Waseda University
早稲田大学
Tokyo's big private university, founded by a prime minister, with English-taught degrees in six of its 13 undergraduate schools.
- Acceptance rate
- 21%
- September 2026 entry, English-based undergraduate programs (all six schools, all application batches)
- Students
- 44,876
- International
- 12%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14.2:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- ¥1.3M
- From · 2027-28
About Waseda
Waseda University was founded in 1882 as the Tokyo Professional School by Okuma Shigenobu, who served twice as prime minister of Japan, and took the name Waseda University in 1902. It is one of Japan's largest private universities, with 13 undergraduate schools and more than 20 graduate schools. The main campus sits in Shinjuku, Tokyo, around the clock tower of Okuma Auditorium, with further campuses at Toyama, Nishi-Waseda and Tokorozawa.
For international applicants, the key route is Waseda's English-based degree programs, offered by six undergraduate schools: Political Science and Economics, Social Sciences (TAISI), International Liberal Studies (SILS), Culture, Media and Society (JCulP), Fundamental Science and Engineering, and Creative Science and Engineering. No Japanese is required to apply. Admission is holistic and document-based, and Waseda accepts a wide range of qualifications, from SAT, ACT, IB and A-levels to Gaokao, CSAT, HKDSE and Abitur.
These programs are selective. For September 2026 entry, the six schools received 3,694 applications and made 778 offers in total, and successful applicants averaged around 1,430-1,500 on the SAT and 36-39 points in the IB depending on the school. Waseda suits students who want a big-city university with deep links to Japanese politics, media, business and literature, and who are ready to plan finances carefully: scholarships exist, but they are competitive.
Why students choose Waseda
You can earn a full Waseda degree in English at six schools, from political science and economics to computer science and civil engineering, with no Japanese needed at application.
SILS takes around 150 students of all nationalities each September and around 100 each April, and its Study Plan 1 track makes a year of study abroad mandatory.
Waseda's alumni include former prime minister Fumio Kishida, Uniqlo founder Tadashi Yanai, Sony co-founder Masaru Ibuka and novelist Haruki Murakami.
The Waseda International Student House (WISH) offers 872 private rooms for new undergraduates at 53,000 yen a month, about half the Tokyo market rate by Waseda's estimate.
Admissions
September 2026 entry, English-based undergraduate programs (all six schools, all application batches)
About 1 in 5 applicants is admitted
778 admitted from 3,694 applicants
Figures cover only Waseda's English-based undergraduate programs for September 2026 entry: Political Science and Economics 994 applicants/218 successful, Social Sciences 405/119, SILS 1,332/315, Culture, Media and Society 162/23, and the two science and engineering schools 801/103. Waseda does not publish a single admit rate for its much larger Japanese-based entrance examinations.
Typical entry requirements
| 12 years of schooling | Completion (or expected completion) of a 12-year school curriculum; for SILS September 2027 entry, by September 21, 2027 |
|---|---|
| SAT / ACT | No minimum; admitted averages for September 2026 ranged from SAT 1415 to 1499 and ACT 32.0 to 36.0 by school |
| IB Diploma | No minimum; admitted averages for September 2026 (including predicted grades) ranged from 36.4 to 38.9 out of 42 by school |
| National exams (Gaokao, CSAT, HKDSE, A-levels, Abitur and others) | Accepted in place of SAT/ACT depending on your education system; see Waseda's List of Application Documents by Education System |
| English language | SILS requires a TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score taken on or after February 1, 2025, sent directly from the test provider; TOEFL Home Edition, MyBest scores and IELTS Online are not accepted. No minimum score is published. You are exempt if you have studied full-time in English for at least three of the last four years. |
Deadlines
- SILS AO April 2027 Entry (Overseas) Non-binding PassedSeptember 8, 2026, 5:00 PM JST (closed)
Around 100 places for students from non-Japanese 12-year curricula; interviews (if required) November 7, 2026; results November 24, 2026.
