University of Tsukuba

University of Tsukuba


Motto	None
Established	October, 1973 (Originally in 1872)
Type	Public (National)
President	Nobuhiro Yamada
Admin. staff	4,129
Students	16,584
Undergraduates	10,211
Postgraduates	6,373
Location	Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Campus	Urban
Mascot	None
Website	www.tsukuba.ac.jp

University of Tsukuba is located in the city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture in the Kantō region of Japan. The University has 28 college clusters and schools with a total of around 15,000 students (in 2003). The main Tsukuba campus covers an area of 258 hectares (636 acres), making it the largest single campus in Japan.

It is famous in the research of physical education, medical science, library and Information science, physics and social science. Its Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences is represented on the national Coordinating Committee for Earthquake Prediction.

History

The current university was established in October, 1973. A forerunner of this university was Tokyo University of Education originally founded in 1872 as one of the oldest universities in Japan,Tokyo Higher Normal School .

On July 11, 1991 Japanese translator Hitoshi Igarashi was stabbed to death at the University for translating Salman Rushdie's most famous novel The Satanic Verses.

In October 2002, the University of Tsukuba merged with the University of Library and Information Science. The School of Library and Information Science and the Graduate School of Library and Information - Media Studies were established.

In May 2008, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development became an opportunity for the African Development Bank (AfDB) and universities in Japan to promote partnership on higher education, science and technology. Donald Kaberuka, the President of AfDB and the President of Tsukuba University signed a memorandum of understanding during the three-day event.

The University of Tsukuba has provided 3 Nobel Prize winners so far, namely Leo Esaki, Hideki Shirakawa and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga.

Points of interest

Tsukuba Botanical Garden

Academic Rankings

Tsukuba University is one of the leading universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.

University rankings (overall)
Toyo Keizai National	General	16
Kawaijuku National	General	10
T. Reuters National	Research	9
WE National	Employment	64
Shimano National	Selectivity	A1

QS Asia	General	20
ARWU Asia/Pacific	Research	19-26

QS World	General	172
ARWU World	Research	151-200

University rankings (by subject)
Social Sciences & Humanities
LAW
BE Success National	Qualification	34
BE Pass rate National	Qualification	19
ECONOMICS
RePec National	Research	8
BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT
Eduni MBA National	General	16
Eduni MBA World	General	552

Natural Sciences & Technology
BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
T.Reuters National	Research	8
T.Reuters World	Research	155

General Rankings

The university has been ranked 15th in 2008, and 16th in 2010 in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai. In another ranking, Japanese prep school Kawaijuku ranked Tsukuba as the 10th best university in Japan.

In 2010 QS World University Rankings ranked Tsukuba University 172nd in the world. It is also ranked as the 20th best university in QS Asian University rankings.

The university is ranked one of the top Asian universities (19th-26th) in the “Academic Ranking of World Universities". Global University Ranking places the university 41st globally. Traditionally, the university has been famous for its social science and international studies, and the latest Toyo Keizai 2010, one of the most influential economic magazines in Japan , ranked the School of Social and International Studies as No.1 among international, social science departments (which include Economics, Law, Politics, and Sociology) in Japan. It also ranked those courses as most selective.

Research performance

Tsukuba is one of the leading research institutions in Japan. According to Thomson Reuters, Tsukuba is the 9th best research university in Japan. Its research standard is especially high in Biology & Biochemistry (8th in Japan, 155th in the world).

Weekly Diamond reported that Tsukuba has the 27th highest research standard in Japan in terms of research fundings per researchers in COE Program. In the same article, it's also ranked 11th in terms of the quality of education by GP funds per student.

It also has a good research standard in Economics, as RePec ranked Tsukuba as the 8th best Economics research university in January 2011.

Graduate school Rankings

Tsukuba has a Law school which is widely opened for the people who have work experiences. Currently it is ranked 19th in 2010 in the passing rate of Japanese Bar Examination.

Eduniversal ranked Tsukuba as 7th in the rankings of "Excellent Business Schools nationally strong and/or with continental links " in Japan.

Alumni Rankings

According to the Weekly Economist's 2010 rankings, graduates from Tsukuba have the 64th best employment rate in 400 major companies in Japan. By contrast, the alumni of Tsukuba's average salary is very high with the 8th best in Japan, according to the PRESIDENT.

Popularity and Selectivity

Given its high ranking among educational institutions in Japan, the entrance examination to University of Tsukuba is highly competitive. Overall difficulty is currently graded as "A1" or 2 on a ten-point scale.

Famous alumni

Politicians

Kiyoko Ono (70th Chair of National Public Safety Commission)
Taizō Sugimura (dropout)

Academics

Yukihiro Matsumoto - free software programmer. Chief designer of the Ruby programming language.
John Maeda - Current President of the Rhode Island School of Design
Seiji Koizumi - (English teacher)

Businessmen

Yutaka Emura - President of Emurasoft, developer of EmEditor text editor.
Kōta Matsuda - CEO of Tully's Coffee Japan
Daiyu Nobori - CEO of Softether

Athletes

Sawao Kato - Gymnastic, 8 Olympic gold medalist
Masami Ihara - Football player
Masashi Nakayama - Football player
Sōta Hirayama (dropout) - Football player
Toshiya Fujita - Football player
Takayoshi Yoshioka - Athlete (Tokyo University of Education)
Miwako Motoyoshi - Synchronized swimming, Olympic bronze medalist
Toshinobu Kawai - Short track speed skating, Olympic bronze medalist
Hirotaka Okada - Judo, Olympic bronze medalist
Yōko Sakagami - Judo, Olympic bronze medalist
Chiyo Tateno - Judo, Olympic bronze medalist
Yoko Tanabe - Judo, Olympic silver medalist
Noriko Narazaki (Sugawara) - Judo, Olympic silver and bronze medalist
Fumiko Esaki - Judo, Olympic silver medalist
Ayumi Tanimoto - Judo, Olympic gold medalist
Midori Shintani - Judo, World judo championship gold medalist
Naoki Murata - Judo, 7th dan judoka, author, curator of the Kodokan Judo Museum

Entertainers

Masayoshi Okumura - Voice Percussion of a cappella band Rag Fair
Riyoko Ikeda - Manga artist (Tokyo University of Education/dropout)
Rin Inumaru - Manga artist
Ryōko Nagata - Voice actor
Miki Itō - Voice actor
Shunichi Miyamoto - Musician

Artists

Toshio Iwai - Media artist and game designer
Nobumichi Tosa - Media artist of the Maywa Denki art unit

Education Index

The University of Tsukuba can accurately adapt to a changing academic environment as it undergoes its own dynamic changes by instilling flexibility in its entire educational system. In a flexible education system based on careful consideration of both academic and specialized aspects of education, our aim is to expand education
according to the hopes of our students, and to produce high standard and diverse specialists, able to meet the expectations of the present day society.

Educational Organizations: The University of Tsukuba offers undergraduate courses, master's degree programs, doctoral degree programs and professional degree programs. See the details at the Academic Organization.

Special Lectures at the University of Tsukuba

Graduate General Education

Academic Calendar

Office for Students with Disabilities: Volunteer activities of university support committees or student clubs provide assistance to many physically challenged students studying in the university.

Distinctive Education and Research: Academic Calendar (year 2007-2008) is available. The academic year is divided into three trimesters.

Research Index

This index includes information on research, international exchanges for researchers, research fields, research results, industry-university cooperation, and academic exchanges.

On-line System for Researchers: This on-line system is available only for researchers of the University of Tsukuba.

Organization for the Support and Development of Strategic Initiatives: A support organization for the establishment of a new educational system at the University of Tsukuba is introduced here.

Funding Program for World-leading Innovative Research and Development on Science and Technology: The aim of the FIRST Program is to advance the kind of leading-edge research and development that will strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness while contributing to society and people’s welfare through the application of its results.

Global COE Program: Programs adopted by the University of Tsukuba are introduced here.

Initiative for the Promotion of Young Scientists' Independent Research - developing the next generation of leaders at the University of Tsukuba: This plan has been adopted as "Initiative for the Promotion of Young Scientist's Independent Research" with support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [Monbukagakusho Kagakugijutsu Shinko Choseihi]

Environmental Diplomatic Leader: This plan has been adopted as "Strategic Education Program of Environmental Diplomatic Leader" with support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [Monbukagakusho Kagakugijutsu Shinko Choseihi]

21st Century COE Program: Programs selected for the "21st Century COE Program" are introduced here.

Division of Research System Development, Department of Research Promotion: Information on research subsidies, research under consignment, joint research, and joint use is posted here.

Information on Competitive Research Fund, Open-type Research Fund: Information on ongoing Competitive Research Fund, Research Fund offered by Corporations is posted here.

Fair Promotion of Research Activities: The University of Tsukuba has enacted rules of behavior regarding research activities to which all faculty members of the University of Tsukuba must adhere.

University of Tsukuba Research Data Collection: It shows: the status of adoption of Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research and other national research projects‚ transition of the number of intellectual property's contracts‚ application for a patent‚ and implementation of Projects for promoting University-Industry Cooperation.

University of Tsukuba Research Seeds

Industry-University Cooperation and Information

Industry Relations and Technology Transfer Office
Tsukuba Industrial Liaison and Cooperative Research center
Tokyo Liaison Office
Management of intellectual property rights in University of Tsukuba
Management of program and tangible object in University of Tsukuba
Management of Conflict of Interest in University of Tsukuba

Subsidies for International Academic Exchange

Campus Map

Campus Life Index

Our university's wide campus is blessed with beautiful natural surroundings, providing an ideal place for study. The beauty of the campus is well known throughout Japan. The campus has also been featured in movies, TV programs, and commercials.

Mental and Physical Health Consultation: The University of Tsukuba provides consultation regarding mental and physical health problems.

Campus Facilities: The campus extends 5km from north to south and 1km from east to west and is divided into five areas.

University Events: The University of Tsukuba holds various events with the aim of promoting exchanges between students and faculty members.

Counseling Services

Safety Life

Residence Halls / Apartment Information: The University of Tsukuba residence halls were established to offer its students excellent study environment along with the opportunity to experience autonomous civic life. There are also plenty of apartments and condominiums around the university.

Training Facilities / Welfare Facilities

Kambara Hall
Tateyama Training Center
Ishiuchi Training Center
Yamanaka Training Center

Organizations / Extracurricular Activities

Student Support System
Student groups authorized by the university
Student groups
Extracurricular activities
Shihokai (University of Tsukuba support organization)

Tuition Reimbursement Program / Student Support: The University of Tsukuba provides various financial supports to students with financial difficulties.

Part-time Work for Students: Information on part-time job are posted on the bulletin board of each academic service office of respective schools and colleges.

Car-Share Tsukuba

Publications for Students

Career Options after Graduation: Based on principles established during the founding of the university, the University of Tsukuba nurtures future-oriented students with cosmopolitan and problem solving aptitude.

Career / job assistance

Community Index

Using the overall strength, the University aims in serving the society by positively using the results of intellectual work and emphasis is given towards social contribution and regional cooperation activities.

Societal Contribution Project: Social action project was founded in 2004 for the purpose of utilizing the human and material resources of the university, and supporting cooperation activities taken up with society in various forms.

High School-University Partnership Program: Kodairen no heya The University of Tsukuba has produced many high school teachers over the whole country and cooperated with high school educational fronts including the attached high school.

Tsukuba Environment-Energy-Economy Forum: Ttsukuba Environment-Energy-Economy Forum aims to recognize global warming issues and draw up and implement prevention measures. Its organizers include universities in Tsukuba Science City, research institutions, and local governments.

Summer Workshop for junior high school students: "University of Tsukuba Summer Vacation Independent Research Otasuke-tai" has started as a social contribution project. It is a public recruitment project that involves all staff at the university.

Lecture Database: The University of Tsukuba holds lectures at the request of groups and the community. Lecture themes and their specialized fields can be searched at this site.

Request for External Work: Offers courses in sports, arts, and liberal education for the liberal education for the general public and training for teachers, instructors and other school staff from outside the university.

Extension Courses: Offers courses in sports, arts, and liberal education for the liberal education for the general public and training for teachers, instructors and other school staff from outside the university.

Educational courses
Sports courses
Art courses
Courses for current teachers
Courses for teachers license

Public Seminars

Credited Auditors

Research Student System

Spaces for Exhibition and Exchange

University Hall Events

Cafes in the University of Tsukuba

"Buds of Science" Prize: The "Buds of Science" Award is a contest for elementary, junior high, and high school students, which aim is to honor the achievements of Nobel Prize laureate in physics, Dr. Sin-itiro Tomonaga and raise awareness toward nature and science.

Academic Organization Index

Access to educational organizations, research organizations, Tsukuba University Hospital, the University of Tsukuba libraries, and laboratory schools can be done through the links below.

List of Educational Organizations

Schools and Colleges (Undergraduate Courses)
Graduate Schools
Institutes, Centers, and Facilities

Educational Organizations: Access to educational organizations can be searched here.

Schools and Colleges (Undergraduate Courses)
Graduate Schools
Master's Programs
Doctoral Programs
Professional Degree Programs (Tokyo Campus)
Doctoral Programs in Tokyo Campus (Evening class)
Graduate Schools
Cooporative Graduate Schools

Research Organizations

Institutes
Funding Program for World-leading Innovative Research and Development on Science and Technology
Global COE Program
COE Program for 21st Century
Special Project Research Organizations

Faculty Organization (Faculty): The University of Tsukuba Faculty Organization, “Faculty”, was established in October 2011.

Research Centers

Nationwide Joint-use Institutes
University's Inter-department Education Research Institutes

University Library: Collection of rare documents, research results such as academic papers including theses produced by the university’s researchers can be searched.

University Hospital: The Tsukuba University Hospital functions as an educational and research organization concerning medical science and is also designated as a “Special Functioning Hospital” that is committed to provide state-of-art medical care.

Laboratory Schools: The University of Tsukuba serves as the educational core for primary and secondary education at 11 affiliated schools under the University of Tsukuba Education Bureau of Laboratory Schools.

Admission

Graduate Admissions

Graduate Schools

Prospective Graduate Students

"Early Completion Program" for working people

Graduate Entrance Examination Schedule

Request for Application Guide / Inquiries

Admission Fees: 282,000 yen * Admission fees are subjects to change without notice. * Admission fee must be paid at the time of admission procedure.

Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Open Campus for Prospective Graduate Students

Previous Examination Questions

Cooperative Graduate Schools

Undergraduate Admission

Schools and Colleges (Undergraduate Courses)

Prospective Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Entrance Examination Schedule

Undergraduate Application Form

Request for Application Guide

Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Open Campus for Prospective Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Hands-on Class

Student Classification

Other Admissions

FAQ

Faculty Organization (Faculty)

Faculty	Division
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business Sciences
Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems	Division of Mathematics, Division of Physics, Division of Chemistry, Division of Applied Physics, Division of Materials Science
Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems	Division of Policy and Planning Sciences, Division of Information Engineering, Division of Intelligent Interaction Technologies, Division of Engineering Mechanics and Energy
Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Human Sciences	Division of Education, Division of Psychology, Division of Disability Sciences
Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences
Faculty of Art and Design
Faculty of Medicine	Division of Biomedical Science, Division of Clinical Medicine, Division of Health Innovation and Nursing
Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science

Educational Organizations

Graduate Courses

Doctoral Degree Program: To nurture researchers in specialty fields and professionals with a high degree of technical skills, the Doctoral Program has two kinds of courses, a 5-year program, and a program divided into one 2-year and one 3-year term.

Master's Degree Program: The master's degree programs aim at producing professionals with academic and technical expertise and at offering re-education opportunities for the general public.

Professional Degree Program: The professional degree programs emphasize practical training and education and aim at producing human resources with highly specialized professional abilities.

Cooperative Graduate School: Due to the rapid progress and further sophistication of science and technology, research fields have become more departmentalized and spicialized. New interdisciplinary fields ahve emerged that defy the boundaries of traditional academic fields, leading to the need for integrated research.

Undergraduate Courses

Schools and Colleges (Undergraduate courses): The University of Tsukuba further developed its unique features and reformed its undergraduate school system into schools and colleges, in order to achieve a better quality of education.

Concept

The University of Tsukuba aims to establish free exchange and close relationships in both basic and applied sciences with educational and research organizations and academic communities in Japan and overseas. While developing these relationships, we intend to pursue education and research to cultivate men and women with creative intelligence and rich human qualities.
The University of Tsukuba endeavors to contribute to the progress of science and culture. Formerly, Japanese universities tended to remain cloistered in their own narrow, specialized fields, creating polarization, stagnation in education and research and alienation from their communities.
The University of Tsukuba has decided to function as a university which is open to all within and outside of Japan. Toward this end, the university has made it its goal to develop an organization better suiting the functions and administration with a new concept of education and research highly international in character, rich in diversity and flexibility and capable of dealing sensitively with the changes occurring in contemporary society.
To realize this, it has vested in its staff and administrative authorities the powers necessary to carry out these responsibilities.

Mission Statement

The University of Tsukuba aims to be an open university in all aspects and we are a frontrunner in the university reform in Japan. Our fundamental principle is to create a flexible education and research structure as well as a university system to meet the needs of the next generation. We aspire to be a comprehensive university, continuously meeting new challenges and developing new areas. The foremost mission of a university is to provide an environment that allows future leaders to realize their potential in full. The University of Tsukuba gives students the opportunity develop their individuality and skills through an education that is backed by cutting-edge research. Toward this end, we set the following goals.

We aim to actively expand interdisciplinary and integrative approaches to education research, further specialized expertise and produce distinguished research.
We aim to provide an environment that allows future leaders to realize their potential in full and gives them the opportunity to develop their individuality and skills through education that is backed by cutting-edge research.
As the core of Tsukuba Science City with its concentration of scientific research institutes, we aim to promote collaboration among industry, academia and government, and actively contribute to society while continuing to strengthen our education and research capacity.
Promotion of basic and applied researches with scientific and social values, and researches contributing to the inheritance of science and culture to the next generation
Our university has links with countries and regions all over the world and we aim to become a university with high international reputation and influence by actively promoting world-class education and research activities and collaborative interaction.
We take the initiative in university reform through collaborative work between staff and faculty members and valuing their individuality and abilities.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011