Waseda University

Japan, an island nation located in East Asia, is renowned for its cultural heritage, technological advancements, and stunning natural landscapes. It boasts a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations, with iconic attractions like Mount Fuji, historic temples, and futuristic cities like Tokyo.

Basic English is widely spoken throughout the country, particularly in major cities and tourist centers. Announcements on public transportation are frequently made in both Japanese and English, and signs generally include decipherable roman characters or an English explanation.

In Japan, there are many fascinating places that you can enjoy for free. These include such diverse attractions as beer museums, food galleries, hi-tech consumer electronics showrooms, cosmetics factories and television studios. With so many different places to visit there's bound to be something of interest for everyone.

Traditional cultural pursuits such as sado (Japanese tea ceremony) and ikebana (flower arrangement) are much more than simple pursuits in skills. They embody spiritual ways seeking the traditional values of wabi (elegant stillness) and sabi (antiquated elegance with calm).

Tokyo is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populated metropolis. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. It is a city of contrast, where futuristic skyscrapers coexist with ancient temples and gardens. The city’s history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums. Tokyo is renowned for its shopping districts, such as Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku, each with its unique atmosphere and specialty stores. The city is also home to numerous theaters, concert halls, and live music venues. Additionally, Tokyo is known for its vibrant nightlife, with countless bars, clubs, and karaoke establishments that characterize the city's energetic atmosphere. The city also offers various theme parks and entertainment centers, including Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.

Waseda University (早稲田大学 Waseda Daigaku), abbreviated as Sōdai (早大), is a Japanese private research university in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as the Tōkyō Senmon Gakkō by Ōkuma Shigenobu, the school was formally renamed Waseda University in 1902. Waseda consistently ranks among the most academically selective and prestigious universities in Japanese university rankings. It is often ranked alongside Keio University, its rival, as the best private university in Japan. 

Waseda is organized into thirty-six departments: thirteen undergraduate schools and twenty-three graduate schools. As of May 2016, there were 42,860 undergraduate students and 8,269 graduate students. In addition to a central campus in Shinjuku, the university operates campuses in Chūō, Nishitōkyō, Tokorozawa, Honjō, and Kitakyūshū. Waseda also operates twenty-one research institutes at its main Shinjuku campus. The Waseda University Library is collectively one of the largest libraries in Japan and currently hold some 4.5 million volumes and 46,000 serials.

Courses in English

Course lists for each school are available here under the "Undergraduate (English based Program)" tab. Use the Syllabus Search tool to find more details about specific courses.

Japanese Language Courses

The Center for Japanese Language provides Japanese language courses at various levels, including J0 for those with no experience learning Japanese. Students may also take the Japanese Language Program, intended for students with a year of academic experience in Japanese who wish to focus on learning the language. Priority is given to students in the Japanese Language Program, so students who choose to enroll in other faculties may have difficulties being accepted into language classes. For more information click here.

Courses in Japanese

Students who are fluent in Japanese may enroll in regular undergraduate courses taught in Japanese. Course lists for each school are available here under the "Undergraduate (Japanese based Program)" tab.

Schools at the Waseda Campus include:

• School of Political Science and Economics (3.0/4.0 GPA requirement)
• School of Commerce
• School of Social Sciences
• School of International Liberal Studies
• Center for Japanese Language

Courses at Waseda are typically worth 2 credits. Two courses (4 credits) within the same stream will typically combine to transfer back as one 3 credit U of L course. Three courses (6 credits) within the same stream will generally combine to transfer as two 3 credit U of L courses. This may vary on an individual basis. Tuition is calculated based on the number of U of L courses students earn equivalent credits to.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher*
• Students wishing to enroll in the Japanese Language Program are required to have at least one academic year of university-level Japanese language courses. Students who do not meet this requirement must submit documentation proving the required language proficiency.

*The School of Political Science and Economics, School of Social Sciences, and School of International Liberal Studies have a 3.0 GPA requirement.

It is MANDATORY to obtain a Student Visa from the Consulate General of Japan in Calgary. There is an application fee of CAD $57 (2023).

Before applying for a visa, successful applicants to Waseda must first obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) from the Japanese Immigration Office. Waseda will apply for the CoE on behalf of accepted exchange students.

Visit the Embassy of Japan in Canada website for information about the visa application process.

Consulate General of Japan in Calgary
Phone: 1 (403) 294-0782
E-mail: consular@cl.mofa.go.jp
Website: www.calgary.ca.emb-japan.go.jp

Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:00–12:30 and 13:30–17:00.

All applicants must call the office to arrange an appointment to apply for a visa and submit all documents in person at the Consulate General of Japan at Calgary.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Japan, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Student Residences

Waseda offers three student dormitories for exchange students. Each dormitory is located within walking distance from the campus.

• International Student House (Sodai-ryo)
  • Cost: approx.￥60,000 - 74,000/month (2023) including utilities
  • Single room with bed, toilet, sink, air conditioner, desk, fridge, and wifi
  • Shared kitchen, shower room, and laundry
• Waseda Houshien
  • Cost: approx.￥63,000 - 83,000/month (2023) including utilities
  • Single room including bed, air conditioner, desk, fridge, and wifi
  • Shared kitchen, shower room, bathrooms, and laundry
• Nishi Waseda
  • Cost: approx.￥83,000 - 98,000/month (2023) including utilities
  • Single room including bed, bathroom, air conditioner, desk, fridge, and wifi
  • Shared kitchen and laundry

Private Housing

• Cost: approx. ￥67,000 - 114,000/month (2023) including utilities
• Waseda partners with landlords to help students find apartments or shared student housing
• Use Waseda's Partner Landlord Property Search tool to view properties

Homestay

• Cost: approx. ￥3,820/night (2023) including utilities, breakfast, and dinner
• Homestays allow students to immerse themselves in the Japanese culture and daily life
• Not all families live close to the university. An average commute is one hour
• Rooms are private and furnished. Washers/dryers, TVs, kitchen, etc. are shared with family members

In Tokyo

Students can purchase a smartcard, which allows for easier access to public transit. Train and bus fares can be charged to the card rather than purchasing a ticket each time. For more information about purchasing a smartcard, view the Life in Tokyo Guide on Waseda's exchange website.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY to enroll in the National Health Insurance program. When visiting medical institutions, you will be exempt from 70% of medical and pharmaceutical fees by showing your National Health Insurance card. Students may register for the National Health Insurance at the local municipal office after completing resident registration at the office. The premium is approximately ¥2,000/month (2023).

For more information, view Waseda's National Health Insurance Guide on their exchange website.

The MEXT scholarship is a Japanese government-sponsored scholarships for foreign students studying Japanese language and culture at Japanese universities. Students planning to enter Waseda’s Japanese Language Program (JLP) are eligible applicants for this grant. Recommendation from the University of Lethbridge is required.

• Award: Approx. ¥117,000/month (2023) and travel expenses for one round trip
• Award Period: 10 months, from October to July of the following year
• To be eligible students must:
  • Plan to enter Waseda’s JLP for one year
  • Be in undergraduate studies
  • Have completed at least one academic year of university-level courses related to Japanese language and culture
  • Have a sufficient language level to receive education in Japanese

For more information about the MEXT scholarship click here.