Quick answer: Tokyo is home to the University of Tokyo, Waseda, Keio and Tokyo Tech — all globally ranked. International students pay JPY 535,800 per year at national universities (about €3,300) plus an admission fee. Cost of living: ¥130,000–¥180,000 (€800–€1,100) per month.
Top universities in Tokyo
The University of Tokyo (Todai) — top 30 globally. Tokyo Institute of Technology — engineering and applied sciences. Waseda University — strong in liberal arts and English-taught programmes. Keio University — business, law, medicine. Hitotsubashi University — economics and social sciences. Sophia University — Jesuit international programmes in English.
Tuition, fees and scholarships
National universities: ¥535,800/year + ¥282,000 admission. Private universities: ¥800,000–¥1,500,000/year. MEXT scholarship covers full tuition plus monthly stipend (¥117,000–¥147,000) for selected international students. JASSO offers further financial support.
Cost of living and student visa
Rent: ¥45,000–¥90,000 for a small apartment. Food: ¥30,000–¥40,000. Transport: ¥10,000 with student commuter pass. Total: ¥130,000–¥180,000 per month. Student visa requires Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) processed by your university.
FAQ
Do I need Japanese? Many programmes are now offered fully in English. Day-to-day life is easier with at least N5–N4 Japanese.