Undergraduate

Because the medical licensing examination in Japan is given in Japanese, the Keio University School of Medicine undergraduate program requires a high level of Japanese language ability for both domestic and international students. The undergraduate program offers a specialized entrance examination for international students, however, this examination is conducted in Japanese and is largely similar to that of domestic students.

For details about the entrance examination for international students, please see
https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/

For inquiries or concerns, please contact:
Office of Student Services, Keio University School of Medicine
Email: medgrad[at]info.keio.ac.jp
(Please replace [at] with @ when emailing us.)

Graduate

Professional Development at the Graduate School of Medicine

Master's Program

The Master's Program is designed for individuals who have studied in the natural sciences or the humanities and social sciences. The program aims to help students develop the following knowledge, skills, and abilities through coursework, engaging in research under the guidance of an academic supervisor, and writing a master's thesis.

Students will gain:
 1.the ability to set research topics and demonstrate appropriate research methodologies and methods of argumentation.
 2.the ability to correctly derive conclusions based on research findings.
 3.the ability to accurately present research findings and related issues.
 4.the ability to demonstrate a wide range of medical knowledge and high ethical standards in medicine and health care.

We strive to train students who, upon completing the Master's Program, not only develop into highly skilled professionals with comprehensive expertise in medicine and health care but also aspire to continue their education in a doctoral program.

Doctoral Programs

Our doctoral programs are designed for graduates of 6-year medical, dental, veterinary, and pharmaceutical schools as well as those who have completed the master's program. These programs aim to help students develop the following knowledge, skills, and abilities through coursework, engaging in research under the guidance of an academic supervisor, and writing a doctoral dissertation.

Students will gain:
 1.the ability to set research topics and demonstrate appropriate research methodologies and methods of argumentation.
 2.the ability to correctly derive conclusions based on research findings.
 3.the ability to demonstrate a wide range of medical knowledge and high ethical standards in medicine and health care.
 4.the skills needed to present research findings clearly and accurately
 5.a clear vision for the development of future research topics.

The Applied Medicine Program is designed to train researchers who, upon completing the program, can carry out highly original basic research in fields related to basic and clinical medicine, uncover disease mechanisms, and develop treatments for intractable diseases. The Medical Science Program is designed to develop professionals who can conduct outstanding clinical research on cutting-edge medical care, design research protocols, and become experts in interdisciplinary cancer care.

Admission Policy

The Graduate School of Medicine is open to anyone, regardless of nationality, and trains medical professionals who possess advanced knowledge and research ability, welcoming students who possess the following traits:

Master's Program

  • Individuals who have studied in fields related to the natural, humanities and social sciences and have basic knowledge of medicine and life sciences
  • Individuals who have a desire to become a professional with specialized skills and an in-depth knowledge of medicine and medical care, or are highly motivated to go on to a doctoral program
  • Individuals who can read, understand, critique, and have constructive discussions about medicine and life science papers written in English

Doctoral Program

  • Individuals who have sufficient basic knowledge of medicine and life sciences and have completed a master’s program or six-year medical, dental, veterinary or pharmaceutical course
  • Individuals who are motivated to become world-class medical researchers
  • Individuals who can read, understand, critique, and have constructive discussions about medicine and life science papers written in English

Curriculum Policy

【Master's Program】

Master’s program aim to develop professionals and researchers with advanced, specialized skills in medicine and medical care. Students take core program classes in the form of lectures and learn how to conduct research as they write their master's thesis. The curriculum is organized so that each student can understand current and future trends in medicine and medical care as they relate to their desired career path.
As a general timeline, students file their course registration in April of their first year and begin taking courses and conducting research in close consultation with their academic advisor. In July of their first year, students must submit a two-year research plan and receive approval from the Graduate School of Medicine Committee in order to ensure that their research can be securely carried out in the long term. During their first year, students will generally earn all of the credits needed for core and minor subjects. After a master's thesis presentation in October of their second year, students submit their thesis around January, followed by their thesis defense around February. If their thesis is approved by the Graduate School of MedicineCommittee, they will receive their master's degree by March.

【Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences】

The doctoral program curriculum is practical and hands-on, with all core subjects taught in English. This curriculum, together with other invaluable learning opportunities, such as the Keio Medical Society Seminars, which bring researchers from around the world to Keio, allows the Graduate School of Medicine to train researchers who are internationally-minded and have the skills required to develop their own research. Students can also conduct research that counts toward their degree at domestic partner research centers and institutes that include the National Cancer Center, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, and the Shizuoka Cancer Center. The Keio School of Medicine also has relationships with world-class research institutions such as the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (US), the Karolinska Institute (Sweden), the UCSF Gladstone Institute (US), the University of California San Diego (US), and INSERM (France) to provide students opportunities to further develop their research through joint research and study abroad.

【Doctoral Program in Applied Medicine】

The Doctoral Program in Applied Medicine has both an oncology and a cardiology track, each of which is built upon a unique curriculum centered on lectures and papers.

As a general timeline for both tracks, students file their course registration in April of their first year and begin taking courses and conducting research in close consultation with their academic advisor. In July of their first year, students must submit a two-year research plan and receive approval from the Graduate School of Medicine Committee in order to ensure that their research can be securely carried out in the long term. By the end of their second year, students will generally earn all of the credits needed for core and minor subjects. After the Screening for Completion of Course Requirements in May of their third year, students must submit their doctoral dissertation by December of their fourth year. If approved by the Graduate School of Medicine Faculty Meeting, they will have their dissertation defense around January. If their dissertation is approved by the Graduate School of Medicine Committee , they will receive their doctoral degree by March.

Diploma Policy

【Master's Program】

Students must be enrolled in a master's program for at least two years, complete all coursework, and earn the required number of credits as specified in the program outline. Students must engage in research under their academic advisor, present progress reports on their thesis and receive advice and instruction from experts other than their academic advisor, after which they will submit their thesis. When submitting their thesis to be reviewed for thesis defense, students will present their research to a review committee, who will expect them to answer questions from committee members and will consider how they have incorporated the advice they received into their research. Final approval of their thesis will be made by the Graduate School of Medicine Committee .

Examination Criteria for Degree Theses and Dissertations
Master's Program:

 1.The thesis is based on research conducted solely by the applicant.
 2.The thesis research has a clear objective and methodology.
 3.The thesis draws the correct conclusions from the research findings.
 4.The thesis research makes a contribution to the field.
 5.The thesis research was conducted in accordance with research ethics guidelines.
 6.The applicant possesses a wide range of medical knowledge and high ethical standards.
 7.The applicant can accurately present on their research findings and related issues.

【Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences】

They must be enrolled in a doctoral program for at least four years (those with outstanding research achievements may be eligible in three years), complete all coursework, and earn the required number of credits as specified in the program outline. They must engage in research under their academic advisor, present progress reports on their dissertation and receive advice and instruction from experts other than their academic advisor, after which they will submit a final original dissertation in English or a dissertation that summarizes several examples of their published research. Dissertation defense will be opened internally and they will present their research and lab notes to a review committee, who will expect them to answer questions from committee members and will consider how they have incorporated the advice they received into their research. After the defense, final approval of their dissertation will be made by the Graduate School of Medicine Committee.

Examination Criteria for Degree Theses and Dissertations
Doctoral Programs:

 1.The dissertation is based on research conducted solely by the applicant.
 2.The dissertation research has a clear objective and methodology.
 3.The dissertation draws the correct conclusions from the research findings.
 4.The research findings display creativity and originality on par with international standards.
 5.The thesis research was conducted in accordance with research ethics guidelines.
 6.The applicant possesses a specialized expertise, depth of knowledge, and high ethical standards.
 7.The applicant is skilled at accurately presenting on their research findings and related issues.
 8.The applicant has a clear vision for the development of future research topics.