applicable toforeign universities or schools whose education and research have been evaluated comprehensively the by certified
by the government or responsible agency in the said foreign country or those that have been separately designated as
equivalent ones by the MEXT Minister.
(7) A person who has completed a specialized curriculum at a special training college that is separately designated by the
MEXT Minister after designation by the said minister. This is only applicable to curriculums of 4 years or more that alsosatisfy the criteria separately designated by the MEXT Minister.
(8) A person who has been designated by the MEXT Minister (q.v. Notification No. 5 from MEXT in 1953).
(9) A person who had studied for 3 years or more in a university or completed 15 years of school education at a foreign country,with acquisition of the credits designated by Yamagata University and high marks recognized by our graduate school. The
designated credits must account for more than approximately three quarters of the credits required for graduation fromthe said university or completion of the curriculum of school education at the foreign country.
(10) A person who has completed 15 years of school education in the said foreign country by taking its correspondence course
in Japan that is offered by a foreign school, with acquisition of the credits designated by Yamagata University and highmarks recognized by our graduate school. The designated credits must account for more than approximately threequarters of the credits required for graduation from the said university or completion of the curriculum of school education
at the said foreign country.
(11) A person who has completed a course offered by a foreign university with high marks at an educational institution in Japan,
which has been accredited by the education system of the said foreign country and separately designated by the MEXT
Minister. The completion of course with high marks has to be recognized by our graduate school. This is only applicable
to courses whose completion is deemed as completing 15 years of school education in the said foreign country.
(12) A person aged 22 or above who has been recognized as having a level of academic ability equal to or higher than average
university graduates by the Preliminary Eligibility Screening of our graduate school as explained below.

2． Entrance Examination for Working Students
A person who meets one of the following conditions, or a person who will meet the conditions by the end of March 2025 who
has been working or had worked in places such as public agencies, companies, and educational institutes for more than two
years; or who has been self-employed and has been engaging in agriculture and forestry work for more than two years as ofApril 1, 2025.
(1) A person who has graduated from a university.
(2) A person who holds a bachelor’s degree from National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement ofHigher Education in Japan.
(3) A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country.
(4) A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country by taking a course equivalent to a course

in Japan that is offered by a school in the said country.
(5) A person who has completed a course offered by a foreign university at an educational institution in Japan that has been

accredited in the education system of the said foreign country and separately designated by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (hereinafter referred to as MEXT Minister). This is limited to courses
whose completion is considered equivalent to completing 16 years of school education in the said foreign country.
(6) A person who holds a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree at a foreign university or school by completing a curriculumof 3 years or more. It completing a curriculum by taking a correspondence course in Japan that is offered by a school inthe said country or to completing a curriculum at an educational institution in Japan, which has been accredited by theeducation system of the said foreign country and designated in Item (5) is also permitted. This is only applicable to foreign
universities or schools whose education and research have been evaluated comprehensively the by certified by the- 4 -government or a responsible agency in the said foreign country or those that have been separately designated as equivalent
ones by the MEXT Minister.
(7) A person who has completed a specialized curriculum at a special training college that is separately designated by the
MEXT Minister after designation by the said minister. This is only applicable to curriculums of 4 years or more that alsosatisfy the criteria separately designated by the MEXT Minister.
(8) A person who has been designated by the MEXT Minister (q.v. Notification No. 5 from MEXT in 1953).
(9) A person will be aged 22 or above by March 31, 2025 who has been recognized as having a level of academic ability equal
to or higher than average university graduates by the Preliminary Eligibility Screening of our graduate school as explained
below.

Aims of Entrance Examination for Working Students
Due to the rapid progress of science and technology in recent years, the need for the reformation of the structure ofsociety has been discussed, and a more urgent need for higher education than ever before has arisen. Additionally, as
the trend toward lifelong education reaches its peak, universities must open their doors to the public as a part of society.
Given this social demand, the aim of Working Students Admission is to make the School of Agriculture an active part ofsociety by accepting students who are working for public agencies, companies, or educational institutes and would liketo improve their skills, or who have experiences associated with food, life, and environment and would like to further
explore their special fields further. The method of the examination differs from that of the General Entrance Examination.

