Type U (For Undergraduates)

Begin your journey by thoroughly reviewing the program details to ensure USTEP aligns with your academic goals.

Course Catalogue and Academic Calendar: See 2. Courses and Academic Calendar
Financial Information and Scholarship: See 3. Financial Information
Housing and Insurance: See 4. Additional Information

STEP 2: Prepare
Carefully review the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet all requirements before applying.

Eligibility Requirements: See 1. Qualifications

STEP 3: Apply
To apply for USTEP, you must first be nominated by your home university. Once nominated, you will receive detailed application instructions, including a link to the online application form. All required documents must be submitted by the specified deadline.

How to Apply: See 7. Nomination/Application Procedure

STEP 4: After You Apply
Screening results are announced in early May for Autumn Admission and early December for Spring Admission. Successful applicants will receive an official Certificate of Admission (CoA) from UTokyo. UTokyo will also assist with the visa application process, including applying for the issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). In addition, accepted students will receive guidance on the housing application process, including options for university accommodations.

STEP 5: Pre-Arrival Preparation and Enrollment
Prior to arriving in Japan, accepted students will be provided with guidance and assistance related to the orientation schedule, housing arrangements, course registration, academic procedures, and other essential preparations before departure.

Exchange Students’ Status

Students participating in the Type U program will be affiliated with the Center for Global Education of UTokyo. This means that Type U students will follow the academic procedures and schedule at the Center for Global Education, regardless of their majors. Their status will be “Special Auditors” who are eligible to register for university courses for credit.

Eligibility

Only students* satisfying all of the following requirements may apply:

1. Students who will be enrolled full-time at a Partner University during their entire period of study at UTokyo. (See the list of partner universities)
2. Students who are nominated by their home university.
3. Students who will return to their home university after completing their study at UTokyo.
4. First- and second-year undergraduate students are not accepted for USTEP. For students enrolled in three-year undergraduate programs, they must have finished at least 1.5 years of the program at the time of their arrival at UTokyo.
5. Students who demonstrate excellent academic performance.
6. Students who have a clear intention to study at UTokyo.
7. Students who possess official proof of their required language proficiency or meet the condition for exemption from providing proof at the time of submission of application.

*Type U is primarily designed for admitting undergraduate students. However, it is possible for graduate students who intend to take only undergraduate-level courses at UTokyo to apply.

Language Requirement

The Type U program requires exchange students to meet the language requirements in English and/or Japanese, depending on the courses they wish to take.

Students will officially register for courses in April or October after their arrival and orientation at UTokyo. Students admitted to the Type U program may take various courses offered across the College and Faculties. There are two main campuses—Hongo and Komaba—and travel between the two takes about one hour by public transportation.

Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar for AY 2026 will be available around March 2026.

Period of Study

Note: The actual end date varies depending on which courses each student chooses to take.

Course Catalogue

Courses offered in the Type U program can be found in the Course Catalogue for Type U students.
Please refer to the following regulations when you consider your course registration.

1. Type U students can only take courses listed on the above course catalogue.
2. Type U students are required to register for a minimum of six classes per week, equating to at least 10 hours of class time. This is a requirement under Japanese visa law.
3. Some academic fields may only have a limited number of courses. The course listing should be reviewed carefully to assess whether it meets the students’ needs and expectations.
4. Available courses change every year and the courses currently on the website may not be offered in the following year. List of courses open to USTEP students for AY 2026 (April-March) will be available in late March of 2026.

Course Restrictions

1. Type U students are not eligible to take graduate courses offered by Graduate Schools. However, they may take the graduate-level courses for undergraduate students listed on the Type U course catalogue. These courses refer to subjects offered at the graduate level by the Faculty/College that UTokyo undergraduate students are affiliated with. They differ from regular graduate courses offered by each Graduate School for graduate students.
2. USTEP Type U students are allowed to take up to two Japanese language class sessions (periods) per week. Students who wish to take three Japanese language class sessions (periods) per week must get special permission by including a document filled out by their home university in the application process.

*A course offered twice a week counts as two classes. There are no restrictions on non-credit-bearing Japanese language programs.