- SILS AO September 2027 Entry: Early Admission Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 monthsJanuary 12, 2027, 11:59 PM JST
Application window opens January 7, 2027; essay questions released December 22, 2026. About 70 of around 150 places; Early Decision announced March 9, 2027. Non-binding; applicants not admitted early are automatically considered in Regular Admission, and early admits get priority for pre-enrollment scholarships.
- SILS AO September 2027 Entry: Regular Admission Non-binding In ~4 monthsJanuary 28, 2027, 5:00 PM JST
Interviews (if required) March 26 or 27, 2027; results April 13, 2027; waitlist offers May 18 and June 1, 2027.
- Political Science and Economics, English-based Degree Program (September 2027 Entry) Non-binding In ~4 monthsJanuary 28, 2027 (online application January 7-28, 2027)
Interviews (if required) April 16 or 17, 2027; results April 22, 2027; enrollment September 21, 2027.
Each school sets its own schedule and publishes its application guide on its own website. SILS and PSE had published September 2027 timelines as of September 29, 2026; check the Social Sciences (TAISI), Culture, Media and Society (JCulP) and science and engineering pages for their dates. For September 2026 entry the central application window ran January 8 to February 10, 2026, and the system closes automatically at the deadline.
How to apply
Choose one English-based program, then apply online (SILS and PSE use the TAO system) by uploading transcripts, a standardized test or national exam result, an English test score, an essay written to the school's published prompt, and proof of honors and activities, and pay the screening fee (10,000 yen from overseas at SILS, 35,000 yen from within Japan). Screening is holistic on documents, with interviews only if required.
What admissions looks for
- Strong academic performance across your full high school record, judged holistically rather than against a cut-off.
- A standardized test or national exam result appropriate to your education system; SILS now requires one.
- English ability shown by TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic, unless you qualify for the English-medium exemption.
- A thoughtful essay written by you to the school's prompt, plus documented honors and extracurricular activities.
Tips for applying to Waseda
- 1 Apply in SILS Early Admission if you are ready by January 12: it is non-binding, gives you a second chance in Regular Admission, and early admits get priority for pre-enrollment scholarships.
- 2 Enter only your best single test sitting: Waseda does not superscore and ignores any score not declared in the online system.
- 3 Order TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT scores sent directly to Waseda early; one score report can be shared across all its English-based programs.
- 4 If you live outside Japan, the SILS screening fee is 10,000 yen instead of 35,000 yen, and some countries qualify for a fee waiver.
- 5 Check whether your curriculum changes the rules: Waseda has published specific test changes for applicants from Canadian systems from 2027 entry.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in JPY
Successful applicants may be offered merit-based pre-enrollment scholarships, with no separate application. After enrollment there are 20+ Waseda scholarships and about 100+ external scholarships for international students; all Waseda-funded scholarships are grants, and about one in four international students receives one. Waseda advises applicants to have a firm financial plan because scholarships are competitive.
- About one in four
- International students receiving scholarships
- 20+ from Waseda, 100+ from external organizations
- Scholarship types for international students
- 10,000 yen (applying from outside Japan) / 35,000 yen (from within Japan)
- SILS screening fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (spring and fall), with April and September entry
International Liberal Studies (SILS)
Taught in English with September and April entry and around 250 places a year; the most applied-to English-based program (1,332 applicants for September 2026).
Political Science, Economics and Global Political Economy (PSE)
Waseda's founding discipline; English-based admits for September 2026 averaged SAT 1490.8 and IB 38.9.
Transnational and Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Innovation (TAISI)
The School of Social Sciences' English-based program, with September entry.
Global Studies in Japanese Cultures Program (JCulP)
An English-taught program on Japanese culture in the School of Culture, Media and Society, which made 23 offers from 162 English-based applicants for September 2026.
Computer Science and Communications Engineering
One of four English-based majors in Waseda's two science and engineering schools, alongside Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering; these schools admitted 103 of 801 applicants for September 2026, the lowest rate of the English-based programs.
