Student Life
- Academic Advisor
- Tutorial System
- Extension of Research Period for Non-degree Research Students
- Admission to Graduate School
- Libraries
- Extracurricular Activities/Recreation
- Activities for International Students
- Part-time Work & Loans
- Service of Loan of a Lump-Sum Provided by the Support Association for International Students
- Follow-up Services
Academic Advisor
After enrollment, an academic advisor is assigned to each student, and the students will pursue their studies and research under his/her guidance. As research students (kenkyusei) focus on their own research and are not obliged to attend classes or to earn credits, they sometimes miss opportunities to contact their academic advisors. Consequently, research students are encouraged to periodically seek guidance from their advisors. All students are advised to make sure that they take the opportunity to meet with their supervisors.
Tutorial System
Newly arrived international students may be assisted in their academic and daily life by Japanese students who are assigned as personal tutors for international student
The role of tutors is mainly to aid foreign students with academic- and research-related concerns (preparation and revision) and secondarily, in Japanese instruction and everyday life "guidance" (campus guide, help with applications, shopping, and apartment searching). International students are encouraged to make constructive use of this system to improve their academic life at the university
If the students feel uncomfortable with their assigned tutors for any reason, they should consult with their academic advisor without hesitation
| Student Status | Guidance Period | Guidance Hours* |
| Undergraduate students | 2 years after admission | Up to 90 hours/year |
| Graduate students and non-degree research students |
1 year after admission | Up to 90 hours/year |
| Exchange students and exchange research students |
1 year after admission | Up to 90 hours/year |
* The number of guidance hours may vary, depending on the time of arrival or the period of study.
-> For more information on the tutorial system, please refer to this page.
Extension of Research Period for Non-degree Research Students
The research period for non-degree research students shall be limited to within an academic year (from April 1 to March 31 of the following year). Students can apply for an extension up to a total of two years if they wish to pursue their research
Information regarding the details of applications for extension is available around November prior to the year in which the period of research terminates. Non-degree research students who wish to extend their research period should follow the specified procedures.
Admission to Graduate School
Please note that the entrance examination schedule may be different at each graduate school. For further details, please refer to the university's web page.
When applying to take the entrance examination, you must submit official copies of your academic transcripts and your certificate of graduation (or completion) from the university that you last attended. Therefore, please make sure to prepare these documents beforehand
Inquiries related to graduate school admission:
Graduate schools on the Tsukuba Campus: Graduate Admission Office,
Division of Educational Planning and Administration (Tel 029-853-2230/2231)
Graduate schools for working people on the Tokyo Campus (night courses):
Academic Service Office for the Graduate School of Business Sciences (Tel 03-3942-6918)-> For more information about admission to Graduate School, please refer to this page.
Libraries
The University Library provides about 2.5 million, books and about 23,000 periodicals at the Central Library, the Art and Physical Education Library, the Medical Library, the Library on Library Information Science, and the Otsuka Library. For more information, refer to "The University of Tsukuba Library System" guide or ask the library staff. In the Central Library, volunteer staff will help you with any issues in both Japanese and English. Please feel free to ask them.
Library Hours
| Tsukuba Campus | During School Terms | During Spring & Summer Vacations | |
| Central Library, Art and Physical Education Library, Library on Library Information Science |
Weekdays | 9:00 22:00 | 9:00 17:00 |
| Saturday & Sunday National Holidays |
10:00 - 18:00 | Closed | |
| Medical Library | 9:00 - 22:00 | 9:00 - 22:00 | |
| Tokyo Campus | Monday | Tuesday〜Friday | Saturday | Sunday National Holidays |
| Otsuka Library | 10:30 18:30 | 13:00-21:10 | 13:00-19:50 | Closed |
Note:All libraries are closed between December 27 and January 5. The libraries may be temporarily closed at times, and announcements are posted in advance on the library websites.
Use of Library Materials
At all libraries, a full open-stack system enables all users to easily retrieve books and periodicals of their interest. The library has adopted an open-stack system for books and journals as well and users are free to use them within the libraries. Rare books, traditional books in Japanese binding, audio-visual materials, etc., may be used in accordance with the prescribed procedures
Lending Service
Materials available: Common library materials (except for those with the label “for reference only”, etc.)
Volume and loan period: Up to 10 volumes for undergraduate students and up to 20 volumes for graduate students, for 3 weeks, renewable three times (unless the book has already been reserved by someone else).
Application: Books to be checked out should be presented at the main counter with your student ID card. If the library has an automated checkout system, you can check the books out yourself.
Reservations: Reservations for up to 5 volumes can be made through the OPAC system.
Mail service: Library patrons can receive reminders when their library books are due or when materials they have reserved become available. Please see the library website for information as to how you can subscribe to this system.
