September 2025 / April 2026 Entry
Guidelines for Applicants to the Ph.D. Course
Graduate Program on Environmental Sciences, GPES
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo
Program Overview
The Graduate Program on Environmental Sciences (GPES), one of the graduate programs in English at Komaba(GPEAK) is an exciting advanced level degree program (offered at both Masters and Ph.D. level) at the University ofTokyo. It shares its vision with its undergraduate counterpart, the International Program on Environmental Sciences,
one of the PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) program and is likewise delivered entirely in English.
The graduate program steps further and deeper, allowing students to choose their area of specialization from a wide
range of relevant fields including natural and agricultural sciences, industrial technologies, and social sciences
including economics, politics and other related disciplines. The course is research-focused under tuition of our faculty
and provides a unique opportunity to work with world experts at the cutting edge, on problems that global societyneeds to address right now for its future prosperity.

Learning OutcomesStudents graduating from the GPES program will be specialists and professionals⚫ capable of working internationally in the environment-energy field on the global stage;⚫ with a systematic understanding of the environment-energy field from both natural and social scientificperspectives;⚫ who understand and can make judgements on environmental questions on all scales ranging from local to
global;witha considered and empathetic view of the wide range of different stakeholder viewpoints on environmental⚫
issues and who can execute leadership in resolving issues arising from these;⚫ who can make informed decisions in real time, on site to solve real world problems;⚫ who are global communicators, capable of addressing both specialists and non-specialists while encompassing
the needs of differing cultural groups.

Degree Program Offered and the Number of Available Places
⚫

Ph.D.

10 places-1-1. Schedules
The GPES offers two selection schedules, Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. The selection procedure and required
documents are identical between the two schedules.

2. Selection Procedures
Applicants shall be screened and selected through a comprehensive process. Selection is based on the evaluation of allof the applicant’s submitted materials (TOEFL or IELTS and GRE scores, short essays, research plan, etc.),
recommendation letters, and, if deemed necessary, an interview, which may be conducted in person or online.
Selection for admission regarding those applicants to the Ph.D. Course who expect to obtain a Master’s degree fromGPES in August 2025/ in March 2026 is based on the student’s Master’s thesis, the quality of the student’s work andgrades while in the Masters Course, and the oral examination. Each applicant will, following the submission of his or
her application, receive notification of the appointed selection date and place from the GPEAK Admissions Office.

3. Enrollment Dates
Schedule 1 applications: September 30, 2025
Schedule 2 applications: April 1, 2026

4. Applicant Eligibility
Before submitting an application, all applicants must have contacted a potential supervising professor listed on the
GPES website at http://gpes.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/faculty-staff/index.html and obtained his or her approval.
Those who have or are expected to have a Master's degree or the equivalent (including Ph.D. candidacy) before theenrollment date are eligible to apply for the Ph.D. Course.
Please note that applicants whose qualifications differ in any other respect from those stated above must contact the
GPEAK Admissions Office by September 2, 2024 (Schedule 1) or April 11, 2025 (Schedule 2).
For details, please refer to the Appendix.
* Note: In Schedule 1, those who are expected to have a Master's degree or the equivalent (including Ph.D. candidacy)
on September 30, 2025 must consult the GPEAK Admissions Office in advance.

5. Application Procedures(1) Application Period
Schedule 1 applications: November 1 to November 8, 2024
Applicants to the Ph.D. Course who expect to obtain a Master’s degree from GPES in August 2025 must upload theirapplication materials to the designated link, which will be sent from the GPEAK Admissions Office via e-mail, during
the period of May 7 to May 9, 2025.
Schedule 2 applications: June 5 to July 4, 2025
Applicants to the Ph.D. Course who expect to obtain a Master’s degree from GPES in March 2026 must upload theirapplication materials to the designated link, which will be sent from the GPEAK Admissions Office via e-mail, during
the period of December 1 to December 9, 2025.

