The Special Selection for International Applicants

Students who wish to apply during the application period listed below should prepare and submit their applications in accordance with these guidelines.
1.From October 15 to October 30, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in April 2027
2.From October 15 to October 30, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in October 2027
3.From December 7 to December 22, 2026 (JST): for applicants wishing to enroll in October 2027

This page contains information about the requirements and exam details for this department in the “Special Selection for International Applicants” conducted by the Graduate School of Science.

Please refer to the “Special Selection for International Applicants” page on the Graduate School of Science website for information about application qualifications, application periods for desired admission periods, and general application guidelines.

This page is for Special Selection for International Applicants(held only in English). If you wish to take an equivalent examination in Japanese, please refer to this page.

Regarding GRE scores in the application materials

You must submit a score for either general, subject Physics or subject Mathematics.
Please check with the potential supervising professor(s) you wish to consult beforehand to see which one you should submit.

Online Examination

Applicants who pass the documentary assessment will be invited by the Department to take an online examination.
The final admission decision regarding the success or failure of applications will be announced by the Graduate School Office (not by the Department).

The time required differs depending on whether you are applying for a master’s or doctoral program, so please refer to the following.

Preparation of presentation materials in advance

The applicants should prepare a presentation that can be displayed online using software such as Powerpoint.
The online examination will be held using Zoom.
There will be a “connection test day” before the test date, so you can also check your connection environment there.

Online Examination （Master’s Course Applications）

Oral exam: 20 minutes
The oral examination will consist of a 10-minute presentation of your research background and research plan in the University of Tokyo, followed by 10 minutes of questions by the examiners.

※GSGC

If you apply to GSGC, you will be required to take a separate online academic aptitude test (20 minutes).
During your preliminary interview with the faculty member you wish to study under, please select one subject from mathematics, physics, or earth science.
The online academic aptitude test for your selected subject will be administered after the online oral examination.

Online Examination (Doctoral Course Applications)

Oral exam: 40 minutes
Doctoral course applicants are required to take an oral examination lasting 40 minutes and consisting of a 20-minute presentation of your master’s (or equivalent) study and a 5-minute presentation of your research plan at the University of Tokyo, followed by 15 minutes of questioning by the examiners.

Dates of the Online Examinations

*Schedules are subject to change

Self-financed study abroad or University Recommended Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship for 2027

Application period(s)	October 15, 2025 to October 30, 2026
Exam Date	Any one day between November 10 and November 23, 2026
Enrollment	April 2027 (private funding) or October 2027 (university-recommended government funding)

Self-financed study abroad or GSGC

Application period(s)	December 7, 2026 to December 22, 2026
Exam Date	Any one day between January 9 and 29, 2027
Enrollment	October 2027

GSGC

Students wishing to apply to the GSGC should select a faculty member from the the list of faculty members who is affiliated with the Earthquake Research Institute and whom they wish to have as their advisor.
If you apply to GSGC, you will be required to take a separate online academic aptitude test (20 minutes).
During your preliminary interview with the faculty member you wish to study under, please select one subject from mathematics, physics, or earth science.
The online academic aptitude test for your selected subject will be administered after the online oral examination.

Application Calendar

QA（Special Selection for International Applicants）

General

What is the difference between the general entrance examination and the special selection International Applicants?

The general entrance examination is conducted in Japanese only. The Special Selection International Applicants examination is conducted in English only. The general entrance examination page is only available in Japanese, if you cannot understand it in Japanese, we recommend that you take the Special Selection for International Applicants.

What should I do if I want to take the special selection examination for International Applicants?

1. Please read the page for the Graduate School of Science Special Selection for International Applicants carefully.
2. Please read this page for the Department of Earth and Planetary Science Special Selection for International Applicants carefully.
3. Find a faculty member you would like to be your academic advisor from the list of faculty members, contact them directly, and have a preliminary interview.
4. Apply from the Special Selection for International Students Application Page.

Can I apply for both the general entrance examination and the special selection for International Applicants?

Applicants for both Master’s and Doctoral programs are not allowed to submit more than one application for the same enrollment term in the Graduate School of Science. However, applicants are allowed to apply for both “Special Selection for International Applicants” and “Global Science Graduate Course (GSGC)” for the same enrollment term.
For more information, please contact the Graduate School Office.

Regarding the Special Selection for International Applicants

What do I need to apply?

Please check the page for the Graduate School of Science’s Special Selection for International Applicants.
In principle, TOEFL scores are required, and GRE scores are required.
In principle, TOEFL scores are required, but there are cases where this requirement may be waived depending on conditions such as being born in an English-speaking country.
If you have questions concerning your eligibility, please contact the Graduate School of Science.
About GRE, You must submit a score for either general, subject Physics or subject Mathematics.
Please check with the potential supervising professor(s) you wish to consult beforehand to see which one you should submit.

Can I submit TOEIC, IELTS or other certificates instead of a TOEFL score?

No, you cannot. For more information, please contact the Graduate School Office.

Do you have past papers for the online test?

Past questions are not published.

What is the pass rate?

The pass rate is not published.

What is GSGC?

Please check the GSGC website.
For more information, please contact the Graduate School Office.

Others

Are there any scholarships?

Please check the scholarship page.
For more information, please contact the International Team.

Is there a dormitory?

Please check the page for support for international students.
For more information, please contact the International Team.

What kind of support systems are available?

Please check the page for support for international students.
For more information, please contact the International Team.

Is it possible to obtain a degree in English only, even if I don’t understand Japanese?

If an international student requests it, lectures at the Graduate School of Science will be given in English. (There are some exceptions, such as joint lectures with the undergraduate school.)
If you can use English, it is possible to obtain a degree even if you cannot understand Japanese.
In addition, lectures to learn Japanese are also offered, so please consider taking them if you want to use Japanese in your daily life.
For details, please check the page for support for international students. If you have any questions, please contact the International Team.

Contact Details for Inquiries

Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
web:Special Selection for International Applicants (Master’s and Doctoral Programs)
email: daigakuin.s[at]gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Office of the Department of Earth and Planetary Science
email: gakumu-eps.s[at]gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Please convert [at] to @ and send.