Keio PEARL – Earn an English-Taught Economics Degree in the Heart of Tokyo

Thinking about majoring in Economics in Asia while keeping English as your academic language? Keio University’s Program in Economics for Alliances, Research, and Leadership—better known as PERLA—offers a four‑year Bachelor of Economics taught entirely in English on Tokyo’s historic Mita Campus. Established in 2016, PEARL welcomes a diverse cohort each September and equips students with analytical skills, leadership mind‑set, and a strong professional network spanning Japan and the world.

What Makes PEARL Unique?

PEARL is not simply an English track bolted onto a Japanese program—it was designed from day one to be international. Each cohort is capped at around 100, creating seminar‑sized classes where professors know students by name. You will study core economic theory alongside liberal‑arts electives that explore Japanese politics, data science, and even history through manga. Every course awards regular Keio credits, so graduates receive the same diploma as local Japanese‑language tracks.

• Four‑year, all‑English curriculum launched in 2016
• Small cohort ≈ 100 students for close faculty interaction
• Option to join double‑degree pathways with Sciences Po, Bocconi, and HEC
• Located in central Tokyo—five minutes from the iconic Tokyo Tower
• Full access to Keio’s 300+ clubs and societies

World‑Class Curriculum

Core & Advanced Courses

During Years 1–2 you master micro‑ and macro‑economics, calculus, and statistics. From Year 3 onward you dive into electives such as Development Economics, Behavioral Finance, and the Japanese Economy—most taught by Ph.D. holders trained at top schools abroad. The official curriculum map highlights a balance of theory, policy, and hands‑on research seminars.

Study Abroad & Double Degrees

PEARL students can spend a semester at one of 300 partner universities worldwide or pursue a five‑year BA/MA track with leading European institutions. Application details for the combined degree are in the 2025 guidelines.

Straightforward Admissions & Costs

The application is 100 % online and evaluated on transcripts, test scores, and essays—no interview required (Admissions Procedures). Below is a snapshot of key deadlines and fees for September 2026 entry:

Item	Details (AY 2026)
Application Window	Dec 2 2025 – Jan 20 2026
Results	April 2026
Matriculation Fee	¥200,000 (non‑refundable)
Annual Tuition	≈ ¥1,400,000

Merit‑based scholarships covering up to full tuition are available for high‑achieving international students. External awards such as MEXT or JASSO can be combined with Keio grants.

Life on and beyond Mita Campus

From cheerleading to start‑up incubation, Keio boasts more than 300 circles (student clubs). PEARL students join Japanese‑language societies to polish communication skills or launch new English‑speaking groups. A quick glimpse of campus life is captured in this video tour.

Housing options include Keio’s International Houses (from ¥39,000 per month) or private apartments a short train ride away. The campus sits in Minato Ward, famous for embassies, global firms, and cultural landmarks—ideal for networking and internships.

Career Outcomes & Global Network

Keio alumni include prime ministers, central‑bank governors, and unicorn founders. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, Keio sits in the global top 215 overall and top 150 for Economics & Econometrics. PEARL graduates land analyst roles at firms such as Goldman Sachs Tokyo, policy positions at the Bank of Japan, or pursue master’s degrees at LSE, Columbia, and Sciences Po.

Career Services conduct bilingual résumé workshops, mock interviews, and on‑campus recruiting fairs. International students may work in Japan for up to one year after graduation under the “designated activities” visa—plenty of time to secure a full‑time offer.