(2) Application Process-2-Please submit the necessary application documents (refer to (4) Required Documents) online as follows:[Application Documents except for 5. Two letters of recommendation]
Upload the application documents to the designated link that will be posted on the GPES website at http://gpes.c.utokyo.ac.jp/how-to-apply/downloads.html.
The link for applicants will be accessible only during the application period. The application documents may NOT behand-delivered, faxed, or emailed. Applications will only be considered valid if they are uploaded no later than 4:00
pm on November 8, 2024 (Japan Standard Time) for Schedule 1 or July 4, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) for Schedule
2. The GPEAK Admissions Office is not responsible for any system malfunction caused by applicants’ computers.
[Application Document 5. Two letters of recommendation]
Please ask your evaluators to upload the signed letter of recommendation (GPES official form) to the designated linkthat will also be posted on the GPES website above no later than 4:00 pm on November 8, 2024 (Japan Standard
Time) for Schedule 1 or July 4, 2025 (Japan Standard Time) for Schedule 2.
Please note that none of the submitted materials will be returned.
(3) Application Fee
JPY 10,000
Note 1: No application fee is required from Foreign National applicants on MEXT scholarships (Monbukagakusho
scholarship recipients). Such applicants who are not currently studying / conducting research at the University ofTokyo must submit a certificate of proof of their MEXT scholarship status.
Note 2: No application fee is required for students who are expected to obtain a Master’s degree or a professional
degree at the University of Tokyo in August or September 2025 (for September 2025 enrollment).
Note 3: No application fee is required for students who are expected to obtain a Master’s degree or a professional
degree at the University of Tokyo in March 2026 (for April 2026 enrollment).
Note 4: The application fee must be paid between October 1, 2024 and November 8, 2024 for Schedule 1, or May 1,
2025 and July 4, 2025 for Schedule 2. Application materials cannot be reviewed without receipt of the application fee.
Refund of the application fee is not possible under any circumstances.
(4) Required Documents
All documents must be prepared in English. Please refer to the check list below to confirm the required materials.
Required materials*

Number of files required

1

Application Form [Official
Form]

○

PDF (1)

2

Receipt of payment of the
Application Fee○

PDF (1)

Remarks- Download and complete the form
-Attach a photograph to the application form.
- Applicants living abroad: E-payment only. Visit the
web site (https://e-shiharai.net/english/) and follow theprocedures. Also see “How to make Payment of
Examination Fee at E-shiharai.net.” for details.
-Not required for students on MEXT scholarships.
Such scholars should submit a certificate of proof of
their scholarship status if they are not currently
studying / conducting research at the University ofTokyo.
- Applicants living in Japan: E-payment (https://eshiharai.net/english/) or payment by bank transfer using
a specified payment slip. For details of payment, see“How to make Payment of Examination Fee at Eshiharai.net.”.
-Not required for students who are expected to obtain amaster's or professional degree from the University ofTokyo.

-3-

-The application fee will not be refunded under any
circumstances.

3

Research plan/ Statement of
Purpose [Official Form]○PDF (1)-Describe your previous studies and your proposed
future research plan (1000 words)

4

Short Essay [Official Form]○PDF (1)-Write the essay in 1000 words according to
instructions on Short Essay form.

5

Two letters of recommendation[Official Form]○PDF (1) x 2 letters-These should be completed by two evaluators wellacquainted with the applicant’s academic ability andpersonality.
-Each signed letter should be uploaded to thedesignated link on the GPES website by the evaluator.

6

Transcript of Academic Records○

PDF (1)

7

Certificates of Bachelor’s and(expected) Master’s Degrees○

PDF (1)8

Master Thesis or additional
supplemental work
TOEFL or IELTS Score Report(TOEFL-ITP is not accepted.)△

PDF (1)○

Read through the remarks9-Successful applicants must submit the original
documents before you enroll in the program.
-Successful applicants must submit the original
certificates before you enroll in the program.
-Please ask the Office of Registrar at your school tocertify your degree instead of sending the original
diploma.
-Optional, if available
1) [PDF] A copy of your Test Taker Score Report(TOEFL) or Test Report Form (IELTS) must be
uploaded to the designated link together with otherapplication documents by the application deadline.
2) An Institutional Score Report (TOEFL) / Test Report
Form (IELTS) should be sent, by the testing institution,
directly to the GPEAK Admissions Office and must
arrive at the office by December 2, 2024 for Schedule 1
or July 22, 2025 for Schedule 2 (Institution Code: 6184,
Department Code: 99 for TOEFL).
Notes:- (TOEFL iBT) Either a recent, valid Test Date score or
the MyBest score must be sent to our office.

10

GRE (General) Score Report○

Read through the remarks-Applicants whose native language is English or who
have obtained or are expected to a Bachelor’s or otheradvanced degree from an accredited institution ofhigher education where English is the primary languageof instruction are not required to submit a TOEFL nor
IELTS score.
Instead they should describe their English fluency inthe application form.
1) [PDF] A copy of your Test Taker Score Report must
be uploaded to the designated link together with otherapplication documents by the application deadline.
2) A Graduate Institution Score Report should be sent,by the testing institution, directly to the GPEAK
Admissions Office and must arrive at the office by
December 2, 2024 for Schedule 1 or July 22, 2025 for
Schedule 2 (Institution Code: 8326, Department Code:5199).

