Sophia University Admission Guide for International Students

Sophia University at a glance

Sophia University (Jōchi Daigaku) is a private university in Yotsuya, central Tokyo. Its official history records that the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of Sophia University in 1913, and the university was founded by the Society of Jesus — a point of institutional history, not a religious requirement for students. Its compact, walkable campus sits minutes from major train lines, giving students an urban base in central Tokyo.

Sophia has a long English-medium teaching tradition. The university states that its Faculty of Liberal Arts traces its origins to the International Division, established in 1949 as Japan's first university program to offer all of its courses in English. International and Japanese students study side by side today.

• Central single-campus location in Yotsuya, Tokyo
• Faculty of Liberal Arts traces to the 1949 International Division — Japan's first all-English university program
• A mixed community of Japanese and international students

English-taught undergraduate routes (check this list first)

Sophia's official admissions site lists three English-taught undergraduate routes: the Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA), awarding a BA in Liberal Arts; the Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF); and the Department of Digital Green Technology (DGTech) in the Faculty of Science and Technology, awarding a Bachelor of Engineering in Digital Green Technology.

SPSF is broader than a single subject: Sophia lists it as awarding BAs in Journalism, Education, Sociology, Economics, Management, International Relations and Area Studies, delivered in cooperation with departments across several faculties. An important currency point: Sophia states that, following the final intake for first-year and third-year transfer applicants for Academic Year 2026 (Autumn Entry), the Green Science and Green Engineering Programs are no longer accepting new applications — DGTech is the English-taught science and technology route now shown for applicants. Program names and availability change, so always confirm the current list on the official admissions pages before you plan an application.

• Faculty of Liberal Arts (FLA) — BA in Liberal Arts
• SPSF — BAs including Journalism, Education, Sociology, Economics, Management, International Relations and Area Studies
• DGTech, Faculty of Science and Technology — Bachelor of Engineering in Digital Green Technology
• Green Science / Green Engineering — closed to new applications after the final AY2026 (Autumn Entry) intake

How Faculty of Liberal Arts selection works

For the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia's official application procedure states that the decision on acceptance or rejection is based on document screening only — there is no separate on-campus written test or interview stage for this route. That places the weight on the documents and test scores you submit, so accuracy and timing matter.

Sophia also sets out how scores must reach the university: for example, it asks for SAT scores to be delivered directly from the College Board, and states that SAT superscores are not accepted. Screening methods and submission rules are set by the university and can be updated each cycle, so treat the official Application Procedure Booklet for your target program as authoritative rather than any summary.

English proficiency and standardized tests

For English-taught admission Sophia lists TOEFL and IELTS as the English proficiency tests, and it states that the Duolingo English Test is not accepted — do not build an application around it. Sophia also specifies that certain test versions cannot be used, including TOEFL Home Edition, TOEFL ITP, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator scores, so check which version you are booking.

For the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia states that all applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores unless they have (or expect to obtain) an IB Diploma or GCE A levels in three subjects, or have been pursuing a career for at least two years. Sophia also allows a TOEFL/IELTS waiver where an applicant has studied at least five years out of the last six in an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction. Score thresholds and waiver conditions change — verify them for your cycle on the official page for your specific program.

• English proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS (Duolingo not accepted)
• FLA: SAT or ACT required unless IB Diploma / three GCE A levels (or a career-based exception)
• Some test versions (Home Edition, ITP, Online, Indicator) are excluded — check before booking

Documents, fees and the student visa

A typical application asks for academic transcripts, proof of completed (or expected) secondary education, official test scores sent through the testing organization, and a statement about your goals. Prepare official, correctly certified documents early, because international paperwork and direct score delivery can take time.

Tuition, application fees, scholarship amounts and deadlines are set by the university and change between years, so this guide does not list figures — verify them on the official Sophia site. Admitted degree students normally study in Japan on the "Student" status of residence, arranged through a Certificate of Eligibility. That immigration information is general and is not immigration advice; confirm current procedures on the official Immigration Services Agency of Japan and Study in Japan portals.