The University of Tokyo was founded in 1877 and since then it go on to be Japan’s leading university. The University of Tokyo is considered to be the most prestigious university in Japan. The university is a large-scale academic center with 10 faculties and 15 graduate schools that are home to over 30,000 students, out of which more than 2,100 students are international. 

It is one of the elite Japanese universities selected for the MEXT’s Top Global University Project, signifying its role as an example of the competitiveness of Japanese higher education. With a recognizable history since its foundation, the school has produced celebrated figures in many fields, ranging from business, politics, science to fine arts. To this day, the university has eight Nobel prize winners, five astronauts, and 15 Japanese prime ministers among its alumni.

The University of Tokyo is the leading university in Japan and a desirable place to study for a lot of students. The institution is among the top 5% of the world’s best universities. 

The school is best known for its program in Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, etc. The university is most famous for its top-notch education making it rank in the top 100 in the international rating. And thanks to the good standing among the employers of Japan, the graduates end up finding employment quite easily.

University of Tokyo Campuses

The University of Tokyo is also famously known as Todai. It has several campuses across which its faculties and departments are located. The Maeda family of the Edo period feudal lords of Kaga Province occupied an estate that is now under Todai where the central Hongo campus is situated. This is one of the favorite tourist destinations in Japan because of its rich history.

The Komaba campus on the other hand houses the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences. It has more than 7000 students, which include sophomores and freshmen.

Komaba campus is where all the freshmen and sophomores of the University of Tokyo spend their college life. The Komaba Campus is the foundation of general education and was voted as the “center of excellence” for three new areas of research by the Ministry of Education and Science.

The remaining three are Kashiwa Campus, Shirokanedai Campus, and Nakano Campus. The Kashiwa Campus is home to the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences and many advanced research facilities and campus services. 

The relatively small Shirokanedai Campus houses the Institute of Medical Science of the University of Tokyo (IMSUT), which is fully dedicated to postgraduate studies. The campus is focused on genome research, including among its facilities the Human Genome Center (HGC), which has at its disposal the largest supercomputer in the field.

University of Tokyo Faculties and Degree Programs

The University of Tokyo is one of the largest universities that educate more than 27,000 students. International students are also included in the admission process. More than 5,000 teachers are employed by the university.

The school belongs to a number of associations like the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), as well as the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) and OpenCourseWare Consortium (OCW).

Todai Law School is considered one of the best law schools in Japan, ranking first in the number of successful candidates for the Japanese Bar Examination in 2020.

The University of Tokyo is also a top research institution in Japan. The school receives the largest amount of national grants for research institutions, receiving 40% more than most universities in the world, including the University with the 2nd largest grants.

This immense financial investment from the Japanese government directly affects Todai’s research outcomes. According to Thomson Reuters, Todai is the best research university in Japan. Its research superiority is especially distinctive in Physics (1st in Japan, 2nd in the world), Biology & Biochemistry (1st in Japan, 3rd in the world), Pharmacology & Toxicology (1st in Japan, 5th in the world), Chemistry (2nd in Japan, 5th in the world), Materials Science (3rd in Japan, 19th in the world), and Immunology (2nd in Japan, 20th in the world)

The University of Tokyo has 10 faculties of more than 4,500 teachers and a total enrollment of about 29,000, in their 15 graduate schools evenly divided between undergraduate and graduate students. 

The school is widely known for the excellence of its faculty and students and ever since its foundation, many of its graduates have gone on to become leaders in business, government, and the academic world.

Rankings of University of Tokyo

• Human Resources & Labor Review, a human competitiveness index & analysis published in Chasecareer Network, ranked the university 21st internationally and 1st in Asia in 2010.
• Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings ranked the University of Tokyo 12th in the world and 1st in Asia in 2016.
• In November 2018 Expertscape recognized it as #9 in the world for expertise in Pancreatic Cancer.
• The University of Tokyo was ranked 26th among the world’s best universities and 1st in Asia and Japan in 2019 according to the Top 500 Global Universities Rankings produced by CEOWORLD magazine.
• Global University Ranking ranked the University of Tokyo 3rd in the world and 1st in Asia.
• In 2019, the University of Tokyo ranked 24th among the universities around the world by SCImago Institutions Rankings.
• In the Nature Index Annual Tables 2021, the University of Tokyo was ranked 8th based on 1,308 Natural science research treatises published by the university. In the field of physical science treatises, it ranked second in the world among universities.

These are but a few of the ranks given to the prestigious University of Tokyo.

