黑料传送门
Go Global Website
This page provides detailed information about the University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP). For an overview of the program, please refer to the USTEP Website [1] – Program Overview Page.
This initiative aims to promote the appeal of studying abroad not only in traditionally popular regions such as North America and Europe, but also in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa (often referred to as “Global South”), and to actively support students who wish to study in these regions. Many partner universities in these regions offer courses taught in English. For details, please refer to the Application Guidelines and this special page!
Submission of a "Letter of Assessment" written by a faculty member of the University (including part-time instructors) is mandatory for your application.
In particular, the deadline for the Autumn Recruitment is often around late September during the vacation period (dates vary depending on the Faculty/Graduate School).
Since this falls before the start of the A1 Term, we highly recommend contacting a faculty member and securing their consent during the S2 Term to ensure a smooth process.
*Note: For details on the "Letter of Assessment," please refer to the Application Guidelines, section "8. How to Apply," (4) Application Documents, "[1] Letter of Assessment for USTEP Applicants."
An online Information Session will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide a clear overview of USTEP. The session will feature messages from faculty members at the Center for Global Education as well as presentations by USTEP alumni. Please register from this Information Session page. The recording and materials from last year's information session are available here.
Undergraduate students who passed the internal selection for a one-year exchange to POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) starting in the autumn semester will be eligible to apply for the "Global Young Leaders Program (GYLP)," which fully covers round-trip air travel and living expenses.
※For details, please check the POSTECH page.New!
Students who pass the internal selection process can apply for USTEP Scholarships. In addition, the GLP-I scholarship can be received concurrently with these scholarships. To meet the eligibility requirements, it is essential to take the GLC-I course in your 4th semester (the 2026A Semester for most students). eligible students receive a monthly stipend (JPY 80,000–120,000, up to three months) and a travel subsidy (JPY 150,000–300,000 depending on destination).
?Please read the Application Guidelines carefully and complete the online application via UTAS by the application deadline set by your affiliated faculty or graduate school.
?Please use the Application Documents Check List to ensure that all required documents are properly prepared.
?Application Guidelines for Candidate Students (Autumn Call for AY2027-2028) (Updated 03/08/2026)
?Generative AI Policy in Student-Created Documents
?Oath
?Proficiency Evaluation based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Designated form) (If you fall under the cases specified in 8(2)[5] of the Application Guidelines)
?Application Documents Check List
Universities expected be added in this Call: Mahidol University, University of Vienna, University of Bologna
Universities Added Since the Previous Call: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Tecnológico de Monterrey
［1］List of Partner Universities Eligible for Application and Number of Available Slots (Updated 03/08/2026)
You can check the partner universities available for this call and the number of available slots here. (Subject to updates)
※As of the Autumn Call for AY2027-2028: 94 partner universities (recent additions: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), Tecnológico de Monterrey)
［2］USTEP Information on Partner Universities (Updated 05/08/2026)
You can check the requirements (overview) for partner universities here. (Subject to updates)
※The timing of updates varies depending on the partner university. Please check regularly.
［3］Fact sheets and websites of partner universities
For more detailed information, please refer to these resources.
※If links in the PDF do not work, please download the file and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
［4］
This website introduces the appeal of each partner university from a student perspective (with updates added progressively). It provides insights into campus life and surrounding areas through photos and testimonials from university staff and students who have studied abroad.
Broadening your choice of partner universities increases your chances of studying abroad!
?In the Autumn Call for AY2026-2027, approximately 20% (about 80 students) of applicants were not accepted because they were not selected within the quota of their preferred universities.
?Most of the unsuccessful applicants had selected only two partner universities in North America or Europe.
?Only about 35% of unsuccessful applicants had selected up to their 6th choice, and only about 5% had included partner universities in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, or Africa.
?In contrast, among 33 partner universities in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, 27 still had available slots. Expanding your options to these universities significantly increases your chances of studying abroad.
?Due to scheduling constraints, additional recruitment will not be conducted even if slots remain available. Please carefully consider your choice of partner universities.
From AY2026-27 onward:
Number of Applicants by Partner University (Ranked by First-Choice Competitiveness)
This provides data from the Autumn Call for AY2026-27, ranked by competitiveness of first-choice applications. Please use this when selecting your preferred universities.
Up to AY2025-26:
University-wide Student Exchange Program (USTEP) Statistics
This includes data on the number of applicants, candidates, and accepted students for each partner university from AY2013-14 to AY2025-26.
※From AY2026-27 onward, the format will change to “Number of Applicants by Partner University (Ranked by First-Choice Competitiveness).”
?Language proficiency certificates are required only after passing the internal screening. Even if you pass the internal screening, you will not be nominated to a partner university unless you meet the language requirements. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for details.
?Some partner universities have language requirements that are not listed on their websites or fact sheets but are provided only in the separate document “USTEP Information on Partner Universities.” Please make sure to refer to this document.
?Language requirements may vary depending on faculties/departments within a partner university. If you are unsure, please contact through your affiliated faculty or graduate school.
※Confirmation may take time. Please make inquiries well in advance.
?After passing the internal screening, you will be eligible to apply for USTEP Scholarships (see the annual Application Guidelines for details). Most recipients receive a non-repayable monthly scholarship of JPY 80,000–120,000.（For students who began their exchange in Fall 2025, over 90% of applicants who wished to receive the scholarship were awarded funding.）
?Undergraduate students participating in the may receive the “GLP-I Global Experiences Scholarship” concurrently with USTEP Scholarships. To meet eligibility requirements, students must have joined GLP-I at least two semesters prior and completed the required components. Eligible students receive a monthly stipend (JPY 80,000–120,000, up to three months) and a travel subsidy (JPY 150,000–300,000 depending on destination).
?Students may also apply independently for other scholarships with more favorable conditions (note that receiving such scholarships may make you ineligible for USTEP scholarships). Application deadlines for these scholarships may be earlier than USTEP results, so please apply carefully.
（贰虫补尘辫濒别蝉）
?Kobebussan Japan Dream Foundation Scholarship
?（for study in the U.S.）
For more details on scholarships available for direct application, please refer to this page.
?Frequently asked questions about the application process are compiled on this page. Most inquiries are already addressed in the FAQ or Application Guidelines, so please review them carefully.
?In principle, all information regarding the University-wide Student Exchange Program is published online. While you may use AI tools, please ensure that the sources are accurate and reliable.