1. Credit transfer: Students should consult their home universities regarding the procedures for transferring credits earned at UTokyo. In principle, courses worth 2 credits consist of 13 weeks of 105-minute classes at UTokyo. However, the length of each class period may vary depending on the Faculty/College. Some courses may be 90 minutes long. In such cases, supplemental learning activities will be provided to cover the remaining 15 minutes. (e.g., discussion led by TA after classes)
2. Laboratory work/ Internship: Type U students are not allowed to participate in practical work (e.g. laboratory work, design studio work etc.)
3. Language of Instruction: To enroll in courses conducted in English, students must meet the English language requirements. Likewise, to enroll in courses conducted in Japanese, students must meet the Japanese language requirements. Those who meet both language requirements are eligible to enroll in courses offered in either language.
4. Classes at the Faculty of Law: Students interested in taking seminars offered in “Japanese” or “Japanese and English” at the Faculty of Law are allowed to apply for only one seminar course per semester. Further information will be provided to those who have been successfully accepted to study at UTokyo. There is no such restriction for the number of seminar courses students can apply for and take, if the seminars are noted as being instructed in “English”.

Japanese Language Education

*Please be aware that there are course restrictions for the Japanese language learning classes. For further details, please refer to the “Course Restrictions” section provided above.

Type U students accepted to the student exchange program are eligible to register for these courses. Further information about the courses are available on the following websites:
(Hongo Campus) JLCSE
(Komaba Campus) Global Komaba

Type U students also have the opportunity to take non-credit Japanese language programs. The Japanese Language Education Division, part of the Center for Global Education, offers a variety of Japanese language courses catering to different levels and learning durations. For the convenience of students and researchers on various campuses, all classes are conducted online.
For additional details, visit this page: The Japanese Language Education Division, the Center for Global Education

Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses

The Center for Global Education, to which Type U students are affiliated, offers Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses. These classes are conducted in English and focus on themes related to SDGs, such as gender, diversity, health, poverty, and GX (Green Transformation), in an interactive small-group format. GLA is also expanding its course offerings in various other languages.
To view specific courses, please refer to the Course Catalogue for Type U students by selecting “Center for Global Education” from the dropdown menu.
For additional details, visit this page: Global Liberal Arts (GLA) Courses

Pursuant to the memorandum on student exchange, exchange students are exempt from paying examination fees, admission fees and tuition fees to UTokyo.

The minimum required funds for the exchange

In accordance with Japanese visa requirements, applicants will be asked to submit a bank statement demonstrating a balance of 120,000 JPY per month for each month of enrollment at the University of Tokyo, as follows.

One semester (six months): 720,000 JPY
Full Year: 1,440,000 JPY

Please be well prepared to secure at least monthly funds of 120,000 JPY when you apply.
Shortly after the announcement of the result, you will be asked to submit the bank balance showing that you have 120,000 JPY per month.

Scholarships

Scholarships may be available depending on the year. However, please note that any scholarship USTEP may offer is intended as a supplemental resource and not as an essential means to support your stay. They cannot be used to meet the financial requirements outlined above when applying for a Japanese visa.

Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) Scholarship: JASSO Scholarship may be available depending on the year. If this scholarship is available, application details will be provided through the home university.
FUTI (for students enrolled at U.S. partner institutions): students must apply directly to the foundation.
*Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship (for students of Peking University, Nankai University, Fudan University): application details will be provided through the home university.
*Sato Yo International Scholarship Foundation (SISF) (for students of Asian University for Women, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, O.P. Jindal Global University, Gadjah Mada University, University of Indonesia, University of Malaya, University of the Philippines, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University, Chulalongkorn University): application details will be provided through the home university.

*These scholarships are available only for those students who enroll in the Autumn Semester and study for a year.

Students with scholarships from other foundations must check beforehand if their scholarship allows receiving other scholarships.
Replies to inquiries concerning these scholarships will only be sent to those who have been accepted to study at UTokyo.

