Visiting International Student Elective Program
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THE PROGRAM AFTER JULY 2025
Due to a policy change, we now only accept applications from students at institutions with an agreement with Toho University Faculty of Medicine for this program.
Welcome to Toho University Faculty of Medicine Visiting International Student Elective Program webpage. We run an Elective Program offering 2-12 week clinical elective placements for international students who are in their final year of medical school. Anyone who is not a Japanese Citizen or Japanese Permanent Resident is considered an International Student.
We value diversity and inclusion and this program has a clear aim to add value to elective clerkships by exposing students to an international perspective on medicine.
We value diversity and inclusion and this program has a clear aim to add value to elective clerkships by exposing students to an international perspective on medicine.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Admission Calendar 2024-2025
| Term | Date of Elective | Application Deadline | Application Result |
| 1st | January – March | July 31 of the prior year | Around September 1st |
| 2nd | April – June | October 31 of the prior year | Around December 1st |
| 3rd | July – September | January 31 of the elective year | Around March 1st |
| 4th | October – December | April 30 of the elective year | Around June 1st |
- The program is observation-style training with no hands-on component.
- Students must be in their final year of the MD program or clinical study at their medical school at the time of participation in the program.
- All electives are two (2) weeks in length per clinical elective rotation, and we do not offer four (4) week elective rotations for visiting international medical students. Students may apply for a maximum of six (6) two (2) week electives, but these electives must be in different specialties.
- All elective placements commence on Monday. Students are required to attend an orientation at Omori Campus on the first Monday of their program. Students will not be permitted to participate in the program without attending this orientation.
- There are certain months or periods in which we do not place international visiting students. Please review the calendar.
- It is each student’s responsibility to prepare and apply for an appropriate visa to enter Japan.
- International students must purchase overseas travel health insurance, which is enough to cover medical expenses for accidents and sickness, on their own before they come to Japan.
- No financial aid is available for international students.
- TFMU will not issue a certificate of completion if students miss any scheduled training unless there is a valid reason.
TEACHING HOSPITAL
Placements are undertaken at one of our teaching hospitals – Toho University Medical Center Omori Hospital. The hospital is located right next to Omori campus, Home of the Faculty of Medicine, and easy access to downtown Tokyo and Tokyo International Airport. Please note that currently, we are not offering this elective program at Ohashi Hospital and Sakura Hospital.
HOUSING
TUFM dormitory locates within a walking distance of Omori Hospital; however, only a limited number of rooms is available for international students. If there is no vacancy, students need to make arrangements for accommodation by themselves. Please note that Toho University is unable to provide recommendations for any particular private housing facility around the campus and is not responsible for the contents of external websites linked to these facilities. Students are advised to examine the terms and conditions of a contract carefully before making reservations.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete and submit the Application Form, application fee, and other required documents in accordance with the deadlines listed in the table above. Please note that incomplete applications will not be processed. Once the screening fee has been transferred, it is not refundable for any reason. If one month passes after submitting your application and the review fee has not been paid (i.e., no payment receipts have been provided), your application will be automatically canceled.
If you participate in the program under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between your institution and Toho University Faculty of Medicine, you are considered a MOU student.
If you participate in the program under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between your institution and Toho University Faculty of Medicine, you are considered a MOU student.
- Application Form (MOU student)
- Application Form (Non-MOU student)
- Medical School Dean Applicant Evaluation
- Certificate of enrolment issued by the university with the official seal and university stamp (Non-MOU student) and copy of transcripts
- Required Supporting Documentation
- Immunization Record
- Assessment of chest X-ray (after your admission confirmed)
- Image of chest X-ray taken within the last two months (after your admission confirmed)
- Copy of passport
- Proof of English or Japanese proficiency (if English is not an applicant’s first language) the only score of TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR accepted. This cannot be waived.
- Face photo: taken within 6 months of application date, no hat (*except for religious reasons), no background, face should be in front of the applicant and clear image quality
- Application fee — 10,000 JPY (Non-refundable and will be taken as part of the application process. )
- Program fee – 20,000 JPY per week
- Accommodation fee (only for those who are confirmed to stay in the university dormitory) *20,000 JPY per room per week + 5,000 JPY for room cleaning and bed linen, utilities included.
TUFM will consider the application submission incomplete and will not begin to review your application until the application fee is paid in full, unless otherwise stipulated in an official document such as an MOU. Applicants will receive online payment information after submitting the application form.
NO ELECTIVE PROGRAMS ON FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS (AY2024-2025)
October 14, November 4, December 23-January 5, 2025, January 13, February 11, February 24, March 20, April 29, May 5, May 6, July 21, August 11, September 15, September 23
| Anesthesiology | Neurology |
| Breast and Endocrine Surgery | Neurosurgery |
| Cardiovascular Medicine | Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Cardiovascular Surgery | Ophthalmology |
| Chest Surgery | Orthopedic Surgery |
| Dermatology | Otolaryngology |
| Diabetes Metabolism and Endocrinology | Pathology |
| Emergency Care | Pediatric Surgery |
| Gastroenterological Surgery | Pediatrics |
| Gastroenterology | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| General Medicine | Radiology |
| Hematology and Oncology | Respiratory Medicine |
| Nephrology | Rheumatology |
| Urology |
Students at organizations with a Memorandum of Understanding with Toho University Faculty of Medicine can join the clinical elective program with us. Below is a list of these organizations.
- China Medical University (China)
- Kunming Medical University (China)
- The University of Hong Kong (China)
- Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (Mongolia)
- Chung Shan Medical University (Taiwan)
- National Defense Medical Center (Taiwan)
- National Taiwan University (Taiwan)
- Chiang Mai University (Thailand)
- Mahidol University (Thailand)
- Prince of Songkla University (Thailand)
- Walailak University (Thailand)
- Medical University of Gdansk (Poland)
- Medical University of Lodz (Poland)
- Medical University of Warsaw (Poland)
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Poland)
- University of Kansas Medical Center (USA)
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Non-Degree Programs
– Clinical Elective Program
– International Physician Observership Program
