PhD in Department of Physics

The Department of Physics at The University of Tokyo also offers an English-taught doctoral program in Tokyo, Japan, with a duration of three years and start dates in April or October. The University of Tokyo, founded in 1877 as the oldest national university in Japan, describes itself as a place of dialogue with the unknown, spanning ten faculties and fifteen graduate schools that bring together students and researchers from many countries and regions. This department covers core areas of physics, including particle and nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, and astrophysics, and doctoral candidates typically pursue an original research project under faculty supervision, working on theoretical or experimental questions depending on their specialization. Over the three-year program, doctoral students are expected to build expertise in specialized physical methods and contribute new findings to their chosen area of research. Physics underpins technologies in electronics, materials science, energy, and computing, and doctoral graduates commonly pursue careers in research institutions, technology and engineering companies, and academic positions. The two possible start dates, April and October, give applicants flexibility in planning their entry into the program. English-medium instruction supports international doctoral students who wish to conduct physics research in Japan, and admission follows the specific procedures of the Graduate School of Science, including a special selection process for international applicants. As part of a large national university, the department gives doctoral candidates access to extensive research facilities and contact with related departments across the physical sciences.