What is the status of the master’s programme at UNU-IAS?
UNU-IAS is an international academic institution chartered by the United Nations to grant postgraduate degrees. The master’s programme at UNU-IAS is officially recognised as a foreign institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT). That is, credits earned at UNU-IAS are recognised by Japanese universities, and graduates of the programme are entitled to apply for PhD programmes in Japan. In addition, UNU-IAS postgraduate degree programmes were accredited by the National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE) of Japan.
How long is the master's programme? When does it start?
The standard period of study for the UNU-IAS master’s programme is two years. Students are expected to complete all course work and thesis on site over a two-year period. The programme starts in September each year, with students expected to complete all the requirements by July in the second academic year after enrolment.
Do you allow students to attend part-time? Do you offer online courses?
The programme is offered on a full-time basis only. Students need to reside in Tokyo for the full duration of the programme to attend lectures and seminars. UNU-IAS does not offer online degree programmes at this time.
Can I visit UNU-IAS prior to applying? Do you have an open campus day?
Unfortunately, we are not able to hold any information sessions or campus tours at this time.
Does UNU-IAS also offer a PhD programme?
UNU-IAS established a PhD programme in 2012. Please refer to the PhD programme pages for further details.
Fees and Expenses
Are there other fees besides the 10,000 USD annual tuition?
No processing fee is required for application.
Do you have a payment plan for tuition or do I need to submit a full payment?
50% of the tuition for the first academic year (5,000 USD, non-refundable) is due within 10 UNU working days after the notification of admissions decision. The rest (5,000 USD) is due before the start of the Autumn Semester. For the second academic year, a full tuition (10,000 USD) is due before the start of the Autumn Semester.
Can I pay for tuition with a credit card?
No. We do not accept credit card payments. Currently, the only method of payment accepted is wire transfer. Details will be provided in the acceptance letter to admitted students.
The website says that the tuition is 10,000 USD per year, but that I need to have 56,000 USD for two years. Can you explain?
The annual tuition is 10,000 USD. In addition to this fee, we anticipate that it will cost you approximately 27,719* USD per year to live in Tokyo. Therefore, the total estimated cost is 75,438 USD for the two-year programme. Below we provide an estimate of average costs for monthly housing and living expenses for students in Tokyo: Rent (central Tokyo): 80,000 JPY, 778 USD Utilities (gas, electricity, water): 8,000 JPY, 78 USD Compulsory National Health Insurance: 3,000 JPY, 30 USD Communication (mobile, internet connection): 10,000 JPY, 98 USD Food: 32,000 JPY, 331 USD Transportation: 10,000 JPY, 98 USD Books: 9,000 JPY, 87 USD Monthly total: 152,000 JPY / 1,480 USD
Scholarships and Funding
Does UNU-IAS offer financial assistance for students?
The Japan Foundation for UNU (JFUNU) Scholarship is available for outstanding applicants from developing countries who can demonstrate a need for financial assistance, and they will be considered as candidates for the award of the scholarship. The JFUNU scholarship covers the full tuition fees, and provides a monthly allowance of 150,000 yen* for living expenses for a maximum of 24 months. Travel costs to and from Japan, visa handling fees, and health/accident insurance costs must be covered by the student. Please note that the JFUNU scholarship is highly competitive and offered to a very small number of students who are granted admission to UNU-IAS. Thus, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for other funding opportunities from the government of their own country, private foundations, or international funding agencies. *150,000 yen is the average monthly living cost for an international student without dependents in Tokyo, although this amount may vary depending on the lifestyle of the student.
How can I apply for a UNU-IAS scholarship (i.e. JFUNU scholarship)?
During admission selection process, outstanding applicants from developing countries with financial need will be automatically considered as candidates for the award of the JFUNU scholarship. Thus, no separate application is necessary.
What is the FAFSA school code for UNU-IAS?
UNU-IAS does not hold a code for the U.S. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) system. Citizens from the United States are encouraged to find other funding sources.
