🇯🇵 University of Tokyo — Tuition, Scholarships & Visa Pathway for International Students
Real tuition figures, real scholarships, and the honest visa pathway after graduation — not marketing copy.
Quick Facts
| Location | Tokyo, Japan |
|---|---|
| Global Ranking | QS World Ranking: #39 (2027 rankings), a decline from the high-20s/low-30s the prior year — still Japan's highest-ranked university, founded 1877 as Japan's first national university |
| International Students | Over 4,000 international students out of 28,000+ total — strong draw in economics, computer science, chemistry/biotechnology and public policy |
| English Requirement | Undergraduate programmes largely require Japanese proficiency (JLPT N2+); the PEAK programme and various MEXT-designated Master's/Doctoral programmes are taught fully in English |
Tuition for International Students (2026)
¥535,800/year (~$3,600) at the standard national university rate — genuinely the same rate for domestic and international students alike, with no separate international surcharge, which is rare among top-ranked universities globally. An admission fee of ¥282,000 applies once, at enrollment.
Real Scholarships — Not Just a List of Names
MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship
Japan's flagship government award — full tuition, a monthly stipend of ¥117,000-145,000, and round-trip airfare. Highly competitive (10-20 applicants per slot); apply via embassy recommendation or university recommendation.
Visa & Post-Study Work Pathway
University of Tokyo graduates can pursue the Job Seeking visa (up to 2 years, part of Designated Activities status) to find qualifying employment, with Japan's growing skilled-labour shortage making the broader immigration environment incrementally more welcoming. While studying, international students on a Ryugaku (student) visa can work up to 28 hours/week with permission (Shikakugai Katsudo), and Tokyo's minimum wage for 2026 is ¥1,163/hour — genuinely relevant for budgeting part-time income into your total cost picture, since Tokyo's minimum wage is meaningfully higher than most other Japanese prefectures.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is UTokyo good for international students?
University of Tokyo is a well-regarded university in Japan. QS World Ranking: #39 (2027 rankings), a decline from the high-20s/low-30s the prior year — still Japan's highest-ranked university, founded 1877 as Japan's first national university. A long institutional history (founded 1877 as Japan's first national university) speaks to stability, but it won't tell you about today's tuition, scholarships, or post-study work rights — check those directly before applying.
What tuition does UTokyo charge international students?
¥535,800/year (~$3,600) at the standard national university rate — genuinely the same rate for domestic and international students alike, with no separate international surcharge, which is rare among top-ranked universities globally. An admission fee of ¥282,000 applies once, at enrollment.
What IELTS score do I need for UTokyo?
Undergraduate programmes largely require Japanese proficiency (JLPT N2+); the PEAK programme and various MEXT-designated Master's/Doctoral programmes are taught fully in English
Can I work in Japan after graduating from UTokyo?
University of Tokyo graduates can pursue the Job Seeking visa (up to 2 years, part of Designated Activities status) to find qualifying employment, with Japan's growing skilled-labour shortage making the broader immigration environment incrementally more welcoming.
See the full Japan university landscape and visa pathway.
🇯🇵 Study in Japan Guide 🔗 Official UTokyo WebsiteMethodology
Tuition, ranking and scholarship figures are compiled from each university's official admissions/scholarship pages and the QS World University Rankings 2026, cross-checked in July 2026. Figures are ranges and change annually — always confirm exact costs on the university's official site before applying or paying any fees.
Limitations
- Tuition varies significantly by specific programme/faculty — the ranges shown are indicative, not a quote for any specific course.
- Scholarship values and eligibility criteria change annually and by nationality — always verify current terms directly with the university.
- This page does not constitute admissions or immigration advice.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute admissions or immigration advice. Page last reviewed July 2, 2026.
VisaCalc is not affiliated with University of Tokyo and does not represent the university. All figures are independently compiled for informational purposes. Always confirm tuition, scholarships and admission requirements directly on the official UTokyo website before applying or paying any fees.