English University Programs in and around Tokyo

Japanese universities maintain quite high standards for higher education. However, in the past, a lack of English university programs kept the university education largely inaccessible to non-Japanese-speaking foreigners.

Fortunately, many good Japanese universities now offer a large number of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in English. Finding those English university programs makes it much easier for people looking to move to Japan for higher education.

If you want to work long-term in Japan, getting a university degree in Japan would give you the perfect edge. Studying in Japan will also help you create a personal network that will make you competitive in the Japanese job market. However, many potential students avoid applying to Japanese universities assuming a lack of English programs in Japan.

However, as mentioned above, despite Japanese society’s uniformity, many universities across the country offer degree programs in English.

These English university programs were created to attract more international students to Japan. Moreover, they also add value to native Japanese students to make them competitive internationally.

Japanese often isn’t a requirement for admission to these colleges, but those interested in learning the language can take Japanese classes alongside their core classes. 

Why Study in Tokyo

As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is the center of innovation and education for the country.

Many top-ranked schools are located in Tokyo or within the Kanto area and have existed for centuries. Prospective students interested in being in a more international environment will likely appreciate the city’s vibrancy merged with the country’s long-standing traditions.

University with English Programs in Tokyo

University of Tokyo

Locals know Tokyo University as Todai, a short form of Tokyo Daigaku. The University of Tokyo was established in 1877, making it Japan’s first national university.

The University of Tokyo aims to nurture global leaders, so students are provided with a rich academic environment. As the top university in Japan, it is internationally famous and very competitive for admission.  

The University of Tokyo offers many degree programs in English. You can find the list of such college degrees here.

Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ)

TUJ is located in central Tokyo and is famous in Japan for its connections to the international community. It’s the Japanese branch of Temple University in Philadelphia, USA.

Temple University earned a spot on the top 100 “Best Value Schools” in the USA and has a solid reputation as an international university in Japan.

They offer degrees in psychology, economics, cultural studies, communication, etc. The standard of the courses at Temple University in Japan is the same as that of its mother American school. And, of course, the teaching medium of all courses is 100% English. 

Sophia University

Sophia University is one of Japan’s top three private universities and ranks among the top 20 in the Japan University Rankings.

The university has a national reputation for being a leading institution for its cultural studies programs.  As a top-ranking university with a high percentage of international students, the school offers several degree programs taught in English, including global studies, education, and management. You can find out such English-based degree programs offered by Sophia University Japan here. 

Keio University

Only five years after Japan opened its borders to the world, Keio University was established in 1858. To date, it remains one of Japan’s top institutes of Western education.

Like Sophia University, it is a member of the Top Global University Project. In addition, it is one of two Japanese universities to be a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global University Leaders Forum.

Since many of the alumni have had prestigious international careers, Keio is an excellent choice for those interested in global studies. You can find out the college degree programs at Keio University in Japan here.

Waseda University

Much like Sophia and Keio Universities, Waseda University consistently ranks as one of the top universities in Japan.

Many notable alumni from Waseda University include the CEOs of Honda, Uniqlo, seven prime ministers, and Haruki Murakami.

So, if your interest is in working exclusively in Japan, developing an international career, or furthering your understanding of science, Waseda University is a great school to consider. 

Waseda University Japan offers over 1,500 English-based educational programs. Their website has details on all such programs.

Tokyo International University

Tokyo International University is considered one of Japan’s most international institutions of higher learning. Its focus is primarily on business and commerce.

Presently, approximately one in eight students are enrolled in one of the English track degree programs. The main campus is in Kawagoe, Saitama, a historical town known for its well-preserved Edo-period architecture. 

Tokyo International University has over 1,400 international students. studying various programs in English medium. To learn about these programs, please click here.

University of Tsukuba

Located in Ibaraki, about two hours from Tokyo, the University of Tsukuba is designated one of Japan’s top 10 national universities.

While the other schools on this list are well-known for their cultural, foreign language, and political programs, Tsukuba provides English degree programs in STEM. Prospective graduate students will likely enjoy their Tokyo campus and the evening courses geared toward working adults. This page of Tsukuba University details the courses taught in English. 

Meiji University

Meiji University is one of Japan’s leading private institutions.

The English track courses offer programs in international relations, politics, tourism, media arts, and more. They also feature a curriculum that concentrates on traditional and modern relaxed Japanese culture and Japanese society in a global community. 

Please click here to learn about Meiji University’s English Track programs and admission criteria.

International Christian University

International Christian University is highly regarded as a liberal arts college providing excellent bilingual education.

ICU accepts students from all over the world and offers 31 majors and superlative Japanese language programs.

ICU has a fully bilingual campus with classes in either English or Japanese, and all faculty members must have a strong command over both. In 2023, Forbes rated it as the 11th top liberal arts college in Asia by Forbes and ranked it as one of the main liberal arts colleges in Japan. 

You can check ICU, Japan’s English-track courses here.

Hosei University

Established in 1880 as the Tokyo School of Law, it is one of the oldest traditional universities in Japan. Today, Hosei University has a wide range of academic fields for English-based degree programs. The school has three main campuses across Tokyo: Ichigaya, Koganei, and Tama.

This page details about Hosie University’s English-based programs.

Conclusion

Tokyo is ripe with educational opportunities for prospective international students. Moreover, as Japan aims to bring more international students and workers into the country, many more schools will likely start their English-based programs in the future.