3． Entrance Examination for International Students
Eligible applicants, who are not Japanese nationals and who are living in Japan at the time of application and examination, mustmeet or are expected to meet any of the following requirements by March 2025.
(1) A person who has graduated from a Japanese university.
(2) A person who holds a bachelor’s degree from National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement ofHigher Education in Japan.
(3) A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country.
(4) A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country by taking a course equivalent

to a course in Japan that is offered by a school in the said country.
(5) A person who has completed a course offered by a foreign university at an educational institution in Japan that has been

(6)

(7)

(8)
(9)

accredited in the education system of the said foreign country and separately designated by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (hereinafter referred to as MEXT Minister). This is limited to courses
whose completion is considered equivalent to completing 16 years of school education in the said foreign country.
A person who holds a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree at a foreign university or school by completing acurriculum of 3 years or more. It completing a curriculum by taking a correspondence course in Japan that is offered by aschool in the said country or to completing a curriculum at an educational institution in Japan, which has been accreditedby the education system of the said foreign country and designated in Item (5) is also permitted. This is only applicable toforeign universities or schools whose education and research have been evaluated comprehensively the by certified by thegovernment or a responsible agency in the said foreign country or those that have been separately designated as
equivalent ones by the MEXT Minister.
A person who has completed a specialized curriculum at a special training college that is separately designated by the
MEXT Minister after designation by the said minister. This is only applicable to curriculums of 4 years or more that alsosatisfy the criteria separately designated by the MEXT Minister.
A person who has been designated by the MEXT Minister (q.v. Notification No. 5 from MEXT in 1953).
A person aged 22 or above who has been recognized as having a level of academic ability equal to or higher than average
university graduates by the Preliminary Eligibility Screening of our graduate school as explained below.

4． Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students
Eligible applicants, who are not Japanese nationals and are not living in Japan must meet or are expected to meet any of thefollowing requirements by March 2025.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

A person who has graduated from a Japanese university.
A person who holds a bachelor’s degree from National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement ofHigher Education in Japan.
A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country.
A person who has completed 16 years of school education in a foreign country by taking a course equivalent to acourse in Japan that is offered by a school in the said country.
A person who has completed a course offered by a foreign university at an educational institution in Japan that has been
accredited in the education system of the said foreign country and separately designated by the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (hereinafter referred to as MEXT Minister). This is limited to courses
whose completion is considered equivalent to completing 16 years of school education in the said foreign country.

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(6)

(7)

(8)
(9)

A person who holds a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree at a foreign university or school by completing acurriculum of 3 years or more. It completing a curriculum by taking a correspondence course in Japan that is offered bya school in the said country or to completing a curriculum at an educational institution in Japan, which has been
accredited by the education system of the said foreign country and designated in Item (5) is also permitted. This is only
applicable to foreign universities or schools whose education and research have been evaluated comprehensively the bycertified by the government or a responsible agency in the said foreign country or those that have been separately
designated as equivalent ones by the MEXT Minister.
A person who has completed a specialized curriculum at a special training college that is separately designated by the
MEXT Minister after designation by the said minister. This is only applicable to curriculums of 4 years or more that alsosatisfy the criteria separately designated by the MEXT Minister.
A person who has been designated by the MEXT Minister (q.v. Notification No. 5 from MEXT in 1953).
A person aged 22 or above who has been recognized as having a level of academic ability equal to or higher than
average university graduates by the Preliminary Eligibility Screening of our graduate school as explained below.

5．Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination
Applicants must meet the following criteria.
(1) A person who is expected to graduate from university by March 2025.
(2) A person who is expected to graduate from Yamagata University, Faculty of Agriculture, and is recommended bytheir supervisors.
(3) A person who is expected to graduate from a university is recommended by the President of the University or the

Dean of the Faculty they studied in. The recommender must vouch for the applicant’s eligibility.
(4) A person who meets the eligibility criteria and can assure that they would be joining the university.

