Admissions

Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies

Academic Objectives

The Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies (GSII) provides an interdisciplinary and practical learning environment based on the organic integration of areas of research and education related to information in different departments throughout the University of Tokyo. Its aim is to equip students with information processing skills required in various fields of the advanced information society and to nurture a deep intellectual awareness of the social significance and function of information technologies. Besides readying students for diverse professions requiring practical information literacy, it also trains students to become researchers and artists working at the frontiers of interdisciplinary information studies.

The Kind of Students Sought (Master’s)

The GSII seeks applications to its Master’s programs from:

● those who desire to explore the breadth of perspectives on information while at the same time developing an intimate understanding of one specialized field (selected from a diverse range that includes socio-information studies and computer science).

● those who possess the ability to take the lead by tackling previously unknown issues from a creative interdisciplinary perspective.

● those whose imaginative capacities are not bound by existing concepts.

The Kind of Students Sought (Ph.D.)

The GSII seeks applications to its doctoral programs from:

● those with a broad intellectual curiosity about diverse information-related phenomena.

● those who have specialized intellectual skills and the motivation necessary to develop their own topic to an advanced level.

● those who possess the ability to take the lead by tackling previously unknown issues from a creative interdisciplinary perspective.

● those whose imaginative capacities are not bound by existing concepts while also being able to conduct sound and original research projects.

Applications are sought for both the Master’s and Ph.D. programs. Whilst most students enter the Master’s programs soon after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, special provision has also been made for the recruitment of people with professional working experience to the Master’s program. This special application process (which exists along side the general application process for the Master’s programs) puts particular emphasis on candidates’ practical experience and career objectives.

Students from outside Japan may also apply for non-degree student status in the International Research Student Program.

Undergraduate Research Student Program

This is a unique 2-year program designed to provide systematic training in information studies for people wishing to deepen their knowledge of information, media and communications. Lectures are generally held in the evenings (from 14:45 onwards) in order to enable students enrolled in other departments to participate in the program simultaneously with their regular university courses. In accordance with the founding ideal of the III, the Undergraduate Research Student Program establishes much needed horizontal linkages among the many vertically divided departments and fields of study in the university, creating a fresh and lively learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds. (Further details are given elsewhere on this page.)

Applications are accepted from anyone who has received at least one year of university education (at the University of Tokyo or elsewhere) regardless of whether they are full-time students or already in employment.

Guidelines on Admissions to the Undergraduate Research Student Program