HOME > Course Information > The University of Tokyo > Graduate Programs for Foreign Students in Urban and Environmental Studies

Department	Division	Degree Sought	Student Intake	Application Period	Timing of Admission Decision Notification	Course Start Date
Graduate School of Engineering	Department of Urban Engineering	Master's	4			Oct.1982

The Department of Urban Engineering at the University of Tokyo was established in 1962 to undertake pioneering research and to contribute to the University’s reputation for academic excellence.

Both research and teaching within the department primarily focus on two areas: environmental engineering and urban planning. During its 28-year history of the scholarship program in our department, the MEXT Scholarship program has helped over 130 students achieve their degree goals.

Environmental Engineering
As the number of mega-cities around the world increases, it has become urgent to find solutions to water supply, wastewater treatment and urban drainage, solid waste management, air pollution control, hazardous waste management, and other urban environmental problems. Yet the solutions to these problems are not only found at the urban level. Therefore research in environmental engineering is not just limited to the urban scale. We also undertake regional and global studies on such issues as climatic change. Our unique approaches to tackling these problems are leading research communities within Japan and throughout the world. State-of-the-art technologies are applied to solve environmental problems in first-class experimental facilities outfitted with the latest computer technologies.

Urban Planning
Increasingly, the role of urban planners is expanding. Since urban problems are inherently multi-faceted, interrelated and complex, physical planning demands an ever broadening knowledge of both theoretical issues and practical concerns. In order to prepare students for these tasks, the department’s study programs cover land use planning, housing, urban analysis, urban design, landscape design, national and regional planning, urban disaster prevention and transportation issues in both developed and developing countries. Students are also expected to gain technical training in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or Internet technologies. Also, studies in legal and organizational issues, historical assets and environment preservation, city management, the role of public and non-profit organizations, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and other subjects are available.

Asian Program for Incubation of Environmental Leaders (APIEL)
Both Master’s and Doctoral students are able to sign up for APIEL.
This program was established in 2008 by the University of Tokyo to　foster environmental Leaders in Asia. Those who successfully complete this program will gain “Certificate of International Environmental Leadership” in addition to the degrees mentioned above.
See: http://www.envleader.u-tokyo.ac.jp/index_e.html

Master’s Program
Full time attendance for two years is required for the degree of Master of Engineering. Master’s students must take courses in urban and environmental engineering offered in either English or Japanese. Most students enroll in lecture and seminar courses during their first year, and spend the second year researching and writing their theses. All master’s students must successfully defend their academic progress at least twice in a year.
Only applicants holding, or soon to be awarded, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university are eligible for master’s degree studies.

Doctoral Program
At least three year’s research and study are required for the degrees of either Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Engineering. Although class attendance is not required for doctoral students, most students at this level take classes in their specific areas of interest. All doctoral students must successfully defend their academic progress at least once in a year.
Only applicants currently holding, or are soon to be awarded a master’s degree from an accredited graduate school are eligible for doctoral degree studies.