The University of Tokyo
Summary
The University of Tokyo, founded in 1877, is Japan's oldest and largest national university, renowned for its commitment to excellence and diversity. The University began with the merging of Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School, which created the four Faculties of Law, Science, Letters, and Medicine. Since then, the University has continued to merge with many different schools specializing in various fields, such as the Imperial College of Engineering and Tokyo School of Agriculture and Forestry, and has grown into a comprehensive research university with 10 Faculties, 15 Graduate Schools, and various research institutes and organizations.
The University of Tokyo aims to be a world-class platform for research and education, contributing to human knowledge in partnership with other leading global universities. It aims to nurture global leaders with a strong sense of public responsibility and a pioneering spirit, possessing both deep specialism and broad knowledge. The University is comprised of three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa, with facilities affiliated with it spread throughout Japan. It also has a significant presence internationally, with 30 overseas facilities and offices, 271 students studying abroad, 4,624 international students, and 559 international exchange agreements.
The University of Tokyo has a commitment to producing outstanding graduates who can contribute to society, with 16 prime ministers out of a total of 64 being graduates of the University. It has also produced numerous Nobel laureates, including Professor Takaaki Kajita, who was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics, and Honorary Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2016. In addition, the University offers an extensive range of support for entrepreneurial members of the University community who want to start companies that utilize research and educational outcomes produced at the University, with approximately 480 UTokyo-related start-ups having been established as of March 31, 2022.
History
The University of Tokyo, also known as Todai, was founded in 1877 through the merger of Tokyo Kaisei School and Tokyo Medical School. The newly formed institution consisted of four faculties: Law, Science, Letters, and Medicine, along with a university preparatory school. The three faculties of Law, Science, and Letters were initially located in the Kanda area, while the Faculty of Medicine was established in the Hongo area.
The University of Tokyo continued to expand its offerings, merging with other specialized schools, such as the Imperial College of Engineering and the Tokyo School of Agriculture and Forestry. This growth allowed it to become a comprehensive research university, with a range of faculties, graduate schools, affiliated research institutes, and collaborative research organizations. Today, the university has 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools, and over 40 research organizations, along with facilities spread throughout Japan.
The University of Tokyo has undergone numerous name changes over the years, with the most recent occurring in 2004 when all national universities in Japan were incorporated. The University's current name is the National University Corporation, the University of Tokyo.
Throughout its history, the University of Tokyo has aimed to be a world-class platform for research and education, contributing to human knowledge in partnership with other leading global universities. It strives to nurture global leaders with a strong sense of public responsibility and a pioneering spirit, possessing both deep specialization and broad knowledge. The university has produced a number of notable alumni, including Nobel Prize laureates, prime ministers of Japan, and astronauts.
Courses
The University of Tokyo offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate programs across its 10 faculties and 15 graduate schools.
The undergraduate programs at the University of Tokyo cover a broad range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. Students can choose from over 30 departments across these faculties and will earn a bachelor's degree upon completion of their studies. The university also offers a unique undergraduate program, the Global Science Course, which provides an international learning environment for students with a strong interest in science and engineering.
At the graduate level, the University of Tokyo has 15 graduate schools, offering master's and doctoral degrees in various fields. These graduate schools include the Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, Graduate School of Law and Politics, Graduate School of Economics, Graduate School of Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, and more.
In addition to traditional master's and doctoral programs, the university also offers professional graduate programs, including the Graduate Program in Sustainability Science (GPSS), Graduate Program on Human Security (GPHS), and the Global Health Program (GHP), among others. These programs are designed to provide practical and interdisciplinary education and training for professionals in various fields.
Global MBA rankings
The University of Tokyo does not have a traditional MBA program, so it is not ranked in global MBA rankings such as those published by Financial Times or QS. However, the university does offer a Master of Business and Management (MBM) program, which is designed for students with a background in fields other than business who want to develop their management skills. The program is offered by the Graduate School of Economics, and while it may not be ranked in traditional MBA rankings, it is highly regarded in Japan and Asia.
Job integration rate
The University of Tokyo, being the oldest and largest of Japan’s national universities, has had a significant impact on various aspects of society. In terms of business and entrepreneurship, the University offers an extensive range of support for its members who wish to start companies that utilize research and educational outcomes produced at the University. This has led to the establishment of approximately 480 UTokyo-related start-ups as of March 31, 2022, which has contributed to the growth of the Japanese economy and the creation of job opportunities.
In addition to business and entrepreneurship, the University has also had a notable impact on politics. The fact that 16 out of Japan's 64 prime ministers have been alumni of the University highlights the institution's influence on politics. The University has produced many influential politicians who have contributed to the country's governance and policymaking.
Furthermore, the University's research has had a significant impact on the field of economics. The University's alumni and professors have been awarded numerous Nobel Prizes, including Professor Takaaki Kajita and Honorary Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics and the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, respectively. The significant research breakthroughs made by Professor Ohsumi during his time as an associate professor at the University have contributed to the advancement of medical science and have had a positive impact on global health.
General information
OHKOSHI Shin-ichi
