See the World
Through Design.
Then Change It
Through Design.
Then Change It
Program startsFall 2027
The world’s most pressing challenges bring unique opportunities for innovation
At UTokyo College of Design (UTokyo Design), we believe that uniting creative design approaches with knowledge from UTokyo’s world-class academic disciplines, we empower a new generation of leaders who can transform complex social challenges into tangible, impactful solutions.
This plan is still under development, and its details are subject to change.
A new kind of college for our
changing world
The world needs visionary thinkers who can see beyond traditional boundaries and act to create positive change.
That’s why UTokyo Design exists — to cultivate a new kind of graduate. One who combines deep intellectual curiosity with the ability to transform understanding into action. Design is the critical discipline that bridges knowledge and impact, turning insights into solutions.
Understanding social challenges to
create change
Making sense of the complexity at the heart of society’s biggest challenges is the first step toward solving them. Whether it’s climate change, aging populations, digital transformation or cultural heritage preservation, gaining a clear understanding of these issues allows us to approach them with informed, creative solutions.
At UTokyo Design, broad disciplinary knowledge and critical thinking provide the foundation driving real change.
Message from Teruo Fujii PhD, President of the University of Tokyo
Program Starts
Fall 2027
Fall 2027
Admissions will start in Fall 2026 and we will employ a holistic and equitable approach. Our selection system assesses students’ future potential by evaluating academic achievements and considering personal attributes, talents, and experiences shaped by distinctive life situations. We’re looking for a diverse range of students from Japan and around the world to start classes in the Fall of 2027.
Blending design with expansive knowledge
We’re taking a new approach to turn design into a tool for transformation — one that unites design methods with broad, multidisciplinary knowledge. For us, design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s a discipline that applies diverse methods and skills to create products, services, and systems. It drives innovation, solves complex challenges, and shapes industries. By combining creative problem-solving with deep understanding across multiple disciplines, we’re shaping a new generation who can navigate complexity and turn bold ideas into real solutions.
Wide Disciplinary Knowledge
- Law
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Letters
- Science
- Agriculture
- Economics
- Education
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Arts & Science
- Law
Design Methods & Skills
- Prototyping & Making
- Human-Engaged Design
- Interaction Design
- Critical Design
- Design with Data
- Design Ethics
- Exhibiting
- Storytelling
- Prototyping & Making
New Type of UTokyo Graduate
- Change Maker
- Future Shaper
- Innovator
- Entrepreneur
- Social Leader
- Change Maker
Message from Prof. Miles Pennington, Prospective Dean, UTokyo College of Design
A program built for change
Our innovative five-year Bachelor’s/Master’s program is built on two pillars: comprehensive design expertise and the university’s rich knowledge ecosystem.
In design, we don’t prescribe a single approach. Instead, students master multiple design methods and skills — from product and service design to interviewing and prototyping. Studio work sits at our core, bringing together diverse voices and viewpoints from both inside and outside the university.
Alongside the design program, students explore UTokyo’s world-class academic offerings, following their interests while developing critical thinking skills through five interdisciplinary perspectives: Environment & Sustainability, Technology Frontiers & AI, Governance & Markets, Healthcare & Wellbeing, and Culture & Society. By integrating these diverse fields through design, students cultivate the ability to develop creative solutions to complex societal challenges.
Learning extends beyond the classroom through individual and group projects, long-term internships, and hands-on experiences.
Our community of changemakers
We’re bringing together diverse students from Japan and around the world who are passionate about shaping a better future — from those intrigued by design’s creative potential to those driven by solving complex social challenges. What connects us is a commitment to new ways of thinking. Through our core program and our network across the university, we’re building a community that breaks down traditional boundaries and leverages design as a powerful tool for change.
Japan: your design laboratory
Japan’s dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation offers a distinctive perspective on design. With a history shaped by modernization, environmental sustainability, urbanization, and resilience in the face of social and ecological challenges, Japan provides a rich context for exploring the evolving role of design. As Japan’s leading academic institution, renowned for its excellence in research, education, and international collaboration across disciplines, the University of Tokyo stands at this intersection of heritage and innovation. Studying here means experiencing where technological advancement, holistic solutions, and deep cultural heritage inform new approaches to shaping our future.
Dive into the details
When will the program start?
The first UTokyo Design cohort will start classes in the Fall of 2027. Applications open Fall 2026. NB: This plan is still under development, and its details are subject to change.
What kind of students are you looking for?
We’re looking for a diverse group of around 100 students per year, with a balanced mix of talented individuals from Japan and across the world, bringing together a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to enrich our learning community.
How are you designing the makeup of the academic team?
We’re currently in the process of building our academic team so that our students will work alongside leading academics and practitioners from across disciplines — from design pioneers to scientific innovators, policy experts to cultural leaders.
Will the program be taught in English?
All courses are taught in English. We will release the details of the English language proficiency requirements at the same time as the admissions system announcement.
What are the specifics of the degree?
We are initially offering one program, a 5-year combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. The program includes multiple elective classes and projects. See above for further details. NB: This will be an integrated 4-year Bachelor’s and 2-year Master’s program with a possible short-term completion of the Master’s program so the overall length would be 5 years. This is pending approval from MEXT, the ministry overseeing education in Japan.
What is the learning experience like?
Our hands-on curriculum puts you at the center of your learning journey. You’ll engage in active learning classes, project-based coursework, design your own educational pathway, and work in cutting-edge studio facilities. At least one semester of off-campus experience is built into the program, extending learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
How can I apply?
UTokyo Design will have a distinct admission system and process. The objective will be to select excellent and diverse students from Japan and around the world. Details will be announced later.