• Entrance examination

• Study in Japan

Ⅰ The program starts on April 1, 2025.

Ⅱ Admission Quota

Ⅲ Fields and Main Subjects

Entrance examination

Ⅳ　Eligibility Requirements

Those who meet one of the following qualifications are eligible for application:

General

1. Graduation, or expected graduation by March, 2026, from a Japanese university or college of a 6-year curriculum in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine.
2. Obtainment, or expected obtainment by March, 2026, of a bachelor's degree in the field of medicine or pharmaceutical sciences or a master's degree from the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education under Article104, Paragraph 7 of the School Education Act.
3. Completion, or expected completion by March, 2026, of 18 years of regular curricular studies abroad.
4. Completion, or expected completion by March, 2026, of 18 years of regular curricular studies abroad by correspondence courses.
5. Completion, or expected completion by March, 2026, of a course at an educational institution in Japan that offers courses for a foreign university as part of the school education system of that country (limited to courses whose graduates are regarded as having completed 18 years of school education in that country) , and that is designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (hereafter "MEXT").
6. Obtainment, or expected obtainment by March, 2026, of a degree which is equivalent to a bachelor's degree by completing a 5 years or longer program (limited to medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine) at a university or an educational institution in a foreign country.
7. Recognition by Wakayama Medical University Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (hereafter "the Graduate School" ) as having academic ability required to study at the Graduate School by enrolling in a doctoral course of another graduate school (limited to a course of four years) in accordance with the provision of School Education Act Article 102, Paragraph 2.
8. Obtainment of qualification by MEXT.
   1. Graduation from a Japanese university or college of the curriculum of medicine or dentistry prescribed by the old University Ordinance.
   2. Graduation from the National Defense Medical College according to the Act for Establishment of Defense.
   3. (a) Completion, or expected completion by March, 2026, of a master's course at a Japanese graduate school.
      (b) Those who are eligible to receive a master's degree.
      (c) Recognition by the Graduate School as having academic ability equivalent or superior to that of a graduate of a university with 6-year curriculum in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine by studying for at least two years in a doctoral course that is neither categorized as a two-year master's course nor a three-year doctoral course, and obtaining at least 30 academic credits in addition to the required research guidance.
   4. Recognition by the Graduate School as having academic ability equivalent or superior to that of a graduate of a university with 6-year curriculum in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine by researching at least two years at a university or research institute and by having the research results during this period after graduating from Japanese university (excluding university that have a 6-year program in medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine), or completing 16 years of overseas school education.
9. Enrollment of 4 years or more at a school of medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine in Japan, or completion of 16 years of regular curricular studies abroad (the final specialization must be medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine) which is recognized to have obtained of prescribed credits with excellent grades by the Graduate School.
10. Recognition by the Committee of Admissions of the Graduate School as having qualification equivalent or superior to graduation from a school of a 6-year medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine, plus seniority of at least 24 years of age by the end of March, 2026.
11. The other applicants who are recognized by the Committee of Admissions as having qualification equivalent or superior to graduation from a school of a 6-year medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences or veterinary medicine.

Overseas residents

Overseas residents until March, 2025 who meet one of the above qualifications for general are eligible for application.

Ⅴ Preliminary Screening for Application Eligibility

Applicants who fall into eligibility requirements 7, 8-3(c), 8-4, 9～11 must apply for the preliminary screening in advance. Please submit the following documents during the period below.

Ⅵ Application Period / Administration Office

1. 1. Application Period: Applications will be accepted from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from Wednesday, July 23, 2025 to Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Administration Office of the Graduate School. In case of mailing, please send them by registered mail (yuubin kakitome). Please be sure all the necessary forms and documents reach the office by 4:00 pm of July 31, 2025.
2. Address of the Administration Office: Student Office, Wakayama Medical University Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama, 641-8509, JAPAN. Regardless of the program you want to apply for, the submission destination is above.

Ⅶ Procedures for Application

The following documents should be submitted to the Administration Office of the Graduate School. In case of mailing, it is requested to send them by registered mail(yuubin kakitome). Applicants must contact the professor or the academic advisor of the main subject and to obtain his/her permission for application by adding signature in the appointed space at Resume (Curriculum Vitae) before actually filing in the application.

