FAQ (Future students)

Here are some frequent questions we receive from applicants.
Please also see the brochures of Meiji University and the School of Global Japanese Studies for details about our school.

・Meiji University brochure
・School of Global Japanese Studies brochure (English)
・School of Global Japanese Studies brochure (Japanese)

• What kind of students are sought in the School of Global Japanese Studies?
• What courses are featured in the curriculum?
• What exactly do students study about Japanese culture?
• How many students are in a small-sized class?
• Can students take Seminars at SGJS?
• How long is one lecture?
• Do SGJS students study at Nakano Campus for four years?

• How, and when can I apply for the SGJS English Track program?
• I am a native speaker of English. Do I still need to submit the English proficiency test score?
• What scholarships can I apply to before admission?
• How do I know if I am eligible to apply?
• Do you accept transfer students?

• What are the Study Abroad programs offered at the School of Global Japanese Studies?
• How much would it cost to join the Academic Study Abroad/Internship Program at the School of Global Japanese Studies?
• What are short-term Study Abroad programs?

• Are there many international students studying at SGJS?
• Do international students take the same courses as the Japanese students? I heard that at some universities, international students take courses separately.
• Taking courses in Japanese with other students is challenging. Does the university offer any support?
• I understand that SGJS puts a lot of energy into international exchanges. Are there opportunities for international students and Japanese students to get together?
• Are there any scholarships that offer tuition reduction?
• Is there a dormitory?
• Can I apply to admissions for another faculty at the same time?
• Please tell me about my options after graduation.

• What kind of support is available for student life?

SGJS seeks students who can acquire the ability to disseminate knowledge globally through their studies on Japanese contemporary culture, tradition, and social systems. We aim to develop students with a deep understanding of Japan and contribute to the global community from this point of view. We also encourage students to be actively involved in intercultural exchanges.

Admission policy for students enrolling to the School of Global Japanese Studies

In addition to foreign language education, General Studies, Global Studies subjects, and Japanese Studies subjects are among the features of SGJS. General Studies are mainly introductory courses and aim to develop an international perspective and ethics, and strengthen Japanese language ability, presentation skills, and build computer information processing skills. The specialized courses in Global Japanese Studies bring a flexible understanding of different cultures from liberal arts courses and explore Japanese culture and tradition.

SGJS students learn about contemporary culture such as art, movies, anime, manga, literature, and performing arts. They will also study traditional cultures, including performing arts, art, and martial arts, which are the roots and essential themes of contemporary Japanese culture. Our field-leading faculty members will give innovative lectures for each study field.

We offer intensive Japanese language education for English Track students and intensive English education for Japanese Track students in a class of approximately 20 students. Seminars, for third and fourth-year students, and Practicum of Global Japanese Studies, for students in all years, are also held in the same class size.

Students can take Seminars from their third year. As an introduction to the specialized education of Seminars, Liberal Arts courses are available from the first year. Students generally take the same Seminar throughout their third and fourth years.

What is a Seminar?

Each course at Meiji University is 100 minutes. In the Spring Semester, the very first class for most SGJS courses are divided into two 50 minute modules with the same contents so students can try out many courses before they register.

Yes, SGJS students study for four years at Nakano Campus, the main campus of SGJS. Nakano is a multicultural campus with students from diverse backgrounds. Our students can also use facilities in other locations such as the Izumi Campus, the Liberty Tower, and the Museum at Surugadai.

Nakano Campus
About an 8-minute walk from the north exit of Nakano Station
(JR & Tokyo Metro)

Izumi Campus
A 5-minute walk from Meidaimae Station (Keio Line)

Surugadai Campus
A 3-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station (JR & Tokyo Metro)

Applicants must first complete an online application, then submit required documents via post. The English Track program enrolls ten students each in April and September. The application periods and deadlines are different for April and September admissions. Please check the latest information on the English Track Admissions page.

All applicants, including native speakers of English, need to take the English proficiency test. Please see the Application Guidelines for the list of approved test scores.

Although most scholarships at Meiji University are available for enrolled students, you can apply for the Meiji University International Students Incentive Scholarship Program before the admission process. This scholarship provides an opportunity for applicants from target countries/regions to study at Meiji.
Another scholarship determined before admission is the Meiji University Special Grant for Privately Financed International Students. Grantees will be selected from successful applicants for the English Track admissions, so no application is required.
To learn more about these scholarships, please see here.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements described in the Application Guidelines and be able to submit certificates showing their eligibility. If you have any questions or concerns about your application eligibility, you can apply for the Eligibility Screening by submitting the designated form. For details, please see here.

SGJS does not accept transfer students. All applicants are admitted as first-year students.

The "Academic Study Abroad/Internship Program" for students who meet a specific English proficiency level allows students to study abroad in the second and subsequent semesters.
The "Short-term Study Abroad Program" is an opportunity to participate in language training programs and internships regardless of the English level. Students can take advantage of the Short-term Study Abroad Program starting from the first summer vacation.
Meiji University has student exchange agreements with universities worldwide and has a university-wide system and short-term language training programs for studying at partner universities. For information on partner universities and language training, please visit the Center for International Programs (CIP) website.

It depends on the institution you study in, but the average cost is around 1.5 to 2 million yen, including tuition and living expenses. The Internship Abroad program at Disney World is a paid internship, so participating will cost approximately 400,000 yen. The above prices do not include the round-trip airfare. To reduce the financial burden on students studying abroad, Meiji University has a system to subsidize the fall semester tuition fee (about 450,000 yen).

If you wish to study abroad for a short period, you can participate in a language study program or an overseas volunteer program for about three to four weeks, held during summer vacation, etc. Students earn credits after completing these programs. The short-term Study Abroad program is open to all students, including first-year students.

Yes. SGJS is a relatively small faculty within Meiji University, but our multicultural community welcomes students worldwide. Our international students are mostly from Asian countries.

We do not divide courses among international students and Japanese students, except for certain courses such as Japanese language subjects. We encourage our students to be involved with each other, which also helps raise the Japanese language level.

At Meiji University, we have a system to support all students, regardless of whether they are international students. There is a Study Support corner by graduate student TAs (Teaching Assistants) on each campus. Please feel free to visit anytime.

At SGJS, a group of students called the GJS Student Committee (GJSSC) aims to bring together international students with Japanese students. GJSSC organizes various events for this purpose. For details, please visit here.

Yes. Privately funded international students with the visa status, "Student" are eligible for tuition reduction upon application. The reduction rate may be subject to change.

The International Student Center introduces dormitories students can directly apply for, and others which can be applied through the university. The Meiji Global Village opened in 2019, a residence inside Izumi Campus for international students and Japanese students.

You can apply to another faculty at the same time as SGJS, as long as the examination dates do not conflict. Please prepare the documents separately.

There are various possibilities, such as continuing graduate education, getting a job in Japan, or working in your own country. The Career Center provides support for international students. You can seek employment in the same way as Japanese students.

At Meiji University, we have various systems, such as housing, welfare facilities, insurances, and scholarships, to support student life. Please see here for details.