Language of instruction
Limited places available. Unlikely to be available as a second or third preference.
Founded in 1877, the University of Tokyo is the oldest and largest national university in Japan. Over the course of its long and distinguished history, the university has produced some of the most outstanding scholars, scientists, and social and political leaders of Japan, including eight Nobel laureates, 15 prime ministers of Japan, and 5 astronauts.
UTokyo’s Hongo campus in central Tokyo is located near “Bunka No Mori” (translated as the forest of culture), an area housing many renowned monuments and Ueno Park – a famous cherry blossom-viewing site.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | April -September |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Semester | September/October-March |
View the UTokyo academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
UTokyo has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
UTokyo has multiple campuses around Tokyo:
- Hongo campus
- Komaba campus
- Kashiwa campus
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October
Student testimonials
- B Mathematics / ArtsSem 2, 2024
Exchange was... everything.
- Bachelor of ArtsSemester 1, 2024
The most precious aspect was the opportunity to immerse myself in authentic Japanese culture.
- B International StudiesSemester 2, 2022
I feel like I have changed positively as a person in ways I would not have if I hadn't undertaken this exchange.
Full-time study load
14 tani / credits per semester at UTokyo is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
You are not permitted to study fewer than 14 tani at UTokyo (8 UQ units)
Host university requirements
GPA
- You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at UTokyo.
- Postgraduate: To study in the Graduate School of Economics you will need a minimum GPA of 5.0 in Economics and Management courses.
- All students: You must not have failed a course in your current or past degree.
Language
Students wishing to take courses taught in Japanese will require Japanese proficiency of level N1 or higher.
Study Options
You are admitted as either an undergraduate student (type U) or a postgraduate student (type G). Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Other Requirements
- Postgraduate:
- The Graduate School of Economics requires postgraduate students to have full-time enrolment at UQ before starting an exchange.
- Please note the prerequisites for USTEP TypeG (postgraduate) program Applicants here
- Undergraduate: Undergraduate students must have completed 50% of their UQ program before commencing an Exchange at UTokyo.
- Eg. Students enrolled in a three-year (48 unit) program at UQ must have completed 24 units before commencing an exchange at UTokyo.
- Eg. Students enrolled in a four-year (64 unit) program at UQ must have completed 32 units before commencing an exchange at UTokyo.
- Eg. Students enrolled in a four-year program (64 unit) and the Diploma of Languages (16 unit) at UQ must have completed 40 units before commencing an exchange at UTokyo.
- Campuses:
- UTokyo has two campuses; Hongo and Komaba, which are about one hour from each other. It is strongly recommended students only select courses from one campus. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the UTokyo course catalogue for TypeU (undergraduate) program and course catalogue for TypeG (postgraduate) program.
UQ Credit Precedent Database
The first step is to review the host university's most recent course catalogue and identify the courses available to exchange students in the semester you plan to attend (e.g. Fall/Spring or Semester 1/Semester 2).
Once you have identified suitable courses, you can search the Credit Precedent Database (CPD) to check whether any of those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
Please note:
- Always use the host university course catalogue to identify available courses. The CPD should only be used to check whether those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
- The CPD is a guide only and does not represent the full or current range of courses available at a host institution.
- Previous credit assessments may have expired or no longer reflect the current course content.
- Courses that do not appear in the CPD can still be considered for UQ credit through the Study Plan assessment process.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October
Accommodation
UTokyo provides a number of accommodation options, however, spaces in the university housing are very limited. The University does provide information and assistance to find private accommodation during your exchange.
Cost of living
Tokyo has the highest prices in Japan, a country that is known as one of the world's most expensive places to live. UTokyo provides a list of the average expenses for you to refer to when budgeting your living expenses.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Eligible students at UTokyo may apply for the JASSO Scholarship.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
Every international student who lives in Japan for over 3 months is required to enrol in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
UTokyo provides visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Consulate General of Japan for visa and immigration information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Applications close: 31 October