FAQ
About Admissions(Entrance Examination)
| Q. I would like to know, in specific terms, what qualities your graduate school is looking for in applicants. |
| A. Please refer to the Admissions Guidelines, which include our Admissions Policy. |
| Q. How should I decide which research area I would like to join? |
| A. At our graduate school, we offer a pre-application consultation to help you confirm the match between your intended research topic and each research area before you apply. The Admissions Guidelines also list contact information for each area, and you may consult with faculty members by email or phone. If you are unsure which area to choose, please consult the faculty members in each area. Applicants who will take the application eligibility screening will confirm the match of their research topic at the time of the screening, so they do not need to have a separate pre-application consultation. However, if you wish to change your preferred area after passing the screening, you will need to have a pre-application consultation with the newly preferred area. |
| Q.I have had a preliminary interview consultation for my preferred research area. Can I also have consultations with other laboratories or research areas? |
| A. Yes. You may have preliminary interview consultations with multiple research areas. These consultations are conducted to confirm the match between your research interests and the research area. You are also welcome to inquire in advance by email (etc.) about whether your research topic is a good fit before requesting a consultation. |
| Q.What does the preliminary interview consultation for the Master’s Program involve? |
| A.The preliminary interview consultation is conducted to confirm in advance whether your intended research theme and interests appropriately match your desired research area. During the consultation, you will receive an explanation of the research topics available in the area and the supervision system, and you will discuss with faculty members how well your research plan and interests align, as well as how your research would proceed after enrollment. |
| Q.I was planning to apply last year but had to withdraw because the schedule did not work out. At that time, I had a preliminary interview consultation with the faculty member I would like to be supervised by. In this case, do I need to have a consultation again this year? |
| A. In principle, applicants are required to have a preliminary interview consultation before submitting an application and taking the entrance examination. Even if you have already had a consultation last year, we ask you to have one each application year to confirm any changes in your situation. However, please check with faculty members in your intended research area to see whether a new consultation is required. |
| Q.Can I discuss my research plan during the preliminary interview? |
| A. Yes. If you have any questions or concerns about how you would proceed with your research after enrollment, please feel free to consult with faculty members during the preliminary interview consultation. |
| Q.Could you please tell me specifically what preparations I should make in advance for the graduate school entrance examination? |
| A. First, be sure to confirm whether you can submit your external English test score by the application deadline, or at the latest bring it with you on the examination day. If you plan to take an English test from now, please check the score issuance date before taking the test. Please note that if you do not submit an English score, you will not be allowed to take the examination even if you come to the test venue on the day. [For the Doctoral Program] In the oral examination, you will be required to give a presentation on your future research plan and related topics. Please prepare the materials needed for the presentation after checking the details in the Admissions Guidelines. The examination will last a total of 20 minutes: a 10-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. You may not use a computer; you will present using printed handouts and printed slide materials. Please prepare accordingly. [For the Master’s Program] In the oral examination, you will be asked questions about how you intend to address issues related to children’s mental health in the future, as well as your reasons for applying and your future aspirations. Through the Q&A, you will be assessed on your knowledge of these issues, motivation and enthusiasm, potential, communication skills, and other qualities. The Q&A session lasts 20 minutes. Please prepare accordingly. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program] I graduated from a junior college advanced course and was admitted to a master’s program based on eligibility screening. The application guidelines say that transcripts from both the undergraduate program and the graduate school must be submitted, but if my final academic background is the junior college advanced course, is it acceptable to submit that transcript instead? |
| A. If your highest level of education prior to entering the master’s program is a junior college advanced course, please submit the transcript from the junior college advanced course as your “undergraduate transcript.” If your final academic background is a college of technology or a specialized training college, please submit the transcript from the respective institution as well. |
| Q.My graduation certificate and other documents are in my maiden name. Do I need to submit proof of my name change? |
| A. Yes. If your graduation certificate or other documents are issued under your former name, please enclose a document that verifies the name change (former name → current name) with your application materials, or bring it with you on the examination day. If you enclose the supporting document with your application, it will be returned to you when your admission ticket is sent. |
