Application guidelines
1 November, 2024 UPDATE
Master’s Course
International Student Entrance Examination(For Apr.2025 and Oct.2025 Admission)
Doctoral Course
International Student Entrance Examination(For Apr.2025 Admission)
Applicants must contact their prospective supervisor before applying.
Contact details of faculty members are listed on this website and PDF:
・List of Accepted Teachers(Master / Doctoral)
3 June, 2024 UPDATE
Master’s Course ※The application period has closed.
International Student Entrance Examination(For Oct.2024 and Apr.2025 Admission)
Doctoral Course ※The application period has closed.
International Student Entrance Examination(For Oct.2024 Admission)
How to become a graduate student or research student
1. The 4 steps
1 | Find a supervisor | To enter Hokkaido University as a graduate student or research student, you must first find a faculty member who is willing to supervise your research. Be sure to contact a faculty member before you apply. |
2 | Apply | (See Sec. 2 and 3 below) |
3 | Take the entrance examination* | The entrance examination is held in Hakodate, but in some cases, the exam may be held as a video conference. Please consult with your proposed supervisor. If you are required to come to Hakodate, you will need to obtain a temporary stay visa at your local Japanese Embassy. |
4 | Begin the enrollment procedure | If you pass the application process, you must submit the necessary documentation, pay the entrance fee, and complete other necessary procedures to enroll. Once you receive a Letter of Acceptance from Hokkaido University, you can apply for a student visa at your local Japanese Embassy. |
* Not required for research students.
2. Application calendar
International students entering the MS course can enroll in April or October. Applications are accepted during two application periods each year.
MS course |
First application period |
Second application period |
Application guidelines become available at fisheries school website | Early June | Early November |
Preliminary screening | Late June | Mid-November |
Results of preliminary screening | Mid-July | Early December |
Application period (pay examination fee) | Mid-July | Mid-December |
Examination | About Aug 20 (2024) | About Feb 18 (2025) |
Results | Early September | Early March |
Enrollment | October or April | April or October |
Students entering the PhD course can enroll in October or April.
PhD course |
October enrollment |
April enrollment |
Application guidelines become available at fisheries school website (https://www2.fish.hokudai.ac.jp/) | Early June | Early November |
Preliminary screening | Late June | Mid-November |
Results of preliminary screening | Mid-July | Early December |
Application period (pay examination fee) | Mid-July | Mid-December |
Examination | About Aug 21 (2024) | About Feb 18 (2025) |
Results | Early September | Early March |
Research students |
April enrollment |
October enrollment |
Application period | Early January | Early July |
3. Application materials
Required documents/fees:
Research student |
Master’s course |
PhD course |
|
Application Form and Resume (Curriculum vitae) | ◯ | ◯ |
◯ |
Graduation certificate (diploma) | ◯ | ◯ |
◯ |
Transcript from last school attended | ◯ | ◯ |
|
Application essays(Master/Doctoral) | ◯ |
◯ |
|
Score sheet of an English-language proficiency examination (TOEIC or TOEFL) | ◯ |
◯ |
|
Letter of Recommendation from your academic advisor at the last school attended | ◯ |
◯ |
|
Three copies of Master’s thesis |
◯ |
||
Three copies of Master’s thesis abstract (about 3000 characters in Japanese or 1200 words in English) |
◯ |
||
Examination/application fee | 9,800 yen | 30,000 yen |
30,000 yen |
Examination/application fees can be paid using a credit card:
http://e-apply.jp/e/hokudai-fish/
4. Entrance examination
Master’s course | PhD course |
Examination | Interview |
20-minute presentation of Master’s degree study |
- For those who do not speak Japanese, the examination can be conducted in English.
5. Expenses
Master’s course, PhD course |
Research student |
|
Entrance fee |
282,000 yen |
84,000 yen |
Tuition (per semester*): |
267,900 yen |
178,200 yen |
*One academic year = two semesters
【Important notice】 1 November, 2023 UPDATE
The following changes will be made to the entrance examination for the Master’s Course and Doctoral Course
at the Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences in August 2025.
Please click here.
【Important notice】 10 December, 2021
The following changes will be made to the entrance examination for the Master’s Course and Doctoral Course
at the Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences in August 2022.
Please click here.