Can you provide me with a list of organisations that offer scholarship funding for postgraduate students?
We currently do not have a list of scholarships available as we receive students from around the world and each country has its own systems for awarding scholarships. We would recommend that you consult with your home university as they may have information on various scholarship opportunities available for graduate students.
Entry Requirements
Am I eligible to apply?
You are eligible to apply as long as you have met our entry requirements by the application deadline.
Do I need to have a bachelor’s degree in a certain field?
Interested applicants should have a bachelor's degree in a field related to sustinability science.
Do you require GRE and/or GMAT scores? Do you have a minimum GPA requirement?
We do not require GRE or GMAT scores, nor do we have a minimum required GPA or class rank. However, the applicant pool is academically strong and admission to the university is highly competitive.
Do I need any professional experience in order to apply for the programme?
Our programme does not require professional experience.
My TOEFL/IELTS score is lower than your requirement. Can I still submit my application?
Applicants for the programme need to show sufficient written and verbal English language skills prior to enrolment to the programme. All courses are taught in English and students are expected to demonstrate fluency to actively participate in the high level academic courses. If you are unable to submit a sufficient score prior to the application deadline, we ask that you continue to improve your English ability, take the test again, and apply for the programme next year or in the near future.
I will take TOEFL/IELTS next month and cannot submit the score by the application deadline. Can I submit the score after the deadline?
No. All application materials, including TOEFL/IELTS test scores, transcripts, and letters of reference, must be received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.
Do I need a score from the Japanese Language Proficiency Test? Do you require applicants to speak Japanese?
No. We do not require the Japanese Language Proficiency Certificate, nor do we require applicants to speak Japanese. Our courses are conducted entirely in English.
Online Application
I wish to apply for your programme, but I have limited internet access.UNU-IAS requires online applications to be considered?
There are several things you can do if your internet access is limited. You can:
Work on part of your application and return to it at any time before submitting it. Just remember you login.
Use computers provided at school, libraries, internet cafes, or by a friend.
Print out a SAMPLE online application form and find the answers to the questions while you are off line.
Store your answers online or in a portable external hard drive (or USB stick) and cut and paste your answers into the application.
I can't view the online application form.
You must first create a user account before you can view and submit the online application form. To create an account, please view the Applications page and fill out the required fields.
I created an account but still can't log in.
Please allow 1-2 business days for the account creation process. Your account must be approved by a system administrator. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as your account has been approved with further instructions.
I created a new account but didn't receive a confirmation email.
When you create an account, you must enter a valid email address. A confirmation email with your account approval and login details will be sent in 1-2 business days. Please make sure you have received this confirmation email and check if your email provider’s spam filter setting will allow email from CECAR.UNU.EDU. It is required that you have a valid email account to which we can send your login details and account approval confirmation.
I am an undergraduate student and do not have a full-time work experience. Can I write about my part-time job/internship/volunteering activities in the section of Professional Background?
Please do not write about your internship, part-time job, or volunteering activities in the section of Professional Background as this section is for full-time employment. If such experiences as internship and/or part-time job are related to your personal achievement which you would like to bring to our attention, please write about them in Essay 3 of the application.
Can I submit two professional references?
The reason we request at least one academic reference is to assess the applicant’s academic competency in pursuing a master’s degree programme. You may submit two professional references; however, it is in your best interest to submit academic references whenever possible.
Can I submit more than two letters of reference?
We require only two letters of reference. Please list the two main referees in the form. If you submit additional references, the selection committee will give priority to the ones listed on the form.
My referee cannot send a letter of reference by the application deadline. Can you accept a letter after the deadline?
After your submission of all application materials, the Admission Office will directly ask your referees to send a letter of reference. Therefore, you do not have to submit it at the application.
If my referee cannot send the letter in English what should I do?
