About the International Exchange Division
The International Exchange Division supports Tokyo Medical University students who study abroad at partner institutions and provides comprehensive assistance to incoming exchange students during their stay in Japan. To promote internationalization at Tokyo Medical University (TMU), we maintain academic and student exchange agreements with medical schools and research institutions worldwide.
Clinical Clerkship at Tokyo Medical University
Tokyo Medical University accepts overseas students from partner institutions with which we have formal exchange agreements. The International Exchange Division provides comprehensive support—from the application process to student life in Japan—so that visiting students can focus on learning during their clerkship.
Training Institution
Tokyo Medical University Hospital
Tokyo Medical University Hospital, located in Shinjuku, central Tokyo, is a tertiary care teaching hospital providing advanced medical services and clinical education.
Visiting students may participate in clinical electives in various rotation departments, subject to departmental availability.
List of clinical electives available at TMU
Eligible Students
Applicants must be enrolled at a partner institution with a student exchange agreement with TMU and have completed basic clinical training in their home program.
Training Period
The duration of the clerkship varies depending on the student’s program and availability.
Placements are typically arranged for 2, 4, or 6 weeks (maximum 6 weeks).
Rotations start on a Monday and end on a Friday.
Students may rotate through one or more departments depending on the duration of their clerkship.
Application Process
Applicants must apply through the International Office at their home institution.
The home institution should first contact TMU to coordinate the proposed training period.
TMU typically accepts students from each partner institution during the same period, in accordance with the terms of the exchange agreement. To ensure smooth program coordination, students from the same partner institution are generally scheduled to participate during the same timeframe.
Once the training period has been confirmed, application documents should be submitted to TMU. Rotation placements, accommodation details, and first-day instructions will be provided thereafter.
Application Timeline
Timeframe Process
8 - 10 months prior Nomination and training period coordination
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At least 5 months prior Submission of application documents
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2 - 3 months prior Confirmation of rotation placement and accommodation arrangements
Submission of additional necessary information via an online form
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2 weeks - 1 month prior First-day schedule and arrival instructions
Application Documents
Application documents should be submitted following nomination and training period coordination with TMU.
Depending on institutional procedures, documents may be submitted either through the International Office at the applicant’s home institution or directly by the nominated student.
The required documents include the following:
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Curriculum Vitae
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Motivation Letter
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Academic Transcript
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Insurance Certificates
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Passport Copy
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Confidentiality Documents
For detailed requirements and submission instructions, please refer to the checklist below.
All required documents must be submitted at least five (5) months prior to the requested start date.
Expenses
There is no program fee for the clerkship.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be arranged by TMU.
Students are usually accommodated at the Shakujii-dai Staff Residence in Nerima, Tokyo. The commute to Tokyo Medical University Hospital takes approximately 50 minutes by public transportation.
Accommodation fees may apply depending on reciprocal agreements between TMU and the student’s home institution. Details will be confirmed upon nomination.
Students who prefer to arrange their own accommodation may do so at their own expense and responsibility.
Insurance
Please make sure to purchase travel insurance before leaving for Japan. If students need to see a doctor during their stay, they will be required to pay medical expenses in full at the time of treatment.
Reimbursement may be claimed later through their insurance provider in their home country.
Items Provided by TMU
The following items will be provided during your rotation:
– White coat and scrubs
– IP phone (for hospital use only)
Outline of Clinical Clerkship at TMU
Weekdays
Students follow the daily schedule of the rotation department.
Detailed schedules vary by rotation department.
Students are advised to confirm the schedule directly with their rotation department on the first day.
Weekends & National Holidays
No clerkship activities are scheduled.
Last Day
Submission of a clerkship reflection report
If evaluation forms are required by the student’s home institution, students should request completion directly from their supervising physicians in advance.
Return of any borrowed items (e.g., white coats, IP phone, ID badge)
Issuance of a Clerkship Certificate
Travel & Life Information
The following websites may be helpful for general travel planning and daily life information in Japan:
Transportation
●Airport Limousine
https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
●Tokyo Metro
●JR East
JR-EAST - East Japan Railway Company
●Seibu-Shinjuku line
(Seibu-Shinjuku line will be used to commute from the Shakujii-dai dormitory to TMUH)
https://www.seiburailway.jp/en/railway/
●Tokyo Metro
IC Card & Fare Information
●PASMO IC Card Guide
(A PASMO card is required to purchase a student pass for the Seibu‑Shinjuku Line or for any railway company other than JR East)
●Suica IC Card Guide (JR East)
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html
General Information
●Japan Guide
https://www.japan-guide.com/
●Tsunagu Japan
https://www.tsunagujapan.com/
Affiliated Institutions
As of March, 2020
The University of Kansas (U.S.A.)
Sister school since 1982
Chung Shan Medical University (Taiwan)
Sister school since 1984
Jeju National University (Korea)
Sister school since 2011
Seoul National University
College of Medicine (Korea)
Student exchange program since 2011
Seoul National University
Bundang Hospital (Korea)
Sister hospital since 2011
Utrecht University College of Medicine (The Netherlands)
Student exchange program
since 2011
Taipei Medical University (Taiwan)
Sister school since 2012
University of Medicine and Pharmacy– Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Sister school since 2012
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Germany)
Department of Anesthesiology Collaborative institution
since 2013
University of Pécs
College of Medicine (Hungary)
Sister school since 2013
University of Montpellier (France)
Student exchange program since 2014
Lund University (Sweden)
Sister school since 2015
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Australia)
Collaborative institution since 2016
Semmelweis University (Hungary)
Sister school since 2017
The University of Udine (Italy)
Student exchange program since 2018
Kaohsiung Medical University
(Taiwan)
Sister school since 2020
Clinical clerkships at TMU are only for students from our affiliated schools.
If you have any inquiries, please first contact the appropriate division at your institution.