Admissions Overview

Overview of the UTokyo College of Design (Scheduled to Launch in September 2027) Admissions for 2027 Enrollment

July 11th, 2025

Updated on November 28th, 2025

The University of Tokyo

*This project is currently being planned for submission to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for approval, and may be subject to change in the future.

1. Ideal Candidate Profile

UTokyo College of Design will bring together academic knowledge from diverse fields, integrate them using design approaches, tackle complex social issues, and empower a new generation who can bring about a positive impact in the world. All courses are taught in English, and students will construct their own learning pathways following their own interests, unconstrained by and transcending conventional disciplines. In addition, students deepen their learning and practical experience in real-world contexts through long-term internships in Japan or overseas. In order to make such learning possible and enrich our learning community, UTokyo College of Design admits students from diverse backgrounds, both from Japan and across the world, who can demonstrate the following:

  • Intelligence and learning ability
  • Effective communication skills and English language proficiency
  • Logical and also creative thinking skills
  • A sense of responsibility, social justice and inclusivity
  • Ability to work independently and also collaboratively

2. Methods of Screening

  • Holistically reviewed admission process based on submitted documents, materials, and interviews (including evaluation of academic performance)
  • Applicants select one of 2 application routes specific to applying to UTokyo College of Design: Route A and Route B (tentative names). (Applicants are unable to apply using both routes in the same admission year.)

◆ Route A (tentative name): Applicants taking the Common Test for University Admissions(大学入学共通テスト)

Documents and Materials
  • Applicants are required to submit a study report (調査書 *designated format) or school transcripts issued by their high school, evaluation letter(s), and essay(s), etc.
    (All documents prepared by applicants must be in English, other documents can be in English or Japanese.)
  • Applicants must submit the result of one of the English proficiency tests designated by the University of Tokyo. Details can be checked in “Designated English Proficiency Tests and Expected Scores at the Time of Application” below.
Interview (Mostly in English, though Japanese may be used if needed)
Applicants must take the Common Test for University Admissions(大学入学共通テスト)in January 2027 in the subject areas and subjects specified by the University of Tokyo. (See the Appendix (Japanese only).)
  • UTokyo College of Design expects applicants to achieve a score of approximately 80% or higher to demonstrate sufficient academic knowledge for participating in academic activities after enrollment.

◆ Route B (tentative name): Applicants taking one of the standardized tests designated by the University of Tokyo

Documents and Materials
Interview (in English)
  • Applicants living abroad will not be asked to come to Japan for the interview.
Applicants must submit the results of at least one standardized test or qualification designated by the University of Tokyo.
  • Designated standardized tests and qualifications: International Baccalaureate (IB), International A-Level, SAT, and ACT, country-specific qualifications, etc.
    *The list of accepted tests and qualifications, and details of requirements can be checked in “Academic Requirements: Standardized Tests and Qualifications” below. Some other tests or qualifications may be additionally accepted when the application guidelines are announced.

3. Number of Students to be Admitted

100 Students (Route A: 50 students, Route B: 50 students) (planned)

4. Schedule

For September 2027 Enrollment, application guidelines will be announced in August 2026. Application period will start around October 2026. Application decision results will be released between February and March 2027.

5. Multiple applications to the University of Tokyo

Applicants applying for UTokyo College of Design September 2027 Enrollment can NOT apply to other programs at the University of Tokyo for April 2027 Enrollment. This includes all other undergraduate entrance examinations such as general admissions, school recommendation selection system admissions, and the special class 1 or 2 screenings.


Designated English Proficiency Tests and Expected Scores at the Time of Application

Applicants must submit the result of one of the English proficiency tests designated by UTokyo College of Design by the end of the application period. For Route B applicants only, depending on their English education history and other such considerations, they may be exempt from submitting test results. Please see the “Exemption from Submitting English Proficiency Test Results” section below.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT® test, including Home Edition
(Expectation based on new 1-6 scale will be announced later.)
Greater than 80
IELTS (International English Language Test System) Academic Module, including IELTS online Greater than 6.0
Cambridge English Qualifications (both paper-based and digital)
(B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency)
Greater than 169
Duolingo English Test Greater than 110
EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency
(Grade Pre-1 or Grade 1)
Greater than 2,400

Note:

  • Only scores from English proficiency tests that are taken after January 1, 2025, will be accepted.
  • The application period will be announced later, but the application deadline is anticipated to be no earlier than the end of October 2026.
  • Expected scores are not cut-off scores. Applicants should demonstrate the listed level of English proficiency at the time of application, but admission decisions will be made holistically considering other parts of their application as well.
  • Accepted students are encouraged to attain a higher level of English language ability by the time of enrollment. Opportunities to improve English proficiency will be provided prior to enrollment.

Exemption from Submitting English Proficiency Test Results (Route B Only)

Applicants who apply through Route B may choose not to submit English proficiency test results if they have received, or will have received, English-medium education for at least three of the final four school years prior to obtaining their high school diploma or equivalent.

Note:

"English-medium education” refers to a curriculum in which all courses, except for foreign language classes, are conducted in English. Bilingual education programs that use English alongside another language will not be considered English-medium education.


Academic Requirements: Standardized Tests and Qualifications

Applicants must fulfill at least one of the following options:

Option 1:

Take at least one standardized test designated by UTokyo College of Design and submit results by the end of the application period.