University of Tokyo Acceptance Rate

University of Tokyo (Todai) is one of the most selective and prestigious universities in Japan and is counted as one of the best universities in the world.

Although the University of Tokyo does not release the official acceptance rate, information on admissions statistics is released every year on the university website. The acceptance rate is estimated to be either 10% or 20%.

University of Tokyo Admission Requirement

Thanks to the Top Global University Project, the University has been attracted international students through its newly founded English undergraduate programs. These programs are taught in English at Komaba, and the Global Science Course (GSC). The school has different requirements for different purposes; PEAK (for undergraduates) and GSC (for transfer students)

We are going to start the requirements for Programs in English at Komaba (PEAK)

PEAK Program 

There are two requirements that are compulsory for applicants in order to apply for the program.

As listed below, Requirement 1 ensures that the applicant has completed the needed secondary academic background. The applicant must have achieved one of the four categories below. 

1. The applicant has completed all the requirements of a 12-year school that entails primary and secondary education.

2. The applicant has obtained one of the following qualifications:
   1. International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) (awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization)
   2. Abitur (designated by the Federal Republic of Germany)
   3. Baccalaureate (designated by the French Republic)
   4. General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-level) (designated by the UK)

3. The applicant has passed through an education system that is less than 12 years in length and has completed Japanese pre-university preparatory institutions for students planning to study in Japan, which are designed by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology.

4. The applicant must pass an official test that demonstrates he or she possesses an academic background equal or superior to that obtained from a 12-year school curriculum. 

Requirement 2 necessitates that the applicant must have spent at least four of the first six school years and at least five of the second six school years studying in languages other than Japanese. 

In other words, these applicants must have taken the majority of their education in non-Japanese language(s).

Other requirements to have an upper hand in your Admission process are:

• SAT: a combined score of 1440 for Reasoning section
• ACT: an average score of 30
• IB: a total of 36 points out of 42
• GCE A Level (General Certificate of Education Advanced Level): A/A/B
• Singapore-Cambridge GCE A Level: A/A in H2

These are the most recent test scores for September 2020.

The basis of the university behind this requirement is that the PEAK program is designed mainly for students who have been educated in languages other than Japanese. But, if students have received Japanese-medium education, they are still encouraged to apply for April-entry admission instead of the September-entry admission of PEAK.

GSC Program

This program targets undergraduate students who have completed the first two years of their degree and wish to transfer to the University of Tokyo from their third year. 

As the language of teaching for the Global Science Course is in English, prospective applicants can meet the requirements for English proficiency as long as they satisfy one of the three following criteria: 

1. English is their native/first language.
2. English was the language of instruction at their secondary and post-secondary schools for the last 8 years before applying to the Global Science Course.
3. And Applicants can demonstrate their proficiency through taking English exams with the minimum scores as follows:
   1. TOEFL iBT: 80
   2. TOEFL PBT: 550
   3. IELTS Academic: 6.5

Additionally, in order to satisfy the academic requirements of the program, students need to have completed basic undergraduate classes in Chemistry and at least two subjects within mathematics, biology, or physics before applying to GSC. 

University of Tokyo Tuition Fees

*Exchange rates is prone to change. 

A year of bachelor’s studies will cost around $4,800. The University of Tokyo is considered to be a high-priced option when it comes to obtaining a master’s degree which costs the same as a bachelor’s degree. But the most expensive is the school of law with a costly sum of $7200.

University of Tokyo is changing with the times and now offers online programs in addition to traditional full-time ones. 

Even though we provide accurate information at Student Major, you should always read and get more information on the official school websitehttp:/www.u-tokyo.ac.jp.

FAQ on University of Tokyo

What is the acceptance rate for the University of Tokyo?

We think it’s about 20%.

What can I do to bolster my chances of getting admitted?

If you have great SAT/ACT scores, GPA, and extracurricular activities, you increase your chance of getting accepted. 

Do I need to know Japanese before applying?

Not really. Some programs offered are taught in English. In such one of the requirements is that you can speak English. But it’s best you check the degree program you want to study and if it is offered in English.

What kind of accommodation is available at the University? Is it mandatory to stay there?

All PEAK students have the choice of living in the school Accommodation for their first year of study. Though the accommodation assignment is subject to change, based on availability.

The dormitory is optional and you can choose if you want to move into the dormitory or not during the enrollment process. However, if you don’t move into the dormitory when you start your degree program, it would be considered that you have waived your right to a room.

For more information, please visit the Housing Office’s website.