Learning Abroad Center
billboards on city street in Tokyo

Exchange in Japan: Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo

Asia & Oceania

Live and study at one of Japan's most prestigious national universities, noted for its commitment to internationalization and high levels of student support.

Program Details

Location
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Term
Term
Academic Year
Spring Semester
Housing
Housing
Dormitory
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
GPA
3.0

About

Hitotsubashi University is the only university in Japan to specialize exclusively in the humanities and social sciences. In 2019, it was accredited as a “Designated National University,” one of only six such institutions in the country. Hitotsubashi University emphasizes small-group class education, and one of the prominent characteristics of this is its seminar style approach that keeps class sizes small and focuses on intense student-faculty interaction, providing rich course content. Exchange students live and study on the Kodaira and the Kunitachi campuses, located approximately 60 minutes from central Tokyo.

Learn more about being an exchange student at Hitotsubashi University.

Program Model

Exchange
University Study

Housing & Meals

Exchange students are given priority to reside on the Kodaira Campus in Residence Hall Ikkyo-Ryo and live with Japanese and international students. Students have a private room, and share a kitchen, lounge, and bathrooms with other students.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program and foster second language acquisition whenever possible
  • Learn to appreciate diverse world views, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity; added benefit of reciprocity to foster mutual respect and understanding
  • Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
  • Identify and communicate how your experience abroad has impacted you personally, academically and professionally

Faculty & Staff

Hitotsubashi University staff provide orientation, on-site support and advising to help you adjust to a new educational system and integrate into campus life. The exchange program at Hitotsubashi is small, allowing for high levels of interaction between students and staff, and high levels of student support. 

Program Structure

Program Level
Upper and lower division coursework available
Courseload

12–16 credits for spring semester or 24–32 credits for the academic year.

Coursework

Grade & Credit Conversion Scale

You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. UMN students are required to take a minimum of 12 credits per term. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.

Hitotsubashi University offers a wide variety of Japanese language courses ranging from introductory to advanced levels, as well as interaction and experience-based learning courses taught in English for exchange students. In addition, through the Hitotsubashi Global Education Program, students can choose interdisciplinary courses in English designed for both international and Japanese students in the fields of the fields of business, economics, global studies, international relations, law, and sociology. Find more information about courses on the Exchange Students Course Registration Page.

Global Identity

Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.

To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.

Program Dates

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Orientation Dates & Locations

Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.

See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. Participants will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.

Term AbroadDate/TimeLocation
Spring 2025TBDTBD
Academic Year 2024–25TBDTBD

Spring 2025

Application Open Date: March 1, 2024
Application Deadline: September 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartMid March
Program EndLate July

Academic Year 2024–25

Application Open Date: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: February 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartMid September
Program EndLate July

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Bridging Loan

Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Academic Year 2024–25

Exchange in Japan: Hitotsubashi U, Tokyo

Academic Yr Fall 2024/Spring 2025

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $13,265
International health insurance $615
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $14,280
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $14,280

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $3,000
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (200) $230
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,880
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $400
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (3200), Meals (4000) $7,200
Essential daily living expenses $4,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $11,600

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $29,760
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $4,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Spring 2024

Exchange in Japan: Hitotsubashi U, Tokyo

Spring Semester 2024

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $7,125
International health insurance $300
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $7,825
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $7,825

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $3,000
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsVisa App Mailing (30), National Health Insurance (100) $130
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,780
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $100
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (1600), Meals (2000) $3,600
Essential daily living expenses $2,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $5,700

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $17,305
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $4,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

Submit to the Learning Abroad Center:

  • Exchange in Japan personal essay
  • Japan Exchange University Preference Form
  • Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting

Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to Hitotsubashi University. Students selected for nomination will then have to apply to Hitotsubashi University directly, through their online system (instructions will be provided). Hitotsubashi University will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.

Next Steps

  1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
  2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
  3. You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and Hitotsubashi University—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
  4. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Christina Dunbar or call at 612.624.3949