Type U (For Undergraduates)

1. Get to know USTEP Life

Please visit our YouTube channel to hear USTEP experiences by some former USTEP students!

2. Learn the basic information of USTEP

Course Selections/ Academic Calendar: 2. Courses and Academic Calendar
Financial Information / Scholarship Information: 3. Financial Information

3. Apply at your home university to be nominated for USTEP

To apply for USTEP, you must first be nominated by your home university.
We accept applications only from those who have already been nominated by their home university.

4. Make sure that you meet the eligibility for USTEP: 1. Qualifications

You need to meet the eligibility to apply for USTEP.
Please carefully read the eligibility requirements and make sure that you meet all of them.
We do not accept applications that do not meet all the eligibility criteria.

5. Apply for USTEP: 7. Nomination / Application Procedure

Once you are nominated by your home university, you can apply for USTEP.
We will send application instructions to each student via email.

Exchange Students' Status

Students participating in the Type U program will be affiliated with the Center for Global Education of UTokyo. This means that Type U students will follow the academic procedures and schedule at the Center for Global Education, regardless of their majors. Their status will be “Special Auditors” who are eligible to register for university courses for credit.

Eligibility

Only 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 the list of partner universities)
2. Students who are nominated by their home university.
3. Students who will return to their home university after completing their study at UTokyo.
4. 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.
5. Students who demonstrate excellent academic performance.
6. Students who have a clear intention to study at UTokyo.
7. Students who possess official proof of their required language proficiency or meet the condition for exemption from providing proof.

*Type U is primarily designed for admitting undergraduate students. However, it is possible for graduate students who intend to take only undergraduate-level courses at UTokyo to apply.

Language Requirement

The Type U program requires exchange students to meet the language requirements in English and/or Japanese, depending on the courses they wish to take.

Students who wish to take courses offered in English

A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90, IELTS overall band score of 6.5, or Cambridge English Qualifications “C1 Advanced” *TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Indicator/Online/ One Skill Retake are accepted. *TOEFL iBT “MyBest scores” is not accepted. *TOEFL iBT and IELTS scores are valid only if dated within two years of the USTEP application deadline. Or Attend a university or have graduated from a high school where the medium of instruction is English *Applicants must submit a proof that certifies that the degree program they belong to is taught entirely in English, unless they attend a university in an English speaking country or are a native speaker of the language (*A native speaker is defined here as someone who graduated from a high school where the medium of instruction is English).

Students who wish to take courses offered in Japanese

JLPT Level N1, or Have graduated from a high school where the medium of instruction is in Japanese

Students will officially register for courses in April or October after their arrival and orientation at UTokyo. Students admitted to the Type U program may take various courses offered across the College and Faculties. There are two main campuses—Hongo and Komaba—and travel between the two takes about one hour by public transportation.

Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar for AY 2025 will be available around March 2025.

Period of Study

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)]

Note: The exact end date of the study period depends on which classes students will choose to take.

Course Information

Courses offered in the Type U program can be found in the Course Catalogue for Type U students.
Please refer to the following requirements to meet when you consider your course registration.

1. Type U students can only take classes listed on the above course catalogue. Please note that there is limited availability for graduate-level classes that Type U students can access and register for.
2. Type U students are required to register for a minimum of six classes per week, equating to at least 10 hours of class time. This is a requirement under Japanese visa law.
3. Some academic fields may only have a limited number of courses. The course listing should be reviewed carefully to assess whether it meets the students’ needs and expectations.
4. Available courses change every year and the courses currently on the website may not be offered in the following year. The list of courses open to USTEP students for AY 2025 (April-March) will be available in late March of 2025.

Course Restrictions

1. Type U students are not eligible to take graduate courses offered by Graduate Schools. However, they may take the graduate level courses for undergraduate students listed on the Type U course catalogue. These courses refer to subjects offered at the graduate level by the Faculty/College that UTokyo undergraduate students are affiliated with. They differ from regular graduate courses offered by each Graduate School for graduate students.
2. USTEP Type U students are allowed to take up to two credit-bearing Japanese language classes per week*. Students who request to take three credit-bearing Japanese language classes per week must get special permission by including a document filled out by their home university in the online application process.

*Please note that a course offered twice a week counts as two classes. There are no restrictions on non-credit-bearing Japanese language programs offered by the Japanese Language Education Division. Some non-credit- bearing courses are offered by Faculty of Engineering.