Research
- Waseda runs 21 research institutes at its main Shinjuku campus.
- The Yanai Initiative for Globalizing Japanese Humanities, a partnership between Waseda and UCLA, is funded by alumnus Tadashi Yanai, whose gifts to it include 25 million US dollars in 2020 and 31 million in 2024.
Schools & faculties
- School of Political Science and Economics
- School of Law
- School of Culture, Media and Society
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Commerce
- School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
- School of Creative Science and Engineering
- School of Advanced Science and Engineering
- School of Social Sciences
- School of Human Sciences
- School of International Liberal Studies
Student life
Waseda Campus is a working part of Shinjuku, with the Okuma Auditorium clock tower and the statue of founder Okuma Shigenobu at its centre, and campus life revolves around a large number of student circles and sports clubs. New international undergraduates can live at the Waseda International Student House (WISH) in Nakano, which has its own Social Intelligence programs for residents. English-based program students share campuses and many classes with Japanese students, and SILS students on Study Plan 2 take Japanese language courses as part of the curriculum.
- Okuma Auditorium and its clock tower are the symbol of the main campus.
- WISH houses 872 residents in private rooms, with separate floors for men and women.
- About one in four international students receives a scholarship.
- Waseda's English-based programs accept students in both September and April (SILS and JCulP).
Housing. The Waseda International Student House (WISH) offers 872 private rooms for incoming undergraduates at 53,000 yen a month, a 9-minute train ride from Waseda Campus; students apply online after admission.
Location
Waseda is in Shinjuku, central Tokyo, a short train ride from Shinjuku Station and Takadanobaba, one of Tokyo's biggest student neighbourhoods. The area is packed with cheap restaurants, bookshops and cafes. Tokyo is expensive for rent, which is why Waseda points students to its WISH dormitory at about half the market rate.
Nearest airport: Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND); Narita International Airport (NRT)
Notable alumni
- HM Haruki MurakamiNovelist; studied drama at Waseda
- TY Tadashi YanaiFounder of Fast Retailing (Uniqlo); economics and political science graduate, 1971
- MI Masaru IbukaCo-founder of Sony; graduated 1933
- FK Fumio KishidaPrime Minister of Japan 2021-2024; law graduate, 1982
- HK Hirokazu Kore-edaFilm director whose Shoplifters won the Palme d'Or (2018); Waseda graduate, 1987
- YH Yuzuru HanyuTwo-time Olympic figure skating champion; studied human information science through Waseda's e-school
Frequently asked questions
Can I study at Waseda in English without speaking Japanese?
Yes. Six undergraduate schools run English-based degree programs, and Japanese ability is not required to apply. Some programs include Japanese language courses once you enrol.
What is Waseda's acceptance rate for international students?
For September 2026 entry, Waseda's English-based programs received 3,694 applications and admitted 778 students, about 21%. Rates varied from about 13% in science and engineering and 14% at Culture, Media and Society to about 29% at Social Sciences.
What SAT score do you need for Waseda?
There is no minimum score. Successful applicants for September 2026 averaged from 1415 (Culture, Media and Society) to about 1499 (science and engineering) on the SAT, and 36.4 to 38.9 in the IB.
When is the Waseda application deadline for September 2027?
SILS closes Early Admission on January 12, 2027 and Regular Admission on January 28, 2027. Political Science and Economics also closes on January 28, 2027. Other schools publish their own dates.
How much does Waseda cost for international students?
For AY2027, the English-based programs cost about 1,251,000 to 1,784,000 yen a year in tuition (SILS 1,690,000 yen); in year one this is billed as a 200,000 yen registration fee plus a lower tuition charge, for a first-year total of about 1,257,000 to 1,891,000 yen. A room in the WISH dormitory is 53,000 yen a month.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- Waseda International Admissions Office: English-based Undergraduate Programs
- Waseda: English-based Undergraduate Programs Admissions Statistics, September 2021-2026 entry (PDF)
- Waseda: Average Scores of Successful Applicants, September 2026 (PDF)
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