There are various programs for studying abroad during your studies and after graduation through the Sophia University system, that differ in terms of duration, transferrable credits, and cost. The main categories are long-term study abroad for one or more semesters, short-term study abroad during summer or spring vacation, internships abroad, and admission to graduate schools abroad. Regardless of your faculty affiliation, you can join a program that is right for you.
Study at an overseas university or educational institution for at least one semester. Exchange program, general study abroad, and study abroad on a leave of absence are available.
The exchange program is a system for Sophia University and an overseas university with which Sophia University has an exchange agreement to mutually send and receive students for one year or one semester. With more than 340 exchange partners in about 60 countries around the world, more than 350 students study abroad each year as exchange students, and more than 500 exchange students are accepted from overseas partner institutions.
There is an internal selection process for studying abroad as an exchange student. There are enough slots available for students who meet certain conditions, so a wide range of opportunities are available to students who want to study abroad. Under the tuition transfer system, students are exempted from paying tuition fees at their study abroad destination. This allows students to study in countries with high tuition fees, and they only have to cover mainly the costs of travel, accommodation, and educational materials. There is also a system for recognizing the credits earned in study abroad programs, making it possible for students to graduate in four years.
There are various types of exchange programs, including the Sophia AIMS (SAIMS) program, LAP (Sophia-Nanzan Latin America Program), and graduate school-only exchange programs, in addition to regular exchange programs.
Students are free to choose a degree-granting university and study at their own expense. The procedure is done individually, and tuition fees are paid to both Sophia University and the host university. However, students who study abroad for one semester or more may apply for the Scholarship for General Study Abroad. Credits can be recognized and students may also study abroad on a quarter (1/2 semester) basis.
Students may take a leave of absence from Sophia University to study abroad. Graduation is postponed for the period of the leave of absence, but students are free to choose the destination and form of study. There is also a reduced tuition fee system for the period of absence, and it is possible to study abroad on a quarter (1/2 semester) basis.
For information on exchange partner institutions, long-term study abroad programs for current students, please see Web Piloti
Students study in various parts of the world during summer and spring breaks and other long vacations. Various training sites are available.
As part of their foreign language education, students can participate in language programs sponsored by Sophia University’s exchange partner schools and other institutions, to improve their language skills. Participants are expected to participate in the language program during the summer or spring vacation after adequate preparation based on the prescribed advance instructions at Sophia University. This program is suitable for students who want to improve their language skills intensively during long vacations and is easy to participate in even if you have no overseas experience. Participants are required to take proactive actions to join such programs.
Students participate in short-term programs at Sophia University’s exchange partner institutions and study specialized subjects in a foreign language. A certain level of language proficiency is required to participate in this program, and it is suitable for students who wish to use their own language skills while intensively studying specialized subjects during summer and spring vacations.
These programs include study tours and volunteer programs that allow students to deepen their understanding of each theme and region through preliminary lectures on campus, and to learn practical skills in the field.
Please see the “Short-term Programs” page on Web Piloti.
Students can earn credits by attending lectures and submitting assignments before and after their work experience at companies, international organizations, and groups with which Sophia University has an agreement. Through their work experience, students will have the opportunity to gain insight into how to apply the specialized knowledge and skills they learned at university in a global society, or what they need to learn for the rest of their university life. Practical training is mainly conducted in Japan, but some of the training may be conducted overseas.
For information on internship courses for current students, please see Web Piloti.
Sophia University has a special admission system to affiliated overseas graduate schools. By applying based on recommendations, students can receive preferential treatment, such as priority screening over general applicants and partial tuition reductions or exemptions.
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the oldest Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States and a prestigious private research university located in Washington, D.C. It is renowned for its strength in politics and international relations and is known for producing the highest number of U.S. diplomats nationwide. It is also one of Sophia University’s closest and most active partner institutions.
Columbia University is a world-renowned private university in New York City, known for its research excellence, global outlook, and vibrant urban campus. Sophia University partners with two of its graduate schools:
Teachers College: A globally recognized graduate school specializing in fields related to human development. In addition to education, it is highly regarded in areas such as organizational development, clinical psychology, international education, and policy studies.
School of Professional Studies: Offers a wide range of professionally oriented master’s programs and provides practice‑based learning taught by industry experts. It is widely recognized as a graduate school that bridges academic scholarship and professional practice, supporting students’ career advancement.
Fordham University is a prestigious Jesuit private university located in New York, offering a diverse and globally minded educational environment rooted in liberal arts and research excellence.
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a leading Jesuit university that emphasizes rigorous academics and holistic personal formation. As a major research university, it provides education across a wide range of fields. The partnered Lynch School of Education and Human Development is one of the top graduate schools in the field of education.
Hult International Business School is a globally recognized institution known for its international focus and practical, hands‑on learning. As a “Triple Crown” school accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, it is highly esteemed worldwide.
Please refer to Web Piloti for information on special admission for overseas graduate schools for current students.
Under this program, students study for 3.5 or 3 years at Sophia University (depending on their enrollment period), followed by 2 years in a partnered overseas graduate school. Upon completion, students earn both a bachelor’s degree from Sophia University and a master’s degree from the overseas institution, typically within 5.5 or 5 years.
Applicants must satisfy the requirements set by the partner universities and apply through the standard admissions process. However, by applying through Sophia University’s recommendation, students receive preferential screening compared to general applicants.
During the first year at the overseas graduate school, students remain enrolled at Sophia University as exchange students, and the credits earned abroad are transferred toward Sophia’s graduation requirements, allowing them to receive their bachelor’s degree. At the partner graduate school, students complete the required coursework—including the credits earned during the exchange year—within two years to obtain the master’s degree.
For more information for current students, please visit Web Piloti
Exchange students are not required to pay tuition fees to the host university. However, students may be responsible for other expenses, such as insurance specified by the host university. For general study abroad and study abroad on leave of absence, students are required to pay tuition fees to both Sophia University (reduction is applied to a leave of absence) and the host university. Travel and living expenses during their study abroad are to be borne by the student.
For example, for studying abroad for one year, 2 to 4 million yen could be spent for necessary expenses, such as travel and living, depending on the destination. The scholarships available vary depending on the type of study abroad program, but there are scholarships from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and a wide variety of on-campus scholarships from Sophia University.
The university offers a study abroad counseling service for current students who are interested in studying abroad but do not know where to start, or who have concerns about their study abroad plans. Professional counselors are available to answer your questions and concerns.
Every year around June or July, we hold a Study Abroad Fair, an event to introduce Sophia University’s wide range of study abroad programs to current students. There are various sessions related to studying abroad, such as general information sessions and round-table discussions with seniors who have studied abroad, to help you obtain information and prepare for your study abroad experience.
Start study abroad, return to Japan
For detailed study abroad information for current students, please visit Web Piloti.
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