Application Guidelines 2022

Master of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP)

Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo

1. Program Information
Description
The Master of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP) at the Graduate School of Public Policy
(GraSPP) offers a two-year interdisciplinary graduate-level professional degree for future policy
experts.
MPP/IP seeks to nurture individuals who:
aspire to play active roles as public policy professionals and leaders with high ethical standards in
the international society utilizing specialized knowledge and practical competencies acquired at
the graduate school;
can proficiently evaluate current and future challenges, optimize policy responses, evaluate policy
impacts, and build consensus among stakeholders; and
have the competency necessary to apply fundamental knowledge in policy design, implementation
and evaluation honed through a balanced study of law, politics and economics to successfully
resolve policy challenges.

Policy Streams
MPP/IP offers two policy streams below for students to develop in-depth knowledge in their chosen
fields.
Economic Policy, Finance and Development (EPFD)
Public Management and International Relations (PMIR)

Admission Categories
MPP/IP admissions for fresh graduates and early career professionals
MPP/IP admissions for professionals

MPP/IP admissions for fresh graduates and early career professionals are for fresh graduates or those
with work experience of less than two years, who aspire to pursue their careers in public policy related
areas after completing the program.
MPP/IP admissions for professionals are for those who have been working full time in government
offices, NGOs, NPOs, companies, or international organizations at the time of application for at least
two years or have at least two years of full time relevant work experience as independent professionals
and aspire to pursue their careers in public policy related areas after completing the program. In this
category, their work experience is an important criterion used in the admission process. They can apply
for MPP/IP admissions for the category of fresh graduates and early career professionals if they choose
to do so.

CAMPUS Asia Program Option

GraSPP offers the CAMPUS Asia Program which is a student exchange / double degree program between
Peking University, Seoul National University, and the University of Tokyo. Applicants, who seek the
CAMPUS Asia program option, should follow the application guidelines1on the CAMPUS Asia Program
website.

Scholarships
GraSPP offers several scholarship opportunities for admitted MPP/IP applicants. Applicants who seek
scholarships which require professional experiences should apply for the professionals admission
category and carefully read “Scholarships”2 on the GraSPP website .

1
Follow the instructions on “How to Apply” on the CAMPUS Asia Program website.
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/campusasia/course/admission/
2
Access the following link for the scholarships on the GraSPP website.
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/mppip/admissions/scholarships/
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2. Selection Process
Applicants shall be screened and selected based on holistic reviews of each applicant through a two-
stage process: a) a document screening for all applicants and b) an oral examination for all shortlisted
applicants.
After submitting the online application through the GraSPP Web Entry System3, a personalized link to
the online timed video/written assessment platform will be sent to applicants.
The document screening is based on the evaluation of all the submitted application documents
including the online timed video/written assessment materials.
After screening the submitted application documents, applicants, who passed the document screening
process, will be invited to the oral examination. The oral examination will be conducted by an online
interview.

Important Notes
If the applicant provides any false or misleading statement, incomplete or inaccurate information in
any part of the application:
the application may not be screened;
the applicant may be denied admission; or
the offer of admission may be withdrawn at any time, even after enrollment.

3. Eligibility
Those, who have completed or expect to complete their undergraduate education (a bachelor’s degree
or the equivalent) before the enrollment date, are eligible to apply for MPP/IP.
Those, who expect to complete their undergraduate education (bachelor’s degree or the equivalent)
from the enrollment date through September 30, 2022, are required to contact the MPP/IP Desk.
All applicants must carefully read Appendix 2.

4. Degree Offered and Annual Intake

Master of Public Policy
Approximately 654

5. Enrollment Date
Late September, 2022 (April 1, 2022 is also available.5 )

6. Application, Admission and Tuition Fees6

Application Fee : JPY 10,000
Admission Fee : JPY 282,0007
Tuition Fee (annual) : JPY 535,800

3
Access the following link for the GraSPP Web Entry System.
http://www.pp.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/mppip/
4
About twenty places are for partner scholarship programs.
5
April enrollment is only for Japanese nationals and for non-Japanese nationals who, at the time of
application, have a visa valid through the end of March 2022 that allows applicants studying in Japan.
Non-Japanese nationals are required to contact the MPP/IP Desk by December 8 to be pre-checked. The
MPP/IP Desk cannot guarantee that the pre-check can be done by the application deadline if the inquiry
arrives at the MPP/IP Desk after December 8, which could result in non-eligibility for April enrollment.
6
All fees are as of AY2021 and subject to change.
7
The Admission Fee is non-refundable for any reason.
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7. Important Dates for Admission 2022
All dates and times are based on Japan Standard Time.
Necessary announcements will be made on the GraSPP website and/or by email.
Applications that arrive after the deadline shall not be accepted.

