If you are an international student seeking a highly ranked education abroad, the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) may already be on your list. UTokyo is one of the top universities in Japan and the world. It ranked 39th globally and first among Japanese universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and 26th globally and first in Japan in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
UTokyo also has a substantial international community. The university’s December 2025 facts page lists 5,234 international students. This raises an important question for prospective applicants: how competitive is admission to the University of Tokyo?
This article provides an overview of UTokyo’s admissions data and explains how applicants can prepare. However, the university does not publish a single acceptance rate that applies equally to every applicant, admissions route, or academic program.
University of Tokyo Acceptance Rate
- Undergraduate applicant-to-successful-applicant ratio: approximately 31.8%
- Graduate applicant-to-entrant ratio: approximately 50.2% overall
According to the latest institutional admissions data displayed on UTokyo’s English website, dated May 1, 2024, the university received 9,688 undergraduate applications and recorded 3,084 successful applicants. This produces an undergraduate applicant-to-successful-applicant ratio of approximately 31.8%.
At the graduate level, UTokyo reported 7,360 applicants and 3,253 entrants for master’s and professional programs, along with 1,864 applicants and 1,379 entrants for doctoral programs. Combined, these figures produce an applicant-to-entrant ratio of approximately 50.2%. The separate ratios are approximately 44.2% for master’s and professional programs and 74.0% for doctoral programs.
Because the graduate table reports entrants rather than the number of admission offers, the 50.2% figure should be treated as an applicant-to-entrant ratio rather than an exact acceptance rate. These statistics are also university-wide figures and are not specific to international applicants. Results vary substantially by faculty, graduate school, program, and admissions route, so applicants should consult the current information published by their chosen school.
Preparing for the University of Tokyo
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements differ by program and application route. Most courses in UTokyo’s traditional undergraduate programs are taught in Japanese, so applicants generally need a high level of Japanese proficiency. The university also offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs taught in English, some of which do not require Japanese proficiency.
Graduate-school eligibility requirements, examinations, required documents, language requirements, and application deadlines vary considerably. Prospective students should therefore use the current application guidelines issued by the relevant faculty or graduate school rather than relying on general university-wide requirements.
Tuition Fees
According to UTokyo’s current admission fee and tuition schedule, the standard one-time admission fee is ¥282,000. Annual tuition is ¥642,960 for undergraduate students, although students who enrolled in or before 2024 remain subject to the previous annual rate of ¥535,800. Current annual graduate tuition is ¥535,800 for master’s and professional programs, ¥520,800 for doctoral programs, and ¥804,000 for the School of Law.
Applicants should verify the fees that apply to their student category and enrollment year. They should also account for housing, insurance, transportation, study materials, and other living expenses when preparing their budgets.
Scholarships
UTokyo lists several funding options for international students, including Japanese Government MEXT scholarships, the JASSO Honors Scholarship, the University of Tokyo Fellowship, scholarships for PEAK students, and awards offered by private organizations. Some scholarships require applications before arrival in Japan, while others are available after enrollment.
Recipients of Japanese government scholarships do not have to pay tuition and certain other university fees. UTokyo also operates admission-fee and tuition-fee exemption programs, but full or partial exemptions are granted only after screening and are not guaranteed. Students should review the eligibility rules and application periods carefully.
We hope this article has provided useful information about admission to the University of Tokyo. For more articles and scholarship opportunities, visit our Study in Japan guide. If you are interested, you can also explore Available Programs for International Students!
