Tokyo University's Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview

how many students in university of tokyo

The University of Tokyo, also known as UTokyo or Todai, is a prestigious Japanese national university founded in 1877. It is one of the top public universities in the country and has produced several notable alumni, including 15 Japanese prime ministers and five astronauts. As of 2023, the university had approximately 27,000 to 30,000 students, including 2,100 international students. The student body has traditionally been predominantly male, but efforts have been made to improve gender equality, with women making up 23% of first-year undergraduates in 2023, the highest percentage in the university's history.

Characteristics Values
Year founded 1877
Nicknames Todai, UTokyo
Number of faculties 10
Number of graduate schools 15
Number of research institutes 11
Number of campuses 3 main campuses, several smaller campuses
Number of students 27,000-30,000
Number of international students 2,100
Number of Nobel Prize winners among alumni 8
Number of astronauts among alumni 5
Number of Japanese prime ministers among alumni 15
Number of female first-year undergraduates in 2023 23%
World ranking in 2025 #32

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Total student population: 30,000, including 2,100 international students

The University of Tokyo, also known as UTokyo or Todai, is a prestigious Japanese national university founded in 1877. It has a total student population of 30,000, including 2,100 international students. The university has three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa, with additional facilities located in other parts of Japan.

UTokyo is one of Japan's most prestigious higher education institutions. It was established as the first imperial university in 1877 when the Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School merged to create the faculties of law, science, letters, and medicine. It has since grown into a large research university through mergers with other schools and institutions.

The university is known for its unique undergraduate experience, offering two years of general education before students choose their major. It consists of 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools, and 11 affiliated research institutes. UTokyo is ranked highly globally and is known for its low student-to-faculty ratio, providing an excellent environment for research and education.

The University of Tokyo has a diverse student body, with approximately 23% of first-year undergraduates being women in 2023, the highest percentage in the university's history. The university offers various programmes and routes for international students, including undergraduate programmes taught entirely in English, such as the International Program on Japan in East Asia and the International Program on Environmental Sciences.

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Undergraduate students: 13,974

The University of Tokyo, also known as UTokyo or Todai, is a prestigious Japanese national university that was founded in 1877. As of 2023, it has 13,974 undergraduate students and 14,258 graduate students, bringing the total student population to just over 28,000. The university has three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa, with additional facilities in other parts of Japan and globally.

UTokyo is unique among Japanese universities in that undergraduates take liberal arts courses during their first two years of studies before specialising in the last two years. The university has 10 main academic divisions for undergraduate education: agriculture, arts and sciences, economics, education, engineering, law, letters, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and science. The undergraduate experience at UTokyo is further enhanced by the fact that it is the only Japanese university with a system of two years of general education before students choose their major. This provides students with a well-rounded foundation and the flexibility to explore different areas of interest before committing to a specific field.

UTokyo is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community and has several programmes in place to attract international students. For example, the university offers undergraduate programmes called PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba), which are taught entirely in English and accept applications based on international qualifications. Learning Japanese is mandatory in these programmes, but students also have the opportunity to take modules taught in Japanese in other departments if they feel confident in their language abilities. As a result of these initiatives, UTokyo has approximately 2,100 international students enrolled, contributing to a rich cultural exchange on campus.

The University of Tokyo has a rich history and has produced many notable alumni, including 15 Japanese prime ministers, five astronauts, and several Nobel Prize winners. It has consistently been ranked as one of the top universities in Japan and Asia, and in 2011, it was ranked second in the world behind Harvard for the number of alumni in CEO positions at Fortune 500 companies. With its strong reputation, diverse student body, and unique undergraduate curriculum, UTokyo continues to attract top students from Japan and around the world.

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Graduate students: 14,258

The University of Tokyo, also known as UTokyo or Todai, is a prestigious Japanese national university with a rich history. Founded in 1877, it has established itself as a premier institution of higher learning in Japan and worldwide. As of 2023, the university boasts an impressive 14,258 graduate students, pursuing advanced studies across a range of disciplines.

UTokyo's graduate programs attract a diverse group of students, including international scholars. The university's global reputation and strong alumni network contribute to its appeal. With 15 graduate schools, UTokyo offers a wide range of specialised programs for graduate students. These schools cover various fields, including law, science, medicine, engineering, and more. The university's low student-to-faculty ratio further enhances its reputation as a top choice for graduate studies.

UTokyo's graduate programs are known for their academic rigour and research focus. The university encourages interdisciplinary approaches, providing a unique educational experience. Graduate students at UTokyo have access to exceptional resources, including the university's 11 affiliated research institutes. This extensive network of research facilities enhances the graduate student experience, offering opportunities for collaboration and specialised studies. The university also fosters a global perspective, with over 450 international exchange agreements, allowing graduate students to benefit from diverse cultural and academic exchanges.

UTokyo's graduate community is a vibrant and inclusive one. While the university has historically had a predominantly male student body, efforts towards gender equality have been made. In 2022, a quarter of graduate students were female, reflecting a positive step towards a more balanced gender ratio. UTokyo's graduate programs are designed to nurture the next generation of leaders, innovators, and researchers, providing them with the skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen fields.

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Female students: 23% of first-year undergraduates in 2023

The University of Tokyo, also known as UTokyo or Todai, is a prestigious Japanese national university founded in 1877. The university has three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa, with additional facilities in other parts of Japan.

UTokyo has a unique undergraduate experience, as it's the only Japanese university with a system of two years of general education before students choose their major. This liberal arts education provides a broad foundation for students, who then select a two-year specialisation to complete their four-year undergraduate program. The university consists of 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools, and 11 affiliated research institutes.

In 2023, UTokyo had approximately 13,974 undergraduate students and 14,258 graduate students, for a total of over 27,000 students. Of these, 2,100 are international students, reflecting the university's global reach.

While UTokyo has historically had a predominantly male student body, there have been various attempts to achieve a more equal gender ratio. A notable milestone was reached in 2023 when female students accounted for 23% of first-year undergraduates, the highest percentage in the university's history. This trend towards greater gender equality is also evident in the university's graduate programs, with a quarter of graduate students being female in 2022.

UTokyo's efforts to promote gender diversity are a positive step, fostering a more inclusive learning environment and contributing to a more balanced representation in higher education. The university's progress in this area is significant, particularly given the historical context of female students first being admitted in 1946.

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University ranking: 32nd in QS World University Rankings 2025

The University of Tokyo, also known as UTokyo or Todai, is a prestigious Japanese national university founded in 1877. It has around 30,000 students enrolled, including 2,100 international students. The university has three main campuses: Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa, with additional facilities located across Japan.

UTokyo has been ranked 32nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025. This ranking system evaluates over 1,500 universities across 105 higher education systems based on eight key indicators, including academics, faculty-student ratio, and international student population. The University of Tokyo is the highest-ranked Japanese university in the QS rankings.

The university's academic reputation is well-established, with 15 of Japan's 62 prime ministers educated at UTokyo. In 2011, it was ranked second globally for the number of alumni holding CEO positions in Fortune 500 companies. The university's School of Science introduced an all-English undergraduate transfer programme in 2014, and it is the only Japanese university offering two years of general education before students choose their major.

UTokyo has 10 faculties and 15 graduate schools, providing a broad range of academic opportunities. The 10 faculties include agriculture, arts and sciences, economics, education, engineering, law, letters, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and science. The undergraduate experience is unique, offering a liberal arts education during the first two years before students specialise in their chosen field for the final two years.

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