Waseda University

 

Overview: 

Waseda University is a private university located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan.  With roots dating back to 1992, Waseda became the second private university to be established in Japan.  The university consist of 13 undergraduate schools and 23 graduate schools.  Waseda enrolls over 50,000 students each year with about 40,000 at the undergraduate level and 10,000 at the graduate level.  Of the total population, about 4,800 are international students coming from 100 different countries. This program is university-wide, meaning any undergraduate Pitt student regardless of major may participate.

Fact sheet: 
PDF icon Click here to download. (191.07 KB)
Learning Objectives: 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
  • a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in Japan.
Partner Information: 

Center for International Education

Waseda Global Gate

Waseda Campus, Bldg. No. 22, 1st floor

Shinjuku-ku, 169-0051 Tokyo, Japan

03-3208-9602

ex-in-cie@list.waseda.jp

https://www.waseda.jp/inst/cie/

Location Description: 

Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with an estimated 35 million people. Officially Tokyo refers to the metropolitan area that consists of 23 special wards or districts. Historically known as Edo, the area was not formally renamed Tokyo until 1868 when the political capital was moved from Kyoto. Tokyo not only acts as the political heart of Japan, as the seat of government, but also the financial center. There are over 50 companies whose headquarters are based in the city.

Housing Description: 

Waseda offers options for university-affiliated housing or private accommodations. Pitt students are not guaranteed spots within university-affiliated housing, but Waseda will provide instructions on when and how to apply for housing. See Waseda’s general housing website for exchange students. 

 

 

 

Academic Description: 

At Waseda, courses are mainly taught in Japanese, with a select few in English. Areas where Pitt students may take courses in English are the Japanese Language Program, the One-Year Study Abroad Program at the School of International Liberal Studies (SILS), and the Undergraduate Studies Program. 
Japanese Language Program: The Japanese Language Program offered by the Center for Japanese Language at Waseda University was established to provide incoming international students wishing to major in Japanese studies and/or Japanese Language Teaching or those who are currently engaged in those areas, with intensive courses to improve their Japanese.
SILS: The One Year Study Abroad Program at School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) is aimed at undergraduate international students who take courses in the Japanese language and in Asian and Japanese Studies. Students are placed in small language classes according to their level while courses in Japanese and Asian culture, society, politics, and economics are conducted in English. The academic year is divided into 2 (Fall and Spring) semesters according to the semester system, beginning in late September and ending in July.
Undergraduate Studies Program: The following schools at Waseda offer courses in English for incoming exchange students:

Credits taken at Waseda are equivalent to credits received at Pitt according to a 1:1 ratio. For example, 3 credits at Kobe will transfer as 3 Pitt credits.
All credits taken at Waseda require approval by both your academic advisor(s) and study abroad program manager. Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours. Courses taken at Waseda will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university. 

Students who have attended this program in the past have taken classes in the areas of:: 
Japanese
Philosophy
Computer Science
History
University Course Catalog: 
Requirements & Course Lists
Grading: 
Like Pitt, Waseda’s grading scale follows the practice of assigning letter grades, such as A, B, C, D and F.  
 
The grading system is based off the following scale: 
 
Waseda North America
A+ (90-100%) A (4.0)
A (80-89%) B+ (3.5)
B (70-79%) B (3.0)
C+(2.5)
C (60-69%) C (2.0)
F (below 59%) Not Passing

For Pitt transfer credit, in order to earn a grade of “S,” (satisfactory) at Pitt, you must make an equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher. An equivalent to a “C-” or lower will result in a grade of “NC” (no credit) at Pitt.

Waseda will provide hardcopy (or electronic transcripts) to the University of Pittsburgh’s Study Abroad Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are receive. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: 3959 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Electronic copies should be sent to the designated exchange program manager under “SAO Staff.”  
 
Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received. 

Pitt students may utilize the following online resource to understand the grading scale within this host country.

 

Program Fees: 
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.  
 
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition* $9,880 $18,000
Mandatory Fees $645 $645
Study Abroad Fee $400 $400
Total Billed by Pitt* $10,925 $19,045
 
*The tuition rate is per semester and is defaulted to reflect the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. For Pitt students of another Pitt school or campus, the tuition rate will reflect the home school or campus. See posted rates on the Institutional Research page. The rate reflected is for the previous year but will default to the new year's tuition when updated tuition rates come out.

 

How Much To Budget: 

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,500
Room & Board $5,500
Personal Expenses $3,500
 
The Estimated Costs reflect information provided by Waseda and are reported to OAFA to calculate financial aid packages.The listed costs are defaulted to one semester. Multiply the costs by two for two semesters. 
 
Personal expenses vary with individual students. Review the Waseda's website for more information, and visit our budgeting page for more information. 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the exchange university you will attend requires purchase of a specific health insurance coverage per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at Waseda for either a full semester (spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). Waseda's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Unlike Pitt, Waseda’s academic calendar follows a Spring-Fall progression, meaning Spring is the first semester followed by the Fall semester as the second. Because Waseda’s academic calendar varies significantly from Pitt’s, exchanging for only the fall semester is not possible. However, if a single semester at Waseda is desired, then the Spring (or second) semester is the only option. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Dr. Shawn Alfonso Wells

Hujambo, Hola, Bon jour! I am the Exchange and Panther Programs Manger. I have a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and am an Adjunct professor of Anthropology who has taught in the Anthropology, History, Sociology, and Africana Studies departments at Pitt and CMU. I recently helped students to achieve their goals as their Academic Advisor. I did my fieldwork on Color Classification in Cuba and have led many ground breaking experiential student trips to Cuba. I love learning about different cultures and want to help facilitate students being able to travel abroad learn the world. I look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals.

 

Schedule a Zoom appointment with me below or get in touch with me through email to discuss exchange options and your future global experience.

 

E-mail: 
smwst20@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

  • Click here to schedule an appointment with me through Pathways.
  • Log into Pathways with your Pitt username and password
  • Select Find Available Time
  • Select the time that works for you
  • Click the schedule button
  • You will see a confirms message on the screen. You will also receive a confirmation in your Pitt email.

Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!

Application Instructions: 

Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to Waseda. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review Waseda's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student at Waseda. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to Waseda's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.  
 
The exchange university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:  

  • Application Form 
  • Copy of Valid Passport 
  • Official Pitt Transcript 
  • Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment 
  • Statement of Intent or Purpose 
  • Resume or CV 
  • Official Language Evaluation 
  • Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations 
  • Up to 2 passport photos 

 

Additional Information: 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency either through the IELTS or the TOELF. In order to take courses in Japanese at Waseda, Pitt students will be required to submit evidence of N1 level Japanese proficiency through the JLPT. Please check with Waseda regarding these requirements.  

Scholarships: Pitt students will be considered for the JASSO. For details, see Waseda's website under "Scholarship." 

Insurance Requirements: 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, Japan requires Pitt students to purchase additional coverage through their national health plans. See the details here.  

Visa Requirements: 

In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

 

For those without Japanese nationality, students must obtain a student visa to study in Japan. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review Waseda's website.  Also, check the Japanese Embassy or consulate closest to you for additional information. Waseda will provide general direction after formal admission on for how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website. In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly) 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Tokyo. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!