Graduate University for Advanced Studies is a public university in Japan that focuses on graduate education only. It suits students who want doctoral study through research-linked training rather than a broad undergraduate university.
SOKENDAI offers exclusively graduate programs. Its main options are five-year doctoral programs for students with a bachelor's degree and three-year doctoral programs for students with a master's degree, with graduate students trained at affiliated research institutes in Japan and around the world.
Applicants should plan for graduate-level entry and check the official website for the current application steps, deadlines, and document list. Because the university’s training is tied to affiliated research institutes, international applicants should confirm the intended research area, supervision arrangements, and any entrance requirements before applying.
The university does not publish a tuition fee in the information available here; confirm the current rate with its admissions office. Living costs will depend on where the student is based, especially because training takes place at affiliated research institutes in different locations.
International students should first confirm the language of instruction for the specific program and research setting. They should also check visa requirements, admission documents, supervisor arrangements, and where they would be based during their research training before applying.
Among Japan’s 571 universities, this one stands out for offering only graduate programs. That makes it a narrower choice than a full-cycle university, but a better fit for students who already know they want doctoral study tied to research institutes.
Written from this university's catalogue entry and its cited encyclopedia summary. Figures are only shown where the institution or a cited source publishes them — always confirm fees and entry requirements with the university itself before applying.
It is a public university in Japan.
No. It offers exclusively graduate programs.
It offers five-year doctoral programs for students with a bachelor's degree and three-year doctoral programs for students with a master's degree.
Graduate students are trained at affiliated research institutes distributed around Japan and the world.
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI is one of the national universities of Japan, headquartered in Shonan Village in the town of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture. Sōkendai (総研大), as it is generally called in its abbreviated form, was established in 1988, with Dr. Saburo Nagakura as its president. SOKENDAI is the first national university in Japan having offered exclusively graduate programs. Graduate students are trained at affiliated research institutes distributed around Japan and the world. It has both five-year doctoral programs for students with a bachelor's degree and three-year programs for those with a master's degree.
Indicative annual tuition
On request
Indicative living cost
—
Fees vary by programme and are indicative. Confirm exact fees with the university before applying.
Kyoto, Kansai, Japan · Public University
Tokyo, Kantō, Japan · Public University
Osaka, Kansai, Japan · Public University
Tokyo, Kantō, Japan · Public University
Last updated 29 Aug 2026. Information is provided for guidance — verify with official sources before applying.
Stay updated
Get admission alerts, scholarship deadlines & university news — free.