Meiji Gakuin University Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Exchange & Campus Life

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends Tokyo energy with a calmer, coastal vibe? Meiji Gakuin University (MGU) gives you both: an upper‑year campus in central Tokyo (Shirokane) and a lower‑year campus in Yokohama (Totsuka). Founded by missionary–physician James C. Hepburn, the university’s “Do for Others” spirit still shapes its liberal‑arts education and student life today. With English‑medium options like Global and Transcultural Studies (GTS) and Global Legal Studies, plus robust exchange partnerships, MGU is a realistic choice for international undergrads who want strong academics, hands‑on support, and easy access to internships and global organizations across Tokyo–Yokohama.

Quick Facts

Snapshot data you can skim. Evidence links open in new tabs.

Type (National/Public/Private)	Private (Christian-based university)
Total Students	≈ 12,624 (Undergrad 12,478; Master’s 118; Doctoral 28, as of May 1, 2024) — Student–Faculty Ratio (official)
Campuses (main campus)	Shirokane (Tokyo; main for 3rd–4th year), Yokohama–Totsuka (1st–2nd year for most; International Studies 1st–4th) — Campus overview
Faculties/Schools	Letters; Economics; Sociology & Social Work; Law; International Studies; Psychology; Mathematical Informatics — Undergraduate/Graduate
Tuition Fees (Undergraduate)	First-year estimated totals (2025–26): ¥1,327,410–¥1,667,590 depending on department — Tuitions & Related Fees
Gender Ratio	Not publicly aggregated on English site; varies by faculty (see “Disclosure of Information”). — Publicly Available Information
International-Student %	≈ 1.8% (227 international students of ~12,624 total; as of May 1, 2024) — International Students (by country/level)
Students per Staff	41.6 (Undergraduate, 2024) — Student–Faculty Ratio (official)

Campus Maps

Shirokane Campus (Tokyo; main for 3rd–4th year)

Address: 1-2-37 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo 108-8636, Japan

Yokohama–Totsuka Campus

Address: 1518 Kamikurata-cho, Totsuka Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-8539, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Meiji Gakuin University traces its roots to the turbulent late Edo period. In 1863, Dr. James Curtis Hepburn—physician, linguist, and the namesake behind “Hepburn romanization”—opened an English academy in Yokohama. That school’s Christian ethos emphasized moral education and service. After a series of mergers (including the Tokyo Union Theological Seminary and the United Japanese–English Union School), the institution assumed the name “Meiji Gakuin” in the early Meiji era and later evolved into a modern comprehensive university. The founding spirit is expressed as “Do for Others,” a guiding maxim still referenced across courses, chapel activities, and volunteer programs (History; Do for Others (Founding Spirit)).

Today’s MGU is best described as a mid‑sized liberal‑arts university with seven faculties, two urban campuses, and a student experience that intentionally bridges local community engagement and global awareness. Most first‑ and second‑year students begin at the Yokohama Campus (Totsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture), which has a greener, slightly slower feel; upper‑year students typically shift to the Shirokane Campus (Minato, central Tokyo), placing them within quick reach of embassies, media, and NGOs (Access & Campuses).

Academically, MGU blends strong humanities (English, French, Art Studies) and social sciences (Economics, Business Administration, Sociology, Social Work, Law, Political Science) with Psychology/Education and a data‑oriented Mathematical Informatics faculty. The cross‑campus theme is character formation for social contribution: reading society empathetically and acting effectively—whether in public service, media, education, compliance, or international business (Faculties & Graduate Schools).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Global Liberal‑Arts with a Service Ethos

MGU’s founding maxim—“Do for Others”—is more than a slogan. The university outlines five educational principles and maintains Christianity‑related activities open to everyone. You’ll see this in active volunteer groups, service‑learning, and seminar‑style classes that prioritize dialogue, especially in first‑ and second‑year courses (Founding Spirit).

Flagship: Faculty of International Studies

Department of Global and Transcultural Studies (GTS)

If you want an English‑medium degree in Japan, GTS is a standout. In principle, classes are taught in English; students can choose from dozens of lecture courses and seminars across politics, economics, culture, and society. A signature option is the double‑degree pathway with San Francisco State University—most students finish two bachelor’s degrees in about five years, including around 2.5 years abroad. Dedicated advisors help you plan long‑term study abroad and internships (GTS (official)).

Department of International Studies

The companion department develops broad-based expertise for careers in NGOs, media, and international business/government. Students combine area studies with policy, culture, and economics, and can add language study and outbound exchange via university partnerships (Faculties & Departments).

Global Legal Studies: Law in English + Built‑in Study Abroad

Within the Faculty of Law, the Department of Global Legal Studies offers an original English‑language curriculum. Students prepare with English for law, take courses on Japanese law in English, and—by design—study abroad to apply what they learn in an overseas context. Upper‑year English‑taught classes cover law, politics, and business communication—useful for compliance, policy, and multinational roles (Global Legal Studies (official); Faculty of Law).

Two‑City Advantage: Yokohama + Central Tokyo

Year 1–2 in Yokohama gives you space to adjust to Japan, join circles, and build language skills; Year 3–4 in Tokyo (Shirokane) puts you next to embassies, global NGOs, media, and startups. The International Studies faculty stays in Yokohama all four years, creating a consistent, internationally focused community (Campus overview).

