Exchange Partners

Waseda University

Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies

Waseda icon Waseda University, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS) in Tokyo is one of Japan's top universities. It recruits 40% of its students from outside Japan, strengthening the international dialogue. GSAPS offers a wide range of courses on international affairs, development studies, and business, as well as area studies.

Curriculum and Registration:  The Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS) at Waseda University offers a variety of courses in international affairs, development studies, and business, especially for students with an interest in Japan and East Asia. A course list and some syllabi are available on-line.

In order to satisfy minimum requirements for Japanese immigration law, exchange students must take courses that have at least 10 hours of lectures per week, typically equivalent to taking seven courses per semester in the spring and fall. Students must pre-register for courses at the time of application in order to secure his/her eligibility to stay in Japan. Seven courses is considered a normal course load at Waseda.

Transfer of Credit:  Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may transfer up to 10 GW credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. programs. For more details on transfer credit, visit Receiving Credit .

Grade "70-79" at Waseda = Grade B at GW
2 credits at Waseda = 2 credits at GW

Academic Calendar: 
Spring term: April - late July.
Fall term: late September - early February.
For the academic calendar, visit http://www.waseda.jp/gsaps/student/stu_calendar_en.html.
(Summer and winter intensive terms are not open to exchange students.)
Classes are taught during the day and some courses meet on Saturday mornings.

Language of Instruction:  Courses are offered in English and/or Japanese. The language of instruction for each course is indicated in the course catalog. Please note that although Elliott School students may take Japanese language classes, tuition and fees for Japanese language courses are payable directly to Waseda University. (n.b. Elliott School graduate students cannot earn transfer credit for language courses taken abroad.)

Internships:  GSAPS can assist students in securing internships, though these are currently very limited.

Housing:  Waseda University offers international students housing in the Waseda Hoshien Dormitory for up to one semester; however space is limited and applications are ranked based upon availability. Students may also seek to rent an apartment although this option is far more expensive. Another option is hoshien - private church-operated dormitories, which are moderately priced.

Tuition and fees:  Students pay regular GW and Elliott School tuition and fees for their participation in exchange programs, based upon 9 or 10 GW credit hours.

Location:  Waseda University has four campuses; three are located in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. GSAPS in located on the Nishi-Waseda campus and is easily accessible by subway and other means of public transportation.

Travel information:  Students are responsible for obtaining appropriate student visas for study abroad; guidance will be provided by the host institution. GW students are required to comply with the GW International Travel Approval Policy.

To Apply:  The Elliott School reviews all applications for study at International Exchange Partners. To apply, students must complete:

  1. The Elliott School Exchange Student ApplicationP D F File, and
  2. the GSAPS Incoming Exchange Application Form.

Both applications and all supplementary materials are due to the Elliott School by March 15 for fall enrollment abroad and October 15 for spring enrollment abroad. Once the application has been reviewed and endorsed by the Elliott School review committee, the Elliott School will forward the application materials to the partner for final decision.

For more information about Waseda University:
Website: Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
Website: Living Expenses at Waseda
Website: Student Life at Waseda


Revised 07.10.09

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