Recommendation standard
The recommended person whose credits for S and A scales must be over 80% of the total credits of the special
subjects until the end of the third year (omit first decimal place). In addition, the credits of certified subjects
must be excluded from total credits of the special subjects.

Preliminary Eligibility Screening
An applicant who would like to apply under Eligibility Requirements with the following application qualifications, will
be subject to a Preliminary Eligibility Screening Application in advance. Please ensure that you submit the Requestof Preliminary Eligibility Screening, Preliminary Eligibility Screening Record (No. 1), the Preliminary Eligibility
Screening Record (No. 2), a Graduate Certificate, and an Academic Transcript (from the last school from which theapplicant graduated.) during the submission periods given below.
General Entrance Examination: Eligibility Requirements for Applicants(9),(10),(11),(12)Entrance Examination for Working Students: Eligibility Requirements for Applicants(9)Entrance Examination for International Students: Eligibility Requirements for Applicants (9)Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students: Eligibility Requirements for Applicants(9)RoundsFirst
Examination
SecondExamination

Submission Period

Notification of Screening Result

May 20 – May 22, 2024
＊All documents have to be delivered by May 22 if submitted by

May 24, 2024

post.
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17, 2024
＊All documents have to be delivered by Oct. 17 if submitted by
post.

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Oct. 21, 2024

Ⅵ．Application Procedure
1．Application Documents

Application
Documents

Recommend
Entrance ation-Based
Entrance
Recommend
GeneralExamination Entrance
Examination
ation-Basedfor
Examination
Notes to Prepare the Application Documents Entrance for Working
Entrance
Examination
International
forStudents
Examination
Students International
Students

Application Formfor Admission
Fill in the forms attached to the Guidelines
with a ballpoint pen and submit them.

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The applicants should face squarely to thefront and remove any hats or caps. Headwrappings made of cloth, etc. areacceptable if the face is clearly visible.
The photo must be in color and have beentaken within three months prior to
submission. It should be 4 cm x 3 cm andattached to the Photo ID document.

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Applicants must submit a Certificate of
Graduation from the graduated university ora Certificate of Expected Graduation.

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Academic Transcript An Academic Transcript issued and prepared（Note2）by the last school attended by the applicant.

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Copy of Grades
NoticePlease submit a copy of the score report of
TOEIC®TEST ， TOEIC®IP ， English
proficiency examinations which was
conducted after April, 2022 or TOEFL®
TEST grade report within the valid periodof the score.（A printed copy of the PDF
version of the digital official scorecertificate may also be submitted.）
If you cannot submit a copy of the grades
notice at the time of application because
you have not received the test grade
notification by the deadline for submitting
the application documents, please submit
the reason book attached to this guideline
instead and until the day before the test
date. Please submit it to the place where
you submit the application documents.

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Copy of Proving
Examination Fee
Document（Note3）

Copy of Proving Examination Fee(30,000yen) Document. Refer to the「3. Payment of
examination fee」.

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Examination
ResumeAdmission Ticket

Examinee Photo ID

Certificate of
Graduation or
Certificate of
Expected
Graduation（Note1,Note2）- 7 -Recommend
Entrance
RecommeEntrance
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GeneralExaminati
ndationExaminati
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on forBased
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on forExaminati
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Students
onStudents
Students

Application
Documents

Notes to Prepare the Application Documents

Return Envelope

On an envelope sized 23.5 cm x 12 cm theapplicant’s name, address, and postal codeshould be written, and return postage worth 84
yen must be attached on the envelope (orstamps worth 344 yen if you wish to receive theenvelope through express mail). In the event ofa postal rate revision, stamps shall be of therevised amount.

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Mailing Label

The applicant’s postal code, telephone number,address, and name should be written on eachaddress label form attached to this Guidelines.
Label Ⅰ is for the Acceptance Letter, andLabelⅡ is for additional procedures.

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Written consent
for taking the
Examination

If you wish to join our school while working forthe office of a public agency, company,
educational institute, and so on, you need tohand in a letter of written consent from thehead of the department for which you work. (Anapplicant who is self-employed and who is
working in the agriculture or forestry sectors
are exceptions.) Any style or format is
acceptable. Similarly, once you are admitted tothe school, you need to hand in a letter ofwritten consent for admission.

