Japan / Entry requirements
Entry requirements for Japanese students
The University of Manchester welcomes a large volume of applications from Japanese students each year. General minimum entry requirements for Japanese applicants are summarised below. Please carefully check the specific requirements for your chosen programme via our website prior to application.
Undergraduate/bachelors
If you are studying A-levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) then you can apply for direct entry to the first year of an undergraduate/bachelor’s degree.
Typical grade requirements:
- A-levels: A*AA – ABB
- IB: 34-38 points, with 7, 6, 6 – 6, 5, 5 in Higher Level (HL) subjects
Subject specific requirements may apply.
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho)
Due to differences in the Japanese and UK education systems, applicants who have taken the Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho will need to successfully complete a University-recognised foundation programme before joining an undergraduate course.
Undergraduate courses with an integrated foundation year (science, engineering and biosciences only)
Students with an overall grade of 80% or higher with at least 80% in Mathematics and Physics can apply for the University’s Science and Engineering with an integrated foundation year programme.
Applicants with the Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho are considered for the University’s Biosciences with a foundation year programme on a case-by-case basis.
INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester
Students with an overall grade of 80% or higher would be considered for the foundation programmes run in partnership with the University by INTO Manchester. Pathways for Engineering and Science, Humanities and Social Sciences (including Management and Law), Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology are available. Subject-specific requirements may apply.
Applicants with high grades in a Japanese Vocational degree (Senmonshi), Associate Degree (Jun-Gakushi) or Junior College Diploma (Tanki Daigakushi) may be considered for entry to the first year of an undergraduate (bachelors) degree.
The entry requirements below are provided for guidance only. Requirements may vary by course and/or academic School.
| Undergraduate courses (direct entry) | A-levels | A*AA – ABB (subject specific requirements may apply) |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | 34 – 38 points, usually with HL scores between 7, 6, 6 – 6, 5, 5 (subject specific requirements may apply) | |
| Undergraduate courses with Integrated Foundation Year (Science, Engineering, Bioscience only) |
Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho |
80% or higher with at least 80% in Mathematics and Physics Applications to Biosciences considered on case by case basis. |
| INTO Manchester Foundation Programmes (Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Pharmacy, Psychology) |
Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho | Minimum 80% overall score
Specific requirements for individual programmes may vary depending on subjects taken. |
Postgraduate taught/research
Students who have completed a Gakushi (Japanese bachelors) degree with the below will be considered for postgraduate taught study:
- minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0; or
- minimum GPA of 3.75 out of 5.0.
Pre-requisites and additional requirements are specified on the programme descriptions.
The Manchester MBA requires a minimum of three years’ professional work experience.
Please access the Alliance Manchester Business School pages for full MBA entry requirements.
The University of Manchester offers a range of one year master’s programmes that offer an attractive alternative to academically well-qualified students without suitable work experience.
Students who have completed a minimum of a Gakushi (Japanese bachelors) degree and a Shushui (Japanese master’s) degree with the below will be considered for PhDs:
- minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0; or
- minimum GPA of 3.75 out of 5.0.
PhDs/Postgraduate research degrees are individually supervised. We strongly recommend that prospective applicants make initial enquiries with the potential supervisor or academic school before submitting a formal application. A research proposal is required along with your formal application.