Our doctoral courses typically take 3 years for completion. The doctoral course aims to train students to become independent researchers and specialists equipped with all requisite skills. During the course, a strong emphasis is placed on presenting their work at on- and off-campus seminars and conferences and also on publishing papers in academic journals. For the latter, they are encouraged to publish their work in refereed journals. All these are expected to benefit the students in creating contacts with scholars across Japan, as well as obtaining more opportunities to partake in seminars at various locations.
The main goal on the doctoral course is to write a dissertation. To this end, the progress of students’ work is evaluated each year by the members of Advisory Committees. “Permission to Submit a Dissertation” is granted only after the annual submission of research papers has been completed – by November in each academic year – and the submitted papers have passed the examination. A dissertation is examined by the primary examiner and a deputy examiner, both of whom are specialized in the subjects of the dissertation, and a deputy examiner from a field related to the subjects. A doctorate is awarded upon the successful outcome of the examination. It is becoming increasingly important for those who wish to work in research or expert posts to obtain a Doctor of Philosophy.
Each academic year, we offer a total of 35 places at the 2 Divisions for new doctoral students
Schedule
| Pre-enrollment | June | Information Session on Graduate Studies (Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo) |
| July | Applications for the doctoral course entrance examination (the 1st call) to be received | |
| September | Doctoral Course Entrance Examination (the 1st call) to be held | |
| November- December |
Information Session on Graduate Studies (Tokyo, Sapporo) | |
| January | Applications for the doctoral course entrance examination (the 2nd call) to be received | |
| February | Doctoral Course Entrance Examination (the 2nd call) to be held | |
| The 1st Year | April | Enrollment Ceremony and Guidance Session Research topic and the assignment of supervisors to be filed |
| May | Research topic and the assignment of supervisors to be approved | |
| November | Progress Report I and Research Paper I to be submitted | |
| December- January |
Examination of the research paper and oral exams to be held by the Research Advisory Committee | |
| January | The Research Advisory Committee to return the exam results | |
| The 2nd Year | November | Progress Report II and Research Paper II to be submitted |
| December- January |
Examination of the research paper and oral exams to be held by the Research Advisory Committee | |
| January | The Research Advisory Committee to return the exam results | |
| The Final Year | November | Dissertation to be submitted to the Doctoral Examination Committee |
| December- February |
Examination of the dissertation to be held by the Doctoral Examination Committee | |
| March | The Doctoral Examination Committee to return the result and decide on awarding a degree | |
| March | Conferral Ceremony (The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy) |