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Statement of
Reason for
Applying

Use the form attached to the Guidelines, andcomplete it with a ballpoint pen. Write yourreason for joining the master’s program, to study
motivation, and the purpose of your research.

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Research Plan

Please describe the type of research or the
research field that the applicant desires to study
in our program in approximately 1,000 words.
Any style or format is acceptable.

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Professional
History

Please describe your professional history in
about 1,000 words. Any style or format is
acceptable. In addition, please submit a copy of
documents if you have research paper, technicalreport, patent, utility model, etc.

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Registered of
Resident, a Copyof Passport, Copyof Family Register,or Proof of
CitizenshipApplicants who have registered as a resident
must submit proof of residence. Applicants who
have not registered as a resident must submit
either a copy of their passport, proof of
citizenship, or a copy of their family register.

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Applicable
persononly○Application
Documents

Notes to Prepare the Application Documents

Recommend
Entrance
RecommeEntrance
ation-Based
GeneralExaminati
ndationExaminati
Entrance
Entrance
on forBased
Examination
on forExaminati
Entrance
InternatioforWorkingExaminationnalInternational
Students
onStudents
Students

Please submit the form attached to the Guidelines
and complete the form virtually, such as using a
Letter ofword processor, or physically, filling a printed form
Recommendation
with a pen. Graduation from a university should（Recommendation-Basedbe recognized by the President of the University
Entrance Examination forInternational Students） or the Dean of the Faculty. For students, whohave already graduated, please submit arecommendation written by your supervisor.

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○

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Please submit an evaluation document (character
Letter of Evaluation and academic achievement evaluations) from the（Recommendation-Basedfaculty who will supervise you at the Graduate
Entrance Examination forInternational Students） School of Agricultural Sciences, Yamagata
University.

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○

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Please submit the form attached to the Guidelines
and complete the form virtually, such as using aword processor, or physically, filling a printed
form with a pen.
The recommendation letter (must be sealed) ofLetter ofapplicants, who are expected to graduate from a
Recommendation
Faculty of Agriculture,Yamagata university should（Recommendation-Basedbe recognized by their supervisor.
Entrance Examination）
The recommendation letter (must be sealed) ofapplicants, who are expected to graduate fromother than Yamagata University Faculty ofAgriculture are those created by the president ordean of the university of origin.

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○

（Note1）Applicants who have received a bachelor's degree from the National Institution for Academic Degrees
and University Evaluation must submit a Degree Certificate.
An applicant who will be awarded a bachelor's degree by the National Institution for Academic Degrees andUniversity Evaluation should submit the documents mentioned below.
① Expected Graduation Certificate for the applicant who is expected to graduate from the non-degree
course of a Technical College or Junior College.
② A Certificate prepared by the President (Dean) of a Junior College or Technical College that the applicant
attended, stating that the application for an Academic Degree awarding has been (is being) made.
（Note2）Is not required for Japanese Government Scholarship Students and Foreign Government-SponsoredStudents.
（Note3）Is not required if a decision for receiving the Japanese Government Scholarship after enrollment is made at
the time of application.

2. Application Procedure
An applicant should bring all application documents to the office directly, or post them as registered post andexpress mail with “Graduate School Application Documents” written in red ink on the front of the envelope. They
should reach the Admission Office by the deadline date. (See page 3.) Before submitting the application documents,
please consult with your desired professor about your area of study. At that time, please also confirm the expected
retirement date of your desired professor (whether or not he/she will be able to supervise you for two years).

- 9 -3. Payment of examination fee
ExaminationFee

30,000 yen＊Is not required if a decision for receiving the Japanese Government Scholarship after
enrollment is made at the time of application.

Payment
PeriodFirst Examination ：May. 22 – May. 31, 2024
Second Examination：Oct. 16 – Oct. 24, 2024

Payment
Procedure(1)Please transfer the following from a financial institution window or ATM. Transfer by wire
handling is from a financial institution window.
(2)Please write number 261 and the applicant’s name to client name when applicant transfer.
Number 261 is identification number for Yamagata University.
(3)Please burden bank transfer fee at your expense.

