FAQ

For all inquiries, please click the ITASIA Chatbot button in the bottom left corner for assistance.

*The information below is subject to change (last updated on September 2024).

GENERAL

Q. I want to know if my application documents have been received by the ITASIA Admissions Office.

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.

Q. I wonder if I should contact one or more faculty members of my research interests in advance of my application.

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.

Q. Should applicants reapply for a Master’s degree because the number of spots in the Ph.D. program is limited or filled by internal students?

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.

Q. Since the online application takes some time to complete, can I save my progress and resume it later?

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. 

Q. I sent inquiries to the Admissions Office but have not heard back. I wonder if the office didn’t get my emails.

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.

Q. Can I get the application guidelines from past years?

A. No. To avoid confusion, we do not distribute guidelines from previous years.

EVALUATION FORMS

Q. May I change my referee after I have submitted my application?

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.

Q. May I replace one of the evaluation forms because my referee has difficulty submitting it and it may not reach the Admissions Office in time?

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.

Q. Is it okay to submit an extra evaluation form in case any of my other references are not received by the Admissions Office in time?

A. No. The evaluation forms must be from the two individuals you listed on your application.

Q. My referee does not have an institutional email address. Can he/she still submit the evaluation form using a personal email address?

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.

Q. My referee was supposed to have submitted an evaluation form online. May I check if the ITASIA Admissions Office has received 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.

Q. Can I ask my employer to submit the evaluation form?

A. Since evaluation forms must consider your potential for graduate-level study and research, academic references are preferred. 

Q. My referee(s) did not receive a request from the admissions office. What should I do?

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 itasiaao2025[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.

OFFICIAL PROOF OF GRADUATION / TRANSCRIPTS

Q. Is it okay to submit digital copies of certificates?

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). 

Q. What should I do if I’m unable to get paper-based copies of my certificates due to COVID-19?

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.

Q. Can I send a downloadable e-certificate directly from my institution to the ITASIA Admissions Office by email?

A. No. The ITASIA Admissions Office cannot accept any digital certificates directly delivered from institutions via emails. 

Q. What should I do if my institution only issues a digital certificate?

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.

Q. My official proof of graduation (diploma) can only be issued once and is not replicable. What should I do?

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.

Q. I have not graduated from my degree program yet. What do I need to submit?

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. 

Q. Can you accept certificates in a language other than English?

A. No. If any documents are not written in English or Japanese, an official English or Japanese translation should be attached. 

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS (TOEFL/IELTS)

Q. Do I still have to take TOEFL or IELTS if I have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an English-speaking institution?

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.

Q. I am not sure if I am meeting the criteria for English test exemptions. Can I confirm my eligibility with the Admissions Office?

A. No. The Admissions Office cannot confirm with individual applicants whether or not they are eligible for exemptions, since individual circumstances vary from applicant to applicant. Please note that admission decisions will be made based upon a comprehensive review of all of the application materials submitted by applicants.

Q. Can I send both TOEFL and IELTS tests?

A. No. Applicants only need to send an official score report for one of these two examinations. Please do not send both scores.

Q. I want to know if my scores have been received by the Admissions Office.

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.

Q. What is the average score or the qualifying score?

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. 

Q. What is the TOEFL designated institutional name and code for the ITASIA Program ?

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).

Q. How do I send IELTS official Test Report Forms (TRF) to the ITASIA Program ?

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.

Q. Are TOEFL iBT “MyBest Scores” considered in admissions?

A. Yes, TOEFL iBT “MyBest Scores” will be considered in reviewing your application.

Q. Does the ITASIA Program accept TOEFL® ITPTM Plus for China?

A. Yes, the ITASIA Program is on the list of institutions currently accepting the TOEFL ITP Plus for China solution (PDF).

Q. Can I take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition (IELTS Online)?

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.

Q. Do you accept test scores reported online?

A. Yes. We accept online (electronical) submission of test scores. You do not need to submit both online and paper-based results.

Q. Which is better for sending TOEFL official reports from ETS to ITASIA: electronically or via postal mail?

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.

GRE

Q. Do I need to take GRE test? Is it mandatory?

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.

Q. What is the GRE institutional name and code for the ITASIA Program ?

A. “U Tokyo Grad Sch Inter Info 3560”.

Q. What is the average score or the qualifying score?

A. This information is confidential. Such inquiries will not be answered.

Q. I want to know if my Official Score Reports have been received by the Admissions Office.

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.

Q. Can I take the GRE General Test at home?

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.

Q. Do you accept test scores reported online?

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.

WRITING SAMPLE

Q. I have not yet completed my undergraduate/Master’s thesis at the time of application. What should I do?

 
A. If a prospective M.A.S. program applicant has not yet completed his/her undergraduate thesis at the time of application, an interim thesis report or draft is acceptable. If a prospective Ph.D. program applicant has not yet completed his/her Master’s thesis, then an interim thesis report or draft is acceptable.

Q. My thesis/research paper is focused on a different topic than what I wish to study in the ITASIA Program. In this case, what should I submit?

 
A. If the applicant has a more suitable paper related to the intended research, then it may be submitted instead.

Q. I am not sure what to submit as my writing sample. 

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. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

Q. I checked “yes” to be considered for scholarships on the Application Form. Does it mean I don’t have to apply for scholarships on my own?

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).

Q. I would like to apply for the University Recommended MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship. What are the procedures?

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.

Q. I would like to be accepted to the ITASIA program as an Embassy Recommended MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship student. What are the procedures? How can I obtain a Letter of Acceptance?

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.

Q. I am an Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship student at another university, but would like to enroll in the ITASIA Program. How can I be accepted while keeping my scholarship status? What are the admission procedures?

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.

SELECTION RESULTS

Q. I heard some applicants have already received their selection results while I have not. Does this mean I was not accepted?

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.

Q. Can I appeal to my choice of advisor to be admitted to the program?

A. Admissions decisions are not made by individual faculty and cannot be appealed.

OTHER

Q. What should I do if my name on certificates is different from my current name? 

A. If the name on the any certificate(s) is different from your current name, please submit one official document certifying the name change. 

Q. I do not have a valid passport. What can replace it?

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.)

Q. I heard that the Japanese academic calendar starts in April. Is this the case for the ITASIA Program?

A2. No. The ITASIA Program starts in October and no enrollment in April is offered.

Q. What is the availability of university housing?

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).

Q. Where do students come from?

A. The ITASIA Program has admitted students from over 25 different countries, with most coming from China and USA (as of 2017).