Doctoral Degree → FAQ

FAQ

About Admissions | Current information as of May 2024.

For details of the Application Guidelines, please refer to the official website. https://www.tamabi.ac.jp/english/admission/
Q1:
Are observational tours of the campus possible?
A1:
Observational tours are possible most days, excluding days such as when exams are being held and entry into campus is forbidden.
For details of the Open Campus event, please refer to the official website (https://www.tamabi.ac.jp/admission/event/).

Q2:
Please explain the scope of research in the Doctoral Degree Course.
A2:
The graduate school’s Master’s Degree is divided into 5 departments: Painting; Sculpture; Ceramic, Glass, and Metal Works; Design; and Art Studies. In contrast, for the Doctoral Degree Course, all departments are synthesized into an Art and Design Course.
This is a response to transcend a specialization-divided framework.

Q3:
Must both works and theses be submitted?
A3:
All applicants must submit a thesis and thesis outline.
Practical course applicants (who pass the primary selection) must also submit works.

Q4:
Can devices and materials be borrowed for showing the submitted works?
A4:
As a rule, no.
Other than display panels, easels, and other display fixtures, as a rule, PCs and any additional equipment must be prepared by the applicant. (Please inquire for details)

Q5:
Is it possible to get time limit extensions in the delivery of works?
A5:
From delivery of works to setting up, everything must be completed within the designated time period. Changes to time/date and time extensions are not possible. For installation works, it is possible to include video recordings of the installation.

Q6:
Is it possible to specify the specific location for installation of works?
A6:
We will ask you for your preferences, but for entrance exams, the available space is limited, so you can not choose the location for installation of works. For installation works, it is possible to include video recordings of the installation.

Q7:
Is it possible to specify the supervising instructor?
A7:
You can write in preference for your practical instructor in the entry documents. However, for both thesis and practical instructors, while research themes and the like will be taken into consideration after admissions, the university will decide and designate the instructors.

Q8:
Is it possible to meet with my desired instructor?
A8:
We do not provide contact information for individual instructors, but if you call the Admissions Section (+81-42-679-5602), it will be possible to pass your information to their laboratory.
However, the convenience and specific circumstances of the instructor is taken into account, so there is no guarantee that a face-to-face meeting will be possible.
Note that after submitting your application until the day of the entrance examination, it is not possible to have a face-to-face meeting, so be sure to contact us in advance if you wish to have such a meeting.

Q9:
How competitive is the pass rate of applicants?
A9:
Details of applications for the past 5 years are as follows.

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Applicants 16 22 11 23 16
Those who passed 5 5 5 5 6
Pass rate of applicants 3.2 4.4 2.2 4.6 2.7


About the Curriculum

Q10:
What are the requirements for completion?
A10:
At least 18 credits (a required 6 credits + 12 or more required/elective credits) must be obtained for completion, a doctoral thesis must be submitted, and an examination and defence must be passed.

Q11:
Can doctoral classes and examinations be observed?
A11:
Classes are not open to the public, but degree examinations and the Tama Art University Doctoral Program Graduation Exhibition are open to the public.
Please contact by email (doctor@tamabi.ac.jp) of the Graduate School Research Office.

Q12:
How long are class times?
A12:
Classes are the required “Guidance in Integrated Research“, the required/elective “Study of Art Techniques“, and “Study of Art Theory“, but the days and times of instruction for them all are set up in consultation with the instructor.
Also, the graduate school rooms (studios), the reference room, and the computer room can be used every day during term time (even on Sundays if prior notice is given).

Q13:
What is the schedule of the program, right up through degree examination?
A13:
This university’s degree examinations are conducted using a comprehensive evaluation of works and thesis, and the curriculum has been changed so that in each subsequent year there are plans to further develop works and thesis.
Works are pursued in Study of Art Techniques (required/elective), and after the general practice (overall evaluation meetings) conducted twice in the 1st and 2nd year, a preliminary degree examination is held in September of the 3rd year, and the degree examination itself is held in January.
These are pursued in Study of Art Theory (required/elective), and after the midterm report presentations (1st year 12,000+ characters in Japanese or 7,200+ words in English, 2nd year 20,000+ characters in Japanese or 12,000+ words in English), there will be a preliminary degree examination (40,000+characters) and a degree examination (40,000+ characters).
Even for thesis-only students, General Practices are mandatory.

Q14:
How are degree examinations conducted?
A14:
In a degree application examination, there is a preliminary application (September) and the actual application (January); if the preliminary degree examination is passed, it is possible to leave the university after attaining the needed credits.
The degree examination is conducted by a minimum of 4 referees, at least one of whom is an external examiner, and is conducted as an oral defense centered on examinations of practical works and thesis.

Q15:
How many years does one have to write the theses?
A15:
The shortest amount of time in which a doctoral dissertation can be submitted is in the 3rd year. The longest amount of time one can remain in a Doctoral Degree Course is 6 years, so the doctoral dissertation can be submitted within that timeframe.
Also, even if the dissertation cannot be submitted while the student is still enrolled in school, it can still be submitted for up to 3 years after the student leaves the university after attaining the suitable number of credits.

Q16:
Are there opportunities to present creative works?
A16:
Around March of the year of graduation, students who have passed the degree examination can have their works displayed in the “Doctoral Program Graduation Exhibition”.


About Tuition / Student Life

Q17:
Where is the campus?
A17:
Hachioji Campus is located at: 2-1723, Yarimizu, Hachioji, Tokyo
However, depending on the instructors of practical skills, there are students who also pursue studies at Kaminoge campus (3-15-34, Kaminoge, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo).

Q18:
How much are living expenses?
A18:
Commuting students living at home and commuting can expect to be paying about 44,700 yen per month, and students not living at home and commuting are likely to be paying about 114,000 yen per month. These are the university averages.

Q19:
What are the tuition costs?
A19:
1,237,000 yen (fiscal year 2024), but in addition there are admissions fees (students who were not undergraduates at this university will pay 200,000 yen), facilities fees, maintenance fees, practical experience fees, and the like; so for the first fiscal year one can expect to pay 1,559,000 yen (for a student who was an undergraduate at this university) up to 1,759,000 yen.
For other information about tuition costs, please refer to the official website (https://www.tamabi.ac.jp/admissions/fees/graduate-programs/).

Q20:
Is there a scholarship system?
A20:
400,000 yen is awarded each year for the Tama Art University Scholarship and each year 100,000 yen is awarded for the Tama Art University Graduate School Study Incentive System; these will be provided to the students who meet the qualifications (and there is no need to pay the funds back).
For other information about scholorships or exemption systems, please refer to the official website (https://www.tamabi.ac.jp/admission/scholarship/original.htm).







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