Exchange guide University of Tokyo
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan.
Study abroad at University of Tokyo (Todai): overview
The University of Tokyo offers distinct exchange routes: USTEP Type U for undergraduate coursework, USTEP Type G for graduate study or research, and KOMSTEP for eligible Komaba partners. Compare course access, nomination rules and term dates before applying.
Enrollment
29,669 students, as listed on UTokyo’s numbers page published in December 2025; check the official page for later updates.
International Mix
5,234 international students, as listed on UTokyo’s numbers page published in December 2025; check the official page for later updates.
Why students choose it
Main campuses: Hongo, Komaba and Kashiwa. A student’s campus depends on the exchange route, academic unit and approved course selection.
Language of instruction: English and Japanese courses are available; the options and language requirements depend on the exchange route, course and Graduate School.
Exchange & application at University of Tokyo (Todai)
Exchange applicants need nomination through an eligible home-university partnership. USTEP and KOMSTEP have separate eligibility rules and calendars; ask your exchange office which route applies before preparing an application.
✅Requirements
No single minimum GPA is published for USTEP; applicants must show strong academic performance. Type U applicants must meet the language standard for their chosen courses: English courses require TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge C1 or DET 120, or an eligible English-medium exemption; Japanese courses require JLPT N1 or Japanese-medium schooling. Type G requirements vary by Graduate School, and some schools require supervisor approval. KOMSTEP eligibility and language evidence depend on the partner agreement and selected courses.
📨Nomination Process
Contact the exchange office at your home university first. USTEP accepts nominations from listed university-wide partners and sends the TAO application link after nomination. Its published schedule lists nomination/application deadlines of 14/28 or 29 February for Autumn Admission and 16/30 September for Spring Admission; your home university may set an earlier internal deadline. KOMSTEP follows a separate partner-based route and calendar, so use the current instructions from your home university and the International Research and Cooperation Office.
🧭Orientation Week
Recommended arrival: Use the arrival and orientation dates sent after admission. USTEP’s course periods generally begin in early April or late September/early October, but exact dates vary by course, Graduate School and route.
Admitted students receive pre-arrival and orientation instructions from their program office. The pages reviewed do not set one universal mandatory orientation date for every exchange route.
Events hub: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/academics/ustep-overview.html
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Admission | February 14 | February 28/29 |
| Spring Admission | September 16 | September 30 |
Arrival Checklist
- Complete the route-specific application and follow the admitted program’s pre-arrival instructions.
- After formal admission, follow UTokyo’s Certificate of Eligibility and student-visa instructions.
- Apply for university housing only through the instructions sent after admission; a room is not guaranteed.
- For a stay longer than three months, register your Tokyo address and enroll in National Health Insurance at the local city or ward office; arrange separate cover for gaps and exclusions.
Academics & courses at University of Tokyo (Todai)
Course access, language requirements and registration depend on the exchange route and academic unit. Review the current catalogue and syllabus; UTokyo does not publish a universal ECTS conversion.
📝Course Registration
USTEP Type U students register after arrival and orientation in April or October, using the annual Type U course catalogue. Type G follows the admitting Graduate School’s course or research procedures. KOMSTEP registration begins after the semester starts, with course access depending on student status and the syllabus.
🎓Credit System
UTokyo’s Type U guidance says a standard 2-credit course generally consists of 13 weeks of 105-minute classes, although arrangements vary. Graduate School courses may differ. UTokyo does not publish an official ECTS conversion; ask your home university how credits will transfer.
💯Grading System
The exchange pages do not publish one grading scale for all courses. Check each current syllabus and ask your home university how grades will be converted.
✍️Exam Culture
Assessment formats vary by course and are described in the current syllabus.
📚Library Access
The university library system includes the General Library, Komaba Library, Kashiwa Library and department libraries. Access and borrowing rules depend on student status; check the current library guidance.
Tuition & fees at University of Tokyo (Todai)
Eligible exchange students are exempt from UTokyo tuition, admission and examination fees under the exchange agreement. Home-university tuition, housing, insurance and living expenses are separate; full-degree tuition follows different rates.