Designated Standardized Tests and Expectations

Name Expectations Notes
SAT An ERW-M test score or a digital SAT RW-M test score of 1480 or above. We do not accept Superscore. Applicants are advised to submit their AP scores, if available.
ACT An ACT composite score of 33 or above. We do not accept Superscore. Applicants are advised to submit their AP scores, if available.

*Other tests, such as EJU, will not be accepted.

Option 2:

Complete at least one qualification designated by UTokyo College of Design by August 31st, 2027 and submit final or predicted scores or grades by the end of the application period.

Designated Qualifications and Expectations:

Grades or scores for all subjects are required for submission. In addition, some extra information listed below will also be needed.

Name Expectations Notes
International Baccalaureate (IB) A total of 38 points out of 42 for the six subjects and at least 2 points for combined TOK and EE. Diploma and individual subject scores including combined TOK and EE must be submitted.
International A-Level At least three grades of A or above at A level. Must be offered by Cambridge International Examinations, Oxford International AQA Examinations, Pearson Edexcel, or Learning Resource Network.
European Baccalaureate An average overall mark of 87% or above.
Other country-specific tests and qualifications:

The office is aware that even within one country and under the same name, depending on the region, the country-specific qualification and tests may be provided in a slightly different format. Therefore, we strongly encourage applicants who are interested in using one of the country-specific tests and qualifications below to contact the office after the application guidelines are released.

Grades or scores for all subjects are required for submission. In addition, some extra information listed below will also be needed.

Country/Region and Name Expectations Notes
Australia:

ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Year 12 Certificate

HSC (New South Wales Higher School Certificate)

NTCET (Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training)

QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education)

SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education)

TCE (Tasmanian Certificate of Education)

WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education)

VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education)

An ATAR of 98 or above. ATAR or equivalent positioning information is required.
Canada:
Any Provincial Secondary School Diplomas The average of the scores of the best five subjects should be 90% or above. No Individual score out of the five should be lower than 85%. At least five Grade 12 courses or CEGEP courses must be taken. Actual or predicted scores of Grade 12 or CEGEP are required.
Finland:
Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/
Studentexamensbetyg
The best four subjects scores should be 6 (eximia cum laude approbatur) or above and at least one subject score should be a 7 (laudatur).
France:
Baccalaureate An overall/average score of at least 16 out of 20.
Germany:
Abitur A total mark of 1.4 or better.
Hong Kong:
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Within the four Core Subjects, only one subject score of 4 is allowed and no subject score of less than 4.
India:
Class XII Examinations (CBSE) An average score of the top five subjects of Grade 12 is 93 or above. Also supply the final results of Class X examination and Class XI school results.
Class XII Examinations (CISCE, NIOS and State Examination Boards) An average score of the top five subjects of Grade 12 is 94 or above.

Also supply the final results of Class X examination and Class XI school results.

Applicants taking State Examination Boards are recommended to take an English Proficiency Test.

Malaysia:
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) The best four subjects should be at grade A- or higher on average (for example, if one subject is at B+, a grade at A is also required). Supply the results of SPM and STPM Trial Exam.
Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) The best five subjects should be at grade A2 or higher on average (for example, if one subject is at B3, a grade at A1 is also required).
Netherlands:
Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) An overall/average grade of at least 8. The three best subject grades should be 9, 8, 8 or above.
New Zealand:
National Certificates of Educational Achievements (NCEA) In three of the subject areas at level 3, Excellence should be achieved in 75% of the subjects. The overall NCEA Level 3 certificate should be endorsed with Excellence. At least four subject areas must be taken at level 3.
Poland:
Polish Matura/
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci
At least three subjects at Extended Level with subject stanine scores of 8 (percentile 89) or above.
Republic of Korea:
College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) The stanine from compulsory subjects should be 5 or better. The stanine from elective subjects should be 3 or better.
Singapore:
Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level Examination The best three H2 subjects should be AAB or above. Also supply the results of Ordinary Level.
NUS High School Diploma The average CAP score should be 4.3 or above. At least three Major subjects must be taken.
United Kingdom:
GCE A-Level At least three grades of A or above at A level.
Predicted Scores and Grades (Option 2 Only)
  • Applicants who are unable to submit an official score or grade report by the application deadline due to unavoidable circumstances (e.g., an exam scheduled after the deadline) must instead submit a certificate of official predicted scores or grades at the time of application.
  • In the case of application using predicted scores/grades, any admission offer will be conditional.
  • Applicants must consult their school or examination board to determine if official predicted scores or grades can be issued by the end of the application period. If such documentation cannot be provided in time, applicants must use Option 1.
  • Applicants must submit their final scores or grades promptly once available.

Accepted Test or Qualification Dates

In principle, recently taken test results or qualifications obtained within the past few years will be accepted. If five or more years have passed and applicants are unable to take any designated tests before the application deadlines, they should contact the admissions office after the application guidelines are released.

Note:

  • The application period will be announced later but currently, the application deadline is anticipated to be no earlier than the end of October 2026.
  • The information above is subject to change without prior notice due to potential changes in each test and qualification.
  • Expectations are not cut off scores/grades. Applicants should demonstrate the listed level of academic ability at the time of application, but admission decisions will be made holistically considering other parts of their application as well.