Osaka University is a leading national research institution in Japan and is currently a member of the country’s prestigious National Seven Universities. Since its establishment in 1931, it has excelled in science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, humanities, business, and interdisciplinary research. The university offers master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs taught in both Japanese and English.

The university is open to international applicants and currently has over 40% international students. It offers a variety of scholarships for international students to help reduce the burden of tuition fees. International students may apply for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarships. They can also apply for Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarships, the Osaka University Tuition Fee Exemption Program, private foundation scholarships, and external government and corporate scholarships.

Application windows differ by graduate school, but the main intake periods are generally between August and November of the previous year for the following year’s April admission. October admissions typically run between April and June. Osaka University does not offer an application fee waiver or an admission fee waiver. The standard graduate application fee is approximately JPY 30,000. Successful applicants are generally required to pay an admission fee of approximately JPY 282,000. Applicants can only apply for a tuition fee exemption, not an admission fee exemption. The annual tuition fee is approximately JPY 535,800. Fees are subject to change each academic year.

To apply for admission, the following documents must be uploaded. Kindly note that document requirements vary according to departments and faculties.

Certificate/Transcripts: During the application process, applicants are required to upload their certificates and transcripts as PDF files through the application portal. After admission is granted, official transcripts will be required. The PDF copies must be clear and legible. Where the transcripts are in a language other than Japanese or English, applicants must upload certified translations alongside them.

Statement of Purpose or Research Plan: The university expects applicants to develop their research proposals independently. As a leading research institution with cutting-edge research and innovation, it expects incoming students to maintain this standard of excellence. Consequently, the university frowns upon plagiarism, AI-generated statements of purpose, or poorly written research proposals.

Supervisor Approval: For research-based graduate programs, many departments strongly require applicants to contact a prospective academic supervisor before applying. A professor’s agreement to supervise your research can significantly strengthen your application. You can find information about Osaka University’s researchers, their areas of expertise, and publications through Researchmap or the Osaka University Researchers Database. Additionally, most departments and laboratories maintain websites containing details about their research areas and faculty members, so be sure to review them before applying.

Language Proficiency: Graduate programs are taught either in English or Japanese. Applicants who are native English speakers or who have completed their previous education at an institution where English is the official language of instruction may be exempt from the English language proficiency requirement. Likewise, applicants to Japanese-taught programs who are native Japanese speakers or who have completed their education in Japanese may be exempt from submitting Japanese language test scores. Applicants who do not meet these exemption criteria must provide proof of language proficiency. Osaka University does not have a single university-wide minimum language test score; requirements vary by department.

Generally, applicants may be required to submit official scores for TOEFL iBT (typically 60–85+), IELTS Academic (5.5–6.5), or TOEIC (700+) to demonstrate English proficiency.

Specific score requirements vary considerably across departments:

• English-taught/International Programs: Some programs, such as the Human Sciences International Master’s Program, require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 85 or an IELTS score of 6.5. Others, such as the Graduate School of Science, accept a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 60, IELTS 5.0, or TOEIC 700.
• Graduate School of Economics: Requires TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores. TOEIC Listening & Reading scores are also accepted, but only public test scores (TOEIC-SP) are valid; institutional TOEIC-IP scores are not accepted.

Some programs taught in Japanese require proof of Japanese proficiency, often through the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), although the required level varies by department. However, finding bilingual programs makes it easier for international students who don’t speak fluent Japanese.

Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume): Osaka University is a research-based institution; therefore, applicants are expected to demonstrate their previous academic experience, publications, awards, and other research accomplishments.

Two Letters of Recommendation: This requirement also varies by department. Some departments require only two recommendation letters, while others require up to three. Of the required letters, at least half should come from academic referees who can attest to the applicant’s research ability. The remaining letter(s) may come from professional supervisors who are familiar with the applicant’s work and qualifications.

Copy of Passport: A scanned copy of the applicant’s passport in PDF format is required during the application process for identification and assessment purposes.