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Japan · Tokyo · Historic Imperial Academy Heritage & Quantum Molecular Science · Reviewed 15 October 2026

Gakushuin University (学習院大学)

Tracing its roots back to 1847 as an educational institution for the Kyoto imperial court and re-established in Tokyo in 1877 as the Peers' School, Gakushuin University is one of Japan's most historic and prestigious private universities. Situated in Mejiro in central Tokyo, Gakushuin is celebrated for its highly selective Faculty of Science (world-class research in theoretical physics, statistical mechanics, and organic synthetic chemistry), the Faculty of International Social Sciences, and the Research Institute for Oriental Cultures.

Official university portal ↗Graduate Funding & FacultyResearch checked, not sponsored

Verified degree programs and opportunities

Review checked academic pathways and funding options below:

Admissions, language requirements & application process

Master's admission eligibility
Completion of a 16-year school education curriculum culminating in a recognized Bachelor's degree (minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA or equivalent grade B+).
Doctoral admission eligibility
Recognized Master's degree or professional degree; submission of Master's thesis and passing marks in oral defense and doctoral screening.
Language proficiency
Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all bands) or TOEFL iBT 85 for English-medium research programs; Japanese JLPT N1 for Japanese-medium graduate divisions.
Research statement / Proposal
A 3-page research proposal detailing proposed doctoral research topic, theoretical framework, research methodology, and anticipated academic contributions.
Application fee
¥35,000 non-refundable screening fee submitted via the Gakushuin online admissions portal.
Required documentation
Graduation certificate, complete official academic transcripts, research proposal, 2 letters of recommendation, and English proficiency test report.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Tuition fees for graduate programs at Gakushuin are approximately ¥850,000 to ¥1,100,000 per year. Admitted international students benefit from Gakushuin University Special International Student Scholarships covering 30% to 100% of tuition, and MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship recipients receive 100% full tuition waivers, round-trip international airfare, and a monthly tax-free living stipend of ¥145,000 per month.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at Gakushuin University:

Dr. Hal Tasaki

Professor of Theoretical Physics · Statistical Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, Hubbard Model, Quantum Spin Systems

Dr. Takahiko Akiyama

Professor of Chemistry and Pioneer in Organocatalysis · Chiral Phosphoric Acids, Asymmetric Catalysis, Organocatalysis, Green Chemistry

Dr. Junko Takahashi

Professor of International Social Sciences · International Trade, Global Supply Chains, Economic Integration, Development Economics

Important verification note

Facts reflect official Gakushuin University documentation reviewed 2026-10-15. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue