Study at the University of Tokyo
Discover Japan's most prestigious university and a global leader in research, engineering, medicine, artificial intelligence, science, and innovation.
Japan's Premier University
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo), founded in 1877, is Japan's most prestigious university and the nation's first modern national university. Located in the heart of Tokyo, UTokyo consistently ranks as Asia's top research university and is renowned globally for excellence in engineering, science, medicine, law, economics, and the humanities.
UTokyo has produced 11 Nobel laureates, 6 Fields Medalists, 16 Japanese Prime Ministers, and numerous global leaders in science, industry, and public policy. The university operates across three main campuses — Hongo (main), Komaba (liberal arts and general education), and Kashiwa (frontier sciences).
With a commitment to advancing knowledge at the highest level, UTokyo offers world-leading research in artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum science, biomedical engineering, climate science, and space science. The university actively welcomes international students through dedicated English-taught programmes including PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) and numerous graduate courses.
Academic Excellence
10 faculties and 15 graduate schools across three campuses
Faculty of Engineering
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Science
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Medicine
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Law
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Economics
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Letters
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Agriculture
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Hongo Campus
Faculty of Education
Hongo Campus
College of Arts & Sciences (Komaba)
Komaba Campus
Exceptionally Affordable
World-class education at national university tuition rates
Undergraduate
- admission fee: JPY ¥282,000 (one-time, approximately USD $1,900)
- annual tuition: JPY ¥535,800/year (approximately USD $3,600/year)
- examination fee: JPY ¥17,000 (undergraduate entrance examination)
- note: Tuition is the same for all students regardless of nationality. UTokyo tuition is set by the Japanese government and is significantly lower than comparable universities worldwide.
Graduate
- admission fee: JPY ¥282,000 (one-time, approximately USD $1,900)
- annual tuition: JPY ¥535,800/year (approximately USD $3,600/year)
- examination fee: JPY ¥30,000 (graduate entrance examination)
- professional school: JPY ¥535,800–¥804,000/year (Law School, MBA — varies by programme)
- research students: JPY ¥29,700/month (research student / non-degree status)
Living in Tokyo
- accommodation: JPY ¥30,000 – ¥80,000/month (university housing to private rental in Tokyo)
- food: JPY ¥30,000 – ¥50,000/month
- transportation: JPY ¥5,000 – ¥15,000/month (student commuter pass)
- health insurance: JPY ¥20,000 – ¥30,000/year (National Health Insurance — mandatory)
- books: JPY ¥30,000 – ¥50,000/year
- personal: JPY ¥20,000 – ¥40,000/month
- total estimate: JPY ¥80,000 – ¥150,000/month (approximately USD $550 – $1,000/month)
Tuition and fees are set by the Japanese government and are subject to revision. The admission fee and annual tuition listed are standard for national universities in Japan. All amounts are approximate and students should verify the latest figures on the official University of Tokyo website before applying.
Funding Your UTokyo Education
Generous government and university scholarships for international students
MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government)
Full tuition exemption + monthly stipend (JPY ¥143,000–¥145,000 for graduate; ¥117,000 for undergraduate) + return airfare + admission fee waiver
Eligibility: International students selected through embassy recommendation or university recommendation
Japan's most comprehensive scholarship — covers tuition, living, travel. Apply through Japanese Embassy or UTokyo nomination.
UTokyo Fellowship (TODAI Fellowship)
Monthly stipend of JPY ¥200,000 for PhD students; ¥150,000 for Master's students
Eligibility: Outstanding international graduate students admitted to UTokyo
Highly competitive — awarded by the university directly upon admission.
JASSO Scholarship (Monbukagakusho Honors)
JPY ¥48,000/month
Eligibility: Privately-funded international students with excellent academic standing
Applied for after enrollment — based on academic performance and financial need.
UTokyo Tuition Exemption
Full or partial tuition exemption (50% or 100% of annual tuition)
Eligibility: Students facing financial hardship with excellent academic records
Many international students receive full or partial tuition exemption — apply after enrollment.
PEAK Scholarship
Full tuition exemption + monthly living stipend (JPY ¥150,000)
Eligibility: Outstanding applicants to the PEAK undergraduate programme
Awarded to top international PEAK applicants — covers full 4-year programme.
Private Foundation Scholarships
Varies — typically JPY ¥50,000–¥180,000/month
Eligibility: Varies by foundation — nationality, field of study, and academic record
Numerous private foundations in Japan offer scholarships to international students at UTokyo. The university assists with applications.
How to Get In
Deadline: PEAK: Applications typically November–January for September entry. General entrance: January–February for April entry.
- Completion of 12 years of education (or equivalent) in home country
- For PEAK programme: SAT/ACT, IB Diploma, A-Levels, or national examination results
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT or IELTS (for English-taught PEAK programme)
- Japanese proficiency: EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission) for Japanese-taught programmes
- Personal statement / motivation essay
- Letters of recommendation (2)
- Some programmes require interviews
- PEAK accepts applications entirely in English — no Japanese required
UTokyo's undergraduate admission is extremely competitive. The PEAK programme (Programs in English at Komaba) allows international students to study entirely in English for the first two years, with Japanese-taught courses available from the third year. General admission requires the EJU and UTokyo's own entrance examination.
Life at UTokyo
Three campuses in the heart of one of the world's greatest cities
Hongo Campus
The main campus in central Tokyo — home to most faculties, historic Yasuda Auditorium, the iconic Akamon (Red Gate), and world-class research laboratories.
Komaba Campus
Home to first and second year students, PEAK programme, and the College of Arts & Sciences. A leafy campus with modern facilities near Shibuya.
Student Clubs & Activities
Over 600 official student clubs covering sports, arts, cultural activities, academic societies, and volunteer organisations.
Libraries
The General Library and 30+ branch libraries with over 9 million volumes — one of Asia's largest university library systems.
Student Housing
University dormitories for international students including International Lodge, Komaba Lodge, and Kashiwa Lodge with affordable rents from JPY ¥30,000/month.
Tokyo City Life
Experience one of the world's greatest cities — culture, cuisine, technology, safety, public transport, and endless exploration within reach of campus.
Research Centres
World-class facilities including the Kavli IPMU, Institute of Industrial Science, Institute for Solid State Physics, and the Earthquake Research Institute.
International Community
Over 4,500 international students from 100+ countries with dedicated support services, cultural events, and exchange programmes with 300+ partner universities.
Career Outcomes
Research Strengths
Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
UTokyo AI Center and multiple robotics laboratories — world-leading research in autonomous systems, human-robot interaction, and machine intelligence.
Quantum Science & Technology
UTokyo Quantum Initiative and Kavli IPMU — fundamental physics, quantum computing, and quantum information research at the frontier of knowledge.
Biomedical Research & Medicine
Institute of Medical Science and affiliated hospitals — regenerative medicine, genomics, cancer research, and drug discovery.
Climate & Earth Science
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute and Center for Climate Science — leading research on climate change, oceanography, and natural disaster mitigation.
Space Science & Aerospace
Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics, JAXA collaborations — satellite technology, space exploration, and advanced propulsion systems.
Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology
Institute for Solid State Physics and School of Engineering — next-generation materials, superconductors, and nanoscale engineering.
International Student Support
Over 4,500 international students from 100+ countries
- International Student Support Office
- Student visa (Status of Residence) guidance
- PEAK programme — fully English-taught undergraduate degree
- Graduate School of Engineering (English programmes)
- Graduate Program for Social ICT (English)
- Accommodation placement (International Lodge, university dormitories)
- National Health Insurance enrollment assistance
- Orientation programmes and campus tours
- Japanese language courses (free for enrolled students)
- Tutoring system — assigned Japanese student tutors
- Career support for international students
- 300+ exchange partners worldwide
Your Path to UTokyo
Expert guidance from enquiry to enrolment
Programme Matching
We help you navigate UTokyo's unique structure — PEAK vs. general admission, English vs. Japanese-taught programmes, and finding the right faculty for your goals.
Application Strategy
Expert guidance on research plans, supervisor contact strategy, entrance exams, EJU/PEAK documentation, and MEXT scholarship applications.
MEXT & Scholarship Support
Comprehensive MEXT scholarship guidance — embassy vs. university recommendation routes, application timeline, interview preparation, and alternative funding.
Supervisor Matching
For research programmes, we guide you through finding and contacting potential supervisors — research proposal alignment and communication strategy.
Accommodation & Visa
Student visa guidance, International Lodge applications, private housing in Tokyo, National Health Insurance, and bank account setup support.
Pre-Departure & Arrival
Comprehensive pre-departure briefing for Japan, cultural orientation, airport reception, first-week settling-in support, and ongoing guidance.
Apply to UTokyo
Free expert guidance — no hidden fees
Hear From UTokyo Students
“UTokyo's AI research labs are among the best in the world. The combination of world-class faculty, MEXT scholarship support, and Tokyo's tech ecosystem made my doctoral experience extraordinary.”
“PEAK let me study at Japan's top university entirely in English while learning Japanese at my own pace. The cultural immersion and academic rigour transformed my perspective on the world.”
“The MEXT scholarship covered everything — tuition, living costs, flights. UTokyo's engineering labs and industry connections with companies like Sony and Toyota opened incredible doors.”
Frequently Asked Questions
UTokyo is Japan's most selective university. The PEAK programme (English-taught undergraduate) accepts approximately 100 students per year from thousands of applications. Graduate programmes vary but are highly competitive, especially in Engineering, Science, and Medicine.
PEAK (Programs in English at Komaba) is a full English-taught undergraduate degree. At the graduate level, many programmes in Engineering, Science, Information Science & Technology, Public Policy, and Frontier Sciences are conducted entirely in English.
Annual tuition is JPY ¥535,800 (approximately USD $3,600) for both undergraduate and graduate students — the same for all nationalities. This is set by the Japanese government and is exceptionally affordable compared to Western universities. A one-time admission fee of JPY ¥282,000 is also required.
The MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government) covers tuition + living expenses + airfare. UTokyo also offers the TODAI Fellowship, PEAK Scholarship, tuition exemption (many students receive 50–100% waiver), and JASSO scholarships. Private foundation scholarships are also available.
For PEAK (undergraduate) and many graduate programmes — no. These are conducted entirely in English. However, learning Japanese will significantly enhance your experience and career opportunities. Free Japanese language courses are available to enrolled students.
Tokyo is one of the world's greatest cities — incredibly safe, with world-class food, culture, transport, and technology. UTokyo campuses are in central Tokyo with excellent access. Student housing is affordable (from JPY ¥30,000/month) and over 600 student clubs are available.
For research-based programmes (Master's/PhD), it is strongly recommended to contact a potential supervisor before applying. Many programmes require supervisor acceptance before formal admission. English-taught coursework programmes may not require this.
EducationalHub provides expert guidance on programme selection (PEAK vs. general, English vs. Japanese-taught), MEXT scholarship applications, research plan development, supervisor contact strategy, document preparation, visa processing, and pre-departure support for Japan.