Type G (For Graduates)

Eligibility

Only graduate students satisfying all of the following requirements may apply:

1. Students who will be enrolled full-time at a Partner University during their entire period of study at UTokyo. (See “7 Partner Universities”)
2. Students who will return to their home university after completing their study or research at UTokyo.
3. Students who demonstrate excellent academic performance.
4. Students who have a clear intention to study or research at UTokyo.
5. Students who have official proof of their required language proficiency and meet other conditions that may be set by individual Graduate Schools. (For more details, see Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants and check other conditions.)

 

Graduate Schools Accepting Exchange Students

• Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology
• Graduate School of Education
• Graduate Schools for Law and Politics
• Graduate School of Economics
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate School of Science
• Graduate School of Engineering
• Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Graduate School of Medicine
• Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences
• Graduate School of Frontier Sciences
• Graduate School of Information Science and Technology
• Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies
• Graduate School of Public Policy

For details on each Graduate School, please refer to its website.

 

Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants

Application requirements vary by Graduate School.
Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants

Note: A supervisor’s approval may be required prior to submitting application, depending on conditions set by each Graduate School. If the Graduate School requires a pre-approval of a supervisor, failure to do so will result in rejection of the application.
How to get supervisor’s pre-approval

Exchange Students' Status

Type G applicants need to select their exchange student status at the Graduate Schools that they apply for: Special Auditors or Special Research Students.
 

Status	Definition	Credits awarded
Special Auditor	Students registered for courses	Yes
Special Research Student	Students receiving research guidance	No

For detailed requirements and conditions for each status in each Graduate School, please refer to Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants.
 
Most Graduate Schools accept Special Auditors, and they are expected to enroll in courses offered by the Graduate School to which they belong. In case students wish to register for courses offered by other Graduate School(s), they may be permitted to do so with the approval from both the host Graduate School and the Graduate School offering the course.

Regarding the transfer of credits you earn during your exchange, please contact your home university.
 
Special Research Students conduct research under the guidance of a faculty advisor and do not receive credits.

Academic Calendar

Please refer to the Academic Calendar.

The Academic Calendar for AY 2024 will be available around March 2024.

Period of Study /  Research

1	April to September [1 semester (S1S2)]
2	April to March [2 semesters (S1S2 A1A2 (W))]
3	October to March [1 semester (A1A2 (W))]
4	October to September [2 semesters (A1A2 (W) S1S2)]

* The actual period of study / research (including examination period) varies depending on each graduate school.
Note: S: summer, A: autumn, W: winter (W term is optional).

Course Catalogue

Courses available at each Graduate School can be searched for at the following website:

The University of Tokyo Online Course Catalogue

Note: Courses available change every year and the courses currently on the webpage may not be offered in the subsequent year.

Notes for the Special Auditors who wish to register for courses:

• Students with a status of Special Auditor must register for minimum of 10 hours of classes per week during a semester. Japanese immigration law stipulates that international students with a “student” visa spend a minimum of ten hours in class per week.
• Special Auditors are expected to be enrolled at courses offered by the Graduate School to which they belong. However, if it is necessary for students to register for courses offered by other Graduate Schools, they may be permitted to do so provided that the Graduate School offering the course and the host Graduate School approve. Other details shall be as prescribed by the Graduate School concerned.

 

Japanese Language Education

The Center for Japanese Language Education offers Japanese language classes (General Course). Type G students are eligible to register for these classes. Please note that no credits are awarded for these classes. Further information about the classes at the center is available at the following website: Center for Japanese Language Education

In addition, some Graduate Schools may provide their own Japanese language classes.
 

Faculty Search

Exchange students who will conduct research under the supervision of a research adviser may use the faculty search system at the following website: Faculty Search
Locating an adviser in the search results does not guarantee that the adviser will be able to supervise the students' research.

Pursuant to the memorandum on student exchange, exchange students are exempt from paying examination fees, admission fees and tuition fees to UTokyo.

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 Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will contact the students with details of the procedure after their applications to study or research at UTokyo have been approved.

Exchange students can also apply for privately managed residence of Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd.
- RUTIL (Residence of the University of Tokyo for International Life Guide)
- Other student residences managed by Kyoritsu Maintenance Co. Ltd

Further information about university housing is available at the following website:
Housing Office
 

Entry to Japan/Visa (eligibility to reside in Japan)

Exchange students must have a valid passport during their stay in Japan. In principle, students must possess a “College Student” visa during their stay. After their applications to study or research at UTokyo have been approved, the International Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will provide information about the process for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility. Students will then need to take the Certificate of Eligibility and other required documents to the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate to obtain a College Student visa.
In order to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, students must be able to provide an official proof that they will have a minimum of 120,000 JPY per month during their stay. For example, if they are staying for seven months, they must submit a proof that they will have 840,000 JPY.

Though legally possible for international students with a valid work permit, the University of Tokyo strongly advises its exchange students not to seek off-campus part-time work during the academic terms as we expect high academic performance through their exchange period. Any students who wish to work must obtain work permit before they begin their employment.

