Sophia University | Information, Rankings, Costs & Campus

Overview of Sophia University

Sophia University is a prestigious private university located in Tokyo, Japan. With a history dating back to 1913, the university is known for its strong academic reputation and commitment to fostering global leaders.

Faculty Strength

Sophia University boasts a team of highly qualified faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. They are dedicated to providing students with a top-notch education and guiding them towards success in their future careers.

Key Disciplines

The university offers a wide range of programs in various disciplines, including business, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Among the key disciplines are international business, Japanese studies, and environmental studies.

Research Achievements

Sophia University has made significant contributions to the academic community through its research endeavors. The university's faculty members have published numerous research papers in reputable journals and have received recognition for their work.

Highlight Programs

Some of the standout programs at Sophia University include the Global Studies Program, which offers students the opportunity to study abroad at partner universities around the world, and the Japanese Language Program, which immerses international students in the Japanese language and culture.

Talent Cultivation

Sophia University is known for its commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who possess both academic knowledge and practical skills. The university's emphasis on experiential learning and internships has produced graduates who are highly sought after by employers.

Social Reputation

Sophia University has earned a strong reputation both domestically and internationally for its academic excellence and commitment to fostering global citizenship. The university's alumni have gone on to make significant contributions to society in various fields.

Rankings

Sustainability Rankings

Rank: #637

University Rankings by Region

Rank: #209

World University Rankings

Rank: #951

World University Rankings by Subject

Rank: #251

Programmes

Ad Feature programmes(5)

Faculty of Liberal Arts (Courses are taught in English)

Undergraduate Program, Department of Global Studies (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)

Undergraduate Program, Department of Materials and Life Sciences (taught in Japanese)

Undergraduate Program, Department of Sociology (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)

Undergraduate Program, Green Science/Engineering (English Courses in Science and Technology)

Bachelor(30) / UG(30)

Arts and Humanities(14)

• Faculty of Liberal Arts (Courses are taught in English)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of English Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of English Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of French Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of French Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of German Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of German Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Hispanic Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of History (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Japanese Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Luso-Brazilian Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Philosophy (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Russian Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Theology (taught in Japanese)

Business and Management(2)

• Undergraduate Program, Department of Economics (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Management (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)

Engineering and Technology(2)

• Undergraduate Program, Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Information and Communication Sciences (taught in Japanese)

Life Sciences and Medicine(2)

• Undergraduate Program, Department of Nursing (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Psychology (taught in Japanese)

Natural Sciences(2)

• Undergraduate Program, Department of Materials and Life Sciences (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Green Science/Engineering (English Courses in Science and Technology)

Social Sciences and Management(8)

• Undergraduate Program, Department of Education (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Global Studies (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of International Legal Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Journalism (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Law (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Legal Studies of the Global Environment (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Social Services (taught in Japanese)
• Undergraduate Program, Department of Sociology (Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures – SPSF, taught in English)

Master(55) / PG(55)

Arts and Humanities(13)

• Graduate Program, MA, Death and Life Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, English and American Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, French Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, German Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, History (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Japanese Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Linguistics
• Graduate Program, MA, Philosophy (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Theology (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Death and Life Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD English and American Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Linguistics (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Philosophy (taught in Japanese)

Business and Management(4)

• Graduate Program, MA, Economics (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Management (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Economics (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Management (taught in Japanese)

Engineering and Technology(9)

• Graduate Degree Program of Applied Data Sciences (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, Applied Data Sciences (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Electrical and Electronics Engineering Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Green Science and Engineering (Courses are taught in English)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Information Science Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Mechanical Engineering (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Green Science and Engineering (Courses are taught in English)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Information Science Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Mechanical Engineering (taught in Japanese)

Life Sciences and Medicine(4)

• Graduate Program, MA, Nursing (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Psychology (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Biological Science Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Biological Science Division (taught in Japanese)

Natural Sciences(8)

• Graduate Program, MA, Global Environmental Studies (Courses are taught in English)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Applied Chemistry Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Mathematics Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology / Physics Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MS, Science and Technology/ Chemistry Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Global Environmental Studies (Courses are taught in English)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Mathematics Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Physics Division (taught in Japanese)

Social Sciences and Management(17)

• Graduate Program, MA, Area Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Cultural Interaction (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Education
• Graduate Program, MA, Global Studies (Courses are taught in English)
• Graduate Program, MA, International Cooperation Studies
• Graduate Program, MA, International Relations (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Journalism (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Law (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Social Services (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, MA, Sociology (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Area Studies (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Education
• Graduate Program, PhD International Relations (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Law (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Social Services (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Sociology (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Global Studies (Courses are taught in English)

PHD(12)

Arts and Humanities(6)

• Graduate Program, PhD Cultural Interaction (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD French Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD German Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD History (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD Japanese Literature (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Systematic Theology (taught in Japanese)

Engineering and Technology(1)

• Graduate Program, PhD,Science and Technology Electrical and Electronics Engineering (taught in Japanese)

Life Sciences and Medicine(1)

• Graduate Program, PhD Psychology (taught in Japanese)

Natural Sciences(2)

• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology / Chemistry Division (taught in Japanese)
• Graduate Program, PhD, Science and Technology Applied Chemistry (taught in Japanese)

Social Sciences and Management(2)

• Graduate Program, PhD Journalism (taught in Japanese)
• Juris Doctor Program (Law School) (taught in Japanese)

University Information

Admission

There are various admissions to apply for Sophia University.

