The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo overview
The University of Tokyo is a national university located in Japan. The university was formed in 1877 through the merger of Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School. Widely regarded as the most selective and prestigious university in Japan, the institution consists of 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools, 11 research institutes, 13 university-wide centers, three libraries, two institutes for advanced study, and the University of Tokyo Hospital. The University of Tokyo educates approximately 30,000 students — 4,200 of whom are international — and has more than 450 international exchange agreements with universities from around the world.
The university receives the highest amount of national grant funding among research institutions and ranked 1st in Asia and 20th in the world in the 2012 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities. Among the University of Tokyo's alumni are 18 Nobel Prize recipients, 17 Japanese prime ministers, and 5 astronauts. According to The Japan Times, the university had 1,282 professors as of February 2012.
Built on a strong foundation as Japan's oldest university, the University of Tokyo offers a wide range of unique experiences and opportunities. The university's languages of instruction are Japanese and English.
About The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo is a national university located in Japan. The university was formed in 1877 through the merger of Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School. Widely regarded as the most selective and prestigious university in Japan, the institution consists of 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools, 11 research institutes, 13 university-wide centers, three libraries, two institutes for advanced study, and the University of Tokyo Hospital. The University of Tokyo educates approximately 30,000 students — 4,200 of whom are international — and has more than 450 international exchange agreements with universities from around the world.
The university receives the highest amount of national grant funding among research institutions and ranked 1st in Asia and 20th in the world in the 2012 Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities. Among the University of Tokyo's alumni are 18 Nobel Prize recipients, 17 Japanese prime ministers, and 5 astronauts. According to The Japan Times, the university had 1,282 professors as of February 2012.
Built on a strong foundation as Japan's oldest university, the University of Tokyo offers a wide range of unique experiences and opportunities. The university's languages of instruction are Japanese and English.
The University of Tokyo faculties and programs
The University of Tokyo scholarships and financial aid
There are various scholarship opportunities available for students who wish to study in Japan. Through these scholarships, students can pursue a university education abroad without financial hardship. Scholarship applications are submitted during the enrollment period.
For more information about scholarships, you can visit the university's own page.
The University of Tokyo Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into The University of Tokyo
Prospective students wishing to apply to undergraduate programs offered by the University of Tokyo are required to meet the following admission requirements:
- Completion of 12 years of primary and secondary education
- Diploma with a strong GPA
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
- English proficiency certificate obtained through internationally recognized exams such as TOEFL or IELTS
- Official transcripts showing the courses taken and grades earned during the applicant's high school education
- Application fee
Prospective students wishing to apply to graduate programs offered by the University of Tokyo are required to meet the following admission requirements:
- 4-year bachelor's degree diploma
- Strong GPA
- English proficiency certificate obtained through internationally recognized exams such as TOEFL or IELTS
- Official transcripts showing the courses taken and grades earned throughout the applicant's education
- A GRE/GMAT score may be required to meet admission requirements.
- Application fee
Unless the applicant has attended a university or graduated from a high school where the language of instruction is English, students are required to submit official proof of at least a TOEFL iBT score of 90, an overall IELTS band score of 6.5, or a Cambridge English Qualifications "C1 Advanced" score.
The university may request additional examinations depending on the program you are applying to.
Take a closer look at The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo campus is the first modern Japanese university campus. The campus has been designated a "center of excellence" by Japan's Ministry of Education and Science for three new research areas. The university's main campus is the Hongo campus. The Hongo campus also hosts the University of Tokyo's annual May Festival.
The university's other campuses are the Komaba and Kashiwa campuses. The Komaba campus is home to the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences. The Kashiwa campus houses, in addition to its faculties, the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (ICRR), the Institute for Solid State Physics, and the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute — which is entirely dedicated to graduate-level study.
The University of Tokyo campuses were built as a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern design. Faculty buildings, workshops, classrooms, and laboratories across the university are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. On campus, you'll find cafes and restaurants, computer labs (similar to internet cafes), a bookstore, gyms, athletic facilities, and shops.
There are more than 450 student organizations run by students on campus, ranging from team and individual sports to volunteer work. These activities, made possible through student clubs, keep campus life vibrant. Through these clubs, students can socialize and interact with one another.
On campus, there are dormitories and apartments available for international students to stay in. The Housing Office provides both long-term and short-term accommodation options for overseas students and researchers applying through the University of Tokyo. The goal of the Housing Office is to provide high-quality housing at affordable prices.
Tokyo is considered one of the world's safest cities. As in any urban environment, a number of measures have been put in place on campus to ensure student safety.
Notable Alumni of the University of Tokyo
Nobel Prize Laureates:
- Yasunari Kawabata, Literature, 1968
- Leo Esaki, Physics, 1973
- Eisaku Sato, Peace, 1974
- Kenzaburō Ōe, Literature, 1994
- Masatoshi Koshiba, Physics, 2002
- Yoichiro Nambu, Physics, 2008
- Ei-ichi Negishi, Chemistry, 2010
- Takaaki Kajita, Physics, 2015
- Yoshinori Ohsumi, Physiology or Medicine, 2016
- Syukuro Manabe, Physics, 2021
Authors:
- Kōbo Abe
- Ryunosuke Akutagawa
- Osamu Dazai
- Shinichi Hoshi
- Otohiko Kaga
- Yukio Mishima
- Dhan Gopal Mukerji
- Atsushi Nakajima
- Wafu Nishijima
- Mori Ōgai
- Hiro Sachiya
- Tatsuhiko Shibusawa
- Naoya Shiga
- Masaoka Shiki
- Natsume Soseki
- Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Notable Physicians:
- Kunie Miyaji (Japan's pioneering female physician)
- Kitasato Shibasaburō
- Katsusaburo Yamagiwa
The University of Tokyo cost of living
The University of Tokyo Location
Tokyo
The University of Tokyo Contact
How to Get Into The University of Tokyo
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