Scholarships

A Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarship for students who meet the requirements as well as scholarships from private foundations may be available. For further information, please refer to each link:

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarship : Obtaining grants from JASSO is becoming more difficult each year. There is a possibility that we may not be able to provide the scholarship.

Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation (SISF) (students of Gadjah Mada University, Nanyang Technological University, University of the Philippines, University of Malaya, Chulalongkorn University): application will be provided through partner universities. This scholarship is available only for Autumn Admission.

The above information is subject to change.
Students with scholarships from other foundations must check beforehand if their scholarship allows receiving other scholarships.
Replies to inquiries concerning these scholarships will only be sent to those who have been accepted to study at UTokyo.
 
Insurance
• It is the exchange students’ own responsibility to be insured for the entire period of their stay in Japan.
 
• National Health Insurance Program
USTEP 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 they arrive in Japan, they must complete the required procedures at their local city/ward office.
 
• Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research "Gakkensai" and the optional "Inbound futai-gakuso".
"Gakkensai" provides necessary support in the case of accident or injury suffered in the course of activities related to research or education. Exchange students do not need to apply for this insurance as UTokyo enrolls all its students and pays premiums. "Futai Gakuso" is an option that can be added to the "Gakkensai" for a cost (JPY 8,060 for six months). It complements a scope of insurance liability in your life such as compensation responsibility. We particularly recommend those who will be riding bicycles in Japan to obtain "Futai Gakuso," as bicycle-related accidents are common.
• Students are strongly recommended to come with sufficient insurance coverage for the entire period their stay. Payment of medicals bills is the students' own responsibility and the university does not provide any assistance.

Inbound Medical Assistance Service (IMAS)
IMAS is the “Inbound Medical Assistance Service” for international students at UTokyo. This is NOT insurance. USTEP students who already have taken out insurance are eligible to sign up for this service.

You can receive the services listed below.

• Telephone Consultation available 24/7, 365 days a year.
• Referral to an appropriate hospital.
• Interpretation service provided over the phone while in the hospital or during transfer to the hospital.
• Contacting the University if necessary
• Arrangement of transportation to a medical facility or for transfer to another medical facility in Japan or in one's home country.
• Contact to and assistance for family in one's home country, etc.

Please see below for further information:
IMAS: Inbound Medical Assistance Service for International Students at UTokyo


Response to COVID-19
If you are infected with COVID-19, please refer to the following website.
-Notice for international students regarding COVID-19 (Website for International Students): https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/adm/inbound/en/index.html
 

Application

Eligibility

Q1. My university is not listed on the USTEP site as a partner university. Can I still apply?

A1. No. UTokyo accepts exchange students from partner universities with which the University has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding concerning university-wide student exchange. Applications to USTEP will be accepted only through the partner universities’ offices responsible for student exchange. However, your university may have College/Faculty-level exchange agreement(s) with UTokyo. Please consult your home institution first.

Letters of reference

Q2. Does my referrer have to be a professor whose class(es) I have taken before at my university?

A2. The reference must be filled out and signed by a faculty member of your major or specialty who knows you well. A reference by a teaching assistant is not accepted. Additional references are welcome as long as you provide at least one letter of reference issued by a faculty member at your home university who can assess your academic performance.

Language and other requirements

Q3. I am a Type G (graduate) applicant. Are there any language requirements?

A3. Each Graduate School has its own requirements for language proficiency and other conditions depending on your exchange student status, "Special Auditor" or "Special Research Student". For details, please refer to Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants.

Course selection

Q4. I want to see the list of courses for the next year(s) I will be at UTokyo. When will it be available?

A4. Our online course catalog is updated in March.

Q5. I want to receive course selection advice.

A5. You will receive such advice once you are admitted to USTEP, and you can modify your course list before registration.

Q6. The language of instruction for the course I wish to take at UTokyo is "Japanese/English". What does that mean?

A6. The language of instruction in "Japanese/English" indicates that the course is taught in both languages. Therefore, proficiency in both languages is required.

Credits

Q7. I need to earn and transfer certain credits to my home university. How many credits should I register at UTokyo?

A7. At UTokyo, courses worth 2 credits consist of 13 weeks of 105-minute classes. The length of each class period may vary depending on graduate school. Some Graduate Schools have a minimum number of required credits. Please refer to Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants and consult with your home university to see how those credits would be counted and whether the courses you wish to take would be transferable.

 

Financial support

Scholarships

Q8. Are there scholarships available for USTEP students? If there are, how do I apply?

A8. Scholarships from other sources, such as the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), may be available. For further information, please refer to "Scholarships" in 5. Additional Information.

 

Student life

Housing

Q9. Is university housing guaranteed?

A9. No. Exchange students may apply for university housing. However, because of the limited number of facilities, assignment to university housing is not guaranteed. The International Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will contact students with details of the procedure after their admission is granted. For further information, please visit our Housing Office website at https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/administration/housing-office/index.html

 

Other

Q10. Does UTokyo offer any short-term, non-degree programs held in English?

