HomeStudents who possess ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of international cooperation in development studies through social science approaches, in order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the issues of poverty reduction, and those who have excellent collaboration and communication skills and exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, private sectors, and NGO, etc.
The following information is intended for students who will start their studies at Hiroshima University (HU home students).
For information for students who will start their studies at the University of Graz or Leipzig University (UG home students, LU home students), please refer here.
Application Guidelines
■The application period for admission in October 2026 is from January 9 to January 22, 2026.
For details, please refer to the application guideline below.
- [Application Guide] HU Joint Degree Program.pdf（4.19 MB）
- Application Form&Research Proposal [Hiroshima-Graz]（30.92 KB）
- Application Form&Research Proposal [Hiroshima-Leipzig]（31.23 KB）
Application Overview
■Number of Students to Be Admitted (October 2026 Admission)
| Program | Partner University (country) |
Degree | Language | Quota | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University – University of Graz) |
University of Graz (Austria) | Master of Science | English | Several | ||
| Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University – Leipzig University) |
Leipzig University (Germany) |
Master of Science | English | Several | ||
■Admission Requirements
Please refer to the following file for information on application eligibility.
■Language Requirements
Applicants must submit scores from the IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge EFL or TOEIC® and meet the English proficiency requirements defined below(※), if their native language is not English and if they do not have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a program that is taught in English.
(※)English language proficiency requirements
・IELTS Academic – 6.5 overall or above (with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing)
・TOEFL iBT – 95 or above (tests taken until 20 January 2026) / iBT 5 (tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards);
・Cambridge EFL (English as a Foreign Language) Applicants should have one of the following two certificates :
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) (minimum 180 points);
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) (minimum grade C).
・TOEIC® Public Test L&R or TOEIC®-IP L&R: A score of 945 or above
■Selection Process
The academic examination consists of the Document Review (Academic Transcripts, Research Proposal, and other application documents) and the Oral Examination to evaluate the applicant's motivation for research, knowledge and applied skills in the applicant's field of specialization, English language skills, problem-solving ability, and aptitude.
■Admission Schedule
| Time line | Note | |
|---|---|---|
| Application Period | January 9 to January 22, 2026 (JST, Must arrive) |
By post The application must arrive no later than January 22, 2026 |
| Entrance Examination | Between February 4 and February 18, 2026 (will be in contact separately). | Document screening including research proposal, and oral examination conducted online |
| Announcement of Admission | March 3, 2026 (scheduled) |
■Financial support
Hiroshima University offers financial support for students who choose Hiroshima University as their entrance (home) university. For details, please refer the following information:
■Joint Programmes
In the following you will find an overview of our offered Joint Programs.
Since 2010, Hiroshima University has been part of a global consortium with leading universities, including the University of Graz (Austria), Leipzig University (Germany), Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (Italy), and Utrecht University (Netherlands), to offer the Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development.
October 2020, Hiroshima University joined forces with the University of Graz and Leipzig University to launch the Joint Degree Programme in Sustainability Studies (Sustainable Development). This globally recognized program gives you the chance to study at three leading universities, experience diverse cultures, and gain cutting-edge knowledge in sustainability. If you want to become a global leader in creating a sustainable future, this is your opportunity!
■Study Mobility at the Entrance (Home) University and Partner University
Students will be admitted in October and study for one year at the partner university abroad during the two-year course of study. Based on which university that students choose as their entrance (home) university, the students are scheduled to enroll in classes at the location as shown below.
| ENTRANCE (HOME) UNIVERSITY | LOCATION OF STUDY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st semester (fall) |
2nd semester (spring) |
3rd semester (fall) |
4th semester (spring) |
|
| Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University-University of Graz) |
||||
| Hiroshima University (HU) | HU | UG | UG | HU |
| University of Graz (UG) | UG | HU | HU | UG |
| Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University-Leipzig University) |
||||
| Hiroshima University (HU) | HU | LU | LU | HU |
| Leipzig University (LU) | LU | HU | HU | LU |
■Desirable students
Joint International Master’s Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University- University of Graz)
Joint International Master’s Degree Programme in Sustainable Development (Hiroshima University – Leipzig University)
Students who possess ability to conduct research and engage in practice based on the fundamental principles of sustainable development in environmental studies, through science and engineering approaches, in order to resolve the pressing regional and global issues related to the SDGs, especially the environmentally-driven development issues caused by the rapid urbanization of developing countries, and those who have excellent collaboration and communication skills and exhibit competitive capability for employment in the international labor market of universities, research institutions, governments and international organizations, private sectors, and NGO, etc.
[Inquiries]
About student recruitment:
Support Office for the fields of International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University
Email: koku-gaku＊office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp (Please replace＊with a halfwidth”＠”when sending.)
