University of Tokyo
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Very limited exchange spaces available at this partner institution for 2025/2026*
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: Information for University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP)
Language of instruction: English, Japanese
Terms: Fall semester (October– March, aka 'A1A2 term') // Spring semester (April - September, aka 'S1S2 term')
Important notes:
- UVic students must be in their third year to be considered for exchange at UTokyo.
- If you are considering studying at UTokyo for two terms, be sure to select both terms on your application form. Exchanges cannot be extended once you are nominated to UTokyo.
- UTokyo hosts a mandatory orientation that incoming exchange students must attend. For the Fall term, orientation will take place at the end of September and for the Spring term, orientation will be held at the beginning of April.
Highlights
- Founded in 1877, the University of Tokyo is the oldest national university in Japan and is the most comprehensive research university in Japan.
- UTokyo has three main campuses in the Tokyo region, with the two campuses in central Tokyo offering a tranquil contrast to the hustle and bustle of modern, high tech Tokyo.
- Tokyo is considered to be one of the safest cities, and one which allows you to experience both traditional and modern Japanese cultures almost side-by-side.
Accessibility
The University of Tokyo is working to create an environment in which students, faculty, and staff members with disabilities studying and working on campus can take full part in academic programming and all other facets of university life. You can read more on the Office for Disability Equity's main page.
Area of study
- Law and Politics
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Sociology
- Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Economics
- Arts and Sciences
- Education
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Information Science and Technology
- Interdisciplinary Information Studies
- Public Policy
- See Course Catalogue for Type U Students
- Undergraduate exchange students can take various courses offered by each Faculty regardless of their majors
Course catalogue
- Please see the course catalogue for USTEP (University Student Exchange Program) TypeU courses. It includes both courses taught in English and Japanese.
- Once you select the discipline area you would like, you can hit the 'search' button for a list of all courses in the discipline.
- TIP: You can also filter for the language of instruction on the left-hand side bar once you are on the search page.
Credits
Credits at UTokyo:
- Full-time option (7.5 UVic units): 15 credits per term at UTokyo
*Exchange students must register in at least 12 UTokyo credits per term to meet Japanese immigration requirements.
Course Evaluations at UVic:
- Before departure, UVic students will be able to submit exchange courses to UVic for evaluation. The results will indicate how many UVic units each exchange course is worth, as well as the course equivalency.
- Students must use the evaluation results to ensure their exchange courses credits add up to the equivalent UVic units. The total number of units for each exchange term should be 4.5 UVic units for part-time exchange or 7.5 UVic units for full-time exchange.
- This course evaluation process will be made available and explained in detail during the pre-departure session in early October for Spring exchange terms and in late March for Fall exchange terms. Evaluations take 2-6 weeks to complete and will be emailed to students.
- Course evaluations results are tentative until the end of the exchange term, when a second, final evaluation is conducted by OREM using the students’ exchange transcript, and the results are applied to their UVic record.
Exchange Credit History
- Click here to check out the exchange credit history of courses that have been previously evaluated by UVic for this host university.
- Students are not limited to this list when selecting courses for their upcoming exchange and should consult the host university’s course catalogue for a full list of offerings.
- Important note: this document is a guide only and previously evaluated courses are not guaranteed to be evaluated in the same way in the future.
- After being accepted into the ICS Exchange Program, students will have the chance to submit exchange courses to UVic for evaluation. The results will provide updated unit and credit equivalency information.
Housing
- On-campus Housing: Unavailable
- Off-campus housing: Available
- Not guaranteed but roughly 90% of exchange students are successfully accommodated by UTokyo's housing facilities.
- More information can be found on the UTokyo Housing Office website, as well as on their housing information page.
Medical Insurance, Immigration & Arrival
Immigration:
- Exchange students studying in Japan for periods over 3 months are required to apply for a residency card. For information on this process, see the UTokyo visa & residence card page.
- UTokyo also has a visa consulting service, which is available to answer student inquiries regarding immigration.
Insurance:
- All those with “Student” status of residence (more than 3 months) must enroll into the National Health Insurance system. Please make an application for the insurance system when you register yourself at your local City/Ward office within 14 days of moving in your new residence.
Orientation:
- Mandatory
- Exchange students will attend orientation at UTokyo in September and April
- This is a great opportunity to learn more about student life on and off campus!
How to apply
Learn how to apply or sign up to receive emails about studying on exchange at a partner university. We will send you information about events, application deadlines, funding opportunities, and more!