University of Tokyo to Launch Combined Bachelor’s & Master’s Program, Targets 50% Int’l Students

The University of Tokyo has recently discussed plans to introduce a new program in the field of humanities and sciences combining bachelor’s and master’s degrees, starting in autumn 2027, according to sources familiar with the institution.

The five-year program is expected to combine a four-year Bachelor’s degree and one-year Master’s study and admit about 100 students annually, Erudera.com reports.

The figure is almost the same as the number of students accepted at the university’s Faculty of Medicine, with half being international students.

Within this timeframe, students will be asked to participate in programs outside the university for a duration of one year. These programs may include company internships or opportunities to pursue studies in another country.

Through this program, the university wants to prepare talented students to solve global challenges such as climate change, a university source told Nikkei Asia.

The department, which will be titled “The College of Design,” will deliver all classes in English, aiming to prepare distinguished researchers. Enrollment will start in the fall of 2027, and the admission process will be carried out in a non-traditional format in a bid to include prospective students from diverse backgrounds.

According to the source, students will also be able to choose programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels that align with their interests, including fields such as literature and medicine.

The new initiative, expected to be launched next year, will also be accessible to students who are enrolled at other faculties within the institution. The source said the official launch will happen after finalizing the details of entrance requirements and the necessary credits for student eligibility.

Established in 1877, the University of Tokyo is Japan’s largest and oldest university, which operates with an annual budget of ¥288,542. It has three main campuses in Hongo, Komaba, and Kashiwa.

The university’s enrollment totals 28,904, including nearly 5,000 international students. Additionally, the school has established 554 exchange partnerships, with 390 students studying abroad.

International students pursuing undergraduate degrees at the University of Tokyo account for nearly 2 percent of the student population at this academic level. The school plans to increase the proportion of international students in undergraduate programs to 30 percent.

Moreover, data indicate the university has a low share of female students, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the total undergraduate student body. As part of its plans, the school also aims to increase the representation of female faculty members to 40 percent by 2049.

Image source: TE LUN OU YANG from Unsplash