ver. September 20, 2022

Information Seminar / Consultation Meeting
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Table of Contents
What is the Early Completion Program?
To enroll in the Early Completion Program
Flowchart of Admission Process
Process After Admission
What is the Achievement Level Assessment System?
Early Completion Doctoral Program FAQ
Related Links
What is the Early Completion Program?
The Early Completion Program is a program for working people who have a certain level of research achievements and abilities to complete a doctoral course in one year at the earliest to earn a doctoral degree, for which the standard course of study takes three years. We, as a university, support motivated working people. In this program, students will complete their doctoral theses based on the research achievements they have made as working people with guidance from their academic advisors.
This program also adopts the Achievement Level Assessment System in which students are assessed at the milestones on the items set to be accomplished along with the preparation of their theses, so they are able to reliably check their level of achievement. In addition, the quality of the degree is guaranteed through program reviews and evaluations conducted by the Office of Management for Teaching and Learning.
Applicable Specific Doctoral Programs
Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering offer the following Early Completion Doctoral Programs.
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To Enroll in the Early Completion Program
The Early Completion Program is for working people who have a certain level of research achievements and abilities.
After passing the entrance examination (Special Selection for Working People), students must submit the documents specified by each doctoral program before admission procedures begin (scheduled for early March) and undergo the selection process for the Early Completion Program.
October enrollment is available beginning in AY 2023.
October admission is only available to those who applied and were accepted at the time of application for the January/February entrance examination.
Selection requirements for each doctoral program (Degree Programs in Systems and Information Engineering)
*The above requirements are for the “Screening of Early Completion Program” and are not required for completion of the program.
The main documents requested by the doctoral program are listed below. (For more information, please refer to the “Guide to the Early Completion Program for Working People” posted on each Degree Program’s website.
- Applicant’s statement (CV, specialized area at the school last attended, and relationship between the current job and desired research area, etc.)
- List of achievements (to be used to see whether the applicant meets the requirements)
- Self-assessment of achievement
- Plan of doctoral thesis
Based on these documents, whether or not the applicants have “a certain level of research achievements” will be determined. An interview may be given if necessary. Details of the selection procedures and documents will be sent together with the letter of acceptance.
In the case that registration for the Early Completion Program is determined to be unsuitable in this selection, it will be handled as a regular admission; provided however, that even in the case of regular admission, if it is recognized that students have made superior research achievements during the regular program, it is possible for them to complete the course of study in less than 3 years (from one year and several months to two years and several months).
In the event that students enrolled in the Early Completion Program are unable to complete the Program in one year due to their work circumstances etc., it is possible for them to continue the Program and aim to complete it. Even in this case, students may complete the Program in less than three years. Also, it is possible for students to take a leave of absence to complete the Program depending on circumstances at their current workplace.
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Flowchart of Admission Process
Admission Schedule
After passing the entrance examination (Special Selection for Working People), students will become eligible to apply for the Early Completion Program.
Please note that some dates for the graduate school entrance examinations for academic year 2022 have been postponed due to spread of COVID-19 infections.
Admission Period, Admission Fee and Tuition (as of April 2022)
〈Admission Period〉 April or October
*Enrollment in October: Only those who pass “Janurary to Feburuary Selection Process”
〈Admission Fee〉282,000 yen (Payment should be made at the time of admission)
〈Tuition〉 Pay by bank transfer after admission
- First term (April to September): 267,900 yen
- Second term (October to March): 267,900 yen
Annual total: 535,800 yen
Note: In the event of revision of the admission and tuition fee, the new fees will be applied from the time of the revision.
Please click here for more information about tuition payment etc.
Please click here for more information about admission fees, tuition exemption and scholarships.
Entrance Examination Schedule and Research Fields
Please visit the “Faculty Members List and Research Fields” section of each degree program’s website to confirm the research field and the faculty member who you want as a supervisor.
Entrance examination schedules vary depending on each degree program, so please be sure to refer to the
application guidelines.
Entrance Examination Schedule for academic year 2022
*The special selection for working people for the Degree Program in Risk and Resilience Engineering (Doctoral Program) will be held at the Tokyo Campus Bunkyo School Building in addition to the main Tsukuba Campus. [August Selection Process] August 27, 2022. [January to February Selection Process] January 28, 2023.
About Prior Consultation with a Faculty Member Who You Want As a Supervisor
If you wish to enroll in the Early Completion Program, please consult with the faculty member who you want as a supervisor before making your application in regard to your research field, requirements for the selection, and the specific teaching method during the program.
For the consultation, please contact the faculty member directly through e-mail etc. You do not need to obtain prior permission to contact the faculty member. Please refer to the contact information for each faculty member on each degree program’s website.
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Process After the Enrolment
Based on the student’s self-assessment and faculty member’s assessment on both generic and specialized competences defined by each degree program, students will be assessed on whether their achievements have reached an appropriate level for the doctoral degree program. The assessments will be implemented through three stages: assessment at the time of admission, mid-term assessment (within four months after admission), and preliminary assessment (within eight months after admission).
Flowchart for post-admission in the Early Completion Program

You will earn a doctoral degree
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What is the Achievement Level Assessment System?
The purpose of our Achievement Level Assessment System is to provide students with detailed academic support. Students’ achievements are regularly assessed according to the method defined by each degree program to ensure that students have acquired both generic and specialized competences between the time of admission and program completion.
The Early Completion Program allows students to complete their program at an earlier stage (one year at the earliest) than standard students because they are considered to have obtained “certain research achievements” and abilities at the time of admission, and their level of both competences defined by each degree program is assessed throughout the course of study.
For example, one degree program assesses whether a student has reached an appropriate level for the doctoral degree based on the student’s self-assessment and faculty member’s assessment on both competences defined by the degree program at three or more assessment stages, including admission, mid-term assessment (within four months after admission) and preliminary assessment (within eight months after admission).
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Early Completion Program FAQ
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Related Links
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