StudyQA — PhD: Sustainability Science Global Leadership Initiative

Description Contents Requirements Funding

GPSS-GLI provides the training necessary that enables future global leaders to make a profound impact on sustainability science and sustainable development. As a collaborative effort between the United Nations University (UNU) and the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, GPSS-GLI combines the educational resources and international research networks of leading academic institutions and thereby provides students with the training and opportunities necessary to become global leaders. Through intensely specialized studies and general education as well as international and practical experience, students can (i) develop the skills necessary for global leadership, (ii) acquire a broad perspective and problem solving capabilities, and (iii) learn to apply the concept of "resilience" both theoretically and practically.

Combined Master's and Doctoral degree program based on a integrated educational program that aims to train individuals to be leaders for developing sustainable societies
Interdisciplinary education and English-only curriculum attracting students with diverse backgrounds from around the world and emphasizing student-faculty interaction
Strong international sustainability research and education networks as evidenced by collaboration with UNU and other leading international universities in sustainability research to provide considerable educational opportunities to students
Outstanding opportunities to gain international experience through joint-diplomas with UNU and other foreign universities, through internships at United Nations affiliates and other international organizations, and through exchange programs
Practical education through fieldwork and internships in research fields as diverse as disaster recovery, development, environmental conservation, and urbanization and depopulation, and others
Training in real-world problem solving and future planning through collaboration with corporate partners
October (fall) enrollment to actively promote international exchange opportunities with universities and other institutions abroad by more closely-linked academic schedules
University-wide cooperation led by the Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) and the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, also based on strong ties with the university's Graduate School of Engineering, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, and the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute
Training for future global leaders who will, through GPSS-GLI's transdisciplinary linkages, acquire the broad perspective and experience necessary to contribute to global sustainability

Foundation and specialized courses covering key issues related to sustainability
Diverse theoretical and practical exercises aimed at enhancing such skills as communication, systems thinking, social surveys, and data analysis through real-world training and debate experience
Comprehensive research process spanning from elucidation of research topic through to research framework development and leading to compilation of Master's thesis and PhD dissertation.

The integrated character of the Master's and Doctoral programs allows students to acquire the basic knowledge and skills related to sustainability in the Master's degree; and then after having acquired international experience and leadership skills, to combine these skills in the Doctoral degree.

Master's Course

Students satisfying the completion requirements for GPSS-GLI will be awarded Master of Sustainability Science.

Credit Requirements—Master's Course

Course Name	required credits
Basic Compulsory Courses on Sustainability Science	4
Compulsory Elective Lecture Courses	6 minimum
Exercise Courses	8 minimum
Master's Research on Sustainability Science	8
GPSS Elective Courses, and courses offered in other departments and graduate/undergraduate schools (four credits at most)	-
Total	30 minimum

Doctoral Course

Students satisfying the completion requirements for GPSS-GLI will be awarded Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in Sustainability Science.

Credit Requirements — Doctoral Course

Course Name	required credits
Advanced Compulsory Course on Sustainability Science	2
Global Leadership Exercise Course	2
Exercise Courses	2 minimum
Doctoral Research on Sustainability Science	12
GPSS Elective Courses, and courses offered in other departments and graduate schools (two credits at most)	-
Total	20

All GPSS-GLI students are required to complete a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation related to sustainability science as part of the requirements of the compulsory core courses, Master's/Doctoral Research on Sustainability Science.

Students are encouraged to conduct research activities outside traditional academic disciplines such as applying transdisciplinary and integrative approaches to specific challenges related to sustainability, or proposing novel paradigms and value systems for establishing a sustainable society.

Admission Scheme for Master's Course

Admission for GPSS-GLI consists of document review and oral examination. No written examination is required.

All the entrance examinations will be conducted in English.

Short essays and research plan must be written in English and be enclosed in the application documents. Applicants must well prepare for them. Oral examination is also conducted in English.

There are three admission schemes. The characteristics (eligibility, application deadline or period , date of enrollment, past results, and so on) of each scheme are summarized in the following table, but please refer to the linked pages for more detailed information.

Admission Scheme	Eligibility	Examination Fee	Application Period (Deadline)	Date and Venue of oral Examination
Ordinary Examination (Schedule A)	Graduated or expected to graduate from a university by March 31, 2017	30,000 JPY	June 16 to 22, 2016	Date: August 18 or 19, 2016 Venue: Kashiwa campus, Japan Applicants who live in foreign countries at the time of both the application and oral examination may be interviewed by using an internet video conference system.
Ordinary Examination (Schedule B)	Graduated from a university or expected to graduate from a university by the day before the enrollment date*	30,000 JPY	November 22 to 29, 2016	Date: End of January, 2017 Venue: Kashiwa campus, Japan Applicants who live in foreign countries at the time of both the application and oral examination may be interviewed by using an internet video conference system.
Special Admission with "Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship with Department Recommendation" or "ADB-JSP Scholarship"	Graduated from a university or expected to graduate from a university by the day before the enrollment date* 1) live outside of Japan 2) non-Japanese nationality 3) born on April 2, 1982 or after	Covered by MEXT or ADB	November 29, 2016**	Oral examination will be conducted by using an internet video conference system Date: End of January, 2017

*Note: Those who are expected to obtain such a degree at the end date of September, 2017 may be eligible to apply for GPSS-GLI. Please consult GPSS Admission Office in advance.

**Note: Application documents must arrive at our office on or before November 29, 2016.

Admission Scheme for Doctoral Course

Admission for GPSS-GLI consists of document review and oral examination. No written examination is required.

All the entrance examination is conducted in English. Short essays and research plan must be written in English and be enclosed in the application documents. Applicants must well prepare for them. Oral examination is also conducted in English.

Admission Scheme	Eligibility	Examination Fee	Application Period (Deadline)	Date and Venue of oral Examination
Ordinary Examination (Schedule A)	Graduated or expected to graduate from a graduate school by March 31, 2017	30,000 JPY	June 16 to 22, 2016	August 18 or 19, 2016 Second Examination (if necessary): Early February, 2017 Venue: Kashiwa campus, Japan Applicants who live in foreign countries at the time of both the application and oral examination may be interviewed by using an internet video conference system.
Ordinary Examination (Schedule B)	Graduated or expected to graduate from a graduate school by the day before the enrollment date*	30,000 JPY	November 22 to 29, 2016	Early February, 2017 Second Examination (if necessary): late August, 2017 Venue: Kashiwa campus, Japan Applicants who live in foreign countries at the time of both the application and oral examination may be interviewed by using an internet video conference system.
Special Admission with "Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship with Department Recommendation"	Graduated or expected to graduate from a graduate school by the day before the enrollment date* 1) live outside of Japan 2) non-Japanese nationality 3) born on April 2, 1982 or after	Covered by MEXT	November 29, 2016**	Oral examination. will be conducted by using an internet video conference system. Date: End of January, 2017

*Note: Those who are expected to obtain such a degree at the end of September 2017 may be eligible to apply for GPSS-GLI. Please consult GPSS Admission Office in advance.

**Note: Application documents must arrive at our office on or before November 29, 2016.