Transfer

Bank Name: THE YAMAGATA BANK LTD.
Branch Name: HEAD OFFICE BRANCH
Deposit Type: Ordinary deposit account
Account Number: 59358
Account Holder: Yamagata University
SWIFT CODE: YAMBJPJT(1) Please submit a copy of document which prove transfer. It needs transfer date, transfer information, transfer
name, and transfer amount without other personal information. Transfer reservation date should be included a copy of
document if written. Applicants should not transfer with no document which prove transfer such as a mobile banking.
(2) The examination fee is non-refundable once it is paid, with the following exceptions:①When the examination fee has been paid, but the application for admission has not been submitted (including
cases when the application documents are not submitted, or when the application is rejected).
②If the entrance examination fees are mistakenly paid twice.

4．Additional Information(1) No changes to the statements on the application documents are allowed after submission regardless of theapplicant's reasons.
(2) Even a successful applicant might be rejected if the statements on their submitted documents are not factuallytrue.

- 10 -

Ⅶ．Application Selection Method and Examination Details
1. General Entrance Examination
Application
Selection
Method andExamination
Details

Application results are based on the entrance examinations results (specialized subjects andan oral examination) and the submitted academic transcripts.
Fluency in a foreign language will be measured by specialized subjects and an oral examination asnecessary.
For the examination, one specialized subject, corresponding to the major on which you want tostudy, should be chosen in the above table.

Major:
Bioproduction
ScienceSpecialized
subjects
Major:
Bioresource Science

Major:
Bioenvironmental
ScienceOral
examination

Crop science，Crop breeding，Vegetable science, Pomology,
Ornamental horticulture, Plant pathology, Agricultural ecology,
Edaphology, Animal husbandry, Agricultural Process Engineering，
Agricultural machinery, Sustainable Agricultural, Consumer behavior,
Policies on food, agriculture and environment,
Environmental accounting for food and agriculture,
Sociology of food, agriculture and environment,
Geography of food, agriculture and environment，Integrated food and agriculture science
Applied microbiology, Science for food design,
Animal reproductive biology, Food microbiology,
Bioresource chemistry，Molecular and cellular biochemistry，
Food and nutritional science，Functional food science,
Plant genetics and breeding，Plant genetic resource science，
Plant nutrition /Soil science, Bioorganic chemistry, Postharvest physiology,
Microbial resources, Functional Genomics and Biochemistry
Smart Forest，Forest policies, Forest Sociology (Forest System Analysis),
Forest wildlife management, Forest influences，Forest products，Forest ecology，Landscape ecology，Conservation Ecology，Water environmental engineering，Community links, Farmland physics，
Rural planning，Agricultural environment geoengineering,
River environment engineering, Hydro-environment，
Environmental and sanitary engineering，Geotechnical Engineering

An oral examination is conducted for each major.
Jul. 11, 2024

Specialized subjects 13:00～15:00
Oral examination
15:30～

Second Examination Dec. 5, 2024

Specialized subjects 13:00～15:00
Oral examination
15:30～First Examination
Second Examination

Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University

First Examination
Date

Place

2. Entrance Examination for Working Students
Application
Selection
Method andExamination
Details

The results of academic examinations (an essay and an oral examination) and application
documents (the applicants academic transcript, the reasons for applying, and the applicants,
research plan and professional history) will be evaluated during the selection process.
With regard to academic examinations, an essay and an oral examination will be conducted.

Essay
examination

In the essay examination, questions will focus on fundamental knowledge of the field that theapplicant is seeking to study, the ability to think theoretically, and the ability to communicate
thoughts and ideas.