General

【Application Documents】

[Eligibility Requirement 1～6, 8-1,8-2,8-3(a)(b)]

1. Resume(Curriculum Vitae)（As prescribed by the Graduate School)
2. Statement of Application Purpose （As prescribed by the Graduate School)
3. Transcript of Academic Record: Prescribed form filled by the president of the university attended. It should be officially sealed. Graduates or expected graduates from Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine are not required to submit this document.
4. Certificate of Graduation / Expected Graduation (Undergraduate Course): Graduates or expected graduates from Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine are not required to submit this document.
5. Certificate of Completion / Expected Completion (Master's Course): Those who have completed (or expect to complete) master's programs are required to submit this document.
6. Photograph (2 copies): 4 cm x 3 cm (portrait), upper body, with no hat, front face, taken within the last 3 months before application.
7. Examination Admission Ticket and Verified Photograph
8. Certificate of Completion (M.D-Ph.D course) : Those who have completed M.D-Ph.D course at Wakayama Medical University are required to submit the certificate.
9. Certificate of Foreign Language: Those who have passed the foreign language test for M.D-Ph.D course at Wakayama Medical University are required to submit this document.
10. English Proficiency Test Result: Applicants who would like to be exempted from taking a Foreign Language (English) Test of the Graduate School are required to have their English proficiency certified by the one of the external tests listed below. Please submit a score sheet which is issued within 2 years prior to the date of examination.
    1. TOEFLPBT Official Score (must be at least 500 points)
    2. TOEFLiBT Official Score (must be at least 61 points)
    3. TOEIC (L&R) Official Score (must be at least 590 points) (TOEIC-IP, TOEIC S&W, and TOEIC Bridge score sheets can't be utilized.)
    4. IELTS Official Overall Band Score (must be at least 5.5 points)
11. Summary of Research Plan
    
    Applicants with full-time job must submit the following documents in addition to the above documents. （As prescribed by the Graduate School)
12. Permission of Application by Employer
13. Research Activity History

[Those who is recognized by preliminary screening]

1. Resume(Curriculum Vitae)（As prescribed by the Graduate School)
2. Certificate of Application Qualification: After the Preliminary Screening, the Graduate School will send this certificate.
3. Photograph (2 copies): 4 cm x 3 cm (portrait), upper body, with no hat, front face, taken within the last 3 months.
4. Examination Admission Ticket and Verified Photograph
5. English Proficiency Test Result: Applicants who would like to be exempted from taking a Foreign Language (English) Test of the Graduate School are required to have their English proficiency certified by the one of the external tests listed below. Please submit a score sheet which is issued within 2 years prior to the date of examination.
   1. TOEFLPBT Official Score (must be at least 500 points)
   2. TOEFLiBT Official Score (must be at least 61 points)
   3. TOEIC (L&R) Official Score (must be at least 590 points) (TOEIC-IP, TOEIC S&W, and TOEIC Bridge score sheets can't be utilized.)
   4. IELTS Official Overall Band Score (must be at least 5.5 points)

【Application Fee】

JPY 30,000. This should be paid in the form of Postal Money Order, or in cash in case of paying directly at the Administration Office. Applicants are responsible for the payment. Application fee is not necessary for the applicants who finished the master's course of the Graduate School within the last two years.

Note1:

If your documents are incomplete or falsified, you may not be able to take the entrance examination. Please keep in mind that any deficiency or falsification of the documents will result in cancellation of acceptance even after passing the entrance examination or being accepted for admission to the Graduate School.

Note2:

If your current name is different from the name shown on the documents you are submitting, attach an official document such as your family register.

Note3:

If you wish to receive your examination admission ticket by mail, write your address, name and postal code on the return envelope for your examination admission ticket, and enclose the envelope with a postage stamp of 890 yen, including the registered express delivery fee.

Overseas residents

In addition to the above documents for General, overseas residents should submit the following documents to the Administration Office. Also they must submit TOEFL／TOEIC／IELTS score sheet, and pay Application Fee by referring to "Application Fee" for General.

【Application Documents】

1. At least one letter of recommendation (Japanese or English)
2. Acceptance letter written by the professor or the academic advisor of the main subjects of the Graduate School
3. English Proficiency Test Result: Applicants who would like to be exempted from taking a Foreign Language (English) Test of the Graduate School are required to have their English proficiency certified by the one of the external tests listed below. Please submit a score sheet which is issued within 2 years prior to the date of examination. (repeat)
   1. TOEFLPBT Official Score (must be at least 500 points)
   2. TOEFLiBT Official Score (must be at least 61 points)
   3. TOEIC (L&R) Official Score (must be at least 590 points)
      (TOEIC-IP, TOEIC S&W, and TOEIC Bridge score sheets can't be utilized.)
   4. IELTS Official Overall Band Score (must be at least 5.5 points)
4. Return Envelope for your examination admission ticket, which is self-addressed with postage stamps including international registered mail charges

Ⅷ　Preliminary Consultation for Applicants with Disabilities

Applicants with disabilities, who require special considerations for taking the examination or attending the Graduate School, please consult the Administration Office with documents described the following information (A4, no prescribed form) by Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant
2. The main subject and name of a prospective academic advisor
3. Type and degree of disability with copy of disability certificate or a doctor's statement for applicants' current medical treatment
4. Considerations necessary for taking the examination and attending the Graduate School
5. Considerations given to the applicant at the graduating university or college and current situation of daily life etc.

