How to Enter

Application Procedure

This application procedure is for the PhD program in collaboration with Waseda University and NIMS. For the application details including the document format, please see the university website of Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering.

Contact a possible prospective supervisor prior to apply

All applicants are required to apply for the pre-screening, conducted on the same schedule as NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship. Only applicants who qualified for the pre-screening (document screening and interview) can submit the university application documents to Waseda University.


Please make sure to choose the appropriate department which the prospective professor is assigned.

University Application

The university application procedure is different from how the applicant has earned (or to be expected to have) a master's degree or equivalent.

  • Japanese-based Program
    If you obtained a master's degree from a Japanese university, please apply through the General Selection.
  • AO Admission to English-based Graduate Program
    If you obtained a master's degree instructed only in English from a non-Japanese university, your application will be made through AO Admission to English-based Graduate Program.

University Admission Guidelines

Eligibility

Those who have obtained a master's degree (or equivalent) by one day before the date of enrollment (i.e. September 20 for September entry, and March 31 for April entry).

* If the eligibility and educational background check is required, please contact the university at least one month before the first day of the submission period for application document.

Regarding the eligibility, please contact the following university office.
Graduate Admissions Office, Center for Science and Engineering, Waseda University
email: fsegraduate@list.waseda.jp

Application Period

April entry : December
September entry : May

The schedule is subject to change. Please see the university website.

Application Documents

Japanese-based Program
(Those who obtained a master's degree from a Japanese university. The admission guidelines is only available in Japanese.)

English Test Score Report
Please submit the result score report from the following English language proficiency exam. The exam taken within 2 years from the application period is valid.

  • TOEIC L&R (Official Score Certificate)
  • TOEFL iBT (Both downloadable official score report and Test Taker Score Report are required. Please read the guidelines for the details.)
  • IELTS Academic (Test Report Form)

Agreement for Defraying Expenses
If you pass the pre-screening and qualified for the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship, NIMS can provide you the document.

University Admission Exam

April entry : mid January
September entry : early June

The schedule is subject to change. Please see the university website.

Announcement of Admission Results April entry : late January
September entry : mid June
Period of Enrollment April or September
Eligibility

Those who have obtained a master's degree (or an equivalent) by one day before the date of enrollment (i.e. September 20 for September entry, and March 31 for April entry).

If the eligibility and educational background check is required, please contact the university at least one month before the first day of the submission period for application document.

Application Period

April entry mid December
September entry mid April

The schedule is subject to change.
Please see the university website.

Application Documents

AO Admission to English-based Graduate Program
(Those who obtained a master's degree instructed in English from a non-Japanese university)

English Test Score Report
Please submit the result score report from the following English language proficiency exam. The exam taken within 2 years from the application period is valid.

  • TOEIC L&R (Official Score Certificate)
  • TOEFL iBT (Both downloadable official score report and Test Taker Score Report are required. Please read the guidelines for the details.)
  • IELTS Academic(Test Report Form)

Agreement for Defraying Expenses
If you apply for a NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship and pass the interview screening, NIMS can provide you the document.

University Admission Exam

April entry mid January
September entry early June

The schedule is subject to change.
Please see the university website.

Announcement of Admission Results April entry Approximately 3 months after
September entry Approximately 3 months after
Period of Enrollment April or September

From Application to Admission

Contact the professor

See “Program members” to find the matches between your interested research and the professor's research. Email the professor your CV with a cover letter expressing your interest in the research subject.

Prepare for the application documents to NIMS

All applicants are required to apply for the pre-screening, conducted on the same schedule as NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship. Only applicants who qualified for the pre-screening (document screening and interview) can submit the university application documents to Waseda University.

Please prepare for the following documents and submit to NIMS.

  1. 1. Application form for the NIMS Graduate Research Assistantship
    * On the application form, please make sure to include the names and email address of at least 2 references. NIMS will directly contact the references regarding the applicant. The communication with the references is an important part of the assistantship selection, which is confidential and used solely for the purpose of assessing the applicant. The applicant must agree to waive the right of access.
  2. 2. Academic transcripts of both undergraduate and graduate (in PDF format)
  3. 3. PDF copy of the TOEIC/TOEFL/IELTS score certificate. The score must be from the exam taken within 2 years.
  4. 4. CV

University application submission

The university application procedure is different from how the applicant has earned (or to be expected to have) a master's degree or equivalent.

  • Japanese-based Program
    If you obtained a master's degree (or equivalent) from a Japanese university, please apply through the General Selection.
  • AO Admission to English-based Graduate Program
    If you obtained a master's degree (or equivalent) instructed in English from a non-Japanese university, your application will be made through AO Admission to English-based Graduate Program.

Enrollment

The university admission results will be delivered to the applicants after the pre-screening and the university application.

The successful applicants will complete the enrollment procedure with the university. Meanshile, registration for National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) needs to be completed before the enrolment.