- 11 -

Oral
examination

An oral examination is conducted for each major.
Jul. 11, 2024

Essay
Oral examination

13:00～15:00
15:30～

Second Examination Dec. 5, 2024

Essay
Oral examination

13:00～15:00
15:30～First Examination
Second Examination

Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University

First Examination
Date

Place

3. Entrance Examination for International Students
Application
Selection
Method andExamination
Details

Successful applicants will be selected by evaluating the results of academic ability tests(Specialized Subjects and an Oral Examination) and the documents submitted by theapplicants.
The academic ability test will be a written examination and an oral examination on the specialized
subject. The examination on the specialized subjects may be conducted in foreign languages.
For the examination, one specialized subject, corresponding to the major on which you want tostudy, should be chosen in the above table.

Major:
Bioproduction
ScienceSpecialized
subjects
Major:
Bioresource Science

Major:
Bioenvironmental
ScienceOral
examination

Crop science，Crop breeding，Vegetable science, Pomology,
Ornamental horticulture, Plant pathology, Agricultural ecology,
Edaphology, Animal husbandry, Agricultural Process Engineering，
Agricultural machinery, Sustainable Agricultural, Consumer behavior,
Policies on food, agriculture and environment,
Environmental accounting for food and agriculture,
Sociology of food, agriculture and environment,
Geography of food, agriculture and environment，Integrated food and agriculture science
Applied microbiology, Science for food design,
Animal reproductive biology, Food microbiology,
Bioresource chemistry，Molecular and cellular biochemistry，
Food and nutritional science，Functional food science,
Plant genetics and breeding，Plant genetic resource science，
Plant nutrition /Soil science, Bioorganic chemistry, Postharvest physiology,
Microbial resources, Functional Genomics and Biochemistry
Smart Forest，Forest policies, Forest Sociology (Forest System Analysis),
Forest wildlife management, Forest influences，Forest products，Forest ecology，Landscape ecology，Conservation Ecology，Water environmental engineering，Community links, Farmland physics，
Rural planning，Agricultural environment geoengineering,
River environment engineering, Hydro-environment，
Environmental and sanitary engineering，Geotechnical Engineering

An oral examination is conducted for each major.
Jul. 11, 2024

Specialized subjects 13:00～15:00
Oral examination
15:30～

Second Examination Dec. 5, 2024

Specialized subjects 13:00～15:00
Oral examination
15:30～First Examination
Second Examination

Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University

First Examination
Date

Place

- 12 -

4. Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination for International Students(First Examination,
Second Examination)
Application
Selection
Method andEnrollment will determined comprehensively based on the documents submitted by applicants.
Examination
Details

5. Recommendation-Based Entrance Examination（Only First Examination）
Application
Selection
Method andExamination
Details

Applicants will be selected based on the results of the examination to test, scholastic ability (anoral examination) while referring to documents such as an Academic Transcript from the university
from which the applicant graduated, a letter of recommendation, and a statement of the reason for
applying to the master’s program.
In addition, an oral examination is conducted for major.

DateJul. 11, 2024

Oral examination

Place

Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University

15:30～

Ⅷ．Common Matters
1.

Rules of the Examination(1) Examinees need to bring an examination admission ticket to the examination site and must be seated at thedesk with their examination ticket number on it.
(2) Examinees must arrive at the examination site 30 minutes before the examination start time. Examinees whoarrive 20 minutes after the start of the examination will not be allowed to enter the examination room.
(3) If examinees are late for the examination, they should ask a staff member for instructions.
(4) Examinees are not allowed to use or borrow anything from other examinees in the examination room.
(5) Electronic equipment such as mobile phones, smartphones, and wearable devices must be deactivated; and placedin a bag before entering the examination room after their alarms are turned off. If these items are not put away orif the examinee holds or touches them during the examination, it may be considered as cheating during theexamination. If earphones are in your ears then they are considered to be in use, which constitutes cheating.
(6) In case of an emergency including if the examinee feels sick during the examination, please contact the personin- charge of the examination.
(7) In case an examinee loses their examination admission ticket, they need to inform an Admission Office or
person-in- charge of the examination about it immediately.
(8) Examinees need to write their written examination ticket number and other information clearly on the
distributed answering sheets as soon as an examination begins.
(9) During the written examination, examinees can keep the following items on their desk: an examination
admission ticket, pencils (mechanical pencils are also allowed), erasers, pencil sharpeners (except electronic andlarge sharpeners and knives), a watch (except ones with a dictionary, a calculator, and terminal functions; ones
for which it is difficult to determine whether such functions are present; ones that make a ticking sound; kitchen
timers; and large watches.), rulers, glasses, handkerchiefs, tissue paper (not including the bag or box in which
they were packed), and eye drops. The use of scientific calculators may be permitted depending on thespecialized subject.
(10) Examinees are allowed to place only the items written above in section (9).
(11) In case an examinee is deemed to have cheated, all of their answering sheets will be invalid.

