The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo, abbreviated as Tōdai (とうだい), is a world-class research university located in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. It is regarded as Japan's highest academic institution and the leader of the seven former imperial universities, enjoying an extremely high reputation globally.
Tokyo University was founded in 1877 through the merger of Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School during the Meiji Restoration. Initially, it established faculties in law, science, literature, and medicine, along with a university preparatory school. It became Japan's first national comprehensive university and one of Asia's earliest Western-style universities. Some of its departments trace their origins back to the reign of Emperor Reigen. As a direct product of the wave of capitalist civilization, Tokyo University holds a historically significant position in Japanese society.
The university was renamed "Imperial University" in 1886, becoming Japan's first imperial university. In 1897, it was renamed "Tokyo Imperial University" to differentiate it from Kyoto Imperial University, which was established in the same year. After World War II, in September 1947, it was officially renamed The University of Tokyo.
Alumni and Faculty Insights
University Overview:
The University of Tokyo, abbreviated as UTokyo, was founded in 1877 and is Japan's first Western-style university. It is highly regarded as the country's leading academic institution. The university is known for its American-style liberal arts education, offering considerable freedom in research and study. It also has a relatively low tuition fee and provides numerous scholarships, often without requiring students to work as Teaching or Research Assistants.
Department of Urban Engineering:
Established in 1962, it is Japan’s first academic department dedicated to urban planning. The department holds a significant role in urban planning research and education in Japan. The department is unique in its organizational structure, organizing students and professors into research units rather than by academic concentrations, as is common in British or American universities.
Research Units:
The urban planning direction within the department includes nine research units focusing on areas such as urban design, housing analysis, urban transportation, community development, and environmental design. Some units are based in other campuses such as Kashiwa and Komaba.
Educational Approach:
Tokyo University emphasizes research activities and student organization involvement beyond coursework. Students can engage in or organize various research or practical activities, with a flexible credit system. The department has a more technical focus compared to some Western programs, though recent trends suggest a growing interest in social science-oriented urban planning.
Planning in Japan:
Japanese urban planning tends to be more top-down compared to Western practices, with well-established systems guiding areas such as spatial planning and urban renewal. UTokyo’s urban planning program offers comprehensive exposure to these distinctive practices. The department is one of Japan's main contributors to urban planning education, providing students with a broad understanding of both technical and social aspects of planning.
Overall, UTokyo's urban planning program is highly influential in Japan and offers students significant opportunities to engage in research and hands-on activities while providing a unique educational experience with a balance between technical and social science approaches.
Related Program List
- Degree Programs Offered in English for Graduate Students
- Architecture and Urban Design Course in Master's Global 30 Program (G30-UDA)
- Graduate Programs for International Students in Urban and Environmental Studies
- Degree Programs Offered in Japanese for Graduate Students
- Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering
- Application Deadline: November 28
Admission Requirements
Those who wish to enroll in a Master's program are required to take an entrance examination conducted by The University of Tokyo.
For Master's programs, a Master's degree will be granted to those who have attended the school for at least 2 years, studied the subjects and earned the credits specified by each Graduate School, and passed the thesis review and final examinations after the requisite academic guidance. For further information, please contact the Graduate School you wish to attend.
Application Materials
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Research Proposal
- Transcripts
- G30-UDA applicants must submit both TOEFL/IELTS and GRE general scores (if the program is in Japanese, N1 level proficiency is required)
- Personal Portfolio (at least 4 works)
- Enrollment Certificate (Graduation Certificate, Degree Certificate)
- Recommendation Letter
- Application Fee
Official Website: http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp