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Japan · Ibaraki · Designated National University & 3 Nobel Laureates · Reviewed 14 October 2026

University of Tsukuba (Tsukuba Science City)

Located in the heart of Tsukuba Science City—Japan's premier scientific research metropolis containing over 300 national research institutes—the University of Tsukuba is a Designated National University Corporation and one of Japan's top research powerhouses. Associated with three Nobel laureates (Leo Esaki, Hideki Shirakawa, and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga), Tsukuba is internationally famous for pioneering the field of cybernics (fusing human, machine, and information systems, creating the HAL robotic exoskeleton), high-performance computing, structural genomics, and Olympic sports sciences. Explore verified degree courses, Japanese Government MEXT scholarship procedures, and faculty leadership.

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
16 years of formal education culminating in a recognized Bachelor's degree (or equivalent academic certification) with superior academic marks.
Doctoral admission eligibility
Recognized Master's degree (or professional degree) in a relevant discipline with demonstrable thesis research and academic publications.
Language proficiency
Academic IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL iBT 80+ for international English-taught graduate programs; JLPT N2/N1 for Japanese-medium courses.
Research statement / Proposal
Detailed 2 to 3-page research plan in English or Japanese outlining research purpose, proposed methodologies, and prospective supervisor endorsement.
Application fee
¥30,000 examination fee for general graduate application; completely waived for Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship recipients.
Required documentation
Official academic transcripts, graduation certificates, thesis abstract, research proposal, 2 recommendation letters, and prospective supervisor acceptance letter.

Tuition fees and verified scholarship systems

Tuition for national universities in Japan is standardized by the Ministry of Education (MEXT). Standard tuition is ¥535,800 per year (approx. USD $3,600/year) plus a one-time admission fee of ¥282,000. MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship recipients receive 100% full tuition and admission fee exemptions, round-trip international airfare, and a tax-free monthly living stipend of ¥144,000 (Master's) to ¥147,000 (PhD) per month.

Verified faculty profiles and research leaders

Distinguished researchers and laboratory heads at University of Tsukuba:

Dr. Yoshiyuki Sankai

Executive Professor of Cybernics & CEO of CYBERDYNE Inc.; specializing in Cybernics, Wearable Robots, HAL Exoskeleton.

Dr. Masashi Yanagisawa

Director of the International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS); specializing in Orexin / Hypocretin, Sleep Regulation, Endothelin.

Dr. Taisuke Boku

Professor of Computer Science & Director of Center for Computational Sciences (CCS); specializing in High-Performance Computing, Accelerated Computing, Optical Interconnects.

Important verification note

Facts reflect official University of Tsukuba documentation reviewed 2026-10-14. Degree admissions, scholarship awards, and employment positions are subject to formal university review. OpenField does not charge students application fees.

Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Editorial standards · Report an issue