SOKENDAI, formally The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, was inaugurated in October 1988 as a university that has no undergraduate level. Its administrative centre is the Hayama campus in Shonan Village, Kanagawa Prefecture, but most of the teaching takes place elsewhere, in the research institutes that host its students.
The university is organised into six schools. Their departments are housed in institutes operated by four inter-university research institute corporations, together with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which runs the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. Hosts include the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), the National Institute for Fusion Science, the National Institute of Genetics, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the National Institute of Polar Research and the National Institute of Informatics.
Doctoral education is the focus. Most schools offer a five-year doctoral programme for bachelor’s graduates, with shorter three-year entry for those who already hold a master’s degree. The university notes that faculty outnumber students by more than two to one. Details of schools, entry periods and fees are given in its English pages and its annual overview.
Domains taught:
Aerospace, AI and Machine Learning, Astroscience, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Doctor
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
A consortium of national research institutes; students conduct research at these institutes (e.g., KEK for particle physics, NIFS for fusion).
Research:
High energy physics and accelerator science, Plasma and fusion science, Molecular science and materials, Informatics and statistical mathematics, Astronomy and space science.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
N/A (Faculty from member institutes)
Current students***:
500
Foreign students***:
20%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Access to cutting-edge national research facilities and top researchers, specialized PhD programs.
Cons
Exclusively PhD level, students are based at various dispersed research institutes, not a traditional campus university.
Best For
National graduate university offering PhD programs through leading inter-university research institutes.
Nara Institute of Science and Technology, graduate-only and public, sits in Ikoma with information science, biological science and materials science.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (private, Okinawa) emphasises neuroscience, physics and marine science.
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, a public graduate institute in Nomi, Ishikawa, works in information science and materials science.
Near research institutes in Tsukuba, University of Tsukuba is public and lists physics, materials science and computer science.
For physics and materials research in Tokyo, Tokyo Tech is the public counterpart, adding engineering.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, a public advanced-studies school in Trieste, Italy, focuses on theoretical particle physics, condensed matter physics and neurobiology.
Italy's Gran Sasso Science Institute is a public doctoral institute working in astroparticle physics and mathematics.
In Switzerland, Paul Scherrer Institut is a public research institute spanning materials science, energy and life sciences.
France's IHES, private and in Bures-sur-Yvette, is devoted to mathematics and theoretical physics.
Spain's Donostia International Physics Center specialises in condensed matter physics, materials science and nanoscience.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When did SOKENDAI start?
It was inaugurated in October 1988, following legislation enacted in May of that year.
Why is the teaching spread across Japan?
Students are trained inside national research institutes such as KEK, the National Institute for Fusion Science and the National Institute of Genetics. The Hayama campus holds the central administration rather than most laboratories.
How many schools does it have?
It has six schools, and the degree courses are structured around departments linked to particular host institutes.
How long is a doctoral programme?
Most schools use a five-year programme for students with a bachelor's degree and a three-year route for those with a master's degree. The School of Cultural and Social Studies takes students only into the latter stage.
Which organisations operate the host institutes?
Four inter-university research institute corporations, together with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science. Their institutes work in physical sciences, life sciences, accelerators, informatics and cultural studies.
Where do I find the programme and entry details?
Consult the English website and annual overview for each school, because application periods and host institutes differ and are updated every year.
Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Astrophysics, Innovation, Physics, Sustainable Development
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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