- Global Komaba
- For KOMSTEP Students
- For KOMSTEP Inbound Students
Information for KOMSTEP Incoming Students
UTokyo International Student Handbook
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The International Student Handbook provides information in English and Japanese for incoming and current international students at UTokyo.
Before Arrival
1. COE and VISA Application
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All KOMSTEP students need to obtain a student visa to study at UTokyo, and submission of a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is required for visa application.
[Process]
1. Submit the application materials for COE to IRCO
All documents should either be in English or include an English translation, and they must be sent to the International Research and Cooperation Office (IRCO) <irco-komaba@adm.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp>.
Application for Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
[SAMPLE] KOMSTEP COE Application form
Application form: Undergraduate student
Application form: Graduate studentFinancial Supporting Documents
If you are paying your own expenses, please include:
・Official bank statement in your name
If you are receiving scholarship(s), please include:
・Official letter/statement(s) issued by the institution(s) providing the scholarship(s)
If you are receiving financial support from someone living overseas, please include both A and B:
A. Statement of Financial Support
(As KOMSTEP students are exempt from paying tuition fees at the University of Tokyo, please leave the "1) Tuition" section as "0 yen".)B. Official bank statement that shows most recent balance of your financial supporter
【Only if applicable】Photocopy of passport (page with photograph and name) (if not yet submitted due to the renewal process)
Certificate of attendance or transcripts of school/university in Japan (if you have previously studied at a Japanese school/university)
Japanese language test Score Report (if not yet submitted)
2. IRCO will carefully examine your documents and, upon obtaining university approval, submit your application to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau. The bureau usually accepts COE applications from 3 months prior to the start date of the exchange program (1 Oct / 1 April), and the review process takes at least 8 weeks.
3. When the COE has been issued, IRCO will send you the PDF file for the COE, and you can proceed with your visa application at the nearest Embassy or Consulate General of Japan.
2. Application for the University of Tokyo Dormitories
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IRCO will provide the application guidelines for the dormitories via email in June/January.
You must submit your application through the OSTA system at UTokyo.
UTokyo Housing Office: Housing information
3. Japanese Language Course Survey (Undergraduate students only)
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The Center for Global Communication Strategies at UTokyo Komaba will email KOMSTEP undergraduate students about the survey for the Japanese Language Courses offering credits in June/January.
If you wish to register for the courses, you must respond to the survey and also take the placement test in September/March.
*Non-credit Japanese courses are open to all KOMSTEP students, including graduate students, at Komaba Campus (in-person) and Hongo Campus (online).
After Arrival
4. Orientation and Administrative Formalities
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IRCO will email you the information below approximately 2 weeks before the semester begins.
1. Orientation schedule
All students:
Briefing session by IRCO
International student orientation
Undergraduate students only:
Guidance on Global Studies in Asia Program (GSA) online orientation
All foreign nationals who plan to reside in Japan for more than 3 months are required to complete resident registration and enroll in the National Health Insurance Program. After you have checked in to your accommodation, you will need to pay a visit to your nearest ward/city office and complete these procedures within 14 days of landing in Japan. Please be sure to bring your passport and residence card when you visit.
2. Resident registration/National Health Insurance
5. Online Startup, Course Registration, and Health Check-Up
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We will send you the information below approximately 10 days before the semester begins. Undergraduate students will receive the email from IRCO, while the Graduate School Section will contact graduate students.
1. Notification of UTokyo Account and Startup Procedures
The IRCO/Graduate School Section will send you an email titled "Notification regarding UTokyo Account", which includes your initial login ID and password for UTokyo's ITC systems.
You must change your initial password before logging in to any of the systems. Once you have updated your password, you can go ahead and complete the necessary startup procedures for using the ITC systems, along with the instructions attached to the email.
2. UTAS and UTOL (UTokyo LMS)UTAS allows you to browse through the syllabus of courses.
UTOL (UTokyo LMS) is the system to download class materials and submit assignments for classes.
3. Course RegistrationAt UTokyo, the course registration period is set after classes have started. When classes begin, please attend the first classes of the courses you are interested in taking and then make your final decisions on what courses to register for.
KOMSTEP undergraduate students cannot register for Junior Division (1st and 2nd year undergraduate) and graduate-level courses.
KOMSTEP graduate students who are Special Auditors cannot register for undergraduate courses, and Special Research Students are not eligible to register for any courses.
The timetable, submission method, and registration period will be provided via email.
4. Health Check-UpThere will be an on-campus health check-up for new students admitted to UTokyo. We will inform you of the application method via email.
Before Leaving Japan
6. Checklist for leaving Japan
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【Procedures at UTokyo】
1. Return your student ID to the Academic Affairs Division.
2. If you have joined the Co-op, return the member's card.
【Procedures at UTokyo dormitories】
Submit the Notification of Departure of the University of Tokyo International Lodge at least 14 days before your departure and complete the required procedures.
【Procedures at the city office】
1. Visit the Residence Registration Section and make a notification of moving-out. You will need your ID (passport or residence card), health insurance card and “My Number” card.
2. Visit the National Health Insurance Section to withdraw from the insurance. After the procedure is completed, if you wish, your health insurance card can be returned to you just in case something happens to you during the rest of your stay. They will give you an envelope to send back the card before your departure.
＊You are permitted to carry out these procedures at the city office from 2 weeks prior to your departure.＊Please make sure to check the city office’s opening hours before visiting.
【Procedures at banks, the post office, cell phones companies】 (if applicable)
1. Terminate mobile phone accounts.
2. Close all bank accounts. You will need your bankbook, bank card, residence card and official seal (only if you registered the seal)
【Residence card】
You will be required to return it at the airport when you are departing from Japan.
【Credit transfer】
1. If you intend to transfer credits earned at UTokyo to your home university, please make sure save copies of materials such as the syllabus of courses, timetable, handbooks etc. as required by your home university.
We will email you your official academic transcript when it has been issued.
2. Please note that your UTokyo account will be deleted on the official end date of your exchange period, after which you will no longer have access to UTokyo’s internal systems.
Please also refer to KOMSTEP incoming students FAQs.
International Research and Cooperation Office (IRCO)
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences/College of Arts and Sciences
The University of Tokyo
Email：irco-komaba@adm.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp