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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Admission Dates
Q1-1. When can I obtain the admission schedule and the application guidelines?
A1-1. The admission schedule is published on the Graduate School of Engineering Science website. Application guidelines are published from mid-April for April intake application period each year. The above schedule will be subject to change.
Q1-2. Does the Graduate School of Engineering Science have a secondary application period or an October intake application period?
A1-2. If the number of students accepted to the graduate school does not reach its upper limit after the admission for April intake is finished, the graduate school has a secondary application period or an October intake application period. The guidelines and schedule for the secondary or the October intake application period, if held, will be announced on the graduate school's website. Please check the graduate school's website regularly.
Application guidelines are published from late-October for the secondary application period and mid-April for the October intake application period each year.
2. Application Eligibility
Q2-1. I would like to send an email with a copy of my resume/CV. Could you tell me if I am eligible to apply?
A2-1. The Graduate School of Engineering Science does not accept application documents via email and will not reply with an assessment of eligibility based on resumes/ CV. All application materials must be submitted by postal mail during the proper eligibility assessment period.
As mentioned on the application guidelines, the graduate school will only assess the eligibility of applicants who meet some designated profiles. Those who fall under such categories must submit the necessary documents during the eligibility assessment period. All other eligibility profiles are not required to have their eligibility individually assessed by the graduate school.
Q2-2. I have an undergraduate degree but have completed less than 16 years of formal education. Can I still apply for Master’s program in the Graduate School of Engineering Science?
A2-2. Depending on the country where you completed your formal education, you may be eligible to apply. Please submit the required document for the application eligibility assessment to the graduate school by the designated date. As a result of application eligibility assessment, your application sometimes will not be approved.
Q2-3. I am a first-year student in a master's program. Can I transfer to the second year of the Graduate School of Engineering Science?
A2-3. No. Applicants can enter the Graduate School of Engineering Science only as a first-year student.
Q2-4. Does my work experience help me apply for the graduate program?
A2-4. Yes. If you have work experience more than one year for master's course or two years for doctoral course and pass the application eligibility assessment, you can apply for the special selection for adults. Applicants for the special selection are not required to take written examinations.
Q2-5. Do I first have to become a research student prior to admission to the Graduate School of Engineering Science?
A2-5. No. If you are accepted for enrollment in the Graduate School of Engineering Science, you will be admitted directly as a full-time student. The research student system still exists, but does not relate to the graduate programs’ admissions. Applications for research students and for graduate students are entirely exclusive.
3. Application Materials
Q3-1. How can I apply?
A3-1. Please check the application guidelines on the graduate school's website:
Q3-2. Do I need to use the designated forms for application? Can the application guidelines be sent outside of Japan?
A3-2. Applicants are required to use the designated forms. Application guidelines and the designated forms can be downloaded on the graduate school’s website.
Q3-3. For the application eligibility assessment of the special selection for adults, do I need to submit both an examination permit and a recommendation letter?
A3-3. Yes. Applicants are required to submit both of them. It will be acceptable if they are combined into one document.
4. Application Procedure
Q4-1. Do I need to contact my prospective supervisor before applying for the Graduate School of Engineering Science?
A4-1. Yes. As directed on the application guidelines, applicants are required to contact their prospective supervisors or faculty members in charge prior to the application. In addition, international students must ask them to send the provisional acceptance letter.
The following links provide the list of faculty members in the graduate school. You are required to choose your prospective supervisors suitable for your research field, and contact them on your own. If you cannot find their email addresses, please email the Graduate School of Engineering Science Section at the following address:
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Q4-2. Is it acceptable to register an overseas address when applying?
A4-2. We are unable to send documents such as the letter of acceptance or admission procedure guidelines to addresses outside Japan. Therefore, please register a mailing address within Japan, such as that of a representative residing in Japan.
Q4-3. I cannot decide which specialization I should choose. Can I apply for two specializations?
A4-3. Applicants can choose only one specialization per application. All the written examinations or interviews for each specialization will be held at the same time, so that applicants can take only one examination even if they apply for two or more specializations.
5. Screening
Q5-1. I live outside of Japan. Am I required to travel to Japan to take an entrance exam?
A5-1. Yes. Applicants are required to complete an on-campus examination except for certain selection categories.
Q5-2. Would you consider GPA of the undergraduate program?
A5-2. All the information printed on transcripts may be considered for admission process.
Q5-3. Are past examination questions available?
A5-3. Generally, we disclose the past 5 years’ written exam questions only at the Central Library of the university. For more information, please see the link.
6. Language Proficiency
Q6-1. How many courses in the graduate programs are instructed in English? Do I need to have proficiency in Japanese language to apply for the Graduate School of Engineering Science?
A6-1. English is the language of instruction for most courses in the graduate school. However, most documents distributed after enrollment will be written in Japanese. Therefore, students who do not have sufficient Japanese language proficiency, may need to be supported by someone who is fluent in Japanese. Yokohama National University has a tutor system. Tutors help you settle into your campus life including some documentation. You will have your own tutor after enrollment.
Q6-2. My learning medium was English. Do I still need to submit TOEIC or TOFEL scores?
A6-2. Yes. Applicants, including native English speakers or those who completed their bachelor’s or master’s degree in English as the medium of instruction, are required to submit English Test Scores (i.e., TOEIC or TOEFL) for the graduate school's admissions. Please check the application guidelines for details on the submission procedures.
Q6-3. I took TOEIC in China and received an Official Score Report. Is this valid certificate for the application?
A6-3. If applicants took TOEIC in China, please submit the Official Score Report. It is considered as an Official Score certificate.
7. Program Outlines
Q7-1. Where can I access information on the Graduate School of Engineering Science 's programs and areas of research specialization?
A7-1. An overview of programs and research fields in the Graduate School of Engineering Science can be seen on the graduate school’s application guidelines. For further details on specific area of research, please contact the prospective supervisors or faculty members in charge.
Q7-2. Does the Graduate School of Engineering Science have program information sessions for prospective applicants?
A7-2. The following link provides the details of the Briefing Session.
The Graduate School of Engineering Science does not host any other information sessions for prospective applicants. However, some Units may have ones. If the information is not shown on the graduate school's website, please ask faculty member in charge. The member’s list is posted on the website below.
8. Others
Q8-1. I would like to know how to apply for the MEXT scholarship offered for international students.
A8-1. The following link provides the details of the process for MEXT Scholarship applications at Yokohama National University.
If you have any questions, please contact the International Students Section:
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Q8-2. I passed MEXT (Japanese Government) scholarship’s screening and have accepted as a research student at YNU. Do I still have to take the examination to apply for the Graduate School of Engineering Science to enter as a regular student?
A8-2. Yes. If applicants are accepted to Yokohama National University as research students, they must pass the entrance examination, in order to enter a graduate program as regular students.
Q8-3. I need a letter of acceptance from the Graduate School of Engineering Science to apply for a scholarship in my country. How can I get the letter?
A8-3. The official letter of acceptance will be sent to applicants who have passed the entrance examination for the graduate school. Please apply for the admission in designated period.
Q8-4. Can I ask the graduate school’s office to apply for the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) which is required for my college student visa?
A8-4. Regarding the CoE which is required for college student visa, we do not apply for the CoE for successful applicants on their behalf, as indicated on following page:
Q8-5. Does the Graduate School of Engineering Science offer any scholarships for applicants before or after enrollment?
A8-5. There are no scholarships designated specifically for students in the Graduate School of Engineering Science. After enrollment, privately funded students in both the Master's and Doctoral programs may apply for scholarships through the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) or other institutions based on university's recommendation. The details of the process to apply for Financial Support and scholarships are shown on the website below.
Q8-6. Can I study architecture or civil engineering in the Graduate School of Engineering Science?
A8-6. No. If you would like to research such fields, please apply for the Graduate School of Urban Innovation.