<Application Period> <November 1, 2021 to 5pm December 15, 2021>

Deadline for Payment of Application Fee December 14, 2021

Deadline for Letters of Reference December 14, 2021

Deadline for Online Application8 5pm December 15, 2021

Deadline for Online Timed Video/Written Assessment 5pm December 22, 2021
Materials

Deadline for Original Official Application Documents 5pm December 22, 2021
via International Courier Service9

Shortlisted Applicants Announcement10 January 31, 2022

Interview Date11 February 7 or 8, 2022

Admission Results Announcement February 22, 2022

8. Application Documents
For the details of each document, see Appendix 1.

All applicants: required

A. Application Form
B. Photograph of Your Face
C. Official Transcript
D. Official Proof of Graduation
E. Two Letters of Reference
F. Statement of Purpose
G. Receipt Number of Application Fee Payment
H. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) Test Official Score Report
I. Scanned Copy of Passport Portrait Page

All applicants: strongly recommended

J. GRE General Test Official Score Report

If applicable: additionally required

K. Scholarship Eligibility Statement (only applicants seeking scholarship opportunity)
L. Scanned Copy of Award Letter (only applicants already awarded the scholarship)
M. Scanned Copy of Residence Card (only international applicants seeking April enrollment)
N. Official Certificate of Medium of Instruction (only applicants requesting exemption of H.
English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) Test Official Score Report)

Important Notes for all applicants

All documents must be written in English.
In case the applicant cannot submit the original document, a certified copy issued by the
university must be submitted.

8
Completed application documents must be submitted through the GraSPP Web Entry System.
9
The MPP/IP Desk does not respond to inquiries about individual delivery status. Applicants residing in
Japan also must submit their documents by post.
10
Interview schedules will be notified at this time.
11
Applicants invited to an interview are required to be available on the scheduled date and time. The
designated date and time are not negotiable.
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 In case the university does not issue an official document in English, 1) the original
document and 2) an English translation carried out by a translator who is accredited by
the applicant's university or by a notary public must be submitted.
Include only documents listed.
None of the submitted documents and materials shall be returned.
Any revisions to the application documents shall not be considered after submission.

9. Online Timed Video/written Assessment Materials

Applicants will be invited to the internet-based timed video/written assessment platform by an email
within three to ten business days after submitting the online application. Applicants will be directed to
submit timed video/written responses to questions that have been pre-recorded by GraSPP.

10. Miscellaneous
(1) Applicants with disabilities must consult with the MPP/IP Desk prior to the application, so that
considerations for facilitating interviews and classrooms, etc., may be arranged.
(2) International students are required to obtain an appropriate visa according to the Immigration
Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951) prior to undertaking the
enrollment procedure.
(3) The University of Tokyo shall use personal information received only for the purpose of (1) Selection
procedures, (2) Notification of results and (3) Enrollment procedures. For those students who
enroll, this information will also be used for (4) Educational Affairs, (5) Student Support and (6)
Collection of Tuitions.
(4) The screening results used in the selection of entrants may be used for the improvement of both
the Entrance Examination and education programs at the University of Tokyo.
(5) The University of Tokyo has established the “The University of Tokyo Security Export Control
Regulations” in accordance with Japan’s “Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act”, and
rigorously screens potential international students based on these regulations. Please be aware that
international applicants who fall under any of the conditions set out in the said regulations may not
receive permission to enroll at the university or may have their research activities restricted.
Details can be obtained from the following website:
Office of Export Control
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/export-control/ja/rule.html (Japanese only)

11. Contact Information/Mailing Address

MPP/IP Desk
Graduate School Office, Graduate School of Public Policy
The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Email: mppipdesk.j“”gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
When you contact us, please replace“”with @.
All inquiries related to Application and Admission must be made in English by email.

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Appendix 1. Details of Application Documents
A. Application Form
Fill in all information needed.