- 13 -

2. Notification of Successful Applicants
Round

Date and Time of Notification for
Successful ApplicantsFirst Examination

Jul. 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m.

Second Examination

Dec. 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m.

The examination ticket numbers of successful applicants will also be posted on the website of the Facultyof Agriculture.
[Website] https://www.tr.yamagata-u.ac.jp/
We will not answer inquiries by phone or email regarding pass / fail.
The results for the examinations will be sent out to successful applicants on the day of notification of
successful applicants.

3.Enrollment Procedures(1)Enrollment Procedure Periods:
Category of
Examination

Enrollment Procedure Periods

First Examination

Aug. 19- Aug. 22, 2024
＊All documents have to be delivered by Aug.22
if submitted by post.

Second Examination

Jan. 20- Jan. 23, 2025
＊All documents have to be delivered by Jan.23
if submitted by post.

Applications are accepted between 9:00 and 16:30.
(2) Enrollment Fee:
The enrollment fee of 282,000 yen should be paid during the Enrollment Procedure period.
However, the enrollment fee and tuition will be waived for those who have already been awarded theJapanese Government Scholarship for foreign students. The enrollment fee and tuition for Foreign
Government-sponsored Students and Privately Financed Foreign Students will be the same as that for
applicants of the General Admission process.
Note: Details such as the payment methods are provided in the Acceptance Letter.
For a successful applicant who has significant difficulties in paying the Enrollment Fee, an exemption from all or
half of the fee for a grace period is available based on Application and Screening Procedures.
(3) Required Enrollment Documents:
Oath of enrollment, contact information, and a photo (4 cm height x 3 cm width) and other documents. Details
are provided in the Acceptance Letter.
(4)Note:Even an applicant who has completed the Enrollment Procedures can be rejected if they cannot meet therequirements for the application qualifications by March 31, 2025.

4. Tuition
Tuition should be paid after enrollment.
535,800 yen per year (267,900 yen per semester) (scheduled).
The payment method can be chosen from the following: once a year, twice a year, ten times a year,
and ten times a year with additional payments.
Note: 1. The tuition total has not been finalized and is tentative.
2. In case the tuition is revised, the new tuition fee is applied at the time of revision.
3. Details such as the payment methods are provided in the Acceptance Letter.
For a student with excellent academic achievements who has financial difficulties in paying
the tuition fee, an exemption from all or half of the fee is available for each semester basedon Application and Screening Procedures.

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5. Sundry Expenses
Additional expenses that an applicant needs to pay at enrollment are the premiums for Personal Accident
Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research, the Supporters’ Association fee etc. Details areprovided in the Acceptance Letter.

6. Exceptional Measures in the Education Method
The exceptional measures in the education method designated in Article 14 of the Graduate School
Establishment Standards will be applied if they are deemed necessary from the point of view of
education and research. When such an occasion arises, students will be able to take courses according
to the following:① If needed, special evening classes (17:10-21:10) as well as regular daytime classes (8:50-17:05)
will be offered.
Additionally, classes will be offered during summer and/or winter breaks.
② If you wish to take classes at specific times under the Exceptional Measures in the Education
Method, please apply by indicating the subjects, times, and periods you wish to apply for, at the
beginning of the school year, with prior approval from your academic adviser to obtain permission
from the professors in charge of the classes.

7．Course Term Extension System
The system allows students under certain circumstances, such as working students, to complete theircourses of study by taking classes in a carefully planned way over a certain period, exceeding theregular course term of 2 years. For further information on applying or the tuition payment, pleasecontact the person-in-charge at the Admission Office of the Faculty of Agriculture.

