Master's Program

Human Sciences

Outline of the Course

The Masters course is a 2-year program. The goal of this program is to contribute to international scholarship by creating new interdisciplinary networks among multifarious human-sciences and by facilitating the development of variable research endeavors. To further contribute in the development of scientific research, the graduates of this Masters course are strongly encouraged to continue to pursue a Ph.D. degree which usually takes 4 years (or 3 years in some cases) to complete.

While assistance in the form of handouts and presentation materials in English and special consideration in credit assessment may be given, almost all lectures are conducted in Japanese.

Please be aware of the following conditions:

1. You must have sixteen years of schooling to be admitted to the Masters course.

2. You must contact your prospective academic supervisor in the field of your interest and obtain his/her permission of acceptance PRIOR TO applying for the Masters course. Refer to the List of Departments and Research Fields for Masters Programs.

3. You need to possess a high proficiency in English equivalent to the level required to undertake studies in a Ph.D. course, if your Japanese is limited. See the details in Documents for Qualification Assessment.

Please check the Application Guidelines (Japanese version, 学生募集要項) for the details.

Examination type

You can choose from Type A or Type B.

(A) Take the examination at Shinshu University　(Type A)

You may get a temporary single entry visa by stating your purpose to undertake the entrance examination, and intention to return home shortly after the examination. Upon passing the entrance examination, you will be able to apply for a student visa.

The other way is to register as a research student until you enter our Masters course. Registering involves obtaining a letter of acceptance from your prospective supervisor. You may use this letter of acceptance to apply for a student visa

Obtaining a temporary entry visa or a student visa usually takes a minimum of 2 months. Therefore, to secure your entry into Japan in time, it is advised that your initial contact with your prospective supervisor be done as early as six months prior to the entrance examination period.

(B) Submit your English proficiency certificate and take an online interview　(Type B)

Applicants can take the examination by submitting their English proficiency certificates and taking online interviews (Type B) if they wish.
Please check the "(C) Entrance Examination Schedule and Method " for more details.

Annual Schedule for Admission and Entrance Examination

Admission to the Masters course is currently made once a year in April. The entrance examination is conducted in September (and December in case supplementary examination takes place), and the application period usually falls one or two months prior to the examination period. A prospective supervisor's approval letter is also a mandatory document to sit for the entrance examination, and for a student visa application. Again, contacting the supervisor in your field of interest as early as possible is always advised.

Admission Application Information

（A）Qualification Assessment
（B）Application for the Entrance Examination
（C）Entrance Examination Schedule and Method
（D）Notification of Examination Results
（E）Admission Procedures

(A) Qualification Assessment

A-1. Eligibility
Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
S/he must:

(1) have completed sixteen-years of study in a foreign country, or is expected to do so before admission;

(2) have finished sixteen-years of education in Japan, or is expected to do so before admission;

(3) be recognized to have the equivalent to the above by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; or

(4) be recognized to have the equivalent to the above by the Graduate Division of this institution.

A-2. Documents & Materials to submit

Applicants who fall into the categories of (4) in "A-1. Eligibility" are screened their qualifications as defined below. Download and fill out the application forms from following (1, 2, 3, 6), and prepare by applicants (4, 5, 7).

1. Application Form for Overseas Applicants (Form 5 )
2. Admission Qualification Screening Application (Form 6 )
3. Statement of Purpose (Form 1 )
4. All degree certificates gained in your academic history
5. Transcript
6. Supervisor's Approval (Form 2 )
7. Copy of passport page showing the photo of your face, your name, nationality, date of birth, and sex
(Please submit a copy of residence certificate issued by the mayor of your residing municipality if you are currently residing in Japan and hold either Residence Card or Foreign Resident Registration Card.)

A-3. Period of Application for Qualification Assessment
Primary recruitment :
Monday, July 1, 2024 to Friday, July 5, 2024　9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Secondary recruitment:
Monday, September 30, 2024 to Friday, October 4, 2024　9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please be aware that you must contact your prospective academic supervisor and obtain his/her permission of acceptance PRIOR TO applying for qualification assessment.

A-4. Address for Submission
Admission Office
Graduate Division, Academic Affairs
Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine
3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, JAPAN,
Tel. +81-263-37-3376
Fax. +81-263-37-3080
mdaigak(at)shinshu-u.ac.jp

A-5. Notification of the Results
Upon receipt of the results, successful candidates should proceed to the application for entrance examination.

(B) Application for Entrance Examination

Shinshu University has introduced an application method using the Internet. Please register your application from the Graduate School Internet Application Registration Site.

Additional Documents to Submit
1. Application Checking Sheet（submission sheet）
＊Print on A4 paper from the internet application registration website.
2. Address Sheet（Form 4）
＊Please write your name, address, and postal code
3. Examination type confirmation (Form 7-2)

(C) Entrance Examination Schedule and Method

(Type A)
10:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.: English Written Test
1:00 p.m. - : Oral Interview regarding major field

English dictionaries (paper book) are accepted, electronic devices are not allowed.

After receiving the "Examination number notification email", visit the application registration site and print out the "Examination Card".
In addition, access the "applicant's knowledge" from the URL in the e-mail, print it out and read the notes carefully.

(Type B)
① Certification of English Proficiency
 Submit your certificate of TOEFL iBT or IELTS (Academic Module) or TOEIC (L&R) instead of taking written test at Shinshu University. These scores will be converted to the written test points out of 100.

【TOEFL iBT】
TOEFL iBT 72 or more = 100 points
Less than 72：Converted points＝100×(TOEFL iBT Score) / 72
Submit your Test Taker Score Report.
(My Best Score will be accepted.)

Submit your Test Report Form.

【TOEIC (L&R)】
TOEIC (L&R) 730 or more = 100 points
Less than 730：Converted points＝100×（TOEIC L&R Score）/ 730
Submit your Official Score Certificate.

② Interview
  Applicants are required to take online interview by Zoom instead of taking it at Shinshu University. You will receive further information at the registered email address upon your application.

(D) Notification of Examination Results

Information regarding the examination results will be posted on the Graduate School of Medicine's homepage under Information about the Masters Courses. Successful applicants will be notified, in writing, by mail.
A confirmation letter will then be submitted to successful applicants. Upon receiving your confirmation letter, a letter of agreement shall be prepared for your visa application. The visa application can then be started.

(E) Admission Procedures

Successful applicants should bring or mail the required documents during the period for admission procedures and pay the admission fee.

(1) Location for admission procedures
Please submit your application package to the same address as detailed in A-4: Address for Submission.

(2) Things to keep in mind regarding application procedures
Any applicant who does not complete his or her application procedures by the stated application deadline will be considered to have declined an admission.

(3) List of documents to be submitted
The list of documents to be submitted for admission, such as an oath and pledge form, will be included in the notification of successful applicants.