Sophia University : Rankings, Fees & Courses Details | Top Universities
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Sophia University

Location

Yotsuya Campus, Tokyo Japan

Ranking

# 901-950QS World University Rankings

PGicon

30Undergraduate programs

PGicon

66Postgraduate programs

Tuitionfee

8,500 USDTuition Fee/year

About Sophia University

Sophia University (“Jochi Daigaku” in Japanese) was founded in 1913 by the Jesuits, a Catholic order renowned for excellence in education. From the beginning, the university founders stressed an internationally oriented curriculum and rigorous training in foreign languages. Sophia soon established itself as a leading institution for scholarship on foreign languages and literature in Japan. Today Sophia University is a major teaching and research university in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences with 13,800 students and teaching staff of 1,400 members, embracing over 1,500 international students studying on one campus from 85 countries. This approach yields significant benefits for the University’s programs by deepening educational mobility, collaboration, and specialization. Students can study business and economics, science and technology, and environmental studies, all strengths of Japan, in English as well as Japanese studies that Sophia boasts a long tradition. Variety of disciplines are available in English while the main language of instruction is Japanese (please see “undergraduate” and “graduate” for the medium language of instruction).

Sophia University has been selected as one of 37 universities to receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for internationalization effort called the "Top Global University Project."

For more details, please visit the official website: https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/.
Up to date pictures of campus are also available on facebook and instagram.  

About Sophia University

Sophia University (“Jochi Daigaku” in Japanese) was founded in 1913 by the Jesuits, a Catholic order renowned for excellence in education. From the beginning, the university founders stressed an internationally oriented curriculum and rigorous training in foreign languages. Sophia soon established itself as a leading institution for scholarship on foreign languages and literature in Japan. Today Sophia University is a major teaching and research university in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences with 13,800 students and teaching staff of 1,400 members, embracing over 1,500 international students studying on one campus from 85 countries. This approach yields significant benefits for the University’s programs by deepening educational mobility, collaboration, and specialization. Students can study business and economics, science and technology, and environmental studies, all strengths of Japan, in English as well as Japanese studies that Sophia boasts a long tradition. Variety of disciplines are available in English while the main language of instruction is Japanese (please see “undergraduate” and “graduate” for the medium language of instruction).

Sophia University has been selected as one of 37 universities to receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for internationalization effort called the "Top Global University Project."

For more details, please visit the official website: https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/.
Up to date pictures of campus are also available on facebook and instagram.  

Available programs

Utilizing its accumulated knowledge of a broad range of subjects, the University supports the studies of its students at Yotsuya Campus in the heart of Tokyo. Sophia University comprises 9 faculties for undergraduate students


  • Faculty of Theology: The only Catholic-oriented theology faculty in Japan, the faculty holds a special place at Sophia, as the university itself was founded on the ideals of Christian education
  • Faculty of Humanities: 7 departments in philosophy, history, literature, and journalism are offered under this faculty
  • Faculty of Human Sciences: Faculty focuses on the core idea of "the dignity of individuals," offering programs to cover theoletical as well as practical approaches to policy management, human care, and human science.
  • Faculty of Law: 3 departments under this faculty look at law from different perspectives; application of law in Japan, application of law in international contexts, and in the specialized studies in environmental law
  • Faculty of Economics: Department of Economics and the Department of Management cover large areas of studies in economic, commerce, and marketing, preparing students for the today's business world.
  • Faculty of Foreign Studies: The Faculty takes a multi-dimentional approach to the rich and diversified world, aiming not only to produce students strong in languages, but the individuals who can use the languages as tools for better understanding of the world
  • Faculty of Global Studies: The faculty aims to foster competent individuals well equipped with knowledge and skills as "global professionals" who can contribute to the globalized world.
  • Faculty of Liberal Arts : Formerly known as Faculty of Comparative Culture, the faculty offers American-style liberal arts education with programs in social sciences, humanities, international business, and the Japanese language and studies taught in English.
  • Faculty of Science and Technology : Science and technology programs at Sophia aims to prepare students to tackle the complex problems facing us today, not only through the studies of science, but also by integrating the studies of the humanities and science.


  • Master's Program in Theology
  • Doctoral Program in Systematic Theology
  • Master's Program in Death and Life Studies
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Philosophy
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in History
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Japanese Literature
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in English and American Literature
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in German Literature
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in French Literature
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Journalism
  • Master’s(Doctoral) Program in Cultural Interaction
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Education (Program in English is available)
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Psychology
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Sociology
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Social Services
  • Master’s Program in Nursing
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Law
  • Juris Doctor Program (Law School)
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Economics
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Management
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Linguistics (TESOL program is available in English)
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in International Relations
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Area Studies
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Global Studies (Courses are taught in English) 
  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Science and Technology

---Mechanical Engineering

---Electrical and Electronics Engineering

---Applied Chemistry

---Chemistry

---Mathematics

---Physics

---Biological Science

---Information Science

---Green Science and Engineering (Courses are taught in English)

  • Master's (Doctoral) Program in Global Environmental Studies (Program in English is available)

University information

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.


We offer bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, non-degree (taking credits for a semester or two), and exchange programs. Please refer to our website for the details.

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.

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


Master

3+
37+
79+
6+

The Campus (YOTSUYA Campus) is located in the heart of Tokyo a megacity, yet surrounded by nature and greenery. Students can enjoy all the benefits of its state-of-the-art technology, facilities, and infrastructure.

Yotsuya Campus Map

On and off-campus Facilities

Central Library

Learning Support Information

12,929
90%
10%
1,245
56%
44%
1,082
83%
17%

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 

Overview: Of the humanities and social sciences graduates (about 2500), 84% went to work and 6% went on to graduate school. Of the science and technology graduates (about 400), 43% went to work and 54% went to graduate school.

Among undergraduates, the employment rate for applicants is 97.7%. 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.


Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

-
-

International Students

8,500 USD
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

how_to

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

list

A list of available scholarships around the world

checklist

A scholarship application checklist

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download_icon Download Scholarship Guide

Rankings & ratings

Sophia University is one of the top private universities in Tokyo, Japan. It is ranked #901-950 in QS World University Rankings 2024.

QS World University Rankings

  • 2018
    #701-750
  • 2019
    #751-800
  • 2020
    #801-1000
  • 2021
    #801-1000
  • 2022
    #801-1000
  • 2023
    #801-1000
  • 2024
    #901-950

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FAQs

In the Faculty of Liberal Arts, approximately 70% are Japanese students and 30% are foreign nationals, while in the Faculty of Science and Technology English-taught programs, approximately 80% are foreign nationals. However, even if the students’ nationality is Japanese, they could have dual nationality or have spent most of their lives abroad. Therefore, it is not possible to know students’ background from their nationalities.

Most of the international students come from the U.S., followed by China and Korea. In the Faculty of Science and Technology English-taught programs, many students come from Southeast Asia. Nationalities are diverse and they represent about 40 countries in the world.
Having applicants coming from different regions and educational systems around the world, we do not require a minimum GPA.
Yes. However, you need to register online, pay the application fee and submit the application documents for each program.
No. Decision on acceptance or rejection will be based on document screening only. However, applicants must submit the
Sophia University advanced Private High 12 yes 8500 1245 L 1027