A10. You will find a list of short-term, non-degree programs offered in English at the following link: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/special_programs.html

Country/Region		Partner University
Asia	China	Nanjing University
		Nankai University
		Peking University
		Shanghai Jiao Tong University
		Tsinghua University
		Zhejiang University
	Hong Kong	The University of Hong Kong
	Indonesia	Gadjah Mada University
	Malaysia	University of Malaya
	Philippines	University of the Philippines
	Republic of Korea	Korea University
		Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
		Seoul National University
		Yonsei University
	Singapore	Nanyang Technological University
	Taiwan	National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
		National Taiwan University
	Thailand	Chulalongkorn University
Central and South America	Brazil	University of São Paulo
	Chile	The Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
		The University of Chile
	Mexico	El Colegio de México
		The National Autonomous University of Mexico
North America	Canada	University of British Columbia
		University of Toronto
		University of Victoria
	United States of America	Princeton University
		University of California, Santa Cruz
		Yale University (Yale Fox International Fellowship Program)
Oceania	Australia	Monash University
		The University of Adelaide
		The University of Melbourne
		The University of Queensland
		The University of Sydney
		The University of New South Wales
	New Zealand	The University of Auckland
		University of Otago
Middle East	Israel	The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
	Turkey	Bogazici University
Europe	Denmark	University of Copenhagen
	Finland	University of Helsinki
	France	École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS)
		École Polytechnique
		Institut d'etudes politiques de Paris (SciencesPo)
		The Université Grenoble Alpes
		University of Strasbourg
	Germany	Free University of Berlin
		Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
		University of Cologne
	Ireland	Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin
		University College Dublin
	Italy	Sapienza University of Rome
	Netherlands	Leiden University
		University of Groningen
	Russia	Saint Petersburg State University
	Spain	Autonomous University of Madrid
	Sweden	KTH Royal Institute of Technology
		Lund University
		Stockholm University
		Uppsala University
	Switzerland	Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich)
		University of Geneva
		University of Zurich
	United Kingdom	Durham University
		School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
		The University of Glasgow
		University College London

Please read our FAQs before sending an email. We are unable to reply to inquiries already addressed in the FAQs.

You can contact the International Education Promotion Group using the form linked below.
Please include the following information in your message:
[Home university]
[Current year (Type U or G)]
[Planned period of exchange at UTokyo]
[Major]
[(For Type G) Graduate School you would like to enroll in]

International Education Promotion Group Contact Form
 

Preparing your application documents is the first step towards your study at UTokyo. In doing so, you will think about what to study there and imagine what the experience may mean to you. In fact, this is indispensable to a successful UTokyo life. 
The recent development of generative artificial intelligence has made it possible to generate essays with a simple command. However, you should not rely on such technology in preparing your application. Instead, it is important that you write about yourself in your own words.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

Exchange students need to be nominated by their home universities to UTokyo. They must contact the office responsible for university-wide student exchange at their home universities and check the application procedures for UTokyo. All applicants nominated by their home universities to apply to the University of Tokyo will receive from UTokyo the link to access the online application.

Application Instructions

Application documents

[All documents must be in English or Japanese.]

Must be submitted through online system
1. Application Form
2. Consent Form with the applicant's signature and date
3. Valid Passport Data
4. Proof(s) of Language Proficiency (Refer to Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants)


Must be submitted by exchange coordinators
5. One Letter of Reference by a full-time teaching faculty of the major/specialty of the student.
6. Official Academic Transcript with grading scale from each college, university or any other institutions of higher learning the applicant has attended in PDF format.
*The transcripts of the applicant’s undergraduate degree program are required to be submitted.

Others
7. Each Graduate School may require further documents in addition to the above application documents. (e.g. screenshot of e-mail correspondence between the exchange student and a faculty member who may serve as an academic advisor)
See Prerequisites for USTEP Type G Applicants
*Please be careful that, if the graduate school requires a pre-approval of a supervisor, failure to do so will result in rejection of the application.

Important notes:
1) Nominees without required documents such as Proof of Language Proficiency and Academic Transcript will not be accepted.
2) Nominees must be the students who are or will be registered at their home university throughout the period of their academic stay at the University of Tokyo. Students who are not registered at partner institution will not be accepted.
 

Deadline for application and its procedure

• Autumn Admission
  February 29 (April 15 for the Yale Fox International Fellowship Program)
• Spring Admission
  September 30

Note:
- The deadlines above are for the nominated students, to be submitted online. Partner universities may set their own deadlines for their students.
 

Application result

The result of the student’s application will be available around December (for Spring Admission) or May (for Autumn Admission). Students will receive your result through your exchange coordinator. At the same time, those who are successfully accepted will receive a welcome package from UTokyo directly.

Schedule

Semester	Autumn Admission	Spring Admission
Application period	From January 1 to February 29	From August 1 to September 30
Nomination deadline	February 14	September 16
Application deadline	February 29	September 30
Result announcement	Early May	Early December
Courses start*	Late September to early October	Early April
Courses end*	Late January to early February (A1A2) or Late July to early August (S1S2)

 

Note:
- The deadline for the Yale Fox International Fellowship Program application is April 15.
- The actual period of study / research (including examination period) varies depending on the Faculty or Graduate School. Please refer to the Academic Calendar(*).