B. Photograph of Your Face

A color photograph for passport use taken within the last six months

C. Official Transcript
The documents must include all courses, grades and grading policy or scale certified with the
seal/stamp of the universities in which applicants are or were enrolled. Copies shall not be
accepted.
If the transcript does not include the grading policy or scale, a copy of the webpage explaining
it or a letter certified with the seal/stamp of the university should be included.
If available, a cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) must be included. The GPA statement
should be part of the official transcript, or, if separate, must be certified with the seal/stamp
of the university. It must include an explanation of the numerical values used to calculate the
average.
If available, an authorized certificate of the class ranking may also be included.
If the applicant has changed the applicant’s university or participated in exchange programs
and if the applicant’s home university does not report the grades earned, name of courses and
dates of attendance, he/she must include the official transcripts from all the former
universities or colleges.

D. Official Proof of Graduation

The document must include the name of the degree and the date the degree was awarded
and be certified with the seal/stamp of the university from which the applicant earned the
bachelor’s degree. (Please do not send the original diploma.)
Those, who have not yet graduated from their course of study at the time of application, are
requested to submit an authorized statement of anticipated graduation.
If the name of the degree and the date the degree was awarded are contained in the Official
Transcript, applicants do not have to submit the Official Proof of Graduation.

E. Two Letters of Reference: Required that the referees submit through the online system
directly
Applicants must request two referees to write a reference each and be sure that the two
letters of reference have been submitted before submitting the online application.
If applicants have working experience, consider acquiring the letter from professional
supervisors.

F. Statement of Purpose
The length of the Statement of Purpose is up to eight hundred words.
In this statement, applicants must include a detailed explanation of their motivation to apply
for MPP/IP, what to study at GraSPP and how it relates to their future career paths.

G. Receipt Number of Application Fee Payment

Applicants must provide the 12-digit receipt number, which appears on the result screen of
the University of Tokyo’s online payment system “e-shiharai” upon completion of the
payment.
Method of payment: By credit card via e-shiharai
Refer to https://e-shiharai.net/english/ for instructions12.

12
“Examination Fee”→“Agree”about the Personal Information Management →“The University of
Tokyo (Graduate Schools)” →“Graduate School of Public Policy”→“Master of Public Policy”→
“MPP/IP application JPY 10,000”If the instruction does not appear properly, please contact MPP/IP
Desk.
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 Application Fee: JPY10,00013 (Non-refundable)

H. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) Test Official Score Report: Required that the testing
organization send to GraSPP directly
IELTS or TOEFL14 test must have been taken within two years prior to the deadline for online
application.
Before the online application deadline, applicants must request the testing organization to
send IELTS Test Report Form or TOEFL Institutional Score Report to GraSPP.
IELTS Test Report Form must be in Academic Module Test.
ETS Institution Code 8554 must be used in sending TOEFL Institutional Score Report.
If GraSPP does not receive IELTS Test Report Form or TOEFL Institutional Score Report (Test
Date Scores) that has an identical set of scores and test date as in the online application, the
application will be deemed as withdrawn.
The Institutional Score Report of PBT or iBT is acceptable. (ITP is not acceptable). Test Date
Scores are only accepted. Applicants cannot use MyBest Scores for application.
In the case the applicant cannot submit TOEFL or IELTS scores due to reasons beyond the
control of the applicant, the reason must be stated in the application form.
(English Proficiency Requirement Exemption)
There will be no exemption unless listed below.
(1) An applicant who has received an English-medium education for at least four years of the first
six years of their schooling and at least five years of the second six years of their schooling in
Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the U.S.A.
(2) An applicant who earned or is expected to earn a bachelor’s degree, or the international
equivalent thereof, from an institution, where the primary language of the entire institution
(not only the applicant’s department or program) is English, in Australia, Canada, Ireland,
New Zealand, the U.K. or the U.S.A.
(3) An applicant who earned or is expected to earn a bachelor’s degree, or the international
equivalent thereof, from an institution, where the primary language of the entire institution
(not only the applicant’s department or program) is English in countries other than Australia,
Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the U.K. or the U.S.A. If an applicant falls into this category,
he/she is required to contact the MPP/IP Desk by December 8 to be pre-checked and send a
certificate of medium of Instruction 15issued by the institution by mail. The applicant also
must submit the certificate by uploading to the web entry system and then by post. The
MPP/IP Desk cannot guarantee that the pre-check can be done by the application deadline if
the inquiry arrives at the MPP/IP Desk after December 8, which could result in non-eligibility
for English exemption.

I. Scanned Copy of Passport Portrait Page

A scanned copy of the applicant’s portrait page
Applicants who do not currently possess a passport may submit a copy of a census register or
other proof of citizenship.

