WelcomeTo Prospective Students
The Goshima Lab welcomes students who are eager to conduct research in Finance × Data Science. We accept students regardless of their university, their background in humanities or sciences, or whether they are working professionals. If you would like to discuss your research topic or ask about the program, a preliminary meeting (online is available) can be arranged. Please feel free to contact us.
Japanese language requirement
Coursework in the graduate programs is conducted in Japanese. International students who wish to join this lab are therefore required to have Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1 at the time of the entrance examination. What matters is your actual proficiency; a JLPT certificate itself is not required.
Research TrainingResearch Supervision
Meetings
Research progresses through meetings held about once a week: group meetings for master's students and individual meetings for doctoral students. Online meetings are also available for working professionals.
Presentations & Publications
Students aim to present at domestic and international conferences and to submit papers to peer-reviewed journals. Doctoral students are required to present regularly at conferences and workshops.
Research Topics
Topics are chosen within Finance × Data Science based on each student's interests. Examples of topics and methods are listed below.
EnvironmentResearch Environment
No Core Hours
You can conduct research on a schedule that suits your lifestyle.
Work Anywhere
Student rooms and the library are available. Unlike labs in science and engineering, there is no lab room where everyone is stationed, so you can work wherever suits you, at home or on campus.
Research Expenses
The lab budget covers, as far as possible, expenses such as PCs, data, books, conference fees, travel for presentations, and publication fees.
Themes & MethodsExamples of Research Topics and Methods
Research topics are set according to each student’s interests. Examples of topics, methods, and data are as follows.
Topics
- Quantitative analysis of investment risk
- Asset price prediction models
- Anomalies in financial markets
- Macroeconomy and financial markets
- News, corporate disclosures, and financial markets
- Climate change risk and financial markets
Methods
- Statistics and econometrics (regression, time series analysis, etc.)
- Machine learning and deep learning
- Natural language processing (text data analysis)
- Data collection and analysis with Python, etc.
Data
- Stock prices and trading data
- Prices of bonds, currencies, crypto-assets, etc.
- Corporate financial information
- Macroeconomic indicators
- News articles, corporate disclosures, and social media
RequirementsPrerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Your previous faculty or graduate school does not matter, but the following are assumed in order to conduct research. You are also expected to have a general direction for your research topic by the time you enter the program.
- Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1 (for international students)
- Undergraduate-level knowledge of data analysis, such as statistics, econometrics, and machine learning
- Basic programming skills for data analysis (Python, R, Matlab, etc.)
ApplicationHow to Apply
Preliminary consultation
A meeting (online is available) can be arranged to discuss your research topic, research plan, or questions about the program. For the doctoral program, matching with the supervisor (research topic and supervision style) is essential, so a preliminary meeting is strongly recommended. International applicants, please see how to contact us.
Research topic
You are expected to have a general direction for your research topic before entering the program. Since the master's program lasts only two years, having a topic in mind beforehand will make your research go more smoothly.
English test scores
Official TOEFL-iBT or TOEIC Listening & Reading scores are required for the general examinations with written tests, the working professionals examination of the Graduate School of International Social Sciences, and the doctoral program examination. Please take the test early enough.
Application and examination
Choose the program and the examination type, and apply according to the official application guidelines (募集要項). An overview of examination types and schedules is given below.
AdmissionAdmission
The following is an overview of the examinations for April 2027 enrollment, based on the official application guidelines. Schedules and eligibility may change each year, so be sure to check the latest guidelines before applying. In case of any discrepancy, the official guidelines take precedence.
Master's Program
You can join this lab through either the Graduate School of International Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration (Master’s Program) or the Interfaculty Graduate School of Innovative and Practical Studies. The two differ in coursework, degrees awarded, and examination types.
Graduate School of International Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration (Master's Program)
| Examination | Eligibility (summary) | Selection | Schedule (April 2027 enrollment) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | University graduates (or expected graduates), etc. | 1st stage: written test (essay) 2nd stage: oral examination English test score required | Application: July 16–22, 2026 Written: Aug 24 Oral: Sep 4 |
| Working professionals | Working professionals (see guidelines for eligibility) | 1st stage: document screening 2nd stage: oral examination English test score required | Application: July 16–22, 2026 Oral: Sep 4 |
| Recommendation | Applicants who commit to enrolling and are recommended by the dean or supervisor of their university, or by the head of their company or organization | Document screening and oral examination | Application: June 4–10, 2026 Oral: June 29 |
| Internal | Undergraduate students of Yokohama National University only (see the Japanese page) | Document screening and oral examination | Application: July 16–22, 2026 Oral: Sep 4 |
- The written test of the general examination consists of six questions (two each from business administration, accounting, and management systems science), of which you choose two. If this lab is your first choice, choose at least one question from management systems science. The scope and recommended textbooks are on the admission page of the Department of Business Administration, and past exams are available here.