| Q.Are most students who advance from a psychology background primarily from clinical psychology? Are there any students who have advanced from basic psychology? |
| A. Among our current students and graduates, there are several who come from basic psychology (including experimental psychology). Some entered the program with backgrounds in experimental psychology and clinical psychology, and after completing the program they have gone on to work in a wide range of specialized fields. In addition, we have faculty members whose backgrounds are in basic and experimental psychology, so we are fully able to accept applicants from basic psychology as well. |
| Q.Will my previous research achievements be considered in the selection process for the doctoral (later-stage) entrance examination? |
| A. Yes, your research achievements will also be considered as part of the evaluation. |
| Q.It has been some time since I obtained my master’s degree. If I would like to pursue a new research topic, would it be better to apply starting from the master’s (first-stage) program? Is it possible to take both the master’s (first-stage) and doctoral (later-stage) entrance examinations? |
| A.You may take both the first-stage (master’s) and later-stage (doctoral) entrance examinations. Whether it is better to begin your research in the first-stage program should be decided after thoroughly consulting with a faculty member in your desired field. |
| Q.I have some knowledge of educational sociology and a bit of educational psychology, but I do not have any clinical experience. Would it be impossible for me to advance to the United Graduate School of Child Development? |
| A. It is possible for you to apply and advance to the United Graduate School of Child Development. |
| Q.Is it possible to conduct science-related research even in the program for working professionals? Also, I am not in a medical-related profession—would it still be possible for me to advance to the program? |
| A. Yes, it is possible. |
| Q.I have a developmental disability. Are any accommodations available during the entrance examination? Also, could you tell me what kinds of accommodations might be provided? A. If you would like accommodations for the entrance examination, please consul |
| A. If you would like accommodations for the entrance examination, please consult with the Osaka Campus administrative office before the application period begins. After confirming in advance what kind of accommodations you need, we will inform you of the accommodations that can be provided. |
| Q.Is it possible to take the entrance examination from outside (off campus)? |
| A. Remote examinations are not available. The entrance examination is conducted in person, so you will need to come to The University of Osaka to take it. |
Admissions (Entrance Examination): English Test Scores
| Q.What level of English test score is required? |
| A. In order to write academic papers, you will need the ability to read and interpret scholarly articles in English, as well as to listen to and understand seminars conducted in English. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain an English test score that reflects a level of proficiency commensurate with these requirements. However, admission decisions are not determined solely by the score of an external English proficiency test. The final decision is made based on a comprehensive evaluation that also takes into account the results of the oral examination (presentation). |
| Q.Up to how many years back are English test scores considered valid? |
| A. Starting with the entrance examination for Academic Year 2027, only English test scores dated within the two years prior to the application submission date for the relevant entrance examination are considered valid. |
| Q.I will not receive my English test score report by the day of the entrance examination. May I submit a printed copy of the score report posted online? |
| A. For external English proficiency tests, you must submit an official score report (or equivalent document) that is officially issued by the test organization. Printouts of scores posted online are not accepted as officially issued documents (except for TOEFL iBT). If you plan to take an external English test, please be sure to confirm that the official score report will arrive in your possession by the application period (at the latest, by the examination date). |
| Q.May I submit TOEIC (TOEIC IP) or TOEFL (TOEFL ITP) scores taken through a university-administered group test? |
| A. Group-administered tests such as TOEIC IP and TOEFL ITP use previously released test questions, and therefore our graduate school cannot treat these scores as official scores. |
| Q.If I have graduated from a university in an English-speaking country, is it still mandatory to submit an external English test score such as IELTS? |
| A. Yes. Submission of an external English proficiency test score is required of all applicants. |
About Application Eligibility Screening
| Q.If I undergo Application Eligibility Screening, is it sufficient to submit only my most recent certificate of employment, or do I need to submit all past certificates? |
| A. For the certificates verifying your period of employment (to certify the length of your practical work experience), you must submit documentation covering the number of years of work experience required for the relevant eligibility category. Submitting certificates that cover work experience beyond the required number of years is optional. |
| Q.If I pass the Application Eligibility Screening for the first entrance examination period but do not pass the first entrance examination, can I still apply for the second entrance examination period? |