8．Method of disclosure and request for individual evaluations in the entrance
examinations
Period forreceiving
disclosure requests
Requester

May 1 – 31, (postmark effective)
Receiving hours are 9:00 to 16:30. (Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays are
excluded).
Limited to the people taking the examinations (no proxies, agents, etc.
accepted)

Method of request

The section in charge of the department for which you took the entrance
examination will accept your request with documents ①～③ below by mail orin person.
When requesting by mail, please write “Request for Disclosure of the Resultsof the Entrance Examination for Faculty of Agriculture” using red ink on thefront of the envelope that you send to the faculty for which you took theexamination.
① Document Requesting the Disclosure of the Results of the FY 2025
Yamagata University Examination to Select Students for Admission※ Download the request form from the Yamagata University website after
the middle of April 2025.
②Yamagata University examination voucher (copies not accepted)※ If requested in person, it will be returned on the occasion of therequest; if requested by mail, it will be enclosed together in the envelope
and returned when the results are sent back.
③ Reply envelope (a Long No.3 (23.5cm×12cm) envelope on which stamps
for a total of 444 yen are put and the postal code, address, and name of therequester are inscribed.

Means ofdisclosure

We will disclose your evaluation by mail (simplified registered mail) within two
weeks from the day after your request is received.

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9.Approval of Course Completion and Degree
We will approve completion of the course and grant a master’s degree in Agriculture for the
students who have enrolled in this department for more than 2 years, acquired 30 or more credits
including required subjects, and passed the master’s thesis screening and the final exam.

10.Enrollment to the United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Iwate University(Doctoral Program)
Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Yamagata University, does not have own doctoral program
but has joint programs with Iwate University and Hirosaki University. The joint programs of threemajors (Bioproduction Science, Bioresource Science, and Regional Environment Creation), ninespecialties that ordinarily three years are offered at the United Graduate School of Agricultural
Science (UGAS), Iwate University. UGAS students can study at one of the three member universities
where their supervisors work.
Master’s students at the Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Yamagata University, as well as
graduates from the school in the last three years, do not have to pay entrance examination fee andenrollment fee for UGAS.

11. Regarding Security Trade Controls
Yamagata University stipulates the Security Trade Control Guidelines for Yamagata University based on theForeign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, etc., and manages the technology provided and goods exported from theuniversity. In order to manage these exports, we may ask you to submit a declaration relating to the applicabilityof circumstances (designated types) that are strongly influenced by foreign governments and corporations. If theregulations apply, the university may need to apply for a permit from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI), and as a result, technology provisions may not be implemented swiftly. Furthermore, if the application to
METI is denied from the stance of maintaining international peace and security, the university may not be able toprovide the technology in question as a result.

12. Other Points
About the enrollees of the entrance examination for working students
In general, once the applicant has joined our school, they have to take classes and follow the curriculum provided,
according to the registration rules of our school. For this reason, when the applicant starts school while having ajob, your position in your place of employment (ex. in office or on leave) will depend on the regulations of yourplace of employment. Additionally, if you are joining our school while working, you need to submit a document
confirming that you will be able to leave the office and focus on studying. Therefore, a letter of written consent tojoin school, or a certificate of a leave of absence from the head of your department is necessary during theenrollment procedure.

About the handling of personal information
Personal information on submitted documents is used only for the following purposes. We will never disclose,
provide, or consign the information to a third party except for those purposes.
① For entrance examination management② For enrollment procedure management③ For a statistical survey of enrolled students④ For student management⑤ For university management- 16 -

13. Introduction : Master’s Program, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences
Yamagata University
For the following information on the Graduate School, please refer to the "Student Handbook" on the website of
the Faculty of Agriculture.
(https://www.tr.yamagata-u.ac.jp/exam.html)① Objectives（ｐ.27）② Major（ｐ.27）③ Educational Principles and Objectives of the Agricultural Sciences’ Major（ｐ.27）④ Introduction to Research Areas, Teaching Staffs, Research Fields, and Research Topics（ｐ.51-55）- 17 -