Mechanical EngineeringMaster's + PhDEnglish Programs Available

Mechanical Engineering at Institute of Science Tokyo

Mechanical Engineering Master’s and PhD at Institute of Science Tokyo: industry partnerships, English-track options, JLPT requirements, and 2027 admissions.

Graduate study in Mechanical Engineering at Institute of Science Tokyo for April 2027 entry. Master's programs run 2 years; PhD programs add 3 more years. Both Japanese-taught and English-taught options are available depending on the specific lab and supervisor.

About Institute of Science Tokyo

Formed October 2024 by merging Tokyo Institute of Technology with Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Top tech and medical research. See the full Institute of Science Tokyo profile.

Language of instruction

Institute of Science Tokyo offers English-track options in Mechanical Engineering. Application requires TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ (90+/7.0+ for OIST and the highest-tier programs). JLPT is not required for English-taught programs but is appreciated.

Admissions requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field with strong GPA
  • TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ (English programs); native-English-medium degree often exempt
  • JLPT N2 or N1 for Japanese-taught programs
  • Research plan — 2-page document; the most important application document. See our annotated sample.
  • Two academic recommendations — see our template guide.
  • Entrance exam for Japanese-taught programs (typically August or February); document review + Zoom interview for English-track

Tuition and scholarships

Institute of Science Tokyo is a national university with standard tuition of ¥535,800/year for graduate study. Tuition waivers of 50-100% are common for international students based on academic merit and financial need.

How to apply for 2027 entry

  1. October 2025 — January 2026: Identify a target lab + professor at Institute of Science Tokyo. Read recent papers.
  2. January — April 2026: Email the professor 6-12 months before application deadline.
  3. April — July 2026: Take JLPT (December 2025 or July 2026) and TOEFL/IELTS.
  4. July — September 2026: Submit application materials (varies by program — check specific deadlines).
  5. August 2026 / February 2027: Entrance exam (Japanese-taught) or document review + interview (English).
  6. September — December 2026: Results announced.
  7. January — March 2027: COE issued, visa stamp at embassy.
  8. April 2027: Arrival in Japan.

For the full timeline applicable to all Japanese graduate schools, see our application timeline guide.

Career outcomes

Graduates from Mechanical Engineering programs at Institute of Science Tokyo pursue careers across industry research, academia, and entrepreneurship. Common outcomes include positions at Japanese tech companies (Sony, Hitachi, NTT, Toyota, Preferred Networks), foreign tech companies in Japan, faculty positions at Japanese and international universities, and startups. Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa accelerates the path to permanent residency for high-earning graduates.

Bottom line

Mechanical Engineering graduate study at Institute of Science Tokyo offers English-track and Japanese-track options. Combined with MEXT or a foundation scholarship plus tuition waiver, most international students complete their degree at zero out-of-pocket cost. For comparison with other universities offering the same field, see the related programs below.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Mechanical Engineering program at Institute of Science Tokyo cover?

The Mechanical Engineering graduate program at Institute of Science Tokyo covers core research and applied work in the field. Master's programs are typically 2 years; PhD programs add 3 more years. Specific research areas depend on which lab you join — see the department's faculty page for current research interests.

Do I need to speak Japanese to apply?

Institute of Science Tokyo offers English-track options for Mechanical Engineering graduate study. Most English programs require TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.5+ but no JLPT. Japanese-track programs require JLPT N2 minimum.

What's the tuition?

Institute of Science Tokyo is a national university with tuition of ¥535,800/year. Tuition waivers of 50-100% are available for international students. Combined with MEXT or foundation scholarships, most international graduate students pay nothing out of pocket.

When is the application deadline?

For April 2027 entry, most graduate programs at Institute of Science Tokyo have application deadlines between July and December 2026. Some English-track programs follow a different cycle for October entry. Always check the program-specific page for exact deadlines.

How do I contact a professor?

Email a professor whose research aligns with your interests, 6-12 months before the application deadline. Read recent papers, mention specific work, and ask if they're accepting students. See our dedicated guide on emailing Japanese professors.

What scholarships are available?

MEXT scholarship (full tuition + ¥1.7M/year stipend), JASSO Honors Scholarship, foundation scholarships (Honjo, Heiwa Nakajima, Inpex, Rotary Yoneyama), and university-internal awards. International students at Institute of Science Tokyo typically combine multiple sources.

What career paths follow Mechanical Engineering graduate study at Institute of Science Tokyo?

Career paths include industry research roles at Japanese companies (Sony, Hitachi, NTT, Toyota, Preferred Networks), foreign tech companies in Japan (Google Japan, Indeed, Mercari), academic positions at Japanese and global universities, and startup founders. Highly Skilled Professional visa is available for graduates with strong qualifications.

Mechanical Engineering at other universities

The University of Tokyo

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