The University of Tokyo
Go Global Website
This page provides detailed information about the University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP). For an overview of the program, please refer to the USTEP Website [1] – Program Overview Page.
This initiative aims to promote the appeal of studying abroad not only in traditionally popular regions such as North America and Europe, but also in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa (often referred to as “Global South”), and to actively support students who wish to study in these regions. Many partner universities in these regions offer courses taught in English. For details, please refer to the Application Guidelines and this special page.
As part of the Application Documents for the University-wide Student Exchange Program, applicants are required to request a Letter of Assessment from a faculty member of the University (including part-time instructors). Please make sure to request this letter well in advance.
Requests made right before the application deadline may not be accommodated. For details on how to request the letter, please refer to the Application Guidelines, section “8. How to Apply,” (4) Application Documents, “[1] Letter of Assessment for USTEP Applicants.”
An online Information Session was held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00, to provide a clear overview of the University-wide Student Exchange Program. Faculty members from the Center for Global Education also shared messages and advice for applicants. The recording and materials are available on this Information Session page.
・Please read the Application Guidelines carefully and complete the online application via UTAS by the application deadline set by your affiliated faculty or graduate school.
・Please use the Application Documents Check List to ensure that all required documents are properly prepared.
・Application Guidelines for Candidate Students (Spring Call for AY2026-2027) (Updated 06/04/2026)
・Generated AI Policy in Student-Created Documents
・Oath
・Proficiency Evaluation based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages（Designated form）（If you fall under the cases specified in 8(2)[5] of the Application Guidelines）
・Application Documents Check List
Newly Added Universities in this Call: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Tecnológico de Monterrey (planned)
Universities Added Since the Previous Call: Stellenbosch University, Brandeis University, Singapore Management University
Regarding the Merger of the University of Adelaide: The University of Adelaide merged with the University of South Australia in January 2026 to form a new institution, Adelaide University. Please note that the information currently provided is subject to change due to this merger. Please make sure to check for updates regularly.
［1］List of Partner Universities Eligible for Application and Number of Available Slots (Updated 13/04/2026)
You can check the partner universities available for this call and the number of available slots here. (Subject to updates)
※As of the Spring Call for AY2026-2027: 93 partner universities (recent addition: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH))
※Tecnológico de Monterrey will be added soon.
［2］USTEP Information on Partner Universities (Updated 06/04/2026)
You can check the requirements (overview) for partner universities here. (Subject to updates)
※The timing of updates varies depending on the partner university. Please check regularly.
［3］Fact sheets and websites of partner universities
For more detailed information, please refer to these resources.
※If links in the PDF do not work, please download the file and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
［4］Partner University Introduction Website by Student Staff
This website introduces the appeal of each partner university from a student perspective (with updates added progressively). It provides insights into campus life and surrounding areas through photos and testimonials from university staff and students who have studied abroad.
Broadening your choice of partner universities increases your chances of studying abroad!
・In the Autumn Call for AY2026-2027, approximately 20% (about 80 students) of applicants were not accepted because they were not selected within the quota of their preferred universities.
・Among those not accepted, most top-ranked applicants had selected only two partner universities in North America or Europe.
・Only about 35% of unsuccessful applicants had selected up to their 6th choice, and only about 5% had included partner universities in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, or Africa.
・Most unsuccessful applications in the Autumn Call were limited to North American and European partner universities, and only about 30% had selected up to their 6th choice.
・In contrast, among 33 partner universities in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, 27 still had available slots. Expanding your options to these universities significantly increases your chances of studying abroad.
・Due to scheduling constraints, additional recruitment will not be conducted even if slots remain available. Please carefully consider your choice of partner universities.
From AY2026-27 onward:
Number of Applicants by Partner University (Ranked by First-Choice Competitiveness)
This provides data from the Autumn Call for AY2026-27, ranked by competitiveness of first-choice applications. Please use this when selecting your preferred universities.
Up to AY2025-26:
University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP) Statistics (Updated 15/01/2026)
This includes data on the number of applicants, candidates, and accepted students for each partner university from AY2013-14 to AY2025-26.
※From AY2026-27 onward, the format will change to “Number of Applicants by Partner University (Ranked by First-Choice Competitiveness)
.”
・Language proficiency certificates are required only after passing the internal screening. Even if you pass the internal screening, you will not be nominated to a partner university unless you meet the language requirements. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for details.
・Some partner universities have language requirements that are not listed on their websites or fact sheets but are provided only in the separate document “USTEP Information on Partner Universities.” Please make sure to refer to this document.
・Language requirements may vary depending on faculties/departments within a partner university. If you are unsure, please contact through your affiliated faculty or graduate school.
※Confirmation may take time. Please make inquiries well in advance.
・After passing the internal screening, you will be eligible to apply for scholarships associated with the University-wide Student Exchange Program (see the annual Application Guidelines for details). Most recipients receive a non-repayable monthly scholarship of JPY 80,000–120,000.
(For students who began their exchange in Fall 2025, over 90% of applicants who wished to receive the scholarship were awarded funding.)
・Undergraduate students participating in the Global Leadership Program-I (GLP-I) may receive the “GLP-I Global Experiences Scholarship” concurrently with USTEP scholarships. To meet eligibility requirements, students must have joined GLP-I at least two semesters prior and completed the required components. Eligible students receive a monthly stipend (JPY 80,000–120,000, up to three months) and a travel subsidy (JPY 150,000–300,000 depending on destination).
・Students may also apply independently for other scholarships with more favorable conditions (note that receiving such scholarships may make you ineligible for USTEP scholarships). Application deadlines for these scholarships may be earlier than USTEP results, so please apply carefully.
(Examples)
・Kobebussan Japan Dream Foundation Scholarship
・Friends of UTokyo, Inc. (FUTI)（for study in the U.S.）
For more details on scholarships available for direct application, please refer to this page.
・Frequently asked questions about the application process are compiled on this page. Most inquiries are already addressed in the FAQ or Application Guidelines, so please review them carefully.
・In principle, all information regarding the University-wide Student Exchange Program is published online. While you may use AI tools, please ensure that the sources are accurate and reliable.