| A. Yes. Your application eligibility remains valid even across academic years, so you may apply for and take the second and subsequent entrance examinations as well. |
About Classes and the Curriculum
| Q.What kinds of classes can I take in the United Graduate School? |
| A. The classes available in our graduate school are as follows: （Doctoral Program : Advanced-Entry Track） ●Introductory Subjects These are lecture-style foundational courses that are common to all three areas—Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social/Psychological Sciences—and are designed to ensure basic academic competence. Students in the Doctoral Course take these courses in the first year. ●Seminar Subjects These are intensive lecture and practicum courses conducted over three to four days. In the practicum, students participate in advanced clinical and research settings and also attend conferences. Based on these experiences, students prepare a report on a selected theme, citing the latest research papers. Students in the Doctoral Course take these courses starting in the second year, while students in the Master’s and Doctoral Integrated Course take them starting in the first year. ●Advanced Major Subjects Under the supervision of the academic advisor in each department, students regularly attend departmental seminars to deepen their specialized knowledge. At the same time, they conduct clinical and basic research on their chosen research topic and compile their doctoral dissertation. Students in the Doctoral Course take these courses in the second to third years, while students in the Master’s and Doctoral Integrated Course take them starting in the first year. Students in the Doctoral Course must complete at least 30 credits in total, consisting of: 10 or more credits from Introductory Subjects (including 2 required credits), 8 or more credits from Seminar Subjects, and 12 credits from Advanced Major Subjects. Students in the Master’s and Doctoral Integrated Course must complete at least 26 credits in total, consisting of: , 8 or more credits from Seminar Subjects, and 18 credits from Advanced Major Subjects. （Mastar’s Program） ●Basic Introductory Subjects These are lecture-style foundational courses common to the three areas—Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social/Psychological Sciences—through which students learn research methods and build core academic skills. They are taken in the first year. ●Basic Seminar Subjects These are lecture and practicum courses in which students learn research methods at their home institution, apply them in actual research, and receive supervision. They are taken in the first year. ●Basic Major Subjects Under the guidance of the supervisor in each department, students regularly attend departmental seminars to deepen their specialized knowledge. At the same time, they conduct clinical and basic research on their selected research topic and compile their thesis/paper. These courses are taken in the second year. Students must complete at least 30 credits in total, consisting of: 18 or more credits from Basic Introductory Subjects (including 4 required credits), 6 credits from Basic Seminar Subjects, and 6 credits from Basic Major Subjects. |
| Q.How do I take classes in the United Graduate School? |
| A. For “Introductory Subjects /Basic Introductory Subjects” classes are delivered using the videoconferencing systems installed in the lecture rooms at each member university and/or online tools such as Zoom. You can attend these real-time classes in the lecture room at your home university, and (when delivered via online tools) you may also attend from home, your workplace, etc. For the Master’s Program, “Basic Seminar Subjects” are taken at your home university. For the Doctoral Program, “Seminar Subjects” are taken by traveling to the university where the seminar is offered and attending in an intensive format over 3–4 days. |
| Q.In what format will first-year lectures be offered? |
| A. As a rule, Introductory / Basic Introductory courses are taken in person (face-to-face), but they can also be taken via online delivery. |
| Q.I’m planning to enroll as a working adult. I heard that classes can be taken via e-Learning—can I complete the entire program using e-Learning only? |
| A. You can take Introductory Subjects / Basic Introductory Subjects via e-Learning (videos recorded from live classes). However, attendance is generally required in real time, either in person or via the teleconferencing system / online tools (e.g., Zoom). If you are unavoidably unable to attend in real time, you may be counted as present by watching the e-Learning materials and submitting assignments given by the instructor. That said, for Seminar Subjects/Basic Seminar Subjects, participation in on-site practical training at the offering university is mandatory, so it is not possible to complete the program by taking all classes only through e-Learning. The graduate school does make accommodations for working students—for example, enabling review using e-Learning materials for Introductory courses, and offering some Seminar Subjects in the summer. |
| Q.Does the graduate school offer a curriculum aligned with the Certified Public Psychologist qualification? |
| A. No. This graduate school does not offer a curriculum that corresponds to the Certified Public Psychologist qualification. |
| Q.I started taking teacher certification courses last year, and I’m hoping to complete the remaining credits and required practicum while I’m in graduate school. Is that possible? Also, I’m currently taking them at Osaka University—would it be possible to take them at another university as well? |
