Options for Admission

The National Institute of Genetics (NIG) hosts the Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI and offers three application options for international students who wish to obtain a PhD degree: 1) NIG Global Scholar (NIG-GS) selection, 2) Embassy recommendation process for the Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship, and 3) General Admission.

Comparison table

SOKENDAI will transition to a new system (Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, 20-program system) in April 2023, in order to foster the next generation of researchers who can work flexibly across disciplines to address complex and interdisciplinary issues. For more details, please refer to the SOKENDAI website: https://next20.soken.ac.jp/en/home

Please see “Schedule of Admissions” for details: https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/phd-program/admissions-top/admissions/schedule-of-admissions

(1) NIG-GS (NIG Global Scholar) selection

This selection procedure is only for the 5-year PhD program. The Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI should be the applicant’s first-choice for graduate studies. In addition, applicants must be available to visit NIG in late January or early February. Selected candidates will be invited to NIG located in Mishima, Japan, to learn about our program and to take an on-site exam. Travel expenses for this visit will be supported by NIG.

A limited number of NIG-GS applicants who pass the tertiary screening and satisfy certain conditions will be offered a monthly stipend (approx. 140,000 JPY), tuition support, and airfare to and from Japan at the beginning and upon completion of the program as long as he/she remains a student in good standing.

Other candidates who passed the tertiary screening will be offered partial financial support equivalent to students enrolled through General Admission.

*There is a possibility that the entrance exam would take place remotely (online) due to the spread of new coronavirus infection. In such a case, the invitation to travel to Japan would be canceled and the applicant would take the exam remotely at his/her place of residence.

(2) Embassy recommendation process for the MEXT scholarship

This is for both 5-year and 3-year PhD programs. The scholarship candidates are recruited and initially screened by the Japanese embassy (or by the consulate general, depending on the country). Because the application process varies depending on the country in which the Japanese embassy is located, please inquire at the Japanese embassy or the consulate general in your country for the details (http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html). The students who pass the initial screening will first enroll as research students and then apply to our graduate program through the General Admission procedure to be graduate students of the Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI.

(3) General Admission

General Admission is for both 5-year and 3-year PhD programs. Exams and interviews are administered at the Department of Genetics, SOKENDAI, in either English or Japanese. The examinations for those enrolling in October are held in summer or in winter. Those enrolling in April also have two opportunities to take either the summer or winter exam. The exams are conducted at the Department of Genetics located in Mishima, Japan, at the applicant’s own expense.

To see financial support options available for students enrolling through General Admission, please refer to the following website: Various Aids to Students.
(Various Aids to Students)

*There is a possibility that the entrance exam would take place remotely (online) due to the spread of new coronavirus infection. In such a case, the invitation to travel to Japan would be canceled and the applicant would take the exam remotely at his/her place of residence.