The University Of Tokyo: Open To International Students?

The University of Tokyo, Japan's oldest national university, offers a variety of programs for international students. The university has a total of 10 faculties, all of which offer undergraduate programs. The University of Tokyo offers both English-language degree programs and non-degree programs for international students. The university also provides scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. The acceptance rate for the University of Tokyo is around 34%, indicating that admission is slightly difficult. International students must meet certain admission requirements, including submitting official transcripts, meeting English language proficiency requirements, and providing letters of recommendation.

Undergraduate admissions

The University of Tokyo, Japan's oldest national university, offers a range of undergraduate programs for international students. The university has a total of 10 faculties, all of which offer undergraduate programs. The undergraduate education is structured such that the first two years (known as the Junior Division) focus on liberal arts and foundational skills, while the latter two years (Senior Division) allow students to pursue their fields of specialization.

There are two processes for admission to the traditional undergraduate programs at the University of Tokyo: the General Screening Test for students who graduated from high schools in Japan, and the Special Screening Tests for students who graduated from high schools abroad.

Special Screening Test (Class-1):

The Special Screening Test is designed for non-Japanese nationals without permanent residency in Japan. Students who successfully pass this screening will proceed to the Senior Division faculty and department indicated on their university application form, provided they fulfill the requirements of the Junior Division. A high level of proficiency in Japanese is required for enrollment in the traditional undergraduate programs, as most courses are taught in Japanese.

Undergraduate Programs in English:

The University of Tokyo also offers undergraduate programs conducted in English for international students. Here are two such programs:

• Programs in English at Komaba (PEAK): PEAK is a Bachelor of Arts program based on the traditional liberal arts curriculum. After two years of liberal arts education, PEAK students can advance to the International Program on Japan in East Asia or the International Program on Environmental Sciences. While no prior knowledge of Japanese is required, the curriculum includes compulsory Japanese language courses. PEAK is intended for students who have received most of their school education in languages other than Japanese.
• Global Science Course (GSC): GSC is an undergraduate transfer program in the School of Science. Students selected for GSC are accepted into the third year of undergraduate studies and are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree upon successful completion of the two-year program. The program is taught entirely in English and offers various support services, including scholarships, accommodation assistance, and academic assistance.

Application Requirements:

To apply for undergraduate admission at the University of Tokyo, international students typically need to meet the following requirements:

• Submit official high school transcripts.
• Meet English language proficiency test requirements (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS).
• Provide additional test scores (ACT/SAT) if applicable.
• Submit letters of recommendation (usually two).
• For graduate admission, a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is required, along with additional test scores (GMAT/GRE) and essays.

The University of Tokyo's acceptance rate is around 34%, indicating that admission is moderately competitive. The application process is conducted online, and the university recommends starting the process early and submitting the application before the deadline. The international student application deadline for undergraduate admission for 2024 was December 13, 2024.

Graduate degree programs in English

The University of Tokyo does accept international students and offers a variety of graduate degree programs in English. The University of Tokyo has 15 Graduate Schools offering a range of graduate programs in English, some of which do not require Japanese proficiency.

The University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Economics offers the International Program in Economics (UTIPE). The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers the Graduate Program on Global Society (GSP) and the Graduate Program on Environmental Sciences (GPES). The Graduate School of Science offers the Global Science Graduate Course (GSGC).

The Graduate School of Engineering has several international programs, including the International Graduate Program in the Field of Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Studies, the International Multidisciplinary Engineering Graduate Program, and the International Graduate Program in Chemistry and Biotechnology. The School also offers Graduate Programs for International Students in Urban and Environmental Studies, with a focus on resilience engineering, and two courses in the Master's Global 30 Program: the Architecture and Urban Design Course (G30-UDA) and the International Technology Management Course in the Department of Technology Management for Innovation (G30-TMI).

The Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences offers the International Program in Agricultural Development Studies (IPADS). The Graduate School of Medicine has a Global Health Sciences program with a focus on International Health. The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences offers the Environmental Studies Program-Asian Development Bank (ADB) Japan Scholarship Program and the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS).

The Graduate School of Information Science and Technology offers the Graduate Program on Intelligent Information Processing, while the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies offers the Information, Technology, and Society in Asia (ITASIA) program. Lastly, the Graduate School of Public Policy offers the Master of Public Policy, International Program (MPP/IP) through the Department of International Public Policy.

The University of Tokyo also offers short-term programs, non-degree programs, scholarships, and other opportunities for international students.

