FAQ

When will the program start?

The first UTokyo Design cohort will start classes in September 2027. Applications open around October 2026. The latest dates can be found in Admissions Overview.

 

For more information on the curriculum, check out the Program section.

What kind of students are you looking for?

We’re looking for a diverse group of 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.

 

More information can be found in the Admissions section.

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.

 

You can check the Admissions Overview for more information on the expected English proficiency.

What are the specifics of the degree?

We are offering one program, a 5-year combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. All classes are project-based and active learning-based, and each students will construct their own learning pathway based on their own interests.

 

See the Program section of this website for further details.

What is the learning experience like?

The learning experience is a unique mix of:
• wide academic disciplinary learning with design
• diverse international community of students and faculty
• individual learning pathways
• studio environment
• off-campus experiences
• and other valuable learning activities

 

For more information, check out our Program section.

Why will the students study “design”?

For us, design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s a discipline that applies diverse methods and skills to create products, services, and systems, and we believe studying design is essential for leading social transformation. At UTokyo Design, we’re taking a new approach to extend the power of design as a tool for transformation – one that unites design methods with wide academic disciplines.

 

To learn more about the curriculum, check out our Program section.

What will the students major in?

Rather than selecting a major in the conventional sense, students broaden their intellectual horizons by engaging in inter-disciplinary learning across a wide range of academic fields. They also acquire fundamental design methods, skills, and ways of thinking and integrate this knowledge to address social issues.

 

For more information, check out our Program section.

Will Senior Course Selection (Shingaku Sentaku) be applied to UTokyo Design students?

UTokyo Design students follow a separate curriculum from the College of Arts and Sciences throughout their studies. Senior Course Selection (Shingaku Sentaku) is part of the Art and Sciences program.

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.  

 

More details on how to apply can be found in the Admissions section. 

How much will the tuition be?

As of April 2025, the tuition fee is 642,960JPY (annual). Tuition fees and admission fees (currently 282,000JPY) for those enrolling in September 2027 will be stated in the application guidelines, which are scheduled to be published around August 2026.

Will student accommodation be provided throughout the program?

All first-year students will live at Mejirodai International Village. From the second year onwards, students may apply to continue living in the same accommodation or seek private housing.

Do I have to live in Mejirodai International Village (MIV)?

Yes, all first-year students in UTokyo Design will live in MIV.

UTokyo Design is committed to creating a community where students from around the world can learn from and collaborate with one another. Our student accommodation serves as a place where people with diverse values and cultural backgrounds live, share experiences, and collaborate. That’s why UTokyo Design students stay at MIV. It’s an essential part of the learning experience.

How much will accommodation be?

The accommodation fee is approximately 88,000 JPY per month, including internet and utilities (electricity, gas, and water).