Doctoral Course

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)