Institute of Science Tokyo

About: 

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) is the top national university for science and technology in Japan with a history spanning more than 130 years. Of the approximately 10,500 students at the Ookayama, Suzukakedai, and Tamachi Campuses, half are in their bachelor's degree program while the other half are in master's and doctoral degree programs. International students number 1,700. There are 1,200 faculty and 600 administrative and technical staff members.

In the 21st century, the role of science and technology universities has become increasingly important. Tokyo Tech continues to develop global leaders in the fields of science and technology, and contributes to the betterment of society through its research, focusing on solutions to global issues. The Institute's long-term goal is to become the world's leading science and technology university.

Contacts at Tokyo Tech:

Kenichi SHIMOZONO (Mr.)   inbound@jim.titech.ac.jp (ACAP programme)

2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo,152-8550 JAPAN 

Highlights: 

Tokyo Tech is the largest institution for higher education in Japan dedicated to science and technology, and is generally considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. Tokyo Tech has three campuses, the Ookayama campus in Ookayama Meguro as the main campus, Tamachi campus in Shibaura and the Suzukakedai campus, located in Nagatsuta, Midori-ku in Yokohama. 

Location: 

Tokyo Tech is located in Greater Tokyo Area. Living in Tokyo is a chance to experience Japan through its capital city with its many contrasting faces: unique customs, natural beauty, and futuristic technology. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts. 

Tokyo Tech's main campus is located at Ookayama on the boundary of Meguro and Ota, with its main entrance facing the Ookayama Station. Other campuses are located in Suzukakedai and Tamachi. 

Courses/modules:

• Most students will be taking part in the Academic Cooperation Agreement Program (ACAP) during your study abroad period at Science Tokyo. 

• MChem students should consult with the international coordinator for Chemistry to discuss the requirements of their year abroad. 

• Please note: there is a limited number of courses taught in English at Science Tokyo and students should consult with their department to ensure that they are able to complete the requirements of their year abroad. 

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

Students will be expected to take a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 28 credits at Science Tokyo for a full year of study. You should consult with your department to ensure that you are aware of the requirements. 

MChem students in their fourth year take the majority of credits as a Research Project - you should discuss this with your departmental coordinator in York in the first instance.  You may be able to take some taught courses at the host university to complete your credit load. Please be aware that host organisations may class students taking a research project as being on a traineeship, rather than a study placement. Please contact the host organisation with any queries and note that if you are completing a traineeship, you may not be considered a registered exchange student. 

Teaching Periods: 

Autumn Semester: September - February 

Spring Semester: April - August

Please note that there is no Christmas break at Tokyo Tech. 

Access Schience Tokyo calendar. 

Language: 

• Classes at Science Tokyo are taught in Japanese and English.

• There is no language proficiency requirement at the time of admission. However, Science Tokyo recommends that students learn some basic Japanese before they come to Japan, so they can take full advantage of the program and their time in Japan. 

Accommodation: 

Generally, International Exchange Students participating in this program receive lower priority for student housing, but students will be placed on the housing waiting list through the International Student Exchange Division. Students will be notified of the result around 4 to 6 weeks before their Science Tokyo start date. However, as room availability is limited, incoming students are advised to prepare a possible alternate housing plan. 

Orientation / Welcome week:  

Orientation will be held prior to the start of the semester. 

Support Services: 

A range of support services are available to students at Science Tokyo, including counselling, and health advice. There is also information on living in japan for international students webpage that you will find useful. 

Visas: 

Information from Science Tokyo. 

Health insurance: 

All international students residing in Japan for more than 3 months are required to join National Health Insurance. Once enrolled, you will be required to pay only 30 percent of medical expenses. (Note, however, that certain types of treatment are not covered and you will be required to pay the full cost.) 

Follow procedure to join National Health Insurance at the department of the local government office at which you completed resident registration. Present your Resident Card or Alien Registration Certificate. A National Health Insurance Card will be issued at a later date. When visiting a hospital for treatment, always carry your National Health Insurance Card.

Travel insurance: 

If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Suzy, MChem, Year Abroad  2019/20

"Overall I think the experience has made me more confident and independent. I was able to manage life in a country where English is not the native language and got to have a lot of new experiences I would not have been able to have in the UK. I learned a lot about Japanese culture, as well as the culture of other countries through socializing with other international students.

In terms of difficulties, there was nothing major aside from the initial culture shock. My mobile phone did break part way through the year, so I had to purchase a new one and it was a little stressful to have to travel around Tokyo with no access to a mobile, no matter how briefly."

Niamh, MChem, Year Abroad 2019/20

"Living in Tokyo made me change so much, I don’t think I’ve fully realised to what extent. Living in a different environment and culture, I was able to gain perspective in myself and what I value most in the world; my friends and family. Keeping in contact with my family and making friends in a foreign environment, I grew comfortable and was able to call my dormitory home. 

It was hard in the beginning to feel comfortable especially when I couldn’t understand the majority of what was happening around me. At times I felt embarrassed I stood out so much and didn’t fit into the general public but after a while I was able to become comfortable in being different and seeing how this could be beneficial, especially when it came to trying to communicate with Japanese people. 

From this experience I was able to gain perspective on what is most important to me and to not be afraid to embrace who you are."

Toby, MChem, Year Abroad 2018/19

“Before coming to Japan, I did some research on the culture and customs, and given how different it is to the UK, I’m very glad I did. There are many examples of how different things are, but one of the most noticeable to me is that, in Japan, pedestrians always wait until traffics lights turn green to cross the road, regardless of whether there is any traffic or not. 

Further to this, at my host university, we have to change into a different pair of slippers when going from the main part of the lab into the biology area, the NMR rooms or my head supervisor’s office, something that I am not sure I will ever get used to, nor fully understand. The food here, unsurprisingly, is also very different to that you would find in the UK (and the price of fresh fruit and vegetables seems somewhat extortionate). Convenience stores sell a variety of meals that can be heated in the microwave (although they also offer to heat them up in store), from ramen to bento boxes, which are very useful when you want something fast and easy to prepare after a long day in the lab. 

In order to settle in when I first arrived, I went to Ikebukuro, as it was a place I’d always wanted to visit, and explored the shops. As someone who’s long been interested in Japanese pop culture, it was really nice to see so much merchandise for it available when I was used to being able to find very little in the UK, and being able to use it to decorate my room certainly made my new place feel much more like a home.”

• Institute of Science Tokyo

• Institute of Science Tokyo Exchange

• Foreign Commonwealth Office Advice

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

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