| A. It is possible. Since students in this graduate school are regarded as “students affiliated with Osaka University,” they may also take courses offered by other graduate schools at Osaka University. If the required courses are offered as courses open to students from other graduate schools, then all students in this graduate school are eligible to enroll. However, please note that credits earned in those courses will not be counted toward the number of credits required for obtaining a degree in this graduate school. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]Although Introductory Subjects are typically taken in the first year and Seminar Subjects in the second year, is it possible to take the introductory courses in the second year or later? |
| A. Yes, you can take Introductory Subjects in your second year. However, since these courses are intended to provide the basic knowledge necessary for conducting research, it is recommended that you take them in your first year whenever possible. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]If I am unable to attend all sessions of a Seminar Subjects, can I still take the subjects? |
| A. For Seminar Subjects, participation in all scheduled sessions is required. Please adjust your schedule so that you can attend the entire course when enrolling in a Seminar Subjects. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]Regarding the Seminar Subjects, since we need to earn 8 credits, do we have to take four Seminar Subjects offered at the four universities other than our home university? Even if I’m interested, are we not allowed to join seminars held at our own university? Also, are the seminars conducted in person on site? |
| A. You will select and take four courses from a total of nine Seminar Subjects offered across the five universities. You may also choose seminars offered by your home university. In principle, classes are taken in person at the location where they are offered. |
About Student Life]
| Q.If I am enrolled at a university other than the Osaka campus, will I be able to use my home university’s facilities, such as the library? Also, can I use Osaka University’s library? |
| A. Even if your home university is not Osaka campus, you can use your home university’s facilities in the same way as regular students there. As for the University of Osaka’s library, your student ID card serves as your entry pass, so no additional procedures are required. You can also access e-journals and databases from off campus. |
| Q.Is there a system for waiving the admission fee or tuition? |
| A. At the University of Osaka , as part of its financial aid support, there are systems under which—based on a student’s application and after screening, within the limits of the available budget—an admission fee and/or tuition waiver may be granted, as well as systems that allow for an extension of the payment deadline. If you are having difficulty making payments due to financial reasons or family circumstances, please carefully check the guidance and information posted on the University’s website. |
| Q.Are there any scholarship programs available? |
| A.While the graduate school does not have its own scholarship program, you may apply for scholarships offered by local governments or private scholarship foundations/associations. Information will be provided as it becomes available. If you have difficulty covering educational expenses for financial reasons, please consider applying for scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO). Please note, however, that loan-type scholarships must be repaid. |
| Q.Are there any scholarships or support programs for international students? |
| A. Our graduate school does not offer scholarships or support programs specifically for international students. However, you may apply for scholarships provided by local governments or private scholarship foundations/associations. Information on scholarships that can be applied for through the university will be announced as it becomes available. Please also note that in the doctoral (later) program, there is a tuition waiver system for outstanding international students. For details, please check the website. |
| Q.If I am considering applying for a scholarship, should I apply as an the University of Osaka student, or as a student of the university I plan to be affiliated with? |
| A. All students in the United Graduate School of Child Development are registered as the University of Osaka students. Therefore, you should apply for scholarships as an the University of Osaka student. |
| Q.Are there any students who commute to a university that is far from their home? Also, do any students move for enrollment? |
| A. Yes, some students commute to a university that is far from their home. In fact, there have been students who, during their third doctoral year (D3) while writing their dissertation, traveled by plane or Shinkansen to commute once or twice a week and successfully earned their degree. There are also students who have moved from distant locations to the area where the university is located upon enrollment. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]If I use the long-term enrollment system and remain enrolled for four years, will the tuition be the same as for the standard period, or will I need to pay four years’ worth? I would also appreciate it if you could let me know whether there are any differences in other fees/expenses compared with graduating within the standard period. |
| A. If you use the long-term enrollment system, you will not pay “four years’ worth” of tuition. Instead, the total tuition for the standard program duration (three years) will be divided and paid over four years (eight payments: spring and fall semesters each year). As for other fees, since your enrollment period will be four years, insurance premiums such as “Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research” may increase depending on the length of coverage. Other costs that are linked to the period of enrollment may also differ. |
