PhD Positions in Japan under the OIST Graduate Program

The OIST Graduate Program aims to help students explore, create, work together globally, and be ready for many successful careers.

Every year, the Graduate School enrols approximately 60 full-time graduate students in the OIST Graduate Program. A bachelor’s, master’s, or equivalent degree must be completed before the admission date in order to be eligible for the OIST Graduate Program.

The opportunity to apply for the OIST Graduate Program is always open to students. After that, a meeting of the admissions committee will review your application. As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to the admissions selection, which is held online once a year.

OIST works to create and uphold an environment for work that does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, or gender expression, age, sexuality, physical or mental illness, marital status, ethnic or cultural heritage, culture, national origin, or religion. Women and other minorities are highly advised to apply.

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Number of students accepted for the OIST Graduate Program

60 students are accepted into the graduate school. They only accept a small number of students so that they can provide research and education that are specific to the interests and abilities of each student.

Eligibility Criteria for the OIST Graduate Program

In order to be eligible for the OIST Graduate Program

Candidates must obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or equivalent degree.
They also accept applications from students who aim to finish their degrees before the last date of their enrollment in the Graduate School.

How to apply for the OIST Graduate Program?

The application process is completely online.

To submit the required documents at the application website, please prepare the materials listed below in English and as a PDF file.

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Note: The online application should be completed on a computer. If you choose to use a mobile device, make sure to have the most recent operating system installed for the application to function properly.

Required Documents for the OIST Graduate Program

1- Certificates and diplomas

Scanned copies of your most recent academic transcript and any additional transcripts from previous degrees (BSc, MSc, etc.) in PDF format
A completed diploma in PDF format (BSc, MSc, etc.).
On the application page, you can upload a scanned copy of your unofficial transcript or other academic record.
Transcripts written in languages other than English must include an English explanation.
If you have not received your diploma yet and have not graduated, upload your institution’s certificate of enrollment, preferably one that shows when you are going to graduate.

2 – Statement of the Applicant

This must include the following points and be no longer than 400 words (2500 characters):

What the candidate wants to get from completing graduate study at OIST
The scientific interests and objectives of the applicant

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3 – Passport

Applicants must enter their passport number into the application system and attach a scan of their passport photo page. Foreign applicants must have a current passport in order to enter Japan. During the application procedure, you must provide information about your passport.

If you don’t have a passport when you apply, you can upload other official identity documents in its place. But if you accept an offer following the admissions selection, OIST will want a copy of your current passport right away in order to submit your visa application and make travel arrangements to go to Okinawa.

3 – Letter of Recommendation

Visit this page to get a recommendation letter now.

A minimum of two and a maximum of five letters of recommendation from qualified academic referees are required for each applicant. Although three or more letters are generally highly useful for the admissions committee, two is the minimum.

The applicant must enter each recommender’s name and email in the online application system. The referee will then receive a letter immediately from the system.

OIST strongly advises candidates to obtain the approval of academic references before listing them as recommenders. Recommendation letters must be submitted before the deadline.

The selection procedure of the OIST Graduate Program depends greatly on referee comments, so it is the applicant’s job to first make sure that the referees are prepared to provide

Application submission is only possible if the application system has received at least two recommendation letters.

4 – English proficiency certification

An applicant who is applying for admission on the basis of a degree from a university where English is not the language of instruction or examination must submit a TOEFL iBT or IELTS score from the previous two years. On the application website, kindly attach a digital copy of your official score report.

Although there is no minimum score required, the data is important for deciding which required courses are essential.

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5 – Other Documents

The selection committee will take into account the following documents, which are optional but may be submitted:

Additional proof of academic ability, such as GRE scores obtained within the last two years,
Additional information, including the title and summary of any publications or oral presentations, as well as any achievement proof,

Note: Any applicant’s academic record may be subject to an external review at the request of the OIST Graduate School.

GOOD NEWS: There is no application fee for the OIST Graduate Scholarships.

Selection Schedule and Deadline

Winter Admissions Selection (WAS) for the OIST Graduate Program 2024:

Application Deadline: November 15th, 2023
Shortlisting Results Announcement: Late December 2023
Information Session Week: January 22nd–26th, 2024
Interview Week: January 29th–February 2nd, 2024
Final Results Announcement: Late February 2024
Enrollment: Academic Year 2024 (May, September, January) or Academic Year 2025 (May, September, January)

Summer Admissions Selection (SAS) for the OIST Graduate Program 2024:

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2024
Shortlisting Results Announcement: Late April 2024
Information Session Week: May 27th–May 31st, 2024
Interview Week: June 3rd–June 7th, 2024
Final Results Announcement: Late June 2024
Enrollment: Academic Year 2024 (September, January) or Academic Year 2025 (May, September, January)