University of Tokyo GraSPP Exchange Program Guide 2026

What Is the GraSPP Overseas Exchange Program?

The Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) at the University of Tokyo offers an overseas exchange program that allows enrolled Master of Public Policy (MPP/IP) students to spend one semester or a full academic year at a prestigious partner institution abroad. The program is designed for students who already possess a strong academic foundation in public policy concepts, economic theory, and high English proficiency — and who want to deepen their studies in a different academic and cultural environment.

Importantly, this is not a language improvement program; it is an advanced academic exchange for students ready to perform at a high level internationally. The exchange represents a unique opportunity to experience different pedagogical approaches, engage with diverse student cohorts, and gain exposure to regional perspectives on global policy challenges while maintaining enrollment at one of Asia’s premier universities.

Partner Universities and Destination Options

GraSPP maintains exchange agreements with seven distinguished partner institutions across four continents, each offering a distinct academic focus and cultural experience. These partnerships have been carefully selected to complement GraSPP’s curriculum while exposing students to different approaches to public policy education.

HEC Paris (Jouy-en-Josas, France) specializes in management sciences and executive education at one of Europe’s top business schools. The school accepts 1–2 GraSPP students for either fall semester (September–December 2026) or full academic year (September 2026–May 2027) options. Professional experience is preferable for applicants.

National University of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY-SPP) offers public policy education with an Asia-Pacific focus at a consistently top-ranked Asian university. The program accepts up to 2 students for Semester One only (August–December 2026). The school strongly values microeconomics background and maintains TOEFL iBT 93 as the preferred minimum score.

Hertie School in Berlin, Germany, emphasizes modern governance with an interdisciplinary approach blending economics, law, political science, and social science. The school accepts up to 2 students for fall term only (September–December 2026) and requires the highest English proficiency standards among all partners, with TOEFL iBT 100 (Writing >25) or IELTS 7.0 (Writing >7.0) required.

Admission Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy requirements at both the GraSPP level and the individual destination university level. The process involves multiple layers of screening, making thorough preparation essential for success.

GraSPP-Level Requirements include current full-time enrollment at GraSPP (students who will be enrolling in the coming academic year may also apply). A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 85 or IELTS 6.0 is required to pass GraSPP’s paper screening stage. However, by the time of departure, students must hold a TOEFL iBT score of 90 or higher (or IELTS 6.5 or higher).

Academic preparation is critical: applicants must demonstrate fundamental understanding of both microeconomics and macroeconomics, evidenced by successful completion of relevant coursework at the undergraduate or graduate level. Overall academic performance must remain satisfactory throughout the process, as nomination may be cancelled if your most up-to-date transcript shows unsatisfactory results.

Destination-Specific Requirements vary significantly by school. Sciences Po PSIA requires TOEFL iBT 100 or IELTS 7.0 with professional experience preferable and French knowledge welcomed. UCLA Luskin requires TOEFL iBT 87 minimum or IELTS 7.0, while FGV-EAESP advantages Portuguese knowledge for accessing a wider range of courses.

Application Process and Timeline

The application process involves two distinct stages: internal GraSPP selection followed by application to the destination university. Understanding this timeline is crucial for proper preparation and document gathering.

Documents to Submit to GraSPP include the overseas exchange program application form, a personal statement of 500–1,000 words, TOEFL or IELTS score certificate (original, photocopy, or screenshot from tests taken within the past two years), and academic transcripts (original or photocopy) from undergraduate and/or graduate school.

The critical timeline milestone is the application deadline of Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 23:59. Applications are submitted online via Microsoft Forms or by email to exchange.j@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp. The information session and call for applications begins October 16, 2025.

Following submission, document screening and GraSPP interviews occur between November 17 and December 5, 2025, with preliminary announcement of successful applicants by mid-December 2025. Those nominated must then submit additional documents to destination universities between February and March 2026.

Tuition Fees, Costs, and Financial Planning

One of the program’s most significant financial advantages is its tuition structure: tuition fees are only payable to the University of Tokyo, not to the destination university. This means exchange students effectively study at world-class institutions abroad without paying the often substantially higher tuition of the host school.

However, all other costs — accommodation, living expenses, insurance, visa fees, transportation, and any supplemental course fees required by the destination — are the sole responsibility of the student. Financial planning becomes crucial given the significant variation in living costs across destinations.

UCLA Luskin represents the most expensive destination at approximately $1,920 per month ($7,680 per quarter), plus health insurance at $1,380 per quarter. Heidelberg University offers the most budget-friendly option with housing at €270–400, meals around €3.80 at the canteen, transport at €30–49, and other expenses at €200–300 monthly.

Berlin at Hertie School requires approximately €1,170 monthly (housing €650, insurance €120, other €400), while São Paulo at FGV-EAESP costs around R$3,840 monthly (approximately US$716 or €667). Paris destinations vary significantly, with Sciences Po dormitory options around €600–650 monthly and HEC Paris requiring off-campus housing in fall semester.

Scholarships and Financial Support

Three scholarship options may be available to help offset exchange costs, though availability and eligibility vary significantly. Understanding these options early in the planning process enables proper application timing and realistic financial projections.

Go Global Scholarships support short-term study abroad (3 months to 1 year) and are open to all eligible students regardless of nationality. This represents the primary funding source for international students enrolled at GraSPP.