All application materials need to be in English. If your referee is unable to provide a letter in English, the reference letter must be accompanied by an official or certified translation provided by a school, public notary, professional translator or other recognized service. For validity reasons, you cannot do the translation yourself, even if you are qualified to do so.
My school is sending my transcript to you directly. Should I wait until you receive them before sending you my application materials?
You have to upload a copy of official transcripts when you submit the application online. Sealed official transcripts will be requested upon admission acceptance.
I attended three universities. Do you need all the transcripts?
Yes, please provide the transcripts of all schools attended unless your main transcript clearly shows the name of the institutions you were transferred from, the period of enrolment for each, and the names and grades received for all the course work.
Is it possible to retrieve my original documents after the submitting my application?
Please do not submit original documents to UNU-ISP. Unfortunately, it is not possible to return application documents once it has been submitted. Thus, you should send certified copies rather than submit any irreplaceable originals.
My referee says he/she has not been contacted by UNU-IAS with the “guideline” on how to submit the reference letters.
Please ask your referee to ensure that our e-mails are not filtered into the spam or junk folder. UNU-IAS will not be held responsible for unread e-mail communication. Applicants should inform the referees of the e-mail from the UNU-IAS Admissions Office.
My referee could not submit a reference letter. Can I submit a paper version on their behalf?
No. All reference letters must be submitted online by the referees themselves.
Admissions Decisions
Can you tell me the status of my application?
No. The Admissions Office does not reply to the inquiries regarding the application status or admission decision by email or phone during the review period of applications (6 to 8 weeks after the application deadline).
I want to withdraw my application. What should I do?
We must receive written notification from you that you would like your application to be withdrawn by email addressed to the Admissions Office (gdp@unu.edu) indicating “MSc Application Withdrawal” in the subject line. Please use the same email address you provided on your Application Form.
How are admission decisions made? What are the criteria?
Admission decisions are based on institutional review, using a combination of factors, including academic degrees and records, essays, research plan, letters of reference, and relevant work experience (if any). UNU-ISP also considers the appropriateness of your goals to the degree programme and to the research interests of the programme's faculty.
Why was I rejected?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Can I reapply?
Yes. You can reapply for the programme for the next academic year. Resubmission requires a completely new set of application documents, including letters of reference. No previous application materials will act as supporting resource.
Can I defer my offer?
No. Acceptance is valid only for the academic year that you applied for, and applicants have to re-apply.
Living in Tokyo
How much will it cost me to live in Tokyo?
The annual tuition is 10,000 USD. In addition to this fee, we anticipate that it will cost you approximately 18,000 USD per year to live in Tokyo. Therefore, the total estimated cost is 56,000 USD for the two-year programme. Below we provide an estimate of average costs for monthly housing and living expenses for students in Tokyo: Rent (central Tokyo): 80,000 JPY, 778 USD Utilities (gas, electricity, water): 8,000 JPY, 78 USD Compulsory National Health Insurance: 3,000 JPY, 30 USD Communication (mobile, internet connection): 10,000 JPY, 98 USD Food: 32,000 JPY, 331 USD Transportation: 10,000 JPY, 98 USD Books: 9,000 JPY, 87 USD Monthly total: 152,000 JPY / 1,480 USD
Can you help me find housing in Tokyo?
There are no UNU housing facilities available. Admitted students are provided with a handbook which provides information and advice on finding housing in Tokyo. Students are expected to secure their own housing for this programme.
How do I apply for a Japanese visa?
Upon acceptance into the programme, we will provide you with all the necessary information and documentation for obtaining a Japanese student visa.
After UNU-IAS
What kinds of career opportunities are available to the graduates of the programme?
We expect our students to become important human resources who will contribute to solving global issues by means of being employed by United Nations agencies, international organisations, government agencies, and other similar institutions. However, it depends entirely on the students themselves what kind of job they will find after they have completed the programme.
Will participating in this course guarantee me a position at the UN after graduation?
Completing our programme does not guarantee employment at any UN agencies or any other international organizations.
