Tokyo Program Overview

From its founding, Sophia University has been dedicated to student-centered education and research. It is a fellow Jesuit University that consists of two campuses, both located in the heart of Tokyo. The Imperial Palace, historic Meiji Shrine, and the National Diet Library are just a couple of stops away on the subway. The student body includes a diverse mixture of Japanese students and  more than 500 foreign students from 54 countries.

Numerous on-campus activities, clubs, and sports teams provide a great opportunity for exchange students to participate in student life.  English courses on Japan and Asia in a wide variety of academic fields enrich foreign students' academic experiences.  Additionally, students are required to take a Japanese language class while studying abroad. 

Located on the perimeter of the Yotsuya campus is the National Theater, the National Stadium, international conventions facilities, and the Akasaka Palace where visiting royal families and political leaders are accommodated. The abundant greenery of the campus creates an atmosphere of peace and serenity, which belies its location in the center of a bustling metropolis. Student life is further enhanced by a wealth of facilities for music, drama, art, and sports.

Program Type:

This is a Marquette-exchange program, so most financial aid generally applies. To learn more about how this program will affect your specific financial aid package, please see the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Living:

University housing service. Students are accommodated in the university dorms.  There are two dorms separated by gender, both of which are fully equipped with a desk, chair, bookshelf, bed, etc.  The men’s dorms, located on the Yotsuya campus, are double rooms with a 240 person capacity; students are generally paired with a Japanese student.  The women’s dorm is located approximately 7 minutes on foot from the Kagurazaka Station and is 30 minutes from the university. These dorms are single person with a capacity of 62 students.

Duration & Dates:

Fall semester: late September to mid February
Spring semester: mid March to mid July
Summer:late July to mid August

Eligibility:

Most majors; minimum junior standing 3.0 GPA

Language:

Courses taught in English

Subjects:

Business, Economics, Japanese language, Philosophy, Political Science, History, Theology, Psychology, Sociology. Students are required to take a Japanese langusge class each semester.

Permit/Visa:

Visa required (Need to apply 3 months in advance)

Grading Scale:

Sophia University has a different scale than Marquette.  Students will need to earn a grade of C (79%-70%) or above in order to transfer credits back to Marquette. Please note that students will only transfer the credits and not the grades from these classes.

Application Requirements for Sophia University

• Application Requirement Checklist (PDF)
• For a program-specific application packet, please come in to DS 101.

Application Deadline

• March 1 for fall term or year-long
• October 1 for spring term

Required Materials for Marquette University

See the Applying for Study Abroad Page to see Marquette's requirements.

Marquette Requirements Deadline

October 1 for the spring semester and March 1 for the fall semester, summer term, or academic year.