Waseda University’s School of Political Science and Economics will introduce a new curriculum (*) starting in the 2027 academic year. As such, we would like to introduce the details that have been decided as of January 12, 2026. Further information will be announced on the faculty website and through other channels as it becomes available.
The new curriculum aims to further strengthen students’ foreign language proficiency and data analysis skills through mathematics and statistics. In particular, it will introduce required courses in which students from both the Japanese-based Degree Program (JDP) and the English-based Degree Program (EDP) study together, engaging in discussions and presentations in English.
While maintaining distinct admission systems for the JDP and EDP, the curriculum emphasizes that students from both programs will learn together on a shared academic foundation after enrollment.
In addition, a new educational program will be introduced to enable students to acquire advanced data analysis techniques, building upon a solid foundation in mathematics and statistics.
(*) The new curriculum will apply to students enrolling in the 2027 academic year and thereafter and will not apply to students enrolled in or before the 2026 academic year.
Please also refer to the press release issued in September 2025 announcing the outline of the new curriculum:
Waseda University’s School of Political Science and Economics to Launch New Curriculum in Academic Year 2027 — Featuring Mandatory English-Taught Courses and Advanced Data Analysis Education —

Details of the New Curriculum

Establishment of Required Courses Taught in English

(1) Newly Established Required English-Taught Freshman Course “Foundation Seminar – An Introduction to Learning at the School of Political Science and Economics” (1 credit)

The School of Political Science and Economics offers the JDP program for April entrants, primarily conducted in Japanese, and the EDP program for September entrants, in which all courses are offered in English and graduation is possible using only English.
Under the new curriculum, a newly established required freshman course titled “Foundation Seminar – An Introduction to Learning at the School of Political Science and Economics” will be offered during the first semester immediately after enrollment for JDP students and during the second semester (spring semester) for EDP students.
By having JDP and EDP students study, discuss, and give presentations together in English, this course aims to foster interaction across degree programs and serve as the first step in overcoming language barriers in their course studies.

(2) Making EDP Courses Required for JDP Students

Under the new curriculum, JDP students will be required to complete at least 3 credits of EDP courses by graduation.
The School of Political Science and Economics introduced a new admissions system for JDP in the 2021 academic year. In addition to the University Entrance Common Test, this system includes comprehensive exam designed to assess applicants’ ability to accurately understand lengthy Japanese and English texts (including charts and graphs) related to politics and economics, as well as their ability to logically explain their own ideas based on that understanding.
Students admitted through this admissions system are considered to already possess a foundational level of English proficiency and strong potential for further improvement. After enrollment, students are encouraged to deepen their motivation to improve the English skills required for academic study in English through participation in the Foundation Seminar alongside EDP students and by experiencing an educational environment in which students from diverse backgrounds learn together.
Furthermore, systems will be established to recognize credits earned at overseas universities during study abroad and to grant credits based on external language proficiency examinations. These measures aim to reduce students’ anxiety and the academic burden associated with taking EDP courses. Details regarding eligible language tests and specific procedures will be determined in the future.

(3) Support Measures for Students Concerned About English Learning

Under the new curriculum, all JDP students will be required to take courses conducted entirely in English. In response, the School of Political Science and Economics will seek to reduce the learning burden on students by improving course registration systems and making effective use of existing educational programs and support services, while taking individual circumstances into account.

－Offering English Learning Courses by Proficiency Level – (*only for JDP)
The English learning curriculum offered by the School of Political Science and Economics is systematically organized into subject groups that allow students to progress according to their proficiency levels.

－Intercultural Communication Center (ICC)－
Waseda University welcomes students from diverse backgrounds around the world, and many students participate in study abroad programs each year. To further promote intercultural exchange within this diverse environment, the Intercultural Communication Center (ICC) is located on the first floor of Building 3 on the Waseda Campus.
The ICC organizes a variety of exchange activities, including the Language & Culture Exchange program, which pairs students to share and learn about each other’s languages and cultures.

－Center for International Education－
Waseda University actively promotes study abroad opportunities for all students and provides a wide range of support systems. The Center for International Education disseminates information on overseas study programs and offers initiatives such as the TOEFL iBT Challenge! which provides partial subsidies for language proficiency test fees.

Strengthening Data Analysis Skills

(1) Launch of Mathematics Program

(*only for JDP)
In response to the growing importance of mathematical thinking and statistical techniques in the social sciences, including political science and economics, the School of Political Science and Economics made “Mathematics I and Mathematics A” mandatory subjects in the University Entrance Common Test for the general selection process for JDP starting with the 2021 admissions system.
Beginning in the 2027 academic year, a new Mathematics Program will be established. The program aims to equip students with a strong mathematical foundation that enables them to acquire advanced and cutting-edge data analysis skills.
The Mathematics Program consists of three courses—”Mathematics I”, “Mathematics II”, and “Mathematics III”—each worth 2 credits. The program covers analysis, linear algebra, and probability theory, building on students’ basic mathematical knowledge to address both theoretical and applied topics.
The program has an enrollment capacity of approximately 50 students. Students wishing to enroll must submit an application form during the admissions process, along with their score from the National Center Test for University Admissions in “Mathematics II, Mathematics B, and Mathematics C”. If the number of applicants exceeds the program’s capacity, selection will be based on the highest scores in this subject. To enroll, applicants must ensure that their scores are viewable at the time of application of the University Entrance Common Test.
Students enrolled in the Mathematics Program may apply for an exemption from the second foreign language requirement starting from the second semester after enrollment. Students not enrolled in the program may also take Mathematics I, II, and III; however, the exemption from the second foreign language requirement applies only to Mathematics Program students.

(2) Introduction to Data Analysis (1-credit course)

A new course titled “Introduction to Data Analysis” will be introduced to explore both the usefulness and the enjoyment of data analysis in political science and economics. This course will be offered as a required subject in Japanese for JDP students and in English for EDP students, with both groups taking the course during their first semester after enrollment.

(3) Establishment of the Minor Program “Quantitative Social Science”

(*only for JDP)
The School of Political Science and Economics offers Minor Programs to help students clarify their academic goals, enhance motivation for learning, and deepen their expertise in specific fields while also broadening knowledge beyond their major.
In addition to existing minor programs in “Political Science”, “Economics”, “Journalism and Media”, “Law”, and “Foreign Languages and Regions”, a new minor titled “Quantitative Social Science” will be offered starting in the 2027 academic year.
Today, empirical research using data has become standard across many areas of political science and economics. This minor program provides both foundational mathematical training and practical instruction in data analysis methods used in the social sciences, including statistics, quantitative political science, and econometrics. Completion of this minor is expected to equip students with the mathematical knowledge needed to engage with cutting-edge data analysis as well as a broad range of practical analytical skills.
The completion requirements for this minor are planned to include a minimum of 18 credits in quantitative and empirical subjects, including the newly established courses “Mathematics I”, “Mathematics II”, and “Mathematics III”.

(4) Support Measures for Students Concerned About Mathematics

－Mathematics Support Room－ (*only for JDP)
The School of Political Science and Economics operates a Mathematics Support Room for students seeking to strengthen their foundational skills in mathematics and theoretical subjects. In this support room, students receive individualized guidance from teaching assistants (TAs) to address difficulties encountered in their mathematics studies.