Within a two-building commercial complex organized around a central courtyard, an unexpected layout unfolds. The shops are small and quaint, uniformly sized, and directly face one another like apartment units. This is Atúa. Related Reading: Creative Placemaking: Designing Public Spaces that Reflect Shared Memory What used to be a functioning hotel in the early 1990s, […]
University of Tokyo to Launch its College of Design in Fall 2027
The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) is set to launch a new academic program, the UTokyo College of Design, in September 2027. Entirely taught in English, the program will focus on enabling future generations to address global problems through creative, collaborative solutions shaped by interdisciplinary study.
Professor Miles Pennington, the prospective dean of the college, states: “UTokyo College of Design is new—we are reimagining education because the world needs it […] Our aim is to cultivate changemakers prepared to question norms, work across boundaries, and pursue their own definition of excellence.”
Related Reading: Choosing the Right Architecture School in the Philippines: Top Institutions and Their Unique Offerings
What will the new design program focus on?
The program will focus on uniting design methods with broad, multidisciplinary knowledge, with Interdisciplinary Foundations (IF) forming part of the core curriculum for all first-year students. Other features of the program include an 8 Track Design Series where students will be able to explore design in their first year through a series of workshops.
It will be an integrated 5-year Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program. However, this proposal is still awaiting approval from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for approval. As such, it may be subject to change in the future.
As one of Japan’s top universities, the application process for the program is expected to be highly competitive. The college will be accepting a total of 50 international students and 50 Japanese students. Anybody can apply to the program as long as they display the following qualities: intelligence and learning ability; effective communication skills and English language proficiency; a sense of responsibility, social justice, and inclusivity; and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Related Reading: Nursing College Ashaktashram: Constructing a Warm Educational Institute
When and how can students apply to the program?
For the September 2027 enrollment, the university will release the official application guidelines in August 2026. Application results are scheduled to be released around October 2026, with final admission decisions anticipated to be announced between February and March 2027.
Interested applicants may visit the University of Tokyo College of Design’s website for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, everyone is welcome to apply. From fresh high school graduates and degree holders from other universities to applicants of all nationalities, the program is open to a wide range of students.
Yes, all courses will be taught in English.
The program is set to begin in September 2027, with applications opening after the release of the official guidelines in August 2026.
A total of 100 students will be admitted to the program—50 international students and 50 Japanese students. For more information on specific qualifications, applicants may visit the UTokyo Design’s website.
Tuition fees and admission fees will be announced in the application guideline set to be announced in August 2026.
In a curated setting at the The Tile Gallery showroom, architects, designers, and media guests were transported into the immersive world of Italian contemporary lighting brand Lodes, where light illuminated the space through sculptural forms and innovative materiality. The Language of Light event presented a selection of Lodes’ established collections alongside new releases, revealing the […]
Once defined primarily by function, the bathroom is now becoming a space that reflects personal lifestyles. As broader design aspirations change in response, so do expectations of the products that shape these spaces. From customizable fixtures to touchless technologies, today’s bathroom solutions are increasingly designed around the way people live. COTTO’s KLIRR Collection highlights several […]
Many people only notice good design when it is absent. A faucet that splashes too far, feels awkward in the hand, or sits slightly out of alignment can disrupt a routine in ways that are subtle yet persistent. These are small irritations, but they reveal a larger truth: the objects used every day often have […]
Running from November 27, 2025, to May 31, 2026, the exhibition traces how Art Deco moved from global design movement to localized expression through Philippine architecture, furnishings, fashion, and everyday life. The National Museum of Fine Arts’ Art Deco: Modernity and Design in the Philippines 1925-1950 explored the history of the Art Deco style in […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]
Recommended Video
Tap to Unmute
Unmute
0:00
0:00