University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
- About
- Overview
- Academic Details
- Area(s) of study
- Useful information
- How to apply
- Student Testimonial
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), commonly known as “Todai” was established in 1877 and is the first of Japan’s prestigious Seven Universities. Considered one of the world’s best universities, uTokyo has produced 12 Nobel prize-winners, three Pitzker architecture prize-winners, 15 Japanese prime ministers and five astronauts.
Academic Highlights
UTokyo is one of the most selective universities in Japan, renowned across a wide range of disciplines including law, economics, modern languages, aeronautical engineering, astronomy, pharmacology and social policy.
Location
There are five main campuses in Tokyo, including Hongo, the former family estate of a shogun family with one of the university’s best-known landmarks, The Red Gate and the modern scientific campus at Kashiwa about 30km from central Tokyo.
Did you know?
UTokyo has a massive network of libraries that holds more than 8.7 million books and periodicals.
Language of Instruction | English (limited in some areas), Japanese | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
Minimum Result Required | 65% WAM | |||||
Previous Round Cut-off (WAM% or GPA) | 67% WAM | |||||
Additional Requirements | Must be studying Japanese language as part of your degree Must have completed 2 years of study prior to exchange semester (see Academic details tab). | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027 | 3-5 places | |||||
Yellow | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
UTokyo's undergraduate course catalogue (further details on how to use the course catalogue can be found here, restrictions on courses for exchage students can be found here)
UTokyo's graduate course catalogue
The Filtered Search tool can refine courses by faculty, term, day and language of instruction.
Academic Restrictions
- Students applying for an exchange in Japan will need to have a WAM of 65% or above.
- You are only eligible to apply for this university if you are studying Japanese Studies at Monash at the point of exchange application. The only exception is if you have been selected as a New Colombo Plan Scholar.
- Due to the popularity of exchange at uTokyo, Monash students can only apply for a one-semester exchange period.
- First- and second-year undergraduate students are not accepted for USTEP. For students enrolled in three-year undergraduate programs, they must have finished at least 1.5 years of the program at the time of their arrival at UTokyo.
- One unit (referred to as a ‘course’) at UTokyo is usually worth 2 credits. Exchange students are recommended to take 14 credits per semester
Language Requirements
- Students wishing to study courses taught in Japanese require a N1 level on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. More information about JLPT can be found here, and under language requirement on the undergraduate page and in the FAQ section of the graduate page.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
12 credits | 15 credits |
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
24 credits | 30 credits |
Academic Calendar
UTokyo Spring semester (Monash Semester 1): early April - early August
UTokyo Autumn semester (Monash Semester 2): mid-September to early February
UTokyo's University Calendar
Anthropology | Banking and finance | Biological sciences | Business law and taxation |
Chemistry | Communications and media studies | Econometrics and business statistics | Economics |
Engineering | Engineering - chemical | Engineering - civil | Engineering - electrical and computer systems |
Engineering - materials science | Engineering - mechanical and aerospace | English as an international language | Information technology |
Japanese languages & culture studies | Law | Legal studies | Linguistics |
Literary studies | Management | Mathematical sciences | Philosophy |
Physics and astronomy | Politics and international relations | Religious studies | Sociology |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
Exchange students may apply for University Housing arranged by UTokyo. However, due to the limited number of facilities available, allocation of a place cannot be guaranteed. The International Exchange Group at UTokyo will contact the students with details of the procedure after their applications to study at UTokyo have been approved.
UTokyo provides further information about on-campus and off-campus housing.
Visas
Exchange students must obtain a College Student visa to enter Japan. To apply for the College Student visa, you need to submit the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for residence in Japan to your nearest Japanese Consulate. Your host University will issue the COE to you after your exchange application has been accepted.
For more information on visas, please refer to the Consulate-General of Japan here.
UTokyo offers further guidance on an exchange student's process to gain entry to Japan, and obtaining a visa and residence card.
Health and insurance
Exchange students must join the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program regardless of the kind of insurance they may already have. This is a strict legal requirement in Japan. Once students arrive in Japan, they must complete the required procedures at their local city/ward office. 70% of all regular health care costs, including medical prescriptions and dental care, are covered by this insurance for a small monthly premium.
Find out more about Japanese Government Health Insurance here.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
The International Centre organises an orientation for new international students, as well as other orientations and cultural/language exchange programs.
UTokyo provides a range of extra-curricular activities for international student at uTokyo, including international student associations, student clubs and atheltics, and on-campus events throughout the semsester.
Exchange students are eligible for Japanese Language Education courses, with specific programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
Cost of living
UTokyo offers guidance on estimated living expenses for international students.
Funding
Each year, Japanese universities apply for Japanese government funding for the following scholarships:
- The Japan Student Services Organizations (JASSO) scholarship here.
- The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship here.
If the University of Tokyo is successful in receiving the funding, they will request Monash to nominate students. You do not need to apply for these scholarships directly unless requested to do so.
Students may also be eligible for the New Colombo Plan scholarship, and if they are studying Japanese language courses, the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.
For more information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.
Have you been to the University of Tokyo and want to share your experience?
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!