III. Study Abroad Programs

 

1. Waseda University's programs: overview

Listed below are the main programs offered by Waseda University.
Note) The following rules for tuition fees apply to the students who enrolled after the 1999 academic year. (In case that you continue from the undergraduate to the graduate school or from a master’s to a doctoral program, the year in which you were promoted to each educational level is considered the academic year.)

(1) Exchange programs

Exchange programs are conducted under the university-wide or departmental bilateral agreements. You study at partner universities for one academic year. (Some departmental agreements allow their students to study for one semester.) Please note that some programs have restrictions on target students: only graduate students, juniors (3rd year undergraduate students) or above, etc. Exchange students often have priority in course registration, accommodation arrangements, etc. over other students who study abroad at their own expenses. However, you must start taking regular classes with local students without being offered any language (L2) programs. Therefore, you are required to be fluent in a local language. Usually, between one to three students are selected per university.

(2) TSA (Thematic Studies Abroad) programs (only for undergraduate students)

TSA programs have been designed specially for Waseda students, and curriculums are centered on thematic studies. One of the unique features about the TSA program is the support to improve the students' language proficiency.

Around 10 to 30 students participate in most of the programs, although the student quota varies by program. Programs are offered in North America, United Kingdom, Ireland, Oceania, China, and Europe.

(3) ISA (Individualized Studies Abroad) programs

In the ISA program, with the advice from a coordinator at the host university, you may enjoy some freedom to take regular courses on the basis of their preferences. You are required to take language (L2) courses if your language proficiency is not adequate to take regular courses. The student quota for each program varies by program.

(4) Double degree programs

The double degree program allows you to receive a degree from a prestigious overseas university as well as from Waseda University while remaining registered at Waseda University, provided that you satisfy all program and degree requirements. Receiving a degree from one of these universities requires an extremely high level of the four academic skills in the local language: speaking, reading comprehension, listening apprehension and composition. Your language proficiency will be carefully reviewed at the time of screening at Waseda University. In 2007-8 double degree programs are organized for undergraduate students at the following universities: Peking University, Fudan University, Taiwan University and National University of Singapore. The disciplinary and length of study varies by program.

(5) Short -term programs (spring and summer)

The short-term programs are offered during spring and summer vacations. While the contents differ according to program, the curriculum for short-term program consists of preparation and language (L2) courses and those on the culture and affairs of the host country. If you wish to study overseas for a long term, you are encouraged to participate in a short term program so that you may know if you can easily adapt to a foreign environment and confirm if your language skills are good enough. The detailed information for the application is to be announced on the CIE website and Waseda-net portal. Waseda University’s Extension Center, the university’s lifelong learning institute, have some programs where you can learn various languages, culture and specialized fields. Some courses may have you earn credits in the U.S.A. You may obtain more details from the Center’s website:http://www.waseda.jp/extension/

2. Other types of study abroad

There are other ways to accomplish your study abroad objectives other than the programs offered by Waseda University.

(1) Study abroad on a scholarship or at your own expense

In case that you do not find any partner universities that meet your need or you wish to study at a graduate school abroad after graduating from Waseda University, you need to look for the university and organize it on your own. After choosing the country you are interested in, you need to research the relevant information through institutions in that country. If you do not participate in the programs offered by Waseda University, please note that the application deadline is usually about six months prior to the enrollment date. You may apply through the internet; however, you must allow enough time to apply for the university

a. On a scholarship

This mainly applies to graduate students. You must be successfully selected for the scholarship by the foreign government or a private foundation and admitted to an overseas university.

b. At your own expenses (privately funded study)

You are admitted to an overseas university and pay the tuition and other academic fees and living expenses on you own without receiving any scholarships. Students in this category may go overseas for the sole reason of language learning or under the status of “visiting student” or “non-degree student”. Please note that there are cases where credits earned abroad may not be approved by Waseda University. It is essential that you consult with your school office regarding credit approval.