JASSO Student Exchange Support Program provides scholarship support for short-term study abroad but is available to Japanese nationals only. Similarly, the Tobitate MEXT Scholarship (トビタテ！留学JAPAN 日本代表プログラム) is a competitive government-backed scholarship restricted to Japanese nationals only.

International students enrolled at GraSPP should focus primarily on the Go Global Scholarship option and research additional funding opportunities from their home countries. All scholarships are subject to eligibility determination, and students should prepare applications well in advance of exchange program deadlines.

Credit Transfer Policies and Graduation Planning

Credit transfers are applied for after returning to the University of Tokyo, and the process requires careful strategic planning. The transfer evaluation considers the content of courses taken abroad, class hours/contact time, and credits received at the destination university.

Critical caveat: Not all credits applied for will necessarily be transferred. There is no guarantee, and students should never rely on transferred credits to meet core graduation requirements without prior confirmation from GraSPP administration.

Currently, credit transfers are possible for some Basic, Topics, and Establishment courses at GraSPP. Students are strongly advised to verify with GraSPP before departure whether specific courses at the destination university are eligible for credit transfer.

The strategic approach involves treating the exchange as an enrichment experience that complements GraSPP studies rather than assuming transferred credits will substitute for required coursework. Graduate program planning should account for the possibility that exchange courses may not directly fulfill degree requirements.

What Makes Each Partner School Unique?

Each destination offers distinctive academic and cultural experiences that appeal to different student interests and career goals. Understanding these differences helps students make informed choices aligned with their academic objectives.

Sciences Po PSIA carries the prestige of France’s elite Grandes Écoles system and has produced multiple French presidents. It boasts 47% international students from 150 countries and ranks in the top 5 globally for Politics & International Studies according to QS World University Rankings.

UCLA Luskin sits within one of the world’s top research universities and uniquely integrates public policy with social work and urban planning — ideal for students interested in domestic US policy, urban issues, and applied research methodologies.

Heidelberg University is Germany’s oldest university (founded 1386) with deep research traditions and 55 Nobel laureates associated with the institution. The Graduate Programme for Transcultural Studies offers a unique lens on cross-cultural and comparative analysis not available at other partners.

FGV-EAESP represents Brazil’s premier policy and management school, offering direct exposure to Latin American governance challenges and one of the few exchange destinations in the Global South, providing perspectives often underrepresented in Northern academic discourse.

Accommodation and Daily Life Abroad

Housing arrangements vary significantly by destination and require early, proactive planning. Students should begin researching housing options immediately upon learning about their acceptance, as some cities face competitive rental markets.

Housing challenges are most acute in Berlin for Hertie School students, as no student dormitory exists and students must find their own accommodation in a notoriously competitive rental market. Begin searching immediately upon receiving nomination.

Paris options include the Maison du Japon (Japanese student residence) for approximately €410 monthly for Sciences Po students, though proof of housing is needed for visa applications and should be secured by late May. HEC Paris provides on-campus housing in spring semester only; fall semester students must arrange off-campus accommodation.

Singapore housing for NUS LKY-SPP students includes College Green within walking distance, with on-campus housing allocated by lottery system and shared house accommodation also available nearby.

US housing at UCLA offers on-campus options but without guarantee, requiring full-time enrollment (8+ units). Alternative resources include the Community Housing Office, solutionsinla.com, and zumahousing.com.

Heidelberg provides the most structured housing support through Studierendenwerk-administered student residences, with rooms secured for exchange students through International Relations Office coordination, though only approximately 15% of students can be housed in residences.

Student Responsibilities and Important Caveats

The program places significant responsibility on students for managing their exchange experience. Understanding these responsibilities prevents misunderstandings and ensures proper preparation for the logistical challenges involved.

Entry procedures, visa applications, accommodation, and credit transfer applications are entirely the student’s responsibility. GraSPP facilitates the nomination but does not handle logistics or provide ongoing support for administrative processes.

Academic performance monitoring continues throughout the process. Even after successful nomination, it can be revoked based on unsatisfactory grades. Students must maintain academic standards from application through departure.

Nomination does not equal acceptance. Each destination university has its own admissions committee and screening process. Being nominated by GraSPP provides eligibility but not guarantee of acceptance at the partner institution.

If a destination university requires supplemental classes to meet their minimum standards, students must enroll in and pay for those classes independently. All non-tuition costs — from flights to daily meals to insurance — remain the student’s responsibility.

How to Decide: Is This Exchange Program Right for You?

The GraSPP exchange program serves specific student profiles and academic goals. Honest self-assessment against these criteria helps determine program fit and likelihood of success.

This program is excellent if you: Have a strong academic foundation in economics, statistics, and public policy; hold or can attain TOEFL iBT 90+ or IELTS 6.5+ scores; want to experience different academic cultures and pedagogical approaches; are self-motivated and comfortable managing complex logistics independently; can financially support 3–10 months abroad (costs range from roughly €600–$1,900 monthly); and have clear academic or career goals the exchange would advance.

This program may not be the best fit if you: Primarily want to improve English language skills; cannot meet minimum English proficiency thresholds; need guaranteed credit transfers toward graduation; are unable to manage the financial burden of living abroad; or require extensive administrative support for visa and housing processes.

The program rewards independence, academic preparedness, and cultural adaptability. Students who thrive in ambiguous situations and can navigate bureaucratic processes independently tend to have the most successful experiences.