AAO application process
Overview
The AAO process is an online procedure intended for those who have graduated or expect to graduate from universities outside of Japan, and who are seeking admission to Kyoto University as research students or graduate students.
The main purpose of this process is to help applicants connect with their prospective supervisors. At some graduate schools, however, it is solely used to review applicants’ academic backgrounds.
The AAO process is separate from applications to graduate schools or scholarships; those who have completed the AAO process must subsequently apply to their chosen graduate school. A separate procedure will also be required if you wish to apply for scholarships.
It should also be noted that the AAO process can take some time to complete. Applicants are advised to get started at least 2–3 months before the graduate school application deadline to ensure sufficient time to complete all necessary procedures (early submission, however, does not necessarily guarantee timely completion of the process).
Application to graduate schools
Application procedures vary by graduate school and program. For most programs, however, applicants are required to complete the AAO process before applying to a graduate school.
Application schedules, procedures, and other details can be found on graduate school websites, accessible via the following:
Graduate Schools
Applications for scholarships
Applications for scholarships must be made separately from the AAO process. Please note that AAO is unable to provide information or guidance on specific scholarships. General information on scholarships can be found at the following:
AAO process
Before getting started
(1) Selecting a program and graduate school to apply to
Use the following links:
If you are not sure about which graduate school to apply to, please check Q1 of the following:
Frequently Asked Questions
(2) Checking the admission information on the graduate school’s website
When visiting a graduate school website for admission details such as procedures and deadlines, please make sure to also check whether the AAO process is required.
The AAO process is generally required of applicants who meet both of the following:
- Have graduated or expect to graduate from a university outside of Japan
- Wish to enroll in Kyoto University as a research student or a regular graduate student (graduate degree student)
Note: In the case of the Graduate School of Informatics, the AAO process is required only for admission as research students.
(3) Finding a prospective supervisor
If you are not sure about how to find a prospective supervisor, please check Q1 of the following:
Frequently Asked Questions
Some degree programs do not require applicants to specify a prospective supervisor as part of their AAO application, as indicated in the following list:
Programs with additional instructions
AAO application procedures
(1) Signing up for the AAO online application system and submitting an application
- Click “Sign Up” on the AAO system website, linked below, and submit your email address.
Kyoto University Admission Assistance Office - Complete the registration process by clicking on the URL provided in the registration email.
- Fill out your AAO application form and upload the required documents, as detailed in the following:
- Documents required for the AAO process
- Programs with additional instructions (for the AAO process)
- Statement of Purpose format
- Statement of Purpose format (Graduate School of Medicine)
Use of the above formats is optional, except for when applying to the Graduate School of Medicine, in which case the "Statement of Purpose format (Graduate School of Medicine)" is required.
- Click “Submit” and receive a confirmation email.
- If your application has been accepted for processing, you will receive an email titled "Acknowledge Receipt of AAO Application" from AAO. If the application is incomplete, you will receive a request for correction; please revise your application accordingly and resubmit it.
Note: Kyoto University may contact relevant organizations to inquire about the submitted documents as part of this process.
(2) Receiving the results of your AAO application (this may be a few days to a month after receiving an acknowledgment of receipt email)
- In the case of programs that require contacting a prospective supervisor before applying to the graduate school
Your AAO application will be reviewed by the prospective supervisor, who will then decide whether to accept contact from you. If you receive a result indicating that you may initiate contact, please contact your prospective supervisor directly. Note that this does not in itself mean provisional acceptance. - In the case of programs that do NOT require contacting a prospective supervisor before applying to the graduate school
Your AAO application will be forwarded to the graduate school office for a preliminary review. The result will then be delivered to you from AAO.
For applicants who passed the first screening of the MEXT scholarship embassy recommendation
Please request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance from Kyoto University following the steps provided below:
For those wishing to obtain a Letter of Provisional Acceptance
Inquiries
Please make sure to first check the following:
For questions not included in the above, send an email to AAO as follows, either in Japanese or English:
- Subject: (AAO-Question) your name, your preferred graduate school/research institute, and AAO-ID*
- To: AAO, Kyoto University
aao-ku*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)
* An AAO-ID is provided upon submission of an AAO application. It should be included in the subject only if you have received one.