Japan has many notable universities and research institutions. One of the reasons they’re so well-recognized is that each university offers a wide range of study topics with unique opportunities for not only domestic but also international students. Another reason Japanese higher education is popular among overseas students is that the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology regulates all institutions.
Thus, students are sure that every Japanese university is internationally accredited and provides equal quality for every student. Interestingly, most of these universities in Japan are private. Thus, in this article, we list the top seven private universities in Japan for international students.
What Are the Advantages of Enrolling in a Private University in Japan?
The majority of Japanese universities operate as private institutions. However, compared to private universities in other countries like the U.S. or the U.K., the tuition fees at the best private Japanese institutions are reasonable. To illustrate, the average annual tuition fee of a U.S. university is around $30,000, whereas in Japanese universities, the fees can be less than $10,000 in a year.
Another advantage of studying at a Japanese university is that there are plenty of merit-based and needs-based scholarships for international students. Lastly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan allows student visa holders with work permits to work up to 28 hours per week, so international students can find part-time jobs.
Top Private Universities in Japan for International Students
Below is a list of the top seven private universities in Japan with international recognition.
1. Keio University
Keio University is a prestigious university located in Minato, Tokyo. Founded in 1858, Keio is regarded as the oldest university of Western higher education in Japan. It has 11 different campuses located in the Kanto region, mainly in the Tokyo and Kanagawa prefectures.
Besides the fact that it offers quality education and training, Keio University is an ideal choice for international students as it offers a variety of English-taught programs. It also has numerous partnerships with world-class universities for exchange programs. Currently, 970 English-taught courses are offered in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies.
2. Waseda University
Established in 1882, Waseda University is a global university located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It is a well-established private university with respected alumni, including six prime ministers, the famous author Haruki Murakami, and several CEOs like Nobuyuki Idei, the former CEO of Sony, and Takeo Fukui, the former president and CEO of Honda.
The study courses at Waseda University include a wide range of English-medium undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered to thousands of international students. The university’s vision is to increase the international student body to 10,000 by 2032. Thus, Waseda is generous to international students in terms of scholarships and offers different options for financial aid based on the student’s skills and needs.
3. Sophia University
Founded in 1913, Sophia University is a respected private higher education institution located in Chiyoda, Japan. It is among the three Sōkeijōchi, the top three private universities in Japan, along with Waseda and Keio University. The university has religious affiliations with the Catholic Church and is regarded as the top Catholic university in Asia.
There are more than 13,000 students at Sophia University, and 9% of the population consists of international students. The foreign student body includes students from 77 different countries coming for a degree or exchange program in fields such as law, human sciences, theology, science and technology, humanities, and so on. International students can choose to enroll in an English-taught program from the university’s course catalog.
4. International Christian University
International Christian University is a well-recognized private university located in Mitaka, Tokyo. The university was founded in 1949 as the first liberal arts college in the country. ICU is recognized as the first bilingual university in Japan, with classes taught in English and Japanese.
It was also ranked as the best Japanese private university by Times Higher Education in 2020. This institution has produced many notable alumni, including Princess Mako of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, and U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller.
5. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Located in Beppu, Oita, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is among the most prestigious private universities in Japan. It maintains a 50:50 domestic and international student ratio and has more than 100 full-time faculty members coming from 30 different countries, making the university highly diverse based on student and academic staff population.
The university has unique regulations about enrollment in that students can get into and graduate from the institution twice a year: one in the spring and the other in the fall semester. Also, APU is a bilingual university; the courses are offered in either Japanese or English.
6. Ritsumeikan University
Founded in 1900, Ritsumeikan University is a top-class private university in Kyoto. It is also among Western Japan’s most prestigious universities called “Kan-Kan-Do-Rits”. Besides the Kyoto campus, Ritsumeikan has other campuses in Ibaraki, Osaka, and Kusatsu, Shiga.
Ritsumeikan is well-known for its College of Social Sciences, specifically for its Graduate School of International Relations, as it’s the only Japanese member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs. Other notable faculties include the College of Science and Technology and the College of Business Administration.
7. Doshisha University
Founded in 1875, Doshisha University is a well-established yet underrated private university located in Kyoto. It is known for being one of the most selective universities with an acceptance rate of 15% for some of its programs. Doshisha is well respected in the country, especially in the Kansai region.
This university has four campuses and hosts more than 1,000 international students. Some of the popular departments at Doshisha include law, letters, social studies, science and engineering, and commerce. Besides its quality education, the university provides various extracurricular activities for its students, with over 400 student clubs and organizations.
Japan is a leading country not only in science and technology but also in quality education at the tertiary level. Such quality is reflected even in its private institutions. Thus, if you’ve decided to be an international student in Japan, consider having your study program at one of the best private universities in Japan to take a life-changing step for your future academics.
We hope this article has given you a great introduction to the best private universities in Japan. That said, allow us to introduce you, as well, to the open courses you can pursue in these institutions. Don’t forget to check the Study in Japan page for insightful articles and valuable tips!
