*The information below is subject to change (last updated on September 2024).
A1. The ITASIA Admissions Office is unable to respond to such inquiries. Applicants are fully responsible for completing the online application form by the deadline.
A. It is not necessary to contact potential supervisors before applying to the ITASIA Program to confirm their willingness to serve as your advisor. Faculty appearing at the top of the “Faculty” list of the ITASIA Webpage are all accepting new Masters and Doctoral students (unless otherwise noted). However, it is beneficial to research the faculty profiles on the ITASIA homepage to identify faculty members whose expertise aligns with your research interests.
A. No, applicants should not reapply for a Master’s degree solely due to concerns that Ph.D. spots are limited or reserved for internal candidates. The more critical factor is whether they are adequately prepared for both the demands of the Ph.D. program and the specific field of their proposed research. If an applicant’s prior academic background differs significantly from their intended research area, reapplying for a Master’s degree may be in their best interest to build the necessary foundation.
A. Yes. At the bottom of the application form page, there is a button to “Save and Resume Later” that will generate a link allowing you to work on the application form later. The link to resume expires after 30 days. Please be sure to keep a record of the link in order to resume your application later. However, once you submit the application, you cannot go back and edit it again.
A. For some particular questions the Admissions Office will be unable to respond individually. Please read through FAQs once again to see if your questions have been already answered. If you asked other general questions and didn’t get a response within 3 business days, we’re afraid your emails didn’t reach us. Please try to send it again. Note: Inquiries to the Admissions Office are expected to increase as the application deadline approaches, causing delay in responses. We strongly encourage applicants to take time well in advance to prepare applications.
A. No. To avoid confusion arising from changes, we do not distribute guidelines from previous years.
A. Yes, it is possible. Even if you already hold a Master’s degree, you may still apply to the ITASIA Master’s Program. There is no restriction against holding more than one Master’s degree; many individuals pursue additional graduate degrees to gain expertise in new fields or to shift their academic or professional trajectory.
A. No. We will NOT accept evaluations from anyone whose name is not listed on your application form. We encourage you to ensure that your referees fully understand and agree to submit the evaluation form by the deadline.
A. No. If your referee cannot submit the letter for some reason, he/she may contact us directly by email, using the email address that you have listed on your application.
A. No. The evaluation forms must be from the two individuals you listed on your application.
A. No. If your referee does not have an institutional email address that matches with the address on your application form, then we are unable to accept it.
A. The online system will automatically send you a notification via email when evaluation forms have been received. If you have not received these emails, please be sure to check the junk mail of the email address that you specified on the Application Registration form.
A. Since evaluation forms must consider your potential for graduate-level study and research, academic references are preferred.
A. Please report your referee’s name and email address to the ITASIA Admissions Office, while making sure in advance that your referee can receive an HTML email from a Gmail account. We will resend a request email to your referee in the following 1-3 business days. If he/she still does not receive any email from us, please ask your referee to directly contact us at itasiaao2026[at]iii.u-tokyo.ac.jp. Note: Inquiries to the Admissions Office are expected to increase as the application deadline approaches, causing delay in responses. We strongly encourage applicants to take time well in advance to prepare registration of evaluation forms.
A. At the time of online application, you are required to submit your official certificates in a PDF format. They must be certified with the seal/stamp of the university from which you graduated or its registrar. Please note that you will be later required to submit original hard copies (paper-based certificates) to the ITASIA Admissions Office as part of your enrollment procedures (if successfully admitted).
A. Despite the current crisis, nearly every institution has implemented some means of ensuring the delivery of official certificates. Please inquire at the Registrar’s Office of your home university or college.
A. No. The ITASIA Admissions Office cannot accept any digital certificates directly delivered from institutions via emails.
A. In that case, (1) you may print out your digital certificate and have it notarized by the institution that originally issued it or by a notary public office, or (2) you must have your officials to write a letter to the ITASIA Admissions Office that they only issue digital certificate. For further questions, please contact the ITASIA Admissions Office.