Part-time Jobs

The coursework at the University of Tokyo is rigorous. The University of Tokyo strongly advises its exchange students NOT to seek off-campus part-time work during the academic terms. Students who wish to gain work experience while studying in Japan should not apply to USTEP. Any students who wish to work during the break must obtain a work permit before they begin their employment.

Housing

• University Housing
  Exchange students may apply for university housing arranged by UTokyo. However, due to the limited number of facilities available, housing cannot be guaranteed. The International Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will contact the students with further details about applying for housing once application to study at UTokyo has been approved.
  Further information about University housing is available at the following website:
  Housing Office
• The University of Tokyo CO-OP
  UTokyo CO-OP provides information on private apartments for international students, as well as a rent guarantee service called University CO-OP Anshin Sumaikun.
  For more details, please visit: Room search for international students
• Kyoritsu Maintenance
  Exchange students can also apply for privately managed residence operated by Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd.
  - RUTIL (Residence of the University of Tokyo for International Life Guide)
  - Other student residences managed by Kyoritsu Maintenance Co. Ltd

Insurance

• National Health Insurance Program
  USTEP students must join the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program regardless of the kind of insurance they may already have. This is a strict legal requirement in Japan. Once they arrive in Japan, they must complete the required procedures at their local city/ward office. Please note that National Health Insurance (NHI) becomes effective only after students complete resident registration in Japan.
• We strongly recommend that USTEP students purchase study abroad insurance or travel insurance that provides coverage for emergencies not included under Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI). This should include coverage for the travel period, the time between arrival in Japan and the activation of NHI, as well as other contingencies such as non-medical expenses. Each exchange student is solely responsible for ensuring that they are insured for the entire duration of their stay in Japan.
• Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research Gakkensai” and the optional “Inbound futai-gakuso”
  “Gakkensai” provides necessary support in the case of accident or injury suffered in the course of activities related to research or education. Exchange students do not need to apply for this insurance as UTokyo enrolls all its students and pays premiums. “Futai Gakuso” is an option that can be added to “Gakkensai” for a fee (8,060 JPY for six months). It complements the scope of insurance liabilities in the student’s daily life such as compensation responsibility. It is particularly recommended for those who plan to ride bicycles in Japan to obtain “Futai Gakuso”, as bicycle-related accidents are common.

Inbound Medical Assistance Service (IMAS)

IMAS is the “Inbound Medical Assistance Service” for international students at UTokyo. This is NOT insurance. USTEP students who already have taken out insurance are eligible to sign up for this service.

• Telephone consultation available 24/7, 365 days a year.
• Referral to an appropriate hospital.
• Interpretation service provided over the phone while in the hospital or during transfer to the hospital.
• Contacting the University if necessary
• Arrangement of transportation to a medical facility or for transfer to another medical facility in Japan or in one's home country.
• Contact to and assistance for family in one's home country, etc.

Please see below for further information:
IMAS: Inbound Medical Assistance Service for International Students at UTokyo

USTEP Partners

“USTEP Partners” is a program to support interactions between USTEP Type U students and local UTokyo students. The Partners are regular UTokyo students who volunteer to participate in this program. They will support exchange students’ campus life as friendly advisers and companions. For more information, refer to USTEP Partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. My university is not listed in the List of Partner Universities. Can I still apply?

A1. No. UTokyo accepts exchange students from partner universities with which the University has a Memorandum of Understanding concerning university-wide student exchange. Applications to USTEP will be accepted only through the partner universities’ offices responsible for student exchange. However, your university may have College/Faculty-level exchange agreement(s) with UTokyo. Please consult your home institution first.

Q2. I would like to participate in Type U during my first (or second) year in a four-year bachelor’s program. Am I eligible?

A2. No. Type U students will be registered in the Senior Division of UTokyo, which is for the third- and fourth-year undergraduate students. Thus, in a four-year degree program, students must have completed two years of study at their home institutions before coming to UTokyo. For students enrolled in three-year undergraduate programs, they must have finished at least 1.5 years of the program at the time of their arrival at UTokyo.

Q3. I am a Type U (undergraduate) applicant. What is the language requirement?

A3. The Type U program requires exchange students to be proficient in English and/or Japanese, depending on the courses they wish to take. For more details, please refer to 1. Qualifications.