Student exchange programs

The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) offers a range of student exchange programs for international students. One notable program is the University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP), which allows students from partner universities to study at UTokyo for a period of time while remaining registered at their home institution.

USTEP Application Process:

To apply for USTEP, students must first be nominated by their home university and then submit an application. The eligibility criteria include:

• Being enrolled full-time at a partner university during the entire period of study at UTokyo.
• Intending to return to the home university after completing their studies at UTokyo.
• Demonstrating excellent academic performance.
• Having a clear intention to study at UTokyo.
• Meeting the required language proficiency in English and/or Japanese, depending on the chosen courses.

Courses and Academic Calendar:

UTokyo offers various courses across its two main campuses, Hongo and Komaba. Students can register for courses in April or September and choose from a range of programs, including:

• Global Science Course (GSC): An undergraduate transfer program taught entirely in English, offering a Bachelor of Science degree.
• Programs in English at Komaba (PEAK): A Bachelor of Arts program based on liberal arts, with no prior knowledge of Japanese required.
• Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses: Conducted in English, focusing on themes related to SDGs, such as gender, diversity, and health.

Financial Information and Scholarships:

Exchange students are exempt from paying examination, admission, and tuition fees to UTokyo. However, they must demonstrate a minimum balance of 120,000 JPY per month for each month of enrollment. While USTEP does not provide scholarships, students are encouraged to seek scholarships from their home university or country of residence.

Housing and Insurance:

Exchange students may apply for university housing, but it is not guaranteed due to limited availability. They are responsible for securing insurance for their entire stay in Japan, including the National Health Insurance Program and personal accident insurance.

Tuition fees and financial aid

The University of Tokyo offers a range of financial support options for international students. The university has a total of 10 faculties, all of which offer undergraduate programs. The first two years of the undergraduate program are dedicated to liberal arts and fundamental skills development, while the remaining years focus on specialisation.

For undergraduate admissions, there are two processes: one for students graduating from high schools in Japan (General Screening Test) and another for international students (Special Screening Tests). The Special Screening Test is for non-Japanese nationals without permanent residency in Japan, and students admitted through this process must demonstrate proficiency in Japanese as most courses are taught in the language.

The University of Tokyo also offers undergraduate programs in English, such as the Programs in English at Komaba (PEAK) and the Global Science Course (GSC). PEAK is a Bachelor of Arts program based on liberal arts, while GSC is a transfer program for the third year of undergraduate studies, taught entirely in English.

The University of Tokyo recommends that students start the online application process early and submit their applications before the deadline. The application fee is non-refundable and costs JPY 5,000 or INR 2.7k. The university accepts English language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge English Qualifications.

For international students, the University of Tokyo offers exchange programs such as the University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP). Exchange students are exempt from paying examination fees, admission fees, and tuition fees. However, they must demonstrate a minimum balance of 120,000 JPY per month for each month of enrollment, amounting to 720,000 JPY for one semester and 1,440,000 JPY for a full year. While USTEP does not provide scholarships, students are encouraged to seek scholarships from their home universities or countries.

Scholarships

The University of Tokyo offers a variety of scholarships for international students. These include scholarships awarded directly by the university, as well as scholarships from external entities. Here is some detailed information about the scholarships available for international students at the University of Tokyo:

University of Tokyo Scholarships:

• The University of Tokyo Special Scholarship for International Students (University of Tokyo Fellowship): This scholarship is specifically designed to support international students studying at the University of Tokyo.
• University Scholarship for PEAK Students: PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) is a Bachelor of Arts program based on the traditional liberal arts curriculum. The University of Tokyo offers a scholarship specifically for students enrolled in this program.

External Scholarships:

• Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship: This scholarship is provided by the Japanese government and is available for students from various countries.
• MEXT Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students: Another scholarship opportunity offered by the Japanese government for privately financed international students.
• Scholarships Offered by Private Organizations: There are also scholarships provided by private organizations that international students can apply for. These vary in eligibility requirements and funding amounts.

Other Opportunities:

The University of Tokyo also offers other opportunities for financial support, such as tuition exemptions, student discounts, and the University of Tokyo Foundation's Support Fund for International Students, which provides condolence money and emergency loans. Additionally, exchange students are exempt from paying examination fees, admission fees, and tuition fees.

Furthermore, the University of Tokyo has partnerships with various organizations and universities worldwide, which may provide additional scholarship opportunities. For example, the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) includes the University of Tokyo among the institutions where the scholarship can be taken.

Frequently asked questions