Ⅸ Subject, Date and Place of Entrance Examination

General

1. 1. Specialized Subject (Applicants' main subject) [written test]
   Date and Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 11:00am-0:00pm
   
2. Interview
   Date and Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 1:30pm-4:30pm

• Foreign Language (English)
  Date and Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 5:00pm -6:30pm
  Room: Training Room on the 5th floor of the Advanced Medical Care Staff Development Center
  
• Applicants will be informed of the meeting time and place separately.
• Specialized Subject Test will be conducted on the main subject of each applicant's choice.
• Applicants can use a dictionary, but NOT an electronic dictionary.
• Those who submitted the document (9) or (10) of above-mentioned in section Ⅶ Procedures for Application are exempted from the foreign language test.
• Those who completed master's course of Wakayama Medical University Graduate School of Medicine are exempted from the specialized subject test and the foreign language test. Those who are expected to complete master's course of Wakayama Medical University Graduate School of Medicine are also exempted from the specialized subject test and the foreign language test as well.
• Applicants must arrive at the examination room at least 20 minutes before the starting time of examination.
• Place of examination is subject to change. Applicants will be informed of the place if there are any change.

Overseas residents

1.Specialized Subject (Applicants' main subject) [Oral Test] and Interview Date and Time: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 1:30pm-4:30pm

• Applicants will be informed of the meeting time separately.
• Specialized subject and interview will be conducted online. The specific date and time of the test will be sent separately to the applicants online.

Ⅹ Selection Method and Allocation

Final successful applicants will be selected comprehensively on the basis of the results of specialized subject (scored out of 100 points), interview (scored out of 100 points), foreign language ability and application documents.
The foreign language test score or external English examination score is used for decision of foreign language ability required for studying at the Graduate School.
Those who submitted external English examination score sheets that meet the requirements, or who have passed the foreign language test for M.D-Ph.D course at Wakayama Medical University are exempted from the foreign language test. Please see the section of application documents Ⅶ Procedures for Application about external English examination score sheets and the requirements.

Ⅺ Announcement of Successful Applicants

XII　Procedures for Enrollment

Successful applicants must submit the following documents, with the payment specified below, to the Administration Office between Wednesday, October 1 and Thursday, October 9, 2025. The office opens from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on business days. If the required procedures are not completed by 5:00 pm of Thursday, October 9, 2025, the admission will be nullified.

【Required Documents】

1. Successful candidates who have taken the examination as expected graduates must submit Certificate of Graduation by the appointed time.
2. Pledge: Prescribed by the Graduate School
3. Photograph (2 copies): 4cm x 3 cm (portrait), upper body, with no hat, front face, taken within the last 3 months.
4. Entrance Fee: JPY 282,000. Entrance fee is not necessary for the candidates who finished the master's course at the Graduate School within the last two years.

XIII Tuition Fee

The yearly tuition fee (JPY 535,800) may be paid separately by semester.

XIV Related Information

1. After the application procedure, application fee of JPY 30,000 will not be refundable for any reason.
2. After the entrance procedure is completed, entrance fee of JPY 282,000 will not be refundable for any reason.
3. The application documents are available for printing on the Internet application site (https://www.wakayama-med.ac.jp/dept/daigakuin-sougou/bosyuuyoukou.html)
4. Entrance fee and tuition fee are subject to revision. If tuition fee is revised while enrolled, the new tuition fee will apply from the time of the revision.
5. If you wish taking and completing the program systematically over a certain period beyond the standard term (4 years) due to special circumstances such as working full-time, you can apply for Long-Term Completion of Curricula System. If you wish, please apply to the Administration Office by separately specified date.
6. Personal information obtained from applicants will be used only for the purposes of selecting students, notifying, admission procedures and supporting students' life. Personal information will not be provided to people other than relevant staff of the Graduate School.
7. If you want to view past examination questions of foreign language, please contact the Administration Office.