11

Passport-style ID photo○

JPEG (1)Note:-Subject test scores may be submitted if available.
-4cm x 3cm-Taken within the last 6 months

12

Proof of Citizenship○

PDF (1)-Upper frontal view without hat-A photocopy of your passport, your census register orother proof of citizenship.

13

Japanese Proficiency Certificate△

PDF (1)-Optional, if available.

*〇: required, △: optional

Applicants to the Ph.D. Course who expect to obtain a Master’s degree from GPES are only required to submit thosematerials listed under 1, 3, and 11.
-4-(5) Applicant NumberYour applicant number will be downloadable from the online system during the designated period. For details, pleasecheck the instructions which will be updated later on the GPES website above.

(6) Application schedules(i) Schedule 1
Document assessments and interviews (if applicable) will be conducted by the end of December 2024.
Applicants chosen to be interviewed will be notified of the details of the interview through e-mail by early December.
(ii) Schedule 2
Document assessments and interviews (if applicable) will be conducted by the end of August 2025.
Applicants chosen to be interviewed will be notified of the details of the interview through e-mail by early August.

6. After Admission/ Enrollment Information(1) Announcement of selection results and admission procedures(i) The applicant numbers of the successful candidates in Schedule 1 will be announced on the Komaba I Campus
homepage athttps://www.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/eng_site/index.html at noon on January 16, 2025 (Japan Standard Time). In addition,a letter of acceptance will be sent to successful candidates. No letters will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
(ii) The applicant numbers of the successful candidates in Schedule 2 will be announced on the Komaba I Campus
homepage athttps://www.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/eng_site/index.html at noon on October 1, 2025 (Japan Standard Time). In addition, a
letter of acceptance will be sent to successful candidates. No letters will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.
(iii) No telephone, fax or e-mail inquiries regarding results will be accepted.
(iv) A Certificate of Admission along with other documents related to visa and admission procedures will be sent tosuccessful candidates after confirming your acceptance of our offer. Students who receive the certificate ofadmission must pay the enrollment fee and complete the appropriate admission procedures during the designatedperiod according to our directions. If the proper admission procedures are not completed during the above period,
then admission will be nullified.
(v) Results of the selection process regarding those applicants to the Ph.D. Course who expect to obtain a Master’s
degree from GPES in August 2025 will be announced on the Komaba I Campus homepage athttps://www.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/eng_site/index.html noon on August 8, 2025 (Japan Standard Time).
(vi) Results of the selection process regarding those applicants to the Ph.D. Course who expect to obtain a Master’s
degree from GPES in March 2026 will be announced on the Komaba I Campus homepage athttps://www.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/eng_site/index.html noon on March 2, 2026 (Japan Standard Time).
(2) GPES Enrollment and Tuition Fees (subject to change)(i) Enrollment Fee: JPY 282,000(ii) Annual Tuition Fee: JPY 520,800
Please note that all fees are subject to change. If fees are revised upon enrollment or while enrolled, the revised fees
shall be applied to the next payment required after the revision. MEXT scholars are exempt from paying these fees.

Notes
-5-

(1) No amendments to the submitted documents are allowed under any circumstances, however, any changes in name,home address, or mailing address etc. made after document submission must be reported to the GPEAK
Admissions Office immediately.
(2) The enrollment fee will not be refunded under any circumstances.
(3) International students are required to obtain an appropriate visa according to the Immigration Control and Refugee
Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951) prior to undertaking the enrollment procedure.
(4) Those with disabilities may request special accommodation for examination and study. If you wish to apply forsuch accommodation, please contact GPEAK Admissions Office (office［at］gpes.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp) at yourearliest convenience before your application.
(5) The University will retrospectively cancel the admission of any student who is found to have falsified any of theirpersonal information, academic records or other documents accompanying the application form.
(6) Application procedures and related schedules subject to change. If changes are made, applicants will be notified by
the GPEAK Admissions Office.
(7) The University of Tokyo has established "The University of Tokyo Security Export Control Regulations" inaccordance with Japan’s “Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act”, and rigorously screens potential
international students on the basis of these regulations. In particular, international students and some Japanese
students are required to undergo screening prior to acceptance.
Therefore, students should be aware that if they fall under any of the items regulated by the Foreign Exchange andForeign Trade Law, even if they are finally accepted through the selection process of the entrance examination, they
may not be allowed to enroll thereafter, or their desired research activities may be restricted after enrollment.
(8) The University of Tokyo shall use the personal information obtained through the application process only for the
purpose of (1) Selection procedures, (2) Notification of results and (3) Enrollment procedures. For those who enroll,this personal information and the examination results used for admission selection shall also be used for (4)Educational Affairs (school registration, attendance, etc.), (5) Student Support (healthcare, career support, application
procedure for tuition exemption and scholarships, use of libraries, etc.) and (6) the Management of tuition payment.
The examination results used for admission selection may be used in future studies for the improvement of admission
and education systems at the University of Tokyo.

Contact
GPEAK Admissions Office
Academic Affairs Division
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo
3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902 JAPANE-Mail: office@gpes.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp-6-Appendix
Persons who fulfill at least one of the following requirements are eligible to apply for the Ph.D. Course.

(1) Those who are expected to obtain before the enrollment date, a Master's or a professional degree from the
University of Tokyo.
(2) Those who have already obtained a Master's or a professional degree from the University of Tokyo.
(3) Those who have obtained or are expected to obtain before the enrollment date a Master's or a professional
degree from a Japanese university other than the University of Tokyo. (Note 1)(4) Those who have been conferred a Master's degree or are expected to be conferred before the enrollment
date from the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education(NIAD).
(5) Those who have been conferred or are expected to be conferred before the enrollment date a degree
equivalent to a Master’s or a professional degree abroad. (Note 2)(6) Those who have completed, or are expected to complete before the enrollment date, a program in an
educational institution in Japan that is designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology, which provides program of a foreign graduate school within the school education system of aforeign country, and have conferred or are expected to be conferred a degree equivalent to a Master’s or aprofessional degree.
(7) Those who have completed or are expected to complete a program at the United Nations University andhave been conferred a degree equivalent to that of a Master's degree or are expected to be conferred before
the enrollment date.
(8) Those who have passed or are expected to pass before the enrollment date a screening for the fundamental
ability for doctorate dissertation research as specified in Article 16 -2 of the Standards for Establishment ofGraduate Schools at a school abroad, an educational institution mentioned in Requirement (6) above, or theUnited Nations University, shall be recognized by this graduate school as having abilities at least equivalent
to those who have a Master's degree. (Note 3)(9) Those who have graduated from a Japanese university or have completed at least 16 years of academic
education overseas, and have been engaged in research at a university, research institute or other institution in
Japan or abroad for at least 2 years, or are expected to have been engaged in research for at least 2 years before
the enrollment date, and shall be recognized by this graduate school as having abilities at least equivalent tothose who have a Master’s or a professional degree as a result of said research. (Note 1) (Note 2) (Note 3)(Note 4)(10) Those who are 24 years or older as of the enrollment date, whom this graduate school has recognized,
through individual screening of entrance qualifications, as having abilities that are at least equivalent to a
Master’s or a professional degree holder. (Note 5)
NOTES TO APPENDIX(Note 1)
Japanese universities mentioned in Requirements (3) and (9) above are universities within the boundaries of Japan andas prescribed in Article 83 of the School Education Law.
(Note 2)Requirements (5) and (9) above includes the case of having completed a correspondence program provided by a foreignschool of said country while residing in Japan.
(Note 3)Those who wish to apply under Requirement (8) or (9) above must contact the GPEAK Admissions Office by September
2, 2024 (Schedule 1) or April 11, 2025 (Schedule 2) and submit all the documents specified by the GPEAK Admissions
Office as the eligibility for application is confirmed in advance by document screening. Please inquire the GPEAK
Admissions Office in advance about the eligibility for application and the documents to be submitted.
(Note 4)
Requirement (9) applies to those who have been engaged (or are expected to have been engaged) on a full-time basis orequivalent to full-time status in research at a university, research institute or other institution in Japan or abroad for atleast 2 years.
-7-

(Note 5)(a) Those covered under Requirement (10) applies to those who do not qualify under Requirements (1) through (9)above, but are recognized, through individual screening of entrance qualifications by this graduate school, as having
attained the equivalent of a Master's or a professional degree.
(b) Those who wish to apply based on Requirement (10) above must contact the GPEAK Admissions Office bySeptember 2, 2024 (Schedule 1) or April 11, 2025 (Schedule 2) and submit all the documents specified by the GPEAK
Admissions Office as the eligibility for application is confirmed individually in advance by document screening. Pleaseinquire the GPEAK Admissions Office in advance about the eligibility for application and the documents to be submitted.
(c) Those who are recognized as having abilities that are at least equivalent to a Master’s or a professional degree holder
through screening of qualifications will be permitted to apply and take the entrance examination. The results of thisscreening will be notified by e-mail.

-8-