J. GRE General Test Official Score Report: Required that ETS send to GraSPP directly
The GRE16 test must have been taken within five years prior to the deadline for online
application .

13
Japanese government (Monbukagakusho:MEXT) scholarship students are exempted from paying the
application fee as well as the admission fee and annual tuition. If applicable, please submit a
certificate of MEXT scholarship student.
14
IELTS Indicator and TOEFL iBT Home Edition are also acceptable.
15
The certificate of medium of Instruction must be printed on an official letterhead and it must bear
the following information: 1. Name of the university, 2. Date of issue, 3. Applicant's name, 4. Date of
degree conferral, 5. Name of the degree conferred, 6. Description that the medium of instruction at
the entire institution, not only at the applicant’s department or program, is English, and 7. Name, job
title and contact email address of the person who certifies the above information.
16
GRE General Test at home is acceptable.
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 Before the online application deadline, applicants must request ETS to send the Official
Institution Score Report to GraSPP.
The ETS Institution Code 3944 must be used in sending GRE Official Institution Score Report.
If GraSPP does not receive the GRE Official Institution Score Report that has an identical set of
scores and test date as in the online application, the application will be deemed as
withdrawn.

K. Scholarship Eligibility Statement (only applicants seeking scholarship opportunity)

Check the scholarship eligibility.

L. Scanned Copy of Award Letter (only applicants already awarded the scholarship)
A scanned copy of the award letter from a scholarship provider showing the total sum of the
scholarship in Japanese yen or US dollars as well as the general terms and conditions of the
scholarship

M. Scanned Copy of Resident Card (only international applicants seeking April enrollment)
A scanned copy of resident card issued by Immigration Bureau of Japan (Zairyu Card) - both
sides

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Appendix 2. Eligibility Requirements

Persons who fulfill at least one of the following requirements are eligible to apply to the MPP/IP
program:
(1) Those who have graduated from a Japanese university or are expected to graduate by the
enrollment date. (Note 1)
(2) Those who have completed, or are expected to complete by the enrollment date, sixteen years of
school education abroad. (Note 2)
(3) Those who have been conferred a degree equivalent to that of a bachelor's degree or are expected
to be conferred it before the enrollment date from a foreign university or other foreign institution
(limited to those whose comprehensive status of education and research activities have been assessed
by the government of the said foreign country or a related organization), having completed a program
with a completion period of three years or more. (Note 2)
(4) Those designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology or those
who have graduated or are expected to graduate by the enrollment date from an educational
institution designated by the Minister. (Note 3)
(5) Those who have been conferred a bachelor's degree or are expected to be conferred it before the
enrollment date by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher
Education (NIAD).
(6) Those who are 22 years or older on the enrollment date, whom this graduate school has recognized
through an individual screening of entrance qualifications, as having abilities that are at least
equivalent to those who have graduated from a Japanese university. (Note 1) (Note 4)
(Note1)
Japanese universities mentioned in Eligibilities (1) and (6) above are universities within the boundaries
of Japan and as prescribed in Article 83 of the School Education Law.
(Note 2)
Eligibilities (2) and (3) above include the case of having completed a correspondence program provided
by a foreign school of said country while residing in Japan.
(Note 3)
Those as mentioned in Eligibility (4) above refer to any who has graduated from the following schools or
educational institutions.
・The Japan branch of a foreign school as designated by the Minster of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
・Specialized training college designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology (limited to programs where the program duration is at least four years and which satisfies
standards determined by the Minister)
・Universities under the old university ordinances, or higher educational institutions (daigakko) under
the national/provincial/independent administrative agency ordinances
(Note 4)
(a) Those mentioned in Eligibility (6) above refer to those who do not fall into any of the Eligibilities
(1) through (5) above but have graduated from an educational institution equivalent to a four-year
university, and whom this graduate school has recognized, through an individual screening of
entrance qualifications, as having abilities that are at least equivalent to those who have graduated
from a Japanese university.
(b) Those who wish to apply based on Eligibility (6) above must submit all the documents specified by
the MPP/IP Desk by December 8, 2021 as the eligibility for application is confirmed individually in
advance by a document screening. Please inquire the MPP/IP Desk in advance about the eligibility
for application and the documents to be submitted.
(c) Those who are recognized as having abilities that are at least equivalent to those who have
graduated from a Japanese university through a screening of entrance qualifications will be
permitted to apply and take the entrance examination.
(d) The results of this screening will be notified directly by email.