Admissions (Graduate School)
Admissions Policy
Wide Range of Subjects, Diverse Acceptance System
The Department of Biological Sciences takes a broad view of biology. Students with an interest in various fields of biological sciences and a desire to do research are welcome, regardless of their undergraduate school or the field of education they have received. We are looking for motivated students who are graduates not only in biology, but also in physics, chemistry, science, engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, medicine, and many other fields.
Examination System
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Master's Program April 2026 Admission
Special Entrance Examinations
There are two types of entrance examinations: self-recommendation entrance examination for those currently enrolled in the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Osaka University, and incentive entrance examination for those currently enrolled in other universities, other faculties, or other departments. In both cases, applicants will be judged on the basis of a self-recommendation letter, external English test score, class records at the university, and an oral examination.
General Entrance Examinations (1st round)
Applicants will be judged on the basis of their external English test score, professional examination, and an oral examination.
General Entrance Examinations (2nd round)
Applicants will be judged on the basis of their graduation research presentation, external English test score, and an oral examination.
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Doctoral Program
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International Student Course
Examination Schedule
Master's Degree Program (April 2026 Admission)
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Special Entrance Examinations(Self-Recommendation and Encouragement Examinations)
2025July 5(Sat.)
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General Entrance Examination1st intake
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2025August 2(Sat.)
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2025August 3(Sun.)
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General Entrance Examination2nd intake
2026February 7(Sat.)
*For the second round of applications, the Department will not provide a supplementary examination on COVID-19 infection, as applicants will have multiple opportunities to take the examination.
Doctoral Degree Program
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2025 October Admission
2025June 21
(Sat.)English Language Test*, Presentation and Oral Examination
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2026 April Admission
2026February 10
(Tue.)(subject to change)English Language Test*, Presentation and Oral Examination
*English Language Test will not be administered to students who are scheduled to complete the Master's Degree Program in Department of Biological Sciences ,Graduate School of Science, Osaka University.
Briefing Session on Admissions
Briefing Session on Entrance Examination for April 2026 Entrance Exam Applicants will be held.
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1st
2025April 26(Sat.)
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2nd
2025May 24(Sat.)
Application Procedures
We no longer publish application guidelines, application forms, and other printed materials. Please download them by yourself.
*Be sure to contact the representative of the laboratory of your choice before applying.
Admissions to the Master's Program
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April 2026 Admission Master's Program Special Entrance Examination
Self-Recommended and Recommended Entrance Examinations- Examination Date and Time
- Saturday, July 5, 2025, from 1:30 p.m.
- Application dates
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Wednesday, June 4, Thursday, June 5, Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025
Reception hours: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
- Announcement of acceptance
- Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
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April 2026 Admission Master's Program Special Entrance Examination
General Entrance Examination 1st intake- Examination Date and Time
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Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 3 , 2025, from 1:30 p.m.
- Application dates
- to be decided
- Announcement of acceptance
- to be decided
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April 2026 Admission Master's Program Special Entrance Examination
General Entrance Examination 2nd intake- Examination Date and Time
- Saturday,February 7, 2026, from 1:30 p.m.
- Application dates
- to be decided
- Announcement of acceptance
- to be decided
Doctoral Degree Program Entrance Examination
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October 2025 Admission Entrance Examination for Doctoral Program
- Examination Date and Time
- Saturday, June 21, 2025
- Application dates
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From Friday, May 2, To Friday May 9, 2025
Reception hours: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
- Announcement of acceptance
- Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
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April 2026 Admission Entrance Examination for Doctoral Program
- Examination Date and Time
- Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (subject to change)
- Application dates
- to be decided
- Announcement of acceptance
- to be decided
For inquiries about the admissions system in general, please contact
edugrad@bio.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp
Head of Academic Affairs, Department of Biological Sciences
Contents of Entrance Examination
Past entrance exam questions
* Quoted portions of the English exam have been blacked out for copyright protection purposes.
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2025
1st intake (held on August 3, 2024)
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2024
1st intake (held on August 5, 2023)
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2023
1st intake (held on August 6, 2022)
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2022
1st intake (held on August 7, 2021)
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2021
1st intake (held on September 26, 2020)
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2020
1st intake (held on August 3, 2019)
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2019
1st intake (held on August 4, 2018)
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2018
1st intake (held on July 29, 2017)）
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2017
1st intake (held on July 30, 2016)
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2016
1st intake (held on August 1, 2015)
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2015
1st intake (held on August 2, 2014)