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.”

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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. 

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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.

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