[Graduate Schools of Economics] List of Japanese Graduate Schools – Strategies, Exam Trends & Rankings (Difficulty/Recommendations

**July 7, 2024**

Three students from Front Lab have been accepted into the Keio University Graduate School of Economics.

Since the final results for entrance exams at top national universities are still expected in September, receiving an acceptance at this point provides a sense of relief by securing one possible future path.

 

 

 

 

Regarding Admissions:

At Front Lab, we annually run a program with around 8 to 12 participants who aim to advance to graduate schools in economics, public policy, or data science. For those applying domestically, we guide all participants to aim for the graduate schools at the University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University, Kyoto University, and Osaka University. In 2024, we currently have 9 participants, and this year’s intake may only accept 2 or 3 more.

We impose a limit on participant numbers to avoid overlap in research plan themes. For example, if all participants in our program apply to the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Tokyo with a research plan focused on macroeconomics, it would become challenging for all of them to gain acceptance. Although not publicly disclosed, each graduate school determines the proportion of admitted students based on their fields of specialization (such as specific areas within economics). It is highly unlikely that all admitted students would be focused solely on macroeconomics. …Read More.

 

 

 

 

– Steps to Graduate School Admission for Economics

 

– Future Entrance Exam Strategies for Graduate Schools of Economics – University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, etc. (2024)

– Future Entrance Exam Strategies for Graduate Schools of Economics – University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, etc. (2023)

 

– Research Proposal for Graduate School Entrance Exams (Economics)

– List of International Graduate Schools for Economics

– List of Economics Graduate Schools in the UK

– Econometrics – List of Domestic Graduate Schools

– Behavioral Economics – List of Domestic Graduate Schools

– List of Domestic University Economics Departments

– Main Graduate School Entrance Exam Calendar (Schedule) for Economics – How Many to Apply to, Safety Schools?

– Master’s in Economics and Public Policy Graduate Schools – Pros and Cons of Applying to Both

– From Which Other Universities Can You Aim for Graduate Schools of Economics at the University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University, Kyoto University, Osaka University?

– The Benefits of a Master’s in Economics, Employment

– What You Learn in Economics at Graduate School (Core Courses)

– Voices of Successful Graduate School Applicants in Economics

 

 

Japanese Graduate Schools – Economics Graduate School Schedule

 

 

Graduate school entrance exams typically take place during the summer, followed by the announcement of results in September-October at most universities. However, there are document submission deadlines prior to this, so it’s crucial to plan your schedule thoroughly.

Below, you can find an overview of the schedules for major economics graduate schools (and related fields) based on information for the 2024 academic year (conducted in 2023).

First, you can get a general idea of when each graduate school has deadlines for document submission, written exams, written exam results announcements, oral exams, and oral exam results announcements.

Although these schedules outline deadlines for document submission, written exams, written exam results announcements, oral exams, and oral exam results announcements, some graduate schools may require pre-submissions before the official document deadline. Be sure to check each graduate school’s website for the latest information.

The schedule below is for general entrance exams, and the schedule for working professionals or for those advancing from the same university to its graduate school may differ, so please confirm accordingly.

It’s a good idea to list your target schools or graduate schools you plan to apply to and write out the schedule—whether by hand or in Excel—and post it near your study desk.

 

* Please make sure to check the latest information, as the schedule for graduate school entrance exams may change.

 

For more information on schedules, please refer to 【Main Graduate School Calendar – How Many to Apply to, Safety Schools?】.

 

 

 

Japanese Graduate Schools – Economics Graduate School Rankings

Deviation scores from undergraduate programs do not necessarily apply to graduate schools.

A major criterion is the research output of the faculty and students at each graduate school. Although not precise, economics graduate schools (or related departments) in Japan are roughly classified as follows. Of course, which field of economics is strong varies over time, and faculty members may move to other universities. Be sure to check the faculty pages of each graduate school to see if there are experts in your desired field.

 

List of Japanese Graduate Schools in Economics

*Master’s programs only

 

[National/Public Universities]

Hokkaido University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Doctoral Program (Modern Economics and Management)
– Specialized Program (Modern Economics and Management: Economic Policy Course, MBA Course)

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Hokkaido University

 

Tohoku University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics and Management Program (Economic and Management Research Course, Advanced Global Talent Course)

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Tohoku University

 

University of Tsukuba Graduate School – Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering

Although the University of Tsukuba does not have a specific graduate school for economics, degrees including economics are available under the social engineering program within the Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering.

 

University of Tokyo Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics Program (Economics Course, Statistics Course, Regional Studies Course, Economic History Course)
– Management Program (Business Administration Course, Quantitative Finance Course)

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Tokyo

 

Hitotsubashi University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Comprehensive Economics Program (Researcher Training Course, Specialized Course)
*The specialized course offers participation in one of four professional programs: Public Policy, Statistics and Finance, Regional Studies, or Health Economics.

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Hitotsubashi University</a >

 

Tokyo Metropolitan University Graduate School – Graduate School of Management

– Management Program – Economics (MEc, Master of Economics)
– Management Program – Finance (MF, Master of Finance)

Within the Graduate School of Management, there is an economics-related program known as the Economics Program (MEc).

 

Tokyo Institute of Technology – School of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering

– Industrial Engineering Course

Check the Overview of the School of Engineering at Tokyo Institute of Technology

 

Yokohama National University Graduate School – Graduate School of International Social Sciences

– Economics Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of International Social Sciences at Yokohama National University

 

Nagoya University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Social Economic Systems Program
– Industrial Management Systems Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Nagoya University

 

Shiga University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics Program
– Business Administration Program
– Global Finance Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Shiga University

 

Kyoto University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Researcher Training Program
– Advanced Professional Training Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Kyoto University

 

Osaka University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics Program (Economics Course, Applied Economics Course, Economic Systems and Case Analysis Course)
– Management Program (Management Research Course, Business Course)

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Osaka University

 

Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Osaka Metropolitan University

 

Kobe University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Kobe University

 

Kyushu University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

– Economics Engineering Program
– Economic Systems Program

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Kyushu University

[Private Universities]

Keio University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Keio University

 

Waseda University Graduate School – Graduate School of Economics

Check the Overview of the Graduate School of Economics at Waseda University