SAPL Tokyo is a semester long educational experience for students in the Master of Architecture program.
The purpose of the program is to enhance the professional education of our students with learning opportunities in an international context that will result in a well-rounded design education. Studying abroad allows practical, real-world engagement with ideas, practices, and precedents beyond the confines of Calgary. Tokyo, the planet’s largest and most complex city, is rich in history, steeped in traditions, intricate in character and innovative in design. Here, students will witness bold urban experiments that stretch our imagination and challenge the status quo.
This city offers learning opportunities to explore and understand the challenges of professional practice within dense and dynamic urban contexts. Tokyo has demonstrated great success in architecture, planning, urban, landscape and sustainable design. The experience will give students a unique professional education experience that will prepare them for architecture + environmental design challenges Alberta, Canada and our globe will face in the coming decades. Our interdisciplinary approach to professional design education is exceptional and it is very innovative to apply this working philosophy and pedagogy to a study abroad program. The Asia-based program takes students into the field to study cities, visit major design and planning offices, interact with government officials, participate in tours, and engage in many cultural activities.
Key information
Application information
Student Experience
Have questions?
For program information, please contact Dr. Brian R. Sinclair at brian.sinclair@ucalgary.ca
For application and registration support, please contact group.study@ucalgary.ca
Other useful links:
2025 SAPL Tokyo Info Session
Other SAPL Group Study Programs
Explore other Group Study Programs offered for students from the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL).
2025 Barcelona Spring/Summer Program
2025 Zurich Spring/Summer Program
2025 Los Angeles Winter Program
Program details
Questions about these courses should be directed to the program instructor.
Please note: course descriptions are tentative and subject to change.
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Courses offered
Students on this program are required to enroll in the following course:
ARCH 688 - Special Studio Topics in Architecture (6 credits)
ARCH 675 - Urban Systems (3 credits)
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Prerequisites
Enrolment in this program
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Pre-departure
Students will be required to attend one Pre-Departure Session in Winter 2025, date TBD.
Other pre-departure activities:
Tokyo Program Overview - TBD
Japan General Orientation - TBD
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In-field
May 2:
Travel day to Tokyo
May 3 & 4:
Students must arrive in Tokyo and move into their accommodation
May 5 – July 23:
Students will participate in lectures, tours, and assignments throughout the city and at the studio space in Tokyo
July 24:
Final Studio Review
July 25:
Students free to return to Calgary or continue on for independent travel
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Post-field
Post-program due dates subject to professor's discretion.
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Costs
The estimated cost of this Group Study Program will include tuition, airfare, field trips, local transportation, accommodations and meals. For the full cost breakdown and payment deadlines, please see the program Student Cost Summary
Important information regarding deposit payments: Deposits are non-refundable. Deposits secure your space in the program and allows payment for logistical arrangements to be made in advance.
Please note: Flight and accommodation costs are estimates. You are responsible for booking your own flights and accommodations and so the prices may vary based on your selections.
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Funding
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked here, for more information.
Student loans: If you qualify for student loans, your program should qualify. We are able to provide you with a letter confirming your participation in the program for funding purposes. Please email group.study@ucalgary.ca to request a letter.
Please note that eligibility for student loans is determined by your loans provider.
Waterman Study Abroad Funding will be available for MArch students (no equivalent funding for MPlan or MLA students) participating in these programs. More details will be provided at a later date.
For this program, students will be booking their own accommodations and are responsible for the quality.
Check with your professor as he will have suggestions on convenient locations within the city.
This program is only open to students enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape who are in good academic standing.
Applications will be considered by your professor and faculty administrator after the application deadline.
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Statement of Purpose
- You can start your application and statement of purpose through the RAISA portal.
- Please tell us why you want to study abroad, why you have selected this particular program (academic reasons, personal interest, career prospects, etc.), how this program will meet your academic objectives and/or complement your degree, how you plan to finance your program and why you should be selected (max 500 words).
- Note: Because the online application will time out after one hour, we recommend that you compose your statement of purpose in advance in Word to check for spelling, grammar, and word count and then paste it into the online application.
Please ensure that you have read the Group Study Program General FAQs thoroughly before applying.
Getting started
Program-Specific Info Sessions
Info sessions are scheduled for every Group Study Program. Attending an info session is not required to apply, but strongly recommended as it will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor and learn more about the travel experience.
We also recommend watching Global Learning 101 for general information.
Global Learning Advising
If you have questions about this program, you can meet with one of our Global Learning Advisors by emailing group.study@ucalgary.ca or booking an appointment through the link below.
1. Select "Advising"
2. Select “Study Abroad”
3. Select “Book by Appointment Type”
4. Select your program advisor to view available times.
Academic Advising
Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how a Group Study Program might align with your degree.
After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.