🎓Waseda University

Tokyo, Japan

QS World 2026 · #181

One of Japan's most prominent private universities, with unusually broad English-taught options.

About Waseda

Waseda is one of Japan's most prestigious private universities and has built one of the country's broadest ranges of English-taught undergraduate programmes, including SILS (School of International Liberal Studies), making it one of the more accessible major Japanese universities for international students without Japanese fluency.

Why students choose it

  • SILS offers one of Japan's broadest English-taught undergraduate pathways
  • One of Japan's most prominent private universities
  • Large alumni network across Japanese politics and business

🎓 Free application support for Waseda

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Waseda — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

📝 Already decided? Apply now — it's free

Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 33

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

¥500,000–¥1,500,000/yr

high tier for Japan — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

Mix of Japanese and English — the School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) is taught fully in English; most other Bachelor's programmes are Japanese-medium.

Campus

city campus, Tokyo

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Waseda's financial aid office.

Japan's flagship scholarship is government-funded and well known internationally, alongside university-specific tuition waivers that are common at national universities regardless of the scholarship route.

  • MEXT Scholarship: Japanese government-funded, covers tuition plus a monthly stipend — available via both an embassy-recommendation and a university-recommendation track, for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Highly competitive.
  • University tuition waivers: Many national universities offer partial-to-full tuition exemption based on financial need or academic merit, independent of MEXT — check each university's international student office.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Political Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

📝 Apply for this course →

International Liberal Studies

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Science and Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Letters

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Durations are typical for Japan — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
April, September / October (English-taught programmes)
Typical deadline
November – January for an April intake
Note
Deadlines vary significantly by university and programme — confirm directly with your target school.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0–6.5 overall (English-taught programmes only)

TOEFL: 72–100 iBT

Required for English-taught programmes; Japanese-medium programmes require JLPT-level Japanese proficiency instead.

See where Waseda ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Japan University Shortlist Builder to see whether Waseda is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Japan university that matches.

Build my Japan shortlist →

More Japan universities

Waseda FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Waseda as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Waseda?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Waseda expects around AAB at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Waseda's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Waseda's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Waseda cost for international students?

International tuition at Waseda typically falls in the ¥500,000–¥1,500,000/yr range (high tier for Japan). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Waseda's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Waseda?

Waseda follows Japan's typical intake calendar: April, September / October (English-taught programmes), with applications generally due november – january for an april intake. Deadlines vary significantly by university and programme — confirm directly with your target school. Always verify the exact date on Waseda's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Waseda?

Japan universities, including Waseda, typically ask international applicants for 6.0–6.5 overall (English-taught programmes only). Required for English-taught programmes; Japanese-medium programmes require JLPT-level Japanese proficiency instead.

What is Waseda known for?

One of Japan's most prominent private universities, with unusually broad English-taught options. Waseda is one of Japan's most prestigious private universities and has built one of the country's broadest ranges of English-taught undergraduate programmes, including SILS (School of International Liberal Studies), making it one of the more accessible major Japanese universities for international students without Japanese fluency.

Can I apply to Waseda with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Waseda accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Japan University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Waseda and every other Japan university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to Waseda? Get free application support.

Book a Tutor