UTokyo College of Design (UTokyo Design)

5 years English new-programme

Entry requirements

Both routes Route A (tentative name) — Common Test for University Admissions Route B (tentative name) — designated standardised tests and qualifications

Eligibility

Eligibility must be met by August 31, 2027
"Eligible applicants for UTokyo College of Design must have fulfilled at least one of the following educational requirements by August 31, 2027." The four educational requirements are: (1) twelve or m
Twelve years of formal education outside Japan (requirement 1)
"The applicant must have completed 12 years or more formal education overseas and have fulfilled at least ONE of the following requirements: Completed a 12-year formal school (primary and secondary) e
Individual Admission Review Process and the September 25, 2026 contact deadline
"Applicants who do not fulfill the above requirements or are unsure whether or not they fulfill the eligibility requirements should contact the Admissions Office via the inquiry form below by Septembe
No nationality restriction
"There are no nationality restrictions for either route." The choice between Route A and Route B depends only on which examination results the applicant wishes to use.
One route only per admission year
"Applicants must select one of two application routes to apply to the UTokyo College of Design: either Route A or Route B. (Applicants are unable to apply through both routes in the same admission yea
No other University of Tokyo application for April 2027 entry
"Applicants 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
Withdrawal from a current university
"I am currently studying at another university. Can I apply?" — "Yes, you are welcome to apply. If you choose to join the UTokyo College of Design, you would need to withdraw from your current univers

Accepted tests and qualifications

Test / QualificationRequirementNotes
Route A — Common Test for University Admissions "Applicants must take the subjects designated by the University of Tokyo in the Common Test for University Admissions (大学入学共通テスト) in January 2027. (See the Appendix (Japanese only).)" "Applicants are · Guidance
Route B, Requirement 1 — SAT or ACT "Complete one of the standardized tests designated by the University of Tokyo and submit results by the end of the application period." SAT: "An ERW-M test score or a digital SAT RW-M test score of 14 · Guidance
Route B, Requirement 2 — designated qualifications "Complete one qualification or test designated by the University of Tokyo and submit final or predicted scores/grades by the end of the application period." International Baccalaureate: "A total of 38 · Guidance
Route B, Requirement 2 — country-specific qualifications Published expectations: Australia (ACT Year 12 Certificate, HSC, NTCET, QCE, SACE, TCE, WACE, VCE) — "An ATAR of 98 or above", ATAR or equivalent positioning information required. Canada (any Provinci · Guidance
Expectations are not cut-offs "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 considerin · Guidance
Recency of standardised tests and qualifications "Standardized test/qualification results obtained within five years will be accepted. If five or more years have passed and applicants are unable to take and submit the results of any other designated
Predicted scores and grades (Requirement 2 only) and conditional offers "Applicants who are unable to submit an official score or grade report by the application deadline due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., an exam scheduled after the deadline) must submit a certified
High school graduation certificate or certificate of expected graduation (Route B) "Applicants must submit a high-school graduation certificate or a certificate of expected graduation (with graduation to have been achieved by August 31, 2027). If applicable, submit a diploma verifyi

English proficiency

One designated English proficiency test — both routes "Applicants must submit the result of one of the English proficiency tests designated by the University of Tokyo" by the end of the application period. Expected scores: TOEFL iBT (including Home Editi
Test date window "Only scores from English proficiency tests that are taken on and after January 1, 2025, will be accepted."
English improvement before enrolment "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." Th
English-medium education exemption — Route B only "Applicants who apply through Route B may choose not to submit English proficiency test results if they have received, or will receive, an English-medium education for at least three of the final four

Required documents

  • Essays in English Required

    "Applicants must submit essays in English." Prompts and lengths are to be published in the application guidelines.

  • Recorded video assignment in English Required

    "Applicants must submit a video assignment in English. The recording and submission should be completed through the application system." Submission window: November 13, 2026 12:00 PM to November 16, 2

  • Portfolio Required

    A portfolio is permitted but only as evidence attached to the extra-curricular descriptions, not as a separate required component: "Can I submit a portfolio?" — "You can submit a portfolio as Supporti

  • Route A second screening — full-day in-person screening including an interview Required

    "Applicants must attend a full-day in-person screening, which includes an interview, at the Komaba campus of the University of Tokyo. Each applicant will be assigned to one of the following two dates:

  • Route B second screening — online interview Required

    "Applicants will be given an individual online interview of approximately 30 minutes. Each applicant will be assigned one date within the following period: January 13 to January 22, 2027." The Route B

  • Content of the second-screening interviews Required

    "I would like to know the details of the interviews at the second screening." — "Details will be notified to those who passed the first screening."

  • Holistic review Required

    "Holistically reviewed admission process based on submitted documents, materials, and interviews (including evaluation of academic performance)." "For admissions, we will employ a holistic and equitab

Other

Essays
"Applicants must submit essays in English." Number, prompts and length are not published: "I would like to know the details of essay and video assignments" — "Please check the application guidelines w
Video assignment
"Applicants must submit a video assignment in English. The recording and submission should be completed through the application system. The video assignment must be submitted during the period below.
Evaluation (one, from a teacher or equivalent)
"One evaluation must be submitted by a teacher or someone (e.g. school academic counselor or principal) at the applicant's high school or university who is in a position to fully evaluate the applican
Official school transcripts — Route A
"The applicant's high school must submit an electronic study report (調査書 / chōsa-sho) in Japanese. If the school cannot issue an electronic study report (調査書 / chōsa-sho), applicants must submit an of
Official school transcripts — Route B
"Applicants must submit school-certified electronic transcript(s)." The FAQ specifies the coverage: "You are required to submit the school transcripts of the final three consecutive years of high scho
Common Test results voucher — Route A
"Applicants must submit a voucher (成績請求チケット) for the results of the Common Test for University Admissions (大学入学共通テスト). Please check the Japanese version of the Admissions Overview for details. The Adm
Standardised test or qualification results — Route B
"Applicants must submit final or predicted scores/grades of one of the standardized tests or qualifications designated by the University of Tokyo."
English proficiency test scores
"Applicants must submit the result of one of the English proficiency tests designated by the University of Tokyo" by the end of the application period, unless exempt under the Route B English-medium e
Certificate of (Expected) Graduation — Route B only
"Applicants must submit a high-school graduation certificate or a certificate of expected graduation (with graduation to have been achieved by August 31, 2027). If applicable, submit a diploma verifyi
Supporting Evidence of Extra-Curricular Activities or Academic Achievements
"Applicants must submit three separate written descriptions (max 100 words each) of extra-curricular activities or academic achievements that provide additional information about who they are and thei
School Profiles (if available)
"If available, applicants should provide the school's website URL or upload publicity materials of school(s), such as school brochures, which they have attended in the last three years of secondary ed
Translation and language rules
"If any of the required documents cannot be submitted in English, the applicant must obtain a translation of each document and submit it along with the original. If translations are submitted, the tra
File size and format limits
"Accepted file size is 15MiB (approximately 15.7MB) per file and accepted formats are PDF, JPEG, and PNG."
Online application system
"Applicants must submit the following documents and materials using the online application system." The video assignment is recorded and submitted inside the same system.
Route A — Common Test for University Admissions
For applicants using Japan's Common Test for University Admissions (大学入学共通テスト), taken in January 2027 in the subject areas and subjects designated by the University of Tokyo in a Japanese-only Appendi
Route B — designated standardised tests and qualifications
For applicants using one of the standardised tests or qualifications designated by the University of Tokyo — Requirement 1 (SAT 1480+ or ACT 33+) or Requirement 2 (IB, International A-Level, European
Programme sources (16)