A. In that case, you must make a copy of your diploma and have it notarized by the institution that originally issued it or by a notary public office. You may also request the ITASIA Admissions Office for notarization if you wish. Or, if your official transcript provides full details of the degree (degree title and conferral date), submission of official proof of graduation is not necessary. For further questions, please contact the ITASIA Admissions Office.
A. If you have not graduated from your degree program at the time of application, you must submit proof of anticipated degree, which states the degree to be earned and the date of your expected graduation. This document may be a certificate or a letter, but must be officially stamped/sealed by your institution.
A. No. If any documents are not written in English or Japanese, an official English or Japanese translation should be attached.
A. A TOEFL or IELTS score is required of all non-native English-speakers. You may identify yourself as a native speaker of English only if English is your first language or you have been educated primarily in the English-language in your primary and secondary education (elementary, middle, and high). However, no applicant will be disqualified on the basis of this definition since individual circumstances vary from applicant to applicant.
A. There are no exemptions from the English language examination requirement. If you do not clearly fit the definition of a native English speaker above but believe you should be considered as one, you may declare yourself as a native speaker on the application. However, you must include a detailed justification explaining your circumstances in the Personal Statement section of your online application. The Admissions Office cannot pre-screen or pre-approve any applicant’s native speaker status. All applications will be evaluated through a comprehensive review of all submitted materials.
A. No. Applicants only need to send an official score report for one of these two examinations. Please do not send both scores.
A. The Admissions Office cannot answer such inquiries. Please note that applicants are fully responsible for ordering and submitting official score reports early enough so that they arrive at the Admissions Office by the application deadline.
A. The ITASIA Program does not have specific minimum or required scores for the GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS. Instead, we conduct a holistic review of each application, considering all submitted materials to assess an applicant’s overall qualifications.
A. “University of Tokyo-Grad School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies: ITASIA” (D175). If a department code is required, please select “Other departments not listed” (99).
A. The ITASIA Program is part of the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Studies, which is formally registered to receive official scores from IELTS. You can select up to 5 institutions during IELTS registration to receive your scores. After taking the test, you can log into your IELTS account to request score reporting.
A. Yes, TOEFL iBT “MyBest Scores” will be considered in reviewing your application.
A. Yes, the ITASIA Program is on the list of institutions currently accepting the TOEFL ITP Plus for China solution (PDF).
A. Applicants may take a TOEFL or IELTS test at a test center or at home (online) as long as their official score reports can be directly sent from the test organization to the ITASIA Admissions Office. For the details of scores, please contact the concerned test center.
A. Yes. We accept online (electronical) submission of test scores. You do not need to submit both online and paper-based results.
A. Electronic delivery is likely the better option for sending TOEFL official reports from ETS. Not only does it arrive significantly faster—typically within 4–8 business days—but it is also more reliable. By sending reports electronically, you eliminate the risks associated with postal mail, such as potential delays, loss, or damage during transit. While ITASIA does accept both electronic and postal reports, opting for electronic transmission ensures a smoother and more secure process.
Q. How long does it take a test score to get delivered to the ITASIA Admissions Office?
A. For TOEFL, electronic score reports typically reach the University of Tokyo within 4–8 business days, while paper reports can take 10–12 business days for processing, plus 4–6 weeks for international delivery. For IELTS, electronic reports usually arrive within 5–7 business days, while paper forms may take longer, depending on postal services. It is recommended to check directly with ETS (for TOEFL) and IELTS, as they handle the processing and reporting of scores.
A. A GRE test score is required of ALL applicants, except those who are currently enrolled in the ITASIA program or are graduates of the ITASIA M.A.S program applying for the ITASIA Ph.D program within two years of graduation.
A. “3560-UNIV TOKYO GRAD SCH INTER INFO”
A. This information is confidential. Such inquiries will not be answered.
A. The Admissions Office cannot answer such inquiries. Please note that applicants are fully responsible for ordering and submitting official score reports early enough so that they arrive at the Admissions Office by the application deadline.
A. You may take a GRE test at a test center or at home as long as your required official score report can be directly sent from the ETS to our institution code. Concerning the details of score reports, please contact the ETS or the test center in charge of your area.
A. Yes. We accept Official Score Reports delivered through the ETS Data Manager. You do not need to submit both online and paper-based results.
Q. How long does it take a test score to get delivered to the ITASIA Admissions Office?
A. We cannot answer such inquiries. For the details of score delivery, please contact the ETS or the test center in charge of your area.
A. What to submit as your writing sample is left to the applicant’s decision. Please prepare what you believe is best suitable to demonstrate your potential for academic research in terms of both content and length.
A. Exceptional applicants may be offered a scholarship at the time of the notification of acceptance. However, we strongly encourage applicants to explore all opportunities for scholarships both before and after applying (see Tuition).
A. The ITASIA Program does not call for public applications for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship. Exceptional applicants may be offered to be candidates of financial aid, including MEXT scholarships and other merit-based scholarships, at the time of the notification of acceptance. If you are interested, please check “yes” to be considered for merit-based scholarships on your application form.
A. If you would like to obtain a “Letter of Acceptance” for MEXT scholarship, first of all, you must pass the Preliminary Selection Examination given by the Japanese Embassy / Consulate General in your home country. After passing the Preliminary Selection Examination, you are requested to take steps as indicated on the international admission page of the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies (GSII) (See “How to request “Letter of Acceptance” for MEXT scholarship”). Currently a “Letter of Acceptance” can be only issued for entrance as an International Research Student (a non-regular course) at the GSII. If you would like to be accepted to the ITASIA Program (a regular course) as an Embassy Recommended MEXT student, you will need to apply for the ITASIA admissions and pass the exam separately after you have received the letter of acceptance from the GSII.
A. All applicants, including those who are granted a MEXT Scholarship at other universities, who wish to be admitted to the ITASIA Program must pass the entrance exam. Please make your application to the ITASIA Admissions Office during the admission period. On the other hand, if you wish to maintain your status as an Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship student, you need to apply for an extension of the scholarship period and be approved by MEXT. The procedures of extension must be done by the university to which you are currently affiliated. For details, please first check with the relevant office of your current university.
A. Applicants will receive final notification of acceptance by the end of March. Applicants who have not been notified by this date, should contact the ITASIA Admissions Office. Otherwise, the Admissions Office will be unable to answer such inquiries.
A. Admissions decisions are not made by individual faculty and cannot be appealed.
A. All students are assigned a tentative academic advisor prior to matriculation. After six months in the program, students may register and/or confirm their official academic advisor. In principle, each student is supervised by one main academic advisor; however, depending on the student’s academic needs or at the recommendation of the advisor, a sub-advisor may also be appointed. Students may change their advisor at any time, subject to the consent of both the current and prospective advisor, and with final approval from the faculty.
Q: Are the ITASIA Program’s required courses taught in English? Can I take Japanese language courses instead?
A: Yes, the ITASIA Program’s required courses are taught entirely in English. These courses cannot be substituted with Japanese language courses, as they are essential for fulfilling the program’s degree requirements.
Q: Can I take elective courses taught in Japanese? Will they count towards my degree?
A: Yes, you are welcome to take elective courses offered in Japanese. These courses will be recognized as credits towards your degree. We recommend discussing your course plan with your academic advisor for flexibility.
Q: Does the ITASIA Program require me to write my master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in English?
A: Yes, the ITASIA Program mandates that all theses be written and submitted in English.
A. If the name on the any certificate(s) is different from your current name, please submit one official document certifying the name change.
A. In that case, please submit an official document that shows your name and nationality(ies). (If a document is in a language other than English or Japanese, a translation must be attached.)
A2. No. The ITASIA Program starts in October and no enrollment in April is offered.
A. University housing is limited, but students may apply several times a year (both prior and after arrival in Japan). Often housing becomes more available from the spring (see Living).
A. The ITASIA Program has admitted students from over 30 countries (as of 2024).
