Gakushuin University for International Students: ISS, Tuition, Exchanges, Careers

Thinking about studying in Tokyo, but want a campus that feels green, close-knit, and easy to navigate? Gakushuin University—located one stop from Ikebukuro on the JR Yamanote Line—offers an “all-in-one” campus where five faculties, major research centers, and a revitalized library sit together in a calm, park-like setting. With small-group learning, strong career support, and exchange pathways across 20+ countries, it’s a compelling choice if you prefer a centralized campus experience without leaving the city. Below you’ll find an at-a-glance overview plus deeper sections on academics, campus life, exchanges, climate, and career outcomes—curated for overseas applicants considering Japan.

Quick Facts

Numbers below reflect the latest data available from official sources (linked where relevant). Tuition figures show first‑year totals for undergraduates.

Item	Details
Type	Private
Total Students	≈9,407 (Undergraduate 8,924; Graduate 421; Law School 62) — As of May 1, 2024. Fundamental Data
Campus	Mejiro Campus (central Tokyo, “all‑in‑one” site near JR Mejiro Station). Campus Overview
Faculties/Schools	Law; Economics; Letters; Science; International Social Sciences (ISS). University Top (EN)
Tuition Fees (First‑Year Undergraduate)	Approx. ¥1,317,800–¥1,870,800 depending on faculty (AY2025). Examples: Law ¥1,320,300; Economics ¥1,317,800; ISS ¥1,556,800; Science (Physics/Chemistry/Life Science) ¥1,870,800. Tuitions & Other Fees (PDF)
Gender Ratio	Not publicly broken out on the English “Fundamental Data” page; varies by faculty. Reference
Intl‑Student %	≈2.7% (≈250 international students / ≈9,407 total; figure cited on International Centre pages). Global (EN)
Students per Staff	≈31:1 (9,407 students / 302 full‑time teaching staff). Fundamental Data

Note: Graduate and Law School tuition totals differ from undergraduate fees; see the official schedule for program‑specific amounts. Tuitions & Other Fees (EN)

Campus Maps

Mejiro Campus (Tokyo)

Address: 1-5-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Gakushuin’s roots predate modern Japan. The original school was founded in 1847 in Kyoto and later re‑established in Tokyo during the Meiji era to educate members of the court nobility. After World War II, Gakushuