Academic documents

Q1. I have not written my thesis yet. What should I do?

A1. You may not have written a thesis yet. In that case, it can be substituted by your recent research paper or project paper.
- If you are applying for a Master’s degree program, please send us a brief statement about your graduation thesis for your Bachelor’s degree.
- If you are applying for a Doctoral degree program, please send us a brief statement about your Master’s degree thesis.
- If you are applying for a Doctoral degree program and have not yet started writing the Master’s degree graduation thesis, please send us a summary of your Bachelor’s degree graduation thesis instead.
- If you have not written a graduation thesis, please provide the title of an essay or project which is related to your research field.

Q2. What should I write about under “Research Field”? Do I need to mention the name of a faculty member?

A2. Firstly, please refer to the website of your chosen program/course and select your preferred research field. The study area must fall within a field acceptable to one of the faculty members of the course.

If you have any specific research fields you would like to focus on, please write them down within 40 words. You can write precise information such as the detailed research topic, laboratory name, and so on. If your preference is still vague, please write the general research field you would like to focus on at the University of Tokyo. If you have the name of a specific laboratory and/or faculty member, please also write them down.

Please note that your preference/s cannot be guaranteed due to the limited number of places available in the laboratories of faculty members.

Q3. How should I write my Study Plan/Research Proposal?

A3. The study plan can be divided into five parts: motivation, objective, methodology, expected results, and schedule.

Please specify your field of study at your home institution. For instance, specify your study plan at the University of Tokyo's School of Engineering by outlining your academic goals and the reason why you wish to take the courses listed in your “Field of Study”. Please also outline how they relate to your study at your prior institution.

When outlining your study plan, please briefly explain the research topic and research question. Also explain how you intend to approach the research topic through reference to the methodology. If possible, make note of any particular data sets, sources of information or fieldwork that you consider to be necessary.

This statement needs to be written on one or two separate sheets of paper in English in no more than 1,000 words.

Q4. I am applying for the G30 program. Is it true that I should upload my Statement of Purpose as AF2_Statement of Study Plans?

A4. Yes. The G30 program applicants (only) need to downlaod the specified file, statementof purpose, from T-cens, fill it in, and upload this file as AF2_Statement of Study Plans.docx..

Q5 What should I write in the fields at 1) Cumulative Grade Point Average and 4) Percentages under Form 2 at the APPLY page? My university's transcript does not include any one of them.

A5. Please provide, if applicable, your academic grades as stated officially in your transcript. If none of them are stated in your transcript, you can just leave these fields blank.

Q6. How can I upload my transcript and the grading system in the File Upload page under the Applying tab? My full transcript shows the grading system on the backside of my transcript.

A6.Use academic_transcript_Bachelor, academic_transcript_Master and grade_and_grading_system effectively, and show us all grades given to you as well as the grading system of the universities you attended.

If your transcripts does not show the grading system at your university, you can upload a screenshot of the university website, and an explanatory letter issued by your university authorities about your grade and the university’s grading system at the space titled as grade_and_grading_system.

Q7. What is the JAPANESE GPA?

A7. Applicants for the Global 30 program, (International Technology Management Program in the Department of Technology Management for Innovation (TMI)), need to calculate their grade point average (GPA) as per the Japanese standard. We call this Japanese way of calculation “the Japanese GPA” in order to distinguish it from the one you may get from the university you have or will graduate from. Obviously, this is not the grade for Japanese language. For more details, please refer to the file uploaded at File Submission 1.

Q8. I have some work experience at an architect's office as an intern while at university. Can I submit the design work produced during my internship in my portfolio?

A8. You can submit your own design work produced during your previous office and/or professional work experience. In the case of a team effort, the name(s) of the project(s) you participated in and your role in the project(s) must be clearly indicated.

Q9. I am an applicant for the G30UDA (Architecture) and want to know the detailed requirements on portfolio.

A9. As mentioned in the Submission Checklist which you can dowload from T-cens, the size of prints should not be larger than A4. There is no limitation on numbers of pages, but please try to consider the volume. We believe approximately ten (10) pages are appropriate. For more details, please confirm the Submission Checklist.

