Program

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.

Year 1

Interdisciplinary Foundations (IF)*

Fundamental classes from across the university

8 Track Design Series

Foundational design methods and skills taught through eight workshops

*IF is a uniquely created curriculum that introduces students to the wide disciplinary knowledge delivered by the full spectrum of UTokyo’s Faculties.
Year 2

Interdisciplinary Perspectives (IP)**

Elective modules spanning diverse academic disciplines

Change Maker Design Projects

Design projects focused on social issues and opportunities plus advanced methods and skills

Viewpoint Series

Seminar series related to social issues and design topics

**IP covers up to 100 elective subjects in five categories: Environment & Sustainability, Technology Frontiers & AI, Governance & Markets, Healthcare & Well-being and Culture & Society
Year 3
Year 4

Off Campus Experience

Internship, exchange, field trip or similar

Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Students can continue to take modules as they wish

Capstone Group Design Project

Students collaborate in teams to execute a design project

Viewpoint Series

Seminar series related to social issues and design topics

Year 5 Onwards***

Capstone Solo Design Project

Student-defined project brief, culminating in a graduation exhibition

*** This will be an integrated 4-year Bachelor’s plus a 2-year Master’s program where excellent students may complete both within 5 years. This is pending approval from MEXT, the ministry overseeing education in Japan.
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Interdisciplinary Foundations (IF)

Interdisciplinary Foundations (IF) is part of the core curriculum for all first-year students at UTokyo Design. IF serves as a gateway to the world of learning at the UTokyo Design, marking the first step toward addressing societal challenges. The IF course cluster is structured around the nine major academic fields of the University of Tokyo.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives (IP)

Interdisciplinary Perspectives (IP) provides students who have gained a broad understanding of contemporary academic fields through Interdisciplinary Foundations (IF) with the opportunity to encounter specialized and diverse academic perspectives. Students will deepen their learning through exploration and experimentation by choosing from approximately 100 courses organized into five domains: “Environment & Sustainability,” “Technology Frontiers & AI,” “Governance & Markets,” “Healthcare & Well-being,” and “Culture & Society.”

8 Track Design Series

8 Track Design Series will allow students to explore “What is design?” in their first year through a series of workshops. Students will build their design literacy, develop practical skills, and learn to cultivate mindsets essential for learning at UTokyo Design.

Change Maker Design Projects

Change Maker Design Projects are a collection of project-based courses that aim to deepen the students’ understanding of complex societal challenges. Students are expected to apply practical learnings from the 8 Track Design Series, and academic knowledge gained from Interdisciplinary Foundations (IF) and Interdisciplinary Perspectives (IP).

Viewpoint Series

Viewpoint Series consists of electives that allow students to encounter diverse perspectives on cutting-edge trends, social and environmental issues, and the frontiers of design from experts both within and beyond UTokyo Design through a variety of lectures and workshops.