Application Guidelines for Prospective International Graduate Students

If you are considering graduate education at Osaka University, please note that graduate admissions decisions are made by faculty and admissions offices in each graduate school. Each graduate program has specific requirements tailored to the kind of candidates they seek.

This guide offers a general overview of the graduate application process. Though the sequence may vary, the outlined steps cover the essential stages of the application. Please click on each step for more details.

Successful applications may take time and effort, but the potential for academic and personal growth at Osaka University makes the process worthwhile. Apply to Osaka University and discover your possibilities and aspirations.

Step 1. Crafting a Statement of Purpose and Research Plan

Begin your journey by creating a well-defined Statement of Purpose and Research Plan that reflects your academic interests. As a leading university committed to contributing to both Japanese and international society through cutting-edge research, we expect graduate students to be part of this process in the future. It all starts with a research proposal showing your passion and capability to contribute to knowledge generation. To ensure the authenticity and originality of research proposals, we highly encourage applicants to develop them independently. This process also serves as a valuable learning opportunity, helping you delve into your interests, gain clarity on your academic aspirations, hone scholarly abilities, and thus shaping your future career.

Step 2. Finding the Ideal Graduate Program and Prospective Supervisor(s)

To identify a graduate program that aligns with your academic interests and long-term career aspirations, you may first find a prospective supervisor within your desired program who best aligns with your research interests. You can find information about Osaka University's researchers' expertise and publications on researchmap or Osaka University Researchers Database. Additionally, most departments and laboratories have websites containing their research areas and faculty members’ information; so be sure to check them, as well.

Step 3. Reviewing Application Guidelines for a Specific Program

Review the application guidelines, particularly the deadlines and required documents. You can find the Application Guidelines on the official website of each school or program. Prepare the documents in advance and contact the graduate schools if you have any inquiries about your documents.

Step 4. Application to Admissions Assistance Desk (AAD)

Most graduate programs at Osaka University require applicants to obtain the consent (or pre-approval) from prospective supervisor(s) before they can apply. As part of our commitment to providing a seamless and efficient application process, Osaka University offers a university-wide online application system, AAD, to assist prospective international graduate students with this initial stage of the application. AAD helps prospective graduate students to submit their documents to prospective supervisor(s) to secure their consent before applying to graduate programs for admissions.

To apply to AAD, follow the application guidelines provided by AAD and submit your application and supporting documents. Ensure that you have all the necessary documents before applying to AAD. These include digital certificates of your diploma and academic transcripts, a carefully crafted Statement of Purpose and Research Plan that follows the provided template, proof of language proficiency (usually Japanese and/or English), and any other documents you think will help prove your abilities and skills. Digital diplomas and academic transcripts are certificates that can be verified through the registrar of the university from which you graduated/will graduate, or online platform provided by the university or third parties. Letters of recommendation are not required.

Step 5. Contacting Your Prospective Supervisor

You can contact your prospective supervisor for further discussions regarding your future research once you receive confirmation from AAD that the faculty member permits direct contact. You may contact your prospective supervisor via the email address provided in AAD response. Your prospective supervisor may want to interview you and discuss further about your research plans. Upon receiving consent from your prospective supervisor, you may apply for admissions to the school or program.

Step 6. Proceeding to the Admissions Process

Your prospective supervisor's consent for graduate supervision allows you to begin the application process for admissions to the graduate program you wish to enrol in. In most cases, you may be required to take entrance examinations as part of the admissions process. You will have a greater chance of being accepted into Osaka University's graduate programs if you ensure that you are prepared for your desired program. To navigate the admissions process, you may also consult your prospective graduate program's admissions office for help. We wish you the best of luck with your admissions process!