Q10. I do not have a valid passport now. What should I do?

A10. As mentioned in this Guidance Information, a photocopy of your valid passport is most preferable. However, if you do not have a passport at the time of application, a photocopy of a census register, or other proof of citizenship can be accepted. An identification card with your photo is preferable. Please do NOT send the original.

Personal Identification:

Q11. I do not have a valid passport right now. What should I write in the field about "passport name"?

A11. If you do not have a valid passport, please write your officially registered name registered in a census register, or other proof of citizenship.

Q12. My name is officially written in the order of [Family Name] [Middle Name] [First Name] in my home country. Is it inconvenient if I write my name in my home country's style while filling in application documents?

A12. Please note that your name will appear on all documents at the University of Tokyo in the order of [Family Name], [First Name] [Middle Name]. The spelling of your name on all documents must be the same as the one on your official personal identification certificates, such as your valid passport (most preferred spelling).
For your information, some department offices may write your name in the format used in your home country; for example [Family Name] [Middle Name] [First Name]. After enrolling at the University of Tokyo, you can consult directly with the department office you are assigned to regarding this matter.

Q13. My name written in Kanji (Chinese simplified characters) is not displayed correctly on T-cens. What should I do?

A13. T-cens can only output regular Japanese characters and not Chinese simplified charaters. Please just leave them as it is or blank.

Academic Information

Q1. Where can I find a syllabus?

A1. Please refer to the "Useful Links" page for academic information such as the syllabus, lectures in English, academic calendar, and so on.

Useful Links

Application Process

Q1. Can I apply to two or more courses in the Graduate School of Engineering at the same time?

A1. No you cannot.
If you want to apply for another department, you should once withdraw from the course you are currently applying for, and then select the other course during its application period. For more details, please refer to the following web page. Eligibility Requirements

Q2. Why do I have to write two faculty members' names?

A2. The University of Tokyo, as the top university in Japan, has a strong research-oriented culture. As such, it competes with other leading universities around the world as a research-focused institution.

At the School of Engineering, all students are required to belong to a laboratory under the supervision of a professor and spend substantial amount of time engaged in research. By providing a wide range of laboratory programs, a rich research environment, and high-quality facilities, the university offers students abundant opportunities to cultivate their creativity.

You may be assigned to a faculty member within your chosen program/course. Your preferred research field and faculty members will be taken into account during the selection process. However, your preference cannot be guaranteed due to limited availability in each laboratory.
Please refer to the website of your chosen program/course before listing faculty members.
Application Tips

Q3. Must I find a prospective supervisor by myself and get a letter of acceptance from him/her?

A3. The selection procedures and policies vary among the International Admission Programs at the School of Engineering. You therefore need to follow instructions given by each Program. If in doubt, contact your ICT Admission Desk

Q4. Where can I find the APPLICATION FORM 1 (AF1) ?

A4.

After finishing the APPLY page under the APPLYING tab, please move to the SUBMIT page.

On the SUBMIT page, you can find AF1 for review. When you have finished reviewing your application, press the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. Then you will proceed to the "Post" page for postal submission.

At the POST page, please click AF1 for submission and generate APPLICATION FORM 1 (AF1).

Print out APPLICATION FORM 1 (AF1)and send it with other application documents.

Q5. In addition to the online application, do I need to send my documents by post?

A5. Applicaiton process varies depenging on the program/course you apply for.
Please go to the Course Summary of your chosen course and confirm its requirements.

Q6. What will happen if I do not send some required application documents by post?

A6. If your chosen course requires its applicant to send applicaiton documents, your application will be incomplete and will not be considered for evaluation.

Please go to the Course Summary of your chosen course and confirm its requirements.

Q7. Where can I find the address to send my documents by post?

A7. You need to send your application documents to your ICT Admissions Desk. The address is mentioned on the Submission Checklist, which you can download from the FileUpload page of your T-cens account and/or the Course Summary.
Please go to the Course Summary of your chosen course and check the Submission Checklist, where you can find the address of your ICT Admissions Desk.