Student Support that Covers Health, Counseling, and Accessibility

International students can lean on the International Center for residence‑status help, tuition reduction guidance, and practical tips. Meanwhile, the General Support Office coordinates three key centers—Health Support, Student Counseling (with clinical psychologists), and a Student Support Center that implements “reasonable accommodation” for learning—so you don’t have to guess where to go first (International Center (Full‑time International Students); General Support Office).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles Welcoming Overseas Students

MGU recognizes a wide range of student groups—from cultural circles (music, language exchange, media, photography) to competitive teams—plus an unusually strong set of volunteer and Christian groups. These are good spaces to practice Japanese in low‑pressure settings and meet local friends early (Clubs & Circles).

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Center advises on residence‑status renewal, tuition reduction, part‑time work rules, and more. For daily life, MGU lists apartment‑rent benchmarks near each campus and maintains dorms for international program students (Okusawa House in Tokyo; MISH in Totsuka). Counseling and health consultations are available on both campuses (Full‑time International Students; Dormitories; Apartment Search).

Language‑Exchange & Buddy Programs

MGU’s “Life & Supports” page highlights activities like a Buddy Program and Homestay, which help international students settle into daily rhythms—banking, groceries, student discounts—while steadily improving Japanese outside the classroom (Life & Supports).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound‑focused)

MGU maintains exchange agreements with 84 universities/colleges and one consortium in 24 countries/regions. Popular destinations span North America, Europe, and Asia. The Global Legal Studies program integrates study abroad into the curriculum, while GTS students are advised to build medium‑to‑long‑term overseas study into their four‑year plans. Examples you’ll see frequently: San Francisco State University (double degree); Soongsil University (Korea); UC campuses in the U.S. See the official list here: Partner Institutions (ISP).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo & Yokohama)

Weather Patterns You’ll Actually Feel

Over roughly the past five years, Tokyo–Yokohama has run noticeably hotter than the long-term normal. Nationally, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that summer 2023 was the hottest since records began (June–Aug about +1.76 °C vs 1991–2020), and July 2024 set a new record for that month. In the city, central Tokyo logged a monthly record 13 “extremely hot days” (≥35 °C) in July 2023, and station logs show July–August mean maximums often around 33–34 °C in 2023–24—so plan for more frequent heat advisories, high humidity, and late-summer typhoon influence (JMA 2024 July analysis; JMA Climate Change Monitoring 2023; Tokyo monthly data).

Safety Snapshot

Japan consistently ranks among the world’s safest countries in the Global Peace Index. For a data‑driven view, check the Institute for Economics & Peace’s latest report and interactive map (GPI 2025 report; GPI Map). For crime‑related stats in English, see the National Police Agency page (NPA Statistics (EN)).

Cost of Living: Housing Benchmarks (¥)

Item	Typical Range (per month)	Source
MG Okusawa House (Tokyo; single)	¥50,000 (utilities included)	Dormitories
MG International Student House MISH (Totsuka; single)	¥80,000 (utilities + weekday/Sat meal plan)	Dormitories
Private apartment near Yokohama Campus	≈ ¥40,000–¥70,000	Apartment Search (benchmarks)
Private apartment near Musashi‑Kosugi (access to Tokyo)	≈ ¥70,000–¥80,000	Apartment Search
Private apartment near Nishi‑Magome (Tokyo)	≈ ¥65,000–¥75,000	Apartment Search

International Student Statistics

As of May 1, 2024, MGU listed 227 international students (Undergraduate 197; Master’s 24; Doctoral 6). The official page also breaks down origin countries. Below are examples from the undergraduate privately financed category (top senders):

Country/Region	Undergraduate Count	Note / Source
China	158	International Students (official)
Taiwan	7	Official list
South Korea	7	Official list
Vietnam	6	Official list
United States	4	Official list

Calculated against the total enrollment on the disclosure pages, international students comprise roughly 1.8% of the student body. This percentage varies year to year with exchange inflows and graduation cycles (Student–Faculty Ratio & totals; International Students).

Career & Graduate Prospects

Outcomes (latest cohort)

MGU publishes department‑level outcomes for the 2024 academic year graduates (status as of May 1, 2025). Illustrative examples (Percent employed is “Employed ÷ (Employed + Seeking/Exam)”): Economics 96.8%; Business Administration 98.0%; International Business 96.3%; Sociology 96.6%; Social Work 96.6%; International Studies 95.3%; Psychology 97.2%; Education & Child Development 97.1%. See the official English PDF for the full table (Employment / Further Study Data (PDF)).

Preparation: Career Design + Industry Links

Career education starts early via the Hepburn Career Design Program (common subject across faculties), layered with internships, OB/OG talks, and targeted sessions for licenses or civil‑service pathways. The Career Center’s guidance spans private sector, government, and education careers; the site lists example employers engaged in co‑curricular projects (Career Support at MGU).

Who Thrives at MGU?

Students who want a human‑scale liberal‑arts setting, a campus culture of volunteering, and degree options that link directly to the world—GTS (English‑medium liberal arts), Global Legal Studies (law + required study abroad), or social‑impact fields like Sociology and Social Work—tend to be a great fit. The two‑city campus model also benefits anyone who prefers a calmer on‑ramp (Yokohama) before jumping into central Tokyo internships in later years.

Admissions Notes & Fees (Quick Reminders)

Undergraduate first‑year costs for 2025–26 typically fall between ¥1.33–¥1.67 million, varying by department. Review the official fee tables for your program and factor in housing/transport. International students with financial need should check the tuition‑reduction system and MGU/third‑party scholarships (Tuition & Fees; International Center).