- In the previous year (April 2026 enrollment), second rounds of the general and recommendation examinations were also held.
Interfaculty Graduate School of Innovative and Practical Studies
| Examination | Eligibility (summary) | Selection | Schedule (April 2027 enrollment) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | University graduates (or expected graduates), etc. | Written test and oral examination (applicants choosing a supervisor from the Department of Business Administration take the same essay test and oral examination as that department) English test score required | Application: June 1–5, 2026 Written: Aug 24 Oral: Sep 4 |
| Special selection | Applicants recommended by their current university, ranked in the top third of their department at the end of the third year (or with grades of 80 or higher in at least half of their credits), and who commit to enrolling | Oral examination (unsuccessful applicants may proceed to the general examination) | Application: June 1–5, 2026 Selection: July 5 |
| Working professionals | Working professionals (see guidelines for eligibility) | Oral examination and application documents | Application: Nov 2–6, 2026 Oral: Dec 5 |
- The application period of the Interfaculty Graduate School is earlier than that of the Graduate School of International Social Sciences.
- In past years, a second round of the general examination was also held.
Doctoral Program
Graduate School of International Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration (Doctoral Program)
| Examination | Eligibility (summary) | Selection | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Working professionals | Holders (or expected holders) of a master's or professional degree, etc. See guidelines for the working professionals examination. The difference between the two is the availability of the long-term study system | Overall evaluation of English test score (TOEFL-iBT or TOEIC L&R), a submitted research paper, and an oral examination (based on the list of research achievements, report of professional experience, submitted paper, and research plan) | April 2027 enrollment / October 2026 enrollment (second round) Application: July 16–22, 2026 Oral: Aug 24 |
- The quota is 12 for April 2027 enrollment and a few for October 2026 enrollment (for the whole Department of Business Administration).
- In the previous year, second, third, and additional rounds were also held.
Sources: Department of Business Administration, Master's Program admission, Doctoral Program admission, Interfaculty Graduate School of Innovative and Practical Studies admission (checked September 2026)
International ApplicantsNotes for International Applicants
This section summarizes points in the application guidelines that international applicants often ask about. It is based on the guidelines of the Graduate School of International Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration for April 2027 enrollment. The Interfaculty Graduate School has its own guidelines. Requirements may change each year, and the official guidelines always take precedence.
Which examination should I take?
- Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship students and students sponsored by a foreign government take the Special Examination for Government-Sponsored International Students (国費等外国人留学生特別入試), which has its own guidelines.
- All other international applicants (privately funded) take the general examination, the same as Japanese applicants. There is no separate examination for privately funded international students.
Key points of the application
| Eligibility | In principle, completion of 16 years of school education with a bachelor's degree (or expected completion before enrollment). If you do not meet this (for example, a three-year bachelor's degree), you must apply for individual eligibility screening in advance: documents must arrive between June 22 and 24, 2026, and results are notified by email on July 8, 2026. |
|---|---|
| English score | Official score of TOEFL-iBT (Home Edition accepted) or TOEIC Listening & Reading, taken within two years before the oral examination date and before the application period starts. For TOEFL, arrange for ETS to send the Official Score Report directly to YNU (institution code 0410) before the application period starts. TOEIC IP, TOEIC S&W, and TOEIC Bridge are not accepted. |
| Research plan | Up to 2,500 characters in Japanese, including your reason for choosing your first-choice supervisor. If writing in Japanese is difficult, you may additionally attach an English version (up to 800 words). |
| Examinations | The written and oral examinations are held in person at the Tokiwadai Campus in Yokohama. Answers in the written examination must be in Japanese, and dictionaries are not allowed. |
| Submitting documents from abroad | After applying online (YNU web application system), send the documents by EMS or another trackable method. Documents from abroad must arrive by the deadline (July 23, 2026). The application fee (30,000 yen) can be paid by credit card or UnionPay by overseas applicants. |
| Graduates of Chinese universities | If original certificates are difficult to submit, you may submit copies together with the English Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate issued by CHSI. The report must be sent directly from CSSD to the Graduate School Affairs Office by the last day of the application period; reports forwarded by the applicant are not accepted. |
| Residence status | Submit a copy of your residence card, or a copy of your passport if you do not live in Japan. To obtain a "Student" visa, privately funded students must have sufficient financial means to support their studies. |
| Costs | Entrance fee 282,000 yen; tuition 535,800 yen per year (current amounts, subject to revision). |
- Doctoral program: the eligibility screening period is the same (June 22–24, 2026). Applicants submit up to two papers showing their research (at least 10,000 characters in Japanese or 4,000 words in English) with a summary of about 2,000 characters in Japanese.
