For applicants residing abroad:

Astronomical Science Program of SOKENDAI  offers the following types of entrance examinations for applicants residing abroad. For details, please refer to the application guidelines.

Types of entrance examination

• Special admissions for applicants residing abroad (For international students with private financing or with scholarships from institutions or governments other than those of Japan)
• Programs: Five-year doctoral program / Three-year doctoral program
• Admission: April or October


• Admissions with MEXT scholarship (University Recommendation)
• Programs: Five-year doctoral program / Three-year doctoral program
• Admission: October


• Admissions with MEXT scholarship (University Recommendation -PGP-)
• Program: Five-year doctoral program
• Admission: October

Selection method

• Paper screening and interview

Score(s) required for paper screening

• Applicants for the five-year doctoral program
• English Score Record (TOEFL iBT, or IELTS are accepted)
• GRE Subject Test (Physics) Score Record


• Applicants for the three-year doctoral program
• English Score Record (TOEFL iBT, or IELTS are accepted)

Schedule 

Admission	Application period	Interview	Announcement of acceptance
April 2024 (Privately financed)	October 13 to November 10, 2023	December 8, 2023	late December 2023
October 2024 (Privately financed)	October 13 to November 10, 2023	December 8, 2023	late December 2023
October 2024 (MEXT scholarship)	October 13 to November 10, 2023	December 8, 2023	April 2024 (Preliminary) and July 2024 (Final)

Application guidelines

     Guidelines and Forms (SOKENDAI)
     Submission of GRE Subject Test (Physics) Score Report

Astronomical Science Program
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI)

Contact Information:
Graduate Student Affairs Section
Research Promotion Division, Administration Department
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
E-mail: daigakuin[at]nao.ac.jp