Note:

1. Credit transfer: Students should consult their home universities for procedures. UTokyo has asked partner universities to refer to the following credit system at UTokyo and decide how to transfer credits earned at UTokyo. In principle, courses worth 2 credits consist of 13 weeks of 105-minute classes. The length of each class period may vary depending on the College/Faculty. There may be some courses offered by Faculties that are 90 minutes long. If it is a 90 minute-long class, supplemental learning will be offered for the rest of the 15 minutes. (e.g., discussion led by TA after classes)
2. Laboratory work / Internship: Type U students are not allowed to participate in practical work (e.g. laboratory work, design studio work etc.)
3. Language of Instruction: If you meet the English language requirements, you can enroll in classes conducted in English. If you meet the Japanese language requirements, you can enroll in classes conducted in Japanese. If you meet both language requirements, you can enroll in classes conducted in either language.
4. Classes at the Faculty of Law: Students interested in taking seminars offered in “Japanese” or “Japanese and English” at the Faculty of Law are allowed to apply for only one seminar course per semester. Further information will be provided to those who have been successfully accepted to study at UTokyo. There is no such restriction for the number of seminar courses students can apply for and take, if the seminars are noted as being instructed in “English.”

Japanese Language Education

* Please be aware that there are course restrictions for the Japanese language learning classes. For further details, please refer to the "Course Restrictions" section provided above.

Type U students accepted to the student exchange program are eligible to register for these courses. Further information about the courses are available on the following websites:
(Hongo Campus) JLCSE
(Komaba Campus) Global Komaba

Type U students also have the opportunity to take non-credit Japanese language programs. The Japanese Language Education Division, part of the Center for Global Education, offers a variety of Japanese language courses catering to different levels and learning durations. For the convenience of students and researchers on various campuses, all classes are conducted online.
For additional details, visit this page: The Japanese Language Education Division, the Center for Global Education

Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses

The Center for Global Education, to which Type U students are affiliated, offers Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses. All classes are conducted in English and focus on themes related to SDGs such as gender, diversity, health, poverty, GX (Green Transformation), in an interactive small-group format.
To view specific courses, please refer to the Course Catalogue for Type U students by selecting “Center for Global Education” from the dropdown menu. When enrolling in GLA Courses, ensure that you meet the aforementioned requirements.
For additional details, visit this page: Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses

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

The minimum required funds for the exchange

In accordance with Japanese visa requirements, applicants will be asked to submit a bank statement demonstrating a balance of 120,000 JPY per month for each month of enrollment at the University of Tokyo, as follows.
 
One semester (six months): 720,000 JPY
Full Year: 1,440,000 JPY

Please be well prepared to secure at least monthly funds of 120,000 JPY when you apply.
Shortly after the announcement of the result, you will be asked to submit the bank balance showing that you have 120,000 JPY per month.

Scholarships

Scholarships may be available depending on the year. However, please note that any scholarship we may offer is intended as a supplemental resource and not as an essential means to support your stay. They cannot be used to meet the financial requirements outlined above when applying for a Japanese visa.

For those students who may encounter financial difficulties, we strongly recommend that students apply for scholarships in their home university or their home country. When participating in an exchange program, it is common to receive scholarships from your home university or country of residence.

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarship: JASSO Scholarship may be available depending on the year. If this scholarship is available to you, application details will be provided through your home university.
FUTI (for students enrolled at U.S. partner institutions): application details will be provided through your home university.
*Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship (for students of Peking University, Nankai University, Fudan University): application details will be provided through your home university.
*Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation (SISF) (for students of O.P. Jindal Global University, Gadjah Mada University, University of Indonesia, University of Malaya, University of the Philippines, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Chulalongkorn University): application details will be provided through your home university.
 
*These scholarships are available only for those students who enroll in Autumn semester and study for a year.
 
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.
 

Part-time Jobs

The coursework at the University of Tokyo is rigorous. The University of Tokyo strongly advises its exchange students NOT to seek off-campus part-time work during the academic terms. Students who wish to gain work experience while studying in Japan should not apply to USTEP. Any students who wish to work during the break(s) must obtain a work permit before they begin their employment.

University Housing

Exchange students may apply for University Housing arranged by UTokyo. However, due to the limited number of facilities available, housing cannot be guaranteed. The International Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will contact the students with further details about applying for housing once their application to study at UTokyo has been approved.

Exchange students can also apply for privately managed residences 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

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.

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

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 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.

Q2. I would like to participate in the Type U during my first (or second) year in a 4-year bachelor's program. Am I eligible?

A2. No. The Type U students will be registered in the Senior Division of UTokyo, which is for the 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students. Thus in a four-year degree program, students must have completed 2 years of study at their home institutions before coming to UTokyo. 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.

Language and other requirements

Q3. I am a Type U (undergraduate) applicant. What is the language requirement?

A3. The Type U program requires exchange students to be proficient in English and/or Japanese, depending on the courses they wish to take.
Students who wish to take courses offered in English:
Unless they attend a university or have graduated from a high school where the medium of instruction is English, students must submit an official certificate of a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90, IELTS overall band score of 6.5 or Cambridge English Qualifications "C1 Advanced". TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Indicator/Online/One Skill Retake are accepted. TOEFL iBT “MyBest scores” is not accepted. TOEFL iBT and IELTS scores are valid only if dated within two years of the USTEP application deadline.
Students who wish to take courses offered in Japanese:
Unless they have graduated from a high school where the medium of instruction is in Japanese, students must submit an official certificate of JLPT Level N1.

Q4.  I have JLPT N1 and would like to take courses offered in Japanese. Is the course restriction indicated in 2. Courses and Academic Calendar applied to such student too?

A4. No. This restriction applies when students are learning Japanese as a language in class. It does not apply to classes where the language of instruction is Japanese, and students learn something using Japanese.

Course selection

Q5. I want to see the list of next year’s courses. When will it be available?

A5. Our online course catalogue is updated in March.

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.

Q7. I want to receive course selection advice.

A7. You will receive such advice once you are admitted to USTEP, and you can modify your course list before registration.

Q8. I want to take courses other than those in my major.

A8. You can take any courses listed in our course catalogue regardless of your major as long as you satisfy the prerequisites. UTokyo offers a variety of courses, but some academic fields may only have a limited number of courses. Please check the course catalogue carefully and understand what kind of courses you may take during your stay at the University of Tokyo.

Credits

Q9. What is the UTokyo credit conversion grid to ECTS?

A9. We do not set any conversion scale for ECTS. Students should consult their home universities for procedures. For more details, please refer to 2. Courses and Academic Calendar.

Financial support

Scholarships

Q10. Are there scholarships available for USTEP students? How do I apply?

A10. Scholarships may be available depending on the year. For further information, refer to "Scholarships" in 3. Financial Information.

Student life

Housing

Q11. Is university housing guaranteed?

A11. No. Exchange students may apply for university housing. However, because of the limited number of facilities, housing cannot be guaranteed. The International Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will contact students with details about housing applications after their admission is granted. For further information, please visit our Housing Office website.

Other

Q12. Does UTokyo offer any short-term, non-degree programs held in English?

A12. Every year, there are some short-term, non-degree programs offered in English for a limited number of students (subject to change). See: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/prospective-students/special_programs.html
A short-term program for summer called GUC (Global Unit Courses) started in summer 2021.

We have received many inquiries that have already been answered in the FAQs. We kindly ask students to thoroughly read the FAQs first to obtain basic information. Please be aware that it may take some time for us to respond your inquiry due to the high volume of emails.

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

International Education Promotion Group Contact Form

Related Links:   Overview      Type G (For Graduate students)

Application Procedures

1. Apply at your home university

Prospective applicants must contact the office responsible for student exchange at their home university and check the application procedures for the exchange program to study at UTokyo.

2. Once we receive nominations from your home university during the application period, you will receive application instructions including the link to access an online application form.
3. Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for USTEP: See eligibility noted in “1. Qualifications.”

 
Important Notes:
1) Nominees who fail to meet all the eligibility criteria will NOT be accepted.
2) Nominees must remain registered at their home university for the duration of their academic stay at the University of Tokyo. Students who are not registered at a partner institution will not be accepted.
 

Schedule

	Autumn Admission	Spring Admission
Nomination open	early January	early August
Nomination deadline	February 14	September 16
Application deadline	February 28/29*	September 30
Result announcement	By early May	By early December
Courses start (Note)	Early October	Early April
Courses end (Note)	Late January to Early February (A1A2), Late July to Early August (S1S2)
Transcripts available from	April for A1A2 and October for S1S2

*In leap years, the deadline for application of autumn admission changes to February 29th.
 
Note: The actual period of study (including examination periods) will vary depending on which classes you will register for.
 

Online Application System

All applications must be submitted through the designated online application system, The Admissions Office (hereinafter TAO). After USTEP receives nomination by your home universities, we will send you the link to USTEP Type U application.
While you await your nomination by your home university, you can create an account at https://admissions-office.net/en/applicant/sign_up.
* Please note that the account name should match the name on your passport.
 

Application Documents

All the required application documents must be submitted through TAO.
Before you prepare your application documents, please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in “1. Qualifications”.
 

1. Application Form
2. Passport Data which is valid through the end of the student's exchange period.
3. Proof(s) of Language Proficiency
4. One Letter of Reference (must be submitted by your exchange coordinator)
5. Transcript of Records (must be submitted by your exchange coordinator)

 
Please note that we can address inquiries related to application documents only from nominated students.