Waseda University Admission Guide for International Students

Why Waseda for international students

Waseda University is one of Japan's largest and most international private research universities, based in central Tokyo. It hosts one of the biggest international-student communities in the country and runs a range of full degree programmes that can be studied entirely in English.

For students coming from India or elsewhere without Japanese-language ability, Waseda's appeal is that you can apply, study and graduate in English through dedicated English-based degree tracks — instead of sitting Japan's Japanese-medium entrance examinations. This guide focuses on those English routes; always confirm the current programme list, eligibility and deadlines on Waseda's official website before applying.

Waseda's English-based undergraduate degrees

Waseda offers several English-based (English-medium) undergraduate degree programmes across different schools. Two of the best known for international applicants are the School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) and the English-based Degree Program at the School of Political Science and Economics.

SILS is a broad, interdisciplinary liberal-arts degree taught mainly in English. The School of Political Science and Economics runs an English-based Degree Program with Political Science, Economics and Global Political Economy majors. Waseda offers other English-based degrees too — for example in science and engineering, social sciences, and culture, media and society — so review the full official list before deciding.

• School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) — interdisciplinary liberal arts, taught mainly in English
• School of Political Science and Economics — English-based Degree Program (Political Science, Economics, or Global Political Economy)
• Additional English-based undergraduate degrees exist across several schools — check the official list
• A large graduate offering with English-taught master's and doctoral options in many fields

The document-based screening route

For the English-based programmes, Waseda generally admits international applicants through a document-based (and often fully online) screening rather than an on-site written exam. In place of the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU), you typically submit school records together with a recognised standardised qualification — Waseda states it accepts a range of these, such as SAT, ACT, IB, A-Levels and India's AISSCE, among others — plus proof of English proficiency.

Applications are usually made through Waseda's online application system, and admission decisions are based on a holistic review of your documents. Exact required tests, minimum scores and document lists differ by school and change between cycles, so confirm each programme's current requirements on its official page.

• Screening is document-based and often online — no on-site written exam for most English tracks
• Accepted qualifications may include SAT, ACT, IB, A-Levels, AISSCE and others (verify per programme)
• English-proficiency evidence is typically required (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS) — check the accepted tests
• Some programmes may add essays, a study plan or an interview — confirm on the official site

April vs September intakes

Waseda runs two academic entry points — April (the traditional Japanese academic-year start) and September. Which intake an English-based programme uses depends on the school: some admit in September only, some in April, and some in both.

Because the intake month drives the application timeline months in advance, decide early which programme and entry term you want, then work backwards from that programme's official deadlines. Never rely on last year's dates — verify the current application window on the official website.

Graduate study, fees and scholarships

Beyond undergraduate degrees, Waseda has a large graduate offering with English-taught master's and doctoral programmes across fields such as economics, political science, international relations, science and engineering, and business. Graduate admission is handled by each graduate school and often expects a defined research interest.

Tuition varies by school, and Waseda and external bodies offer scholarships for international students — including options linked to Japan's MEXT (Japanese Government) scheme. Amounts, eligibility and deadlines change every year, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as indicative only and confirm current fees and funding on Waseda's official pages.

How to apply — a practical checklist

Start by shortlisting the specific English-based programme that fits your subject and intended entry term, then read that programme's official admissions page in full. Prepare your academic transcripts, your standardised qualification (e.g. SAT/IB/A-Levels/AISSCE as accepted), an English-proficiency score, and any required essays or study plan.

No agent or preparation service can guarantee admission to Waseda — decisions rest solely with the university's screening, so be cautious of anyone promising a place for a fee. Submit through the official online system by the stated deadline, and keep checking the official page for updates.

• Pick the exact programme and entry term first, then follow its official deadlines
• Gather transcripts, an accepted standardised qualification, and an English-proficiency score
• Prepare any essays or study plan the programme requires
• Apply only through Waseda's official system; ignore any "guaranteed admission" offers