| Q.Are there any students who balance their studies with raising children? |
| A. Yes—there are many. |
| Q.If I am affiliated with a university other than the Osaka campus, do I have to go to Osaka University for the entrance ceremony and the degree conferment ceremony? |
| A. Attendance at the entrance ceremony, the university-wide degree conferment ceremony, and the graduate school’s degree certificate presentation ceremony is optional. However, since these events are held at venues such as Osaka-jō Hall and the University of Osaka , you would need to come to Osaka if you wish to attend. |
About Research and Degrees
| Q.Can I receive supervision from faculty members other than my primary supervisor? |
| A. In our graduate school, we place importance on ensuring that students can receive broad research guidance from faculty in a wide range of research fields.Taking the student’s preferences into account, a secondary supervisor can be appointed depending on the research area. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]I’m planning to enroll as a working professional, but I’m worried about whether I can complete my degree within three years while balancing my job. |
| A. For those who have full-time employment, or who need to manage childbirth, childcare, care giving, medical treatment due to illness or disability, etc., we offer a The System for Extending the period of Registration. This system allows you to study in a planned manner and complete the program with an extended enrollment period of up to four years. |
| Q.How much freedom do I have in choosing my research topic after enrollment? Do I need to match the research theme of my affiliated university? |
| A. Your research topic will be decided based on what you would like to study, in consultation with your academic supervisor at your affiliated university. You do not need to align your topic with the affiliated university’s research theme. |
| Q.I have had limited experience conducting research in the natural sciences. After enrolling in this graduate school, would it be possible for me to engage in natural science research as well? Up to my master’s program, I have mainly worked in the humanities and social sciences, so I am a bit concerned. |
| A. Yes, it is possible. The United Graduate School of Child Development is an interdisciplinary graduate school that integrates the humanities and sciences. Students with a background in the humanities and social sciences also conduct research after acquiring knowledge in areas such as medicine, biology, and education. In fact, there have been students from humanities/social science backgrounds who began conducting medical-related research after enrollment, completed their dissertations, and earned their degrees. |
| Q.From the titles of some doctoral dissertations I have seen, it seemed that medical research is the main focus. What kinds of research have been conducted by students who hold a master’s degree in social welfare (i.e., those with a humanities/social sciences background)? (Are there dissertations other than psychology that use medicine or statistics?) |
| A. The United Graduate School of Child Development is an interdisciplinary graduate school that integrates the humanities and sciences. Students from humanities and social science backgrounds also conduct research after acquiring knowledge in areas such as medicine, biology, and education, so it is not the case that medical research dissertations are the main focus. There are also many doctoral dissertations that are not psychology-based and do not rely on medicine or statistics. |
| Q.Is it possible to write a thesis that incorporates both social-science and natural-science fields and complete the program? |
| A. Yes, it is possible. Regarding how to integrate and organize research from the two fields, please write your thesis under the guidance of your academic supervisor. |
| Q.Will the diploma be issued by The University of Osaka upon completion, or will it be issued by each participating university? |
| A. All students of the United Graduate School of Child Development are registered as The University of Osaka students, so the diploma/degree certificate is issued by The University of Osaka. Please note that the name of your affiliated university is also printed on the degree certificate. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]Is it possible to apply for the JSPS Research Fellowship (DC1)? |
| A. Yes, it is possible. |
| Q.[Doctoral Program]Can students of the United Graduate School of Child Development apply for Osaka University’s Program for Developing Next-Generation Challenging Researchers even if they are affiliated with a university other than the Osaka campus? |
| A. Yes, they can. Students affiliated with campuses other than Osaka also participate in the Program for Developing Next-Generation Challenging Researchers (including earning credits and completing the program). |
About career paths
| Q.After completing the program, what kinds of career paths are available? |
| A. Because many of our students are working professionals, some continue in their current jobs after graduation. Others make use of the knowledge and experience gained in the graduate school to work across Japan in a wide range of fields, including university faculty positions, research posts, hospitals, government/administrative agencies, and boards of education. |
| Q.Have any graduates found employment in private companies after completing the master’s program? |
| A. Yes, they have. |
| 【Contact Information】 United Graduate School Section, General Affairs Division, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka  |