Study Abroad Information and Consultation Service

Location and Hours

• To prevent the spread of COVID-19, please refrain from visiting in person for the time being.
• Contact by email is strongly preferred (see contact information below).
• The Study Abroad Support Service is accepting requests for individual consultations. Consultations in person or via Zoom are conducted by appointment only. Please make an appointment using the Study Abroad Support Service request form (see below for "Consultation Methods").
• Inquiries to the Support Office for Promotion of Global Human Resources Development may be made by email or phone, and consultations are available via Zoom.

Study Abroad Support Service

• I want to study abroad but don't know how to get started.
• There are many study abroad programs, but I don’t know which one is best for me.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there a pamphlet that lists the study abroad programs available to Tokyo Tech students?

  The　Guide to Study Abroad for Tokyo Tech Students is published every year in Japanese. It is available at Guide to Study Abroad for Tokyo Tech Students.
  In addition, general information about study abroad and study abroad programs is available in English at Study Abroad Guide.

• How may I arrange a consultation with the Study Abroad Support Service?

  For information about the Study Abroad Support Service, refer to Study Abroad Information and Consultation Service.

• How can I find the study abroad program that is best for me?

  Use the search engine here to identify programs that meet your needs. You may want to try searching by duration of program, country or region, program category, or other factors. You may also read study abroad reports by fellow students, available online.
  Talking with study abroad returnees is another good way to learn about programs. The Study Abroad Support Service can provide introductions to Tokyo Tech students eager to share their experiences.

• Is the "grade coefficient," which is mentioned in relation to scholarship requirements, equal to grade point average (GPA)?

  It is not equal to GPA. The calculation method for the grade coefficient is described in the application guide for each program, so please calculate it by yourself based on your academic performance in the previous year. If you don't have a grade report from the previous year — for example, if you are a first-year undergraduate student — check the application guide for the program for which you are applying. The calculation method may differ by program.

• The embassy/consulate of the country where I plan to study abroad asked me to submit certification of my scholarship as part of my visa application. Can Tokyo Tech issue the certification?

  If you will be studying abroad on a Tokyo Tech program, please submit the "Application for the Certification" by email attachment to the person in charge of your program. It will take a few days to issue the certificate, so please make the request well in advance.　For details, please ask the person in charge of the program for which you are applying.

• Which overseas travel insurance should I purchase?

  Students are required to purchase the overseas travel insurance designated by Tokyo Tech
  Tokyo Tech has a comprehensive contract with AIG General Insurance Company, Ltd., which allows Institute members to purchase insurance at a reduced price.
  By purchasing this insurance, you will be automatically registered for the risk and crisis management service, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and allows you to consult about various matters, or request advice and information, etc. for the duration of your study abroad. In case of emergency, the service will also assist Tokyo Tech in confirming your travel status.
  Even if you will study abroad or conduct research or an internship overseas on a non-Tokyo Tech program, you are required to purchase the overseas travel insurance designated by Tokyo Tech. For details, please see Procedures for Study Abroad.

• Which programs are recommended for students wishing to study abroad for the first time?

  While considering the timing, duration, location, your interests, and how much it will cost, etc, choose a program based on your purpose in studying abroad. Many of the Institute’s short-term programs are scheduled for summer break or spring break, which will allow you to study abroad without missing classes, etc. at Tokyo Tech. We recommend both the Short-Term Study Abroad Program and Tokyo Tech-AYSEAS, which provide students with opportunities for intercultural exchange and visits to local companies at the destination country. We also recommend TASTE Short-term Education, which focuses on language learning, as well as seasonal programs organized by overseas universities, which allow you to attend lectures or conduct research in your field. Seasonal programs at other universities generally require a good command of English to understand specialized lectures taught in English. Some programs are offered on a tuition-waiver or discounted-fee basis to Tokyo Tech students.
  In addition to the above, Tokyo Tech Schools and departments offer some short-term programs. If you wish to study abroad in your field of study, consult with your School or department administration.

• I want to go abroad for language study in a language other than English. Are there any such programs available?

  There are intensive language programs held during summer and spring break, for example, in Europe for German and French and in Asia for Chinese. The fees for these programs tend to be lower than fees for intensive English language programs in English-speaking countries.
  For information, contact the Study Abroad Information Center.

• How much does it cost to participate in short-term overseas programs?