Q4. I have JLPT N1 and would like to take courses offered in Japanese. Does the course restriction indicated in the 2. Courses and Academic Calendar section apply to such students?

A4. No. The restriction applies only to courses where students are learning Japanese as a foreign language. It does not apply to courses taught in Japanese, in which students learn academic subjects using the Japanese language.

Q5. I want to see the list of next year’s courses. When will it be available?

A5. Our online course catalogue is updated in March.

Q6. The language of instruction for the course I wish to take at UTokyo is “Japanese/English” or “Japanese, English”. What does that mean?

A6. The language of instruction in “Japanese/English” or “Japanese, English” indicates that the course is taught in both languages. Therefore, proficiency in both languages is required.

Q7. I want to receive course selection advice.

A7. You will receive such advice once you are admitted to USTEP, and you can modify your course list before registration.

Q8. I want to take courses other than those in my major.

A8. You can take any courses listed in our course catalogue regardless of your major as long as you satisfy the prerequisites. UTokyo offers a variety of courses, but some academic fields may only have a limited number of courses. Please check the course catalogue carefully and understand what kind of courses you may take during your stay at the University of Tokyo.

Q9. What is the UTokyo credit conversion scale to ECTS?

A9. UTokyo does not have an official credit conversion scale for ECTS. Students should consult their home universities for procedures. For more details, please refer to 2.Courses and Academic Calendar.

Q10. Are there scholarships available for USTEP students? How do I apply?

A10. Scholarships may be available depending on the year. For further information, refer to Scholarships in 3. Financial Information.

Q11. Is University housing guaranteed?

A11. No. Exchange students may apply for university housing. However, because of the limited number of facilities, housing cannot be guaranteed. The International Education Promotion Group at UTokyo will contact students with details about the housing application after their admission is granted. For further information, please refer to 4. Additional Information.

Q12. Does UTokyo offer any short-term, non-degree programs held in English?

A12. Yes, UTokyo Global Unit Courses (GUC) is a short-term summer program conducted in English and open to international students from around the world.
In addition to GUC, UTokyo offers other short-term programs for international students. For more information, please visit Special and Short-term Programs

We have received many inquiries that have already been answered in the FAQs. We kindly ask students to thoroughly read the FAQs first to obtain basic information. Please be aware that it may take some time for us to respond to your inquiry due to the high volume of emails.

You can contact the International Education Promotion Group using the form linked below.
Be sure to include the following information in your message:
[Home university]
[Current year (Type U or G)]
[Planned period of exchange at UTokyo]
[Major]

International Education Promotion Group Contact Form

Related Links: Overview / Type G (For Graduate students)

Application Procedure

1. Nomination by Your Home University
   Prospective applicants must contact the office responsible for student exchange at their home university to confirm the application procedures for studying at UTokyo through the exchange program.
2. Submit Application to USTEP
   Applicants nominated by their home universities will receive application instructions, including a link to the online application form. All application documents must be completed and submitted by the designated deadline.

Important Notes:
1) No late submissions will be accepted.
2) Applicants who fail to meet all the eligibility criteria will NOT be accepted.
3) Students must remain registered at their home university for the entire duration of their academic stay at UTokyo. Students who are not registered at a partner institution will not be accepted.

Schedule

*In leap years, the application deadline for Autumn Admission changes to February 29.
Note: The actual end date varies depending on which courses each student chooses to take.

Application Documents

All the required application documents must be submitted through the Online Application System, TAO.

Before preparing the application documents, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in 1. Qualifications.

1. Application Form (Online Form)
2. A copy of your passport that is valid through the end of the exchange period
3. Proof(s) of Language Proficiency
4. Transcript of Records with grading scale (must be submitted by your exchange coordinator)

Online Application System, TAO

All applications must be submitted through the designated online application system, The Admissions Office (hereinafter TAO). After USTEP receives a nomination from the applicant’s home university, a link to the USTEP Type U application form will be sent to the nominated student.
While awaiting the nomination by your home university, you may create your TAO account at: The Admissions Office
*Please note that the account name must match the name as shown on the applicant’s passport.