WASEDA University School of International Liberal Studies

An Exchange program is a program where students at Waseda University are exchanged with other students in partner universities. Now, in exchange programs, more than 250 partner universities in about 60 countries in the world are accepting Waseda University students as exchange students. The program period lasts for one year, starting in spring or fall, depending on the country. During their one-year exchange placements at overseas universities/institutions, participants live their lives as students of their host universities/institutions and can choose from a variety of courses provided by the universities/institutions to meet their individual needs. One characteristic is that in many cases exchange students are allowed to select courses of their choice across the boundaries of departments without being required to take compulsory courses for students in certain years in certain departments. Most exchange students are accommodated in student dormitories, with plenty of interaction opportunities, not only with students of their host countries, but also with fellow international students from many different parts of the world to enrich their student lives.
However, please note that this does not apply to some partner institutions, particularly some in large cities where on-campus student accommodation is in great demand. Moreover, in most cases exchange students are exempted from tuition fees at their host universities/institutions by paying only the tuition fees and other costs charged by their home departments at Waseda University. This usually makes the financial burden on students lighter than when they study abroad at their own expense.

TSA programs, developed specially for students of Waseda University, are designed to allow participants to study on a range of courses relative to a particular theme set for the program. A distinctive feature of many but not all TSA programs is that there is ample support to help participants improve their language skills. The number of students on a TSA program differs from program to program. However, most typically, they are a group of 10 - 30 students. Another feature of both TSA and ISA programs is that coordinators are available specifically to support students from Waseda. As for the payment of study abroad costs, students on a TSA program pay a “program fee” to Waseda University that is agreed on between Waseda University and their host university/institution. Students who pay the program fee do not have to pay their tuition fee at Waseda University for the period of their study abroad program. The program fee is sometimes a tuition fee only and at other times includes both a tuition fee and living costs.

This program allows students to select relatively freely regular curriculum courses at their host universities/institutions through consultation with local coordinators. Some universities/institutions make attendance at language-learning classes compulsory for those in need of improving their language skills. As for costs, all that students on the ISA program have to pay is a “program fee” such as TSA programs.

Double Degree programs (a special kind of exchange program) are designed for Waseda University students to enable them to study at a top-ranking university in the world for one year or more and receive a degree from that university as long as they meet the requirements. Since participants are required to have high language proficiency in all areas, such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing, in order to complete the double degree programs at the host institutions, the screening process for the double degree programs is especially strict. As of 2008, the double degree program agreements have been concluded with Peking University, Fudan University, National University of Singapore and National Taiwan University. The range of double degree programs will be expanded in the future.

* Note:
Please note that nationality restrictions may be applied by Waseda’s partners in double degree programs. In the recent past students holding PRC nationality have faced particular difficulties in being accepted to double degree programs in mainland China and Taiwan. For more detailed information, please ask CIE.

In 2005, an agreement was concluded between University College Maastricht of Maastricht University, which is located in Maastricht, Netherlands, and Waseda University, on the basis of interchange of students. Since Fall 2006, one SILS student has gone on exchange each year on a one year program. This program is regarded as an "Exchange Program". As for the payment of study abroad costs, students are exempted from tuition fees at the host institution by paying tuition fees and other costs charged by Waseda University. University College Maastricht was established inside of Maastricht University in 2002, and is a liberal arts college, where courses are conducted in English. The program has drawn students from many countries in the world, not only the EU. There are a lot of things in common between University College Maastricht and SILS, such as the principle of the school and the style of curriculum. Especially, PBL (Problem-Based Learning: a learning method based on the style that assignments should be solved by group works) has attracted the attention from universities in the world. Courses are conducted in English.

In 2006, an agreement was concluded between Lahore University of Management Sciences, which is located in Lahore, Pakistan, and Waseda University on the basis of interchange of students. Since spring 2007 two student exchanges have been set up. (Course registration starts in mid-February at Lahore University of Management Sciences). This program is regarded as an "Exchange Program". As for the payment of study abroad costs, students are exempted from tuition fees at the host institution by paying tuition fees and other costs charged by Waseda University.
Lahore University of Management Sciences was established in 1985, with an aim to offer higher education receiving international recognition, and has already been set a high valuation not only within the country but also in the world. Courses and course materials are all conducted in English and a western style of education has been adopted. Classrooms, libraries, dormitories, cafeterias, and gyms are well-arranged in order for students to live fulfilling student lives. Moreover, courses about the history of Pakistan, Islam, and the politics and economics of Southern Asia, which students may have difficulties taking in Japan, are offered.

Note: We may not send students to LUMS due to the situation of Pakistan.

Victoria University is situated in metropolitan Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington is the center of politics, diplomacy, and cultural activities and also offers a safe and secure city life. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the among them biggest programs in Victoria university and offers a curriculum with more than 50 specialized fields including Art History, Media Studies, Theatre, Political Science and Anthropology, and has an interdisciplinary characteristic. Victoria University has a lively exchange program with many prestigious universities foreign countries, too. Students come from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds both within and outside New Zealand, including both Maoris and those from the South Pacific region.