In general, the admission decision is made based on document screening for English-taught programs. No written exam or interview is required.

For the English-taught programs, no Japanese skill is needed to apply, enroll, and graduate with all support in English whereas students have chances to learn the Japanese language while focusing on your major studies.

-English-taught programs

We offer bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, non-degree (taking credits for a semester or two), and exchange programs. We also offer Sophia short-term programs in summer and January. Short-term program students cannot earn a Sophia University degree or take regular courses, but can earn credits upon completion of the program. Please refer to our website for the details.

-Scholarships

Sophia University’s scholarships are all grants with various types for international students. Please refer to our website for the details.

General

IELTS: 0+

TOEFL: 0+

International Baccalaureate: 0+

Facilities

No detailed information available.

Students & Staff

Student life

Fours Years to Grow with Unique Friends From all Over the World
Campus life at Sophia University begins with the entrance ceremony, marked by cherry blossoms in full bloom along Sanadabori. Located in the heart of the city, yet surrounded by nature in Yotsuya, the campus is filled with students from a wide variety of backgrounds, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere. As a single campus, students can interact with international students as well as peers from different faculties. Additionally, there are facilities and equipment to support a variety of activities, including extracurricular activities and volunteer activities, as well as a support system to consult with students when they face problems in their student life or career development.
For details, please visit Sophia official website .

Total students

12,844

UG students: 89% PG students: 11%

International students

1,297

UG students: 55% PG students: 45%

Total faculty staff

1,070

Domestic staff: 83% Int'l staff: 17%

Cost of Living

Accommodation

$6,310

(Approx. amount)

Food

$4,440

(Approx. amount)

Transport

$680

(Approx. amount)

Utilities

$3,260

(Approx. amount)

Employability & Career

Career Services

Overview: Of the humanities and social sciences graduates (about 2400), 80% went to work and 8% went on to graduate school. Of the science and technology graduates (about 350), 48% went to work and 48% went to graduate school.

Among undergraduates, the employment rate for applicants is 97.2%. There is a lot of support for current students utilizing the network of alumni, such as seminars by company. Support

Career Center : The Sophia Career Center supports students' job-seeking activities and gives them tips to find career opportunities.

Students have access to the following programs offered by the Career Center.

- Individual counseling service

- Job fair

- Job search workshops

Where Students Go (from English-taught programs):

- Public Services (Japanese governmental ministries)

- Trade and Industry

- Banking and Finance

- Media and Arts

- Communications and Technology

- Graduate School

Sophia University Alumni Association (SUAA) : Sophia University has approximately 140,000 alumni; 3,000 students graduate every year. The Sophia University Alumni Association (SUAA or "Sophia-kai" in Japanese) promotes friendship among Sophia's alumni and contributes to Sophia University's developing, setting and accomplishing further goals.

Media & Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ratio of Japanese students and foreign students?

The ratio of Japanese students to foreign students at Sophia University is approximately 4:1.

What are the countries that international students usually come from?

International students at Sophia University usually come from countries such as China, South Korea, the United States, and Vietnam.

Is there an on-campus examination or interview?

Yes, Sophia University may require an on-campus examination or interview as part of the application process.

Is there a minimum requirement for standardized test score (SAT/ACT/IB/GCE A-Level) to apply ?

Yes, there may be a minimum requirement for standardized test scores such as SAT, ACT, IB, or GCE A-Level to apply to Sophia University.

Can I apply for more than one English-taught program at the same time?

Yes, you can apply for more than one English-taught program at Sophia University at the same time.

Campus Locations

Yotsuya Campus Campus

Primary Campus

7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku

City: Tokyo Country: Japan Code: JP Region: Asia Subregion: Eastern Asia

Hadano Campus Campus

999 Sannoudai, Kamiozuki, Hadano-shi,

City: Kanagawa Country: Japan Code: JP Region: Asia Subregion: Eastern Asia

Mejiro Seibo Campus Campus

4-16-11 Shimo-Ochiai, Shinjuku-ku,

City: Tokyo Country: Japan Code: JP Region: Asia Subregion: Eastern Asia

Osaka Satellite Campus Campus

3-12-8 Toyosaki, Kita-ku, Osaka-Shi,

City: Osaka Country: Japan Code: JP Region: Asia Subregion: Eastern Asia

Shakujii Campus Campus

4-32-11 Kamishakujii, Nerima-ku,

City: Tokyo Country: Japan Code: JP Region: Asia Subregion: Eastern Asia