  Participation in AYSEAS and short-term overseas dispatch programs costs about JPY 150,000 to JPY 300,000, including airline tickets, accommodation, and daily expenses. In the case of TASTE, the total cost is about JPY 600,000 to JPY 700,000 for English-speaking countries in the West and JPY 300,000 for the Philippines. For overseas language study in a language other than English, tuition fees tend to be relatively low, but the overall cost will vary as you will arrange airline tickets and accommodation yourself. In the case of seasonal programs organized by Tokyo Tech partner universities, the cost varies from about JPY 300,000 to JPY 800, 000 depending on the study abroad destination and length of stay. Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom tend to be expensive. For some programs organized by Tokyo Tech partner universities, program fees are waived for students recommended by the Institute. In addition, many of the programs for which Tokyo Tech announces recruitment offer scholarships. If you meet certain requirements, such as satisfying a certain grade coefficient, you may be able to receive a study abroad scholarship; please check the application requirements of each program.

• How can I find accommodation for my study abroad?

  Many students stay in homestays or university dormitories, and a small number of students rent apartments. For information about homestay and university dormitory options, please refer to the information on your program’s web page, and then apply.

• What are the Exchange Programs under Tuition Waiver?

  Exchange Programs under Tuition Waiver are based on bilateral tuition waiver agreements between Tokyo Tech and its partner universities abroad. The program enables Tokyo Tech and the respective partner university to exchange students under an agreement that the participating students pay tuition only to the university where they are first enrolled and are not charged tuition by the destination university. Program participants pay only for expenses such as student government membership fees, accommodation fees, living expenses, and so on. To participate in this program, it is necessary to apply through Tokyo Tech. Students who pass the internal selection process receive the Institute’s nomination to the partner university. Since there are some scholarships connected to this program, you may have more chances to receive scholarships than if you were to apply directly to the same university.

  If you are interested in participating the exchange program at a partner university that has hosted Tokyo Tech students in the past, it may be advantageous to refer to the students’ experience reports available at Students' Experiences.

• How should I go about applying for Exchange Programs under Tuition Waiver?

  Tokyo Tech conducts internal recruitment for these programs about six times a year: up to four times for autumn departures, and up to two times for spring departures. The first recruitment is conducted one year before the start of each the autumn and spring student exchanges, and, if participant slots are still available, additional recruitment may be conducted three to six months before the relevant exchange. Applicants must possess a minimum level of language proficiency (as evidenced by language proficiency exam scores) at the time of application in order to be nominated by Tokyo Tech and to apply to a partner university. The minimum level of English language proficiency required by Tokyo Tech for application to Exchange Programs under Tuition Waiver is TOEFL ITP 497, TOEFL iBT 60, or IELTS. 5.5. As some partner universities require higher scores, be sure to check the requirements of the university; the information is indicated in The List of Partner Universities.

  In addition, as the Exchange Programs are six months to a full academic year in duration, be sure to formulate a comprehensive study plan, including classes and research, for your full degree program in advance of application. Please consult your academic advisor or academic supervisor about how to position study abroad in your study plan at Tokyo Tech.

• Is it possible to study abroad without delaying graduation?

  It is possible to complete your studies on time, but it depends on when you study abroad and the graduation requirements for your degree program. If you are interested in studying abroad, please talk with your academic advisor or academic supervisor about your study plan as soon as possible, and plan ahead to fit study abroad into your program.

• How should I go about choosing a university for my study abroad destination?

  First, look for universities where you can study what you want.
  If you want to take classes abroad, look at the course catalogs published on university websites to see which courses are available. If you want to conduct research activities abroad, talk with your academic supervisor at Tokyo Tech and find out if they can recommend any professors engaged in the research you want to pursue.

• How much does it cost to study abroad on long-term study abroad programs?

  This depends on the destination and accommodation. Here are examples from students who studied abroad on university exchange programs.
  Case 1: Study abroad in China for 5 months　… Approximately 700,000 yen (based on accommodation in a student dormitory)
  Case 2: Study abroad in the UK for 9 months　…　Approximately 1.7 million yen (based on accommodation in a student dormitory)
  Note: Students who go abroad on Exchange Programs Under Tuition Waiver pay regular tuition to Tokyo Tech, while the host university waives tuition. Student union fees, dormitory fees, living expenses and other expenses other than tuition fees will be borne by the individual student.

• Where can I learn about study abroad programs sponsored by external organizations?

  Recruitment information for programs organized by external organizations is posted on this website. External organizations offer a wide variety of programs, including those focused on intercultural exchange and those focused on research activities. Refer to Study Abroad Programs and International Experiences and search by inputting "direct" in keyword section.

• I want to study abroad on a program that is not included among Tokyo Tech’s study abroad programs. Which scholarships can I apply for?

  Scholarships may be available from the government of your home country or the country where you will study abroad. We also recommend asking the institution you will belong to during the study abroad period.