- Questions about application procedures, documents, and visas should be directed to the Graduate School Affairs Office (社会科学系大学院学務係): int.gakumu-all@ynu.ac.jp
How to contact us
Before applying, you are welcome to contact us about your research topic and plan. Your first email may be written in English, but preliminary meetings are held in Japanese. Please attach the following to your email:
- CV (educational background and work experience)
- Outline of your research plan
- A brief description of your Japanese proficiency (for example, how you studied Japanese; a JLPT result if you have one, although a certificate is not required)
ProgramsResearch in the Master's and Doctoral Programs
MASTER'S PROGRAM
Master's Program
Students hold group meetings about once a week toward writing their master's thesis. You can choose a topic based on your interests, but since the program lasts only two years, having a topic in mind before enrollment will make your student life more fulfilling. Presentations at domestic and international conferences are encouraged; as a guideline, students present at a conference toward the end of the first year and submit to a peer-reviewed journal in the summer to autumn of the second year.
Students from other seminars and from faculties other than business administration are also welcome.
DOCTORAL PROGRAM
Doctoral Program
Publication in a peer-reviewed journal is required to obtain a doctoral degree. Toward publication, research proceeds through individual meetings adapted to each student's circumstances and pace (with online meetings for working professionals). With a view to future academic careers, regular presentations at conferences and workshops are required. The degree awarded is a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration or a Doctor of Philosophy.
For the doctoral program, matching with the supervisor (research topic and supervision style) is essential, so a preliminary meeting is strongly recommended.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Can I take the coursework in English?
No. Coursework in the graduate programs is conducted in Japanese, so Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1 is required at the time of the entrance examination.
Do I need a JLPT N1 certificate?
No. What this lab requires is Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1, not the certificate itself. The application guidelines of the Graduate School of International Social Sciences do not require a JLPT certificate either. Since preliminary meetings and the entrance examinations are conducted in Japanese, you will need to be able to discuss your research in Japanese.
Is there a special examination for international students?
Only for Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship students and students sponsored by a foreign government. Privately funded international students take the general examination. See Notes for International Applicants.
Can I take the entrance examination online or from abroad?
The guidelines specify the Tokiwadai Campus in Yokohama as the examination venue, so please plan to come to Japan for the examinations. Check the latest guidelines for any changes.
Can I write my research plan in English?
The research plan must be written in Japanese (up to 2,500 characters). If this is difficult, you may additionally attach an English version (up to 800 words).
My bachelor's degree took three years. Can I apply?
You need to pass the individual eligibility screening before applying. For April 2027 enrollment, the documents must arrive between June 22 and 24, 2026, which is well before the application period.
Can I enroll in October?
The master's program admits students in April. The doctoral program may also offer October enrollment (for example, October 2026 enrollment in the second round). Check the guidelines of each year.
Whom should I ask about application documents or visas?
Please contact the Graduate School Affairs Office (int.gakumu-all@ynu.ac.jp). Questions about research topics and supervision are welcome at the lab's email address below.
Do you accept research students (研究生)?
We are not currently accepting research students.
Is it a problem to apply to other graduate schools as well?
Not at all. You may also decline admission after passing. Please choose the path that best fits your future goals.
Are there TA or RA positions?
TA positions are available from the second year of enrollment, and RA positions are offered as needed. Working hours are limited so as not to interfere with your own research (1–2 days per week). Depending on research topics, budget, and skill sets, not all students will necessarily be employed as TAs or RAs.
Can I collaborate on research with people outside the university?
Yes. Depending on the topic, I may connect you with external partners, and you are also free to find collaborators yourself. However, the time spent on projects that cannot be published as part of your master's or doctoral thesis may be limited.
Can I do a long-term internship?
Yes, no prior consultation is needed. Information on research-related internships will be shared as it becomes available.
Can you host JSPS Postdoctoral Fellows or JSPS International Research Fellows?
Yes. Application documents need to be prepared by the host, so please contact us well in advance.
Preliminary Consultation (Online Available)
For consultation on your research topic or plan, or questions about the program, please contact us at the email address below. Emails may be written in English; please attach your CV, an outline of your research plan, and a brief description of your Japanese proficiency. Meetings are held in Japanese.
goshima-keiichi-vh[at]ynu.ac.jp
Please replace [at] with @.