Q8. My friends have received notifications of their results but I have not received anything. Can you provide me with information if I contact you directly?

A8. We will announce the results of the academic evaluation to all applicants by e-mail from each program as scheduled. We will not reply to any individual enquiries regarding results.

Eligibility

Q1. My total years of schooling are less than that of the Japanese standard. What should I do?

A1. In the Japanese education system, the requirements for time spent in schooling are 16 years for enrolment in a Master's degree program, and 18 years for a PhD degree program. If your total number of years schooling is less than the Japanese standard, please refer to the following website for more details. Individual Screening of Application Eligibility on the Eligibility page

For example:
If you have completed only 15 years of education because you were streamed into a fast-track syllabus through junior high school due to your excellent performance, please submit the certified documentation along with the other application documents.

Q2. I recently started my T-cens application and realized the deadline for Individual Screening of Application Eligibility has already passed. Would it still be possible for me to request the Individual Screening of Application Eligibility even after the deadline?

Q2. No, you cannot.
Please continue your T-cens online application and submit your documents by the postal submission deadline. Your ICT Admissions Desk will also review your documents to assess your eligibility (e.g. if your academic record is shorter than the required number of years in education).
Please note that this individual screening is conducted solely to determine application eligibility. You must still complete your T-cens online application even if you request this screening. Individual Screening of Application Eligibility on the Eligibility page

Enrolment Procedures

Submission Deadline

Q1. I cannot send all the required documents by the deadline. Can you accept them after the due date?

A1. We only accept a few specific documents if they satisfy the conditions mentioned in each Course Summary. All other documents must be sent by the application deadline.
In addition, you MUST press the Submit button in order to complete your online application, otherwise your application is incomplete and you will not be considered for entry.

Click the Course Summary button under the Courses List page. You can then find further application information, such as application schedule, required documents, course's guidelines, etc.

In addition, please confirm the URLs below. the Language Requirements GRE Test Scores Recommendations

System Problems

• Q1. What are the system requirements for application through T-cens? Can I use my tablet?
• Q2. I cannot upload my files on T-cens. What should I do? ?
• Q3. I cannot upload my files which are over 3 MB. What should I do?
• Q4. I cannot see the T-cens website page properly. What should I do? I am using Google Chrome and Safari web browsers.
• Q5. My photograph is not printed on my ACADEMIC APPLICATION form (AF1). What should I do?
• Q6. I have trouble opening files downloaded from T-cens. What should I do?

Q1. What are the system requirements for application through T-cens?
Can I use my tablet?

A1. No you cannot. Please do not access the T-cens system via mobile phones, tablets, or other browsers.
Please refer to the following site for more details. Recommended System Requirements for the T-cens System

 

Q2. I cannot upload my files on T-cens. What should I do?

A2. First please read the following section and follow the instructions. If you still have the same problem, please contact us by a separate e-mail.

Files<How to Apply through T-cens

Q3. I cannot upload my files which are over 3 MB. What should I do?

A3. Each uploaded file must be less than 2 MB except for your master thesis.
Note only for doctoral degree program applicants for the Department of Civil Engineering:
The maximum size for your master thesis file is 10 MB.

 

Q4. I cannot see the T-cens website page properly. What should I do? I am using Google Chrome and Safari web browsers.

A4. We assume this is because of the browser setting on your side.

Apparently, the page is not displayed properly. Please click on “compatibility view”, which is located on the top part of your display. It may solve the problem.  

Compatibility View button.

If not, please try to use another browser such as “Firefox or Google Chrome”. T-cens sometimes does not work well with IE. Recommended System Requirements for the T-cens System

Q5. My photograph is not printed on my ACADEMIC APPLICATION form (AF1). What should I do?

A5. Please glue your photograph directly onto your ACADEMIC APPLICATION Form (AF1).

 

Q5. I have trouble opening files downloaded from T-cens. What should I do?

A5. For IE users, this may happen because these files are opened in Protected View.
Please refer to What is Protected View? by Microsoft Office Support to solve the problem. (AF1).

What is Protected View?