Late Penalties: If patrons are late in returning any borrowed materials, they will be penalized for late return. On the day of returning the overdue book, and during the penalty period, patrons may not borrow, renew, reserve, or obtain library materials at any of the libraries. Penalties are assessed on the basis of the most number of days the materials are overdue. For example, if a patron returns materials due on April 5, on April 11, the patron will be assessed a maximum penalty of 7 days (6 days from April 5 to 11, plus an additional day for
reshelving).The University of Tsukuba Digital Library (TULIPS)
The library website provides access to collection searches (OPAC) as well as various academic information resources such as electronic journals and databases. The system enables cross-searches of resources from the libraries on campus or from other libraries through the Metalib systems. A simple click brings full information about reference materials and other related materials (RefWorks). Rare books, degree dissertations and various journals and reports authored at the University of Tsukuba are also open to the public through the digital library (Tsukuba Repository). Please feel free to use the system any time
Orientation for Foreign Students
Orientations regarding using the library are regularly held in English and Japanese. Check the library website or the bulletin board inside the library regarding the orientation schedule
Others
There is a coffee shop located at the entrance of the Central Library. Origami classes are also held throughout the year by volunteer staff in the library in order to introduce Japanese culture to students
※ Construction work to improve the seismic resistance of the Central Library will be conducted between 2008 and 2010. Due to this, the hours of operation and loan services may temporarily change
-> For more information about the libraries, including hours of operation and details regarding lending services, please refer to the University Library web-site.
Extracurricular Activities/Recreation
Extracurricular Activities
There are various kinds of sports, cultural, and artistic clubs and circles at the University of Tsukuba. Foreign students are especially encouraged to participate in these activities. For detailed information regarding these clubs and circles, as well as contact information, please contact the Student Support Section, Division of Student Affairs, 3rd Floor, Student Plaza at Tel 029-853- 2247/2248.
If and when a student group or club is planning to hold a meeting or gathering on campus, a "Students' Meeting Application Form" should be submitted to the appropriate office in the Academic Service Office at least 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) in advance of the planned meeting or gathering. The application must then receive approval.
Use of the physical education facilities requires a reservation at the center. Please contact the Sport and Physical Education Center at Tel 029-853-2873 for further details.
TISA
TISA (Tsukuba International Students' Association)tries to cater to the needs of international students and promotes understanding and exchange among them as well as between international and Japanese students. Through various activities such as the university festival, tennis competitions, bazaars, discussions, disco parties, etc., TISA attempts to help students understand other cultures and customs.
A.P.I.C.
A.P.I.C.(the Association for Promoting International Communication)brings Japanese students interested in overseas countries or studying abroad and international students together for discussion and ctivities. In addition to helping newly enrolled international students move into their residences, A.P.I.C. members also organize parties, sporting events, and cultural exchanges for Japanese and international students.
Activities for International Students
Party for International Students
A welcome party for international students is held every year in November, under the auspices of the President of the university. Information concerning the date and venue will be posted on the bulletin boards
Short Field Trips
The ISC Office organizes field trips every year. These trips are designed to promote an understanding of Japanese history and culture among international students by visiting to places of historic interest and factories in various districts. Students are entitled to go on one trip per year, but in the case that the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places offered, participants will be drawn randomly. Details will be posted on the bulletin boards
-> Please see here for more information about field trips.
Bazaar
In cooperation with the university staff and local residents, TISA holds bazaars in May and October at the ISC. Tableware, clothes, and other used goods are sold at low prices. Refer to the bulletin boards at the appropriate time of year.
Short-term Homestay
Short-term homestay programs, mostly for one night, with Japanese families in and around Tsukuba City are available from December to January. The programs offer a good chance to interact with a Japanese family. Information regarding the application procedures is posted on the bulletin boards
Local Exchange
In order to better understand Japanese history and culture, it is essential for international students to interact with local groups and residents. A variety of exchange meetings, parties, bazaars, events, and homestay programs, etc., are organized by local groups. Information is available on the bulletin boards at the ISC Office
Part-time Work & Loans
Part-time Work
There are four part-time job categories available to international students: private teacher (kateikyoshi), cram school instructor (jukukyoshi), foreign language instructor (gogaku kyoshi), and other/general (sonota/ippan). Job openings are posted on the bulletin boards in each Academic Service Office. Jobs available to foreign students are also posted on the bulletin board at the ISC Office. Interested students should contact their Academic Service Office (Student Support) or the ISC Office
Please note that international students who wish to engage in employment (not required in the case of teaching assistant, research assistant or tutor) must first receive "Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted" from the Regional Immigration Bureau (refer tothis page).
As there have been cases of financial troubles related to students' part-time jobs, you are strongly advised to fully consider all the working conditions before concluding a contract with an employer, especially for the sonota/ippan jobs.
Student Emergency Funds
University students are eligible to receive an emergency loan of up to 30,000 yen (interest free), repayable within one month, for emergencies such as unexpected accidents, sickness, delayed remittances, etc. For more details, please contact the Division of Student Affairs
Shihokai Emergency Loans
The Shihokai (Association for Student Support in University of Tsukuba) provides loans to registered students of up to 250,000 yen(interest free), repayable within one year, for victims of accidents or natural disasters (a joint guarantor is required). Please contact the Shihokai (located in the University Hall, University of Tsukuba at Tel 029-852-8572).
Student Emergency Aid Fund
The Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES), a non-profit organization, has established an emergency fund for foreign (regular) students to allow them to borrow up to 200,000 yen (interest free), repayable within a short period. For further details, please contact the International Exchange Office, Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES), 4-5-29 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8503, Tel 03-5454-5274.Top
Service of Loan of a Lump-Sum Provided by the Support Association for International Students
The University of Tsukuba Support Association for International Students provides a temporary aid fund to those students who, due to special and unforeseen circumstances, need funds for their daily living expenses. This fund is available to foreign students who become ill, are injured, or are in other need of short-term funds. Students are able to borrow up to 100,000 yen interest free and must pay back the borrowed amount within six months. For further details, please contact the office of the University of Tsukuba Support Association for International Students at the ISC.
Follow-up Services
-> For more information about this service, please refer to this page.