Full-degree tuition
EUR 3,200
Exchange students usually pay tuition to their home university. Confirm your agreement.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | JPY 0 tuition, admission and examination fees at UTokyo under an exchange memorandum | Applies after formal acceptance through an eligible exchange agreement. This host-fee waiver is separate from home-university tuition, housing, insurance and… |
| Full-degree undergraduate tuition | JPY 642,960/year | Not an exchange rate. The current table lists this annual undergraduate rate for entrants from April 2025; students enrolled in or before 2024 remain at JPY … |
| Full-degree graduate tuition (varies by degree) | JPY 535,800/year for master’s/professional programs outside Law; JPY 520,800/year for the listed doctoral/medical/veterinary category; JPY 804,000/year for the School of Law | Not an exchange rate. UTokyo’s current fee table lists different annual amounts by degree category; the one-time admission fee is JPY 282,000. Confirm the ex… |
JPY 0 tuition, admission and examination fees at UTokyo under an exchange memorandum
Applies after formal acceptance through an eligible exchange agreement. This host-fee waiver is separate from home-university tuition, housing, insurance and…
JPY 642,960/year
Not an exchange rate. The current table lists this annual undergraduate rate for entrants from April 2025; students enrolled in or before 2024 remain at JPY …
JPY 535,800/year for master’s/professional programs outside Law; JPY 520,800/year for the listed doctoral/medical/veterinary category; JPY 804,000/year for the School of Law
Not an exchange rate. UTokyo’s current fee table lists different annual amounts by degree category; the one-time admission fee is JPY 282,000. Confirm the ex…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Tokyo (Todai)
UTokyo housing requires a separate application after admission and is not guaranteed. Komaba Lodge’s published recurring monthly total is JPY 47,600–69,800 through March 31, 2027; one-time entrance fees are extra.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Tokyo
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Tokyo (Todai)
Start with the exchange office for route-specific instructions. Check housing availability, municipal health-insurance enrollment and campus support after your admission and arrival details are confirmed.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
NHI enrollment is required for Student residence stays longer than three months. USTEP students are enrolled in university-paid Gakkensai; travel cover is recommended. KOMSTEP’s incoming FAQ requires NHI, and its office should confirm any additional route-specific insurance.
🏥Campus Clinic
Check the Health Service Center and the relevant campus or Graduate School for current services and access rules.
🧠Mental Health
The Student Counseling Center lists services at Komaba, Hongo and Kashiwa; confirm current eligibility and appointment procedures with the relevant campus.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Varies by municipality and income; UTokyo does not publish one monthly premium
Enroll at the local city/ward office after arrival and resident registration. NHI pays 70% of eligible medical costs; the student pays 30%.
Gakkensai (education/research accident insurance)
Paid by UTokyo for USTEP exchange students
Covers accidents or injuries connected with education or research activities. It does not replace NHI or travel insurance; confirm separate requirements with KOMSTEP.
Futai Gakuso (optional liability add-on)
JPY 8,060 per six months, as currently listed for USTEP
Adds personal-liability coverage to Gakkensai. UTokyo particularly recommends it for students who plan to ride bicycles; confirm the current premium before enrollment.
Travel or study-abroad insurance
Varies by provider and coverage
UTokyo recommends cover for emergencies not included in NHI, including travel and the period before NHI becomes effective. Check route-specific instructions as well.
Campus services
University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP)
Official overview of undergraduate Type U and graduate Type G, eligibility, partner nomination and application schedules.
UTokyo Library System
The system includes the General Library, Komaba Library, Kashiwa Library and 27 departmental or research-institute libraries; access rules depend on student status.
Student Counseling Center (UTokyo)
Official contact details for the Student Counseling Center at Komaba, Hongo and Kashiwa; confirm eligibility and appointments with the relevant campus.
Student life at University of Tokyo (Todai)
Plan for campus life around your assigned route and campus. The university’s library system and Student Counseling Center serve multiple campuses; access and appointment rules depend on student status.
Buddy Program
USTEP Partners is a student-led peer-support initiative described for USTEP Type U exchange students; participation and availability should be confirmed with the program office.
Public Groups & Communities
USTEP Partners
Official Type U page describing peer interaction and support for exchange students.
KOMSTEP incoming exchange information
Official Komaba program page with route details and the responsible office.
UTokyo Student Counseling Center
Official campus locations and contact details for Komaba, Hongo and Kashiwa.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Read the pre-arrival instructions and attend the orientation scheduled for your admitted program.
- Register your Tokyo address with the municipality and complete NHI enrollment if your residence status and stay require it.
- Follow the course registration process for USTEP Type U, Type G or KOMSTEP; course access differs by route.
- If offered university housing, review the move-in instructions, fee schedule and residence rules before accepting.
Key exchange dates at University of Tokyo (Todai)
USTEP publishes nomination/application deadlines of February 14/28–29 for Autumn Admission and September 16/30 for Spring Admission. KOMSTEP has a separate partner-based calendar; confirm the current call with your home university.
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1
USTEP Autumn Admission
Early January–February
Nomination opens in early January; nomination is due February 14 and the application February 28/29. Courses generally start in late September or early October. Check the current call and your home university’s earlier internal deadline.
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2
USTEP Spring Admission
Early August–September
Nomination opens in early August; nomination is due September 16 and the application September 30. Courses generally start in early April. Check the current call and your home university’s earlier internal deadline.
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3
KOMSTEP application calendar
Route-specific; commonly February or September
The Komaba page lists February 28 for October starts and September 30 for April starts. Eligibility is agreement-specific; follow the latest IRCO and home-university instructions.
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4
PEAK final recruitment
September 2026 intake; applications closed
September 2026 was PEAK’s last recruitment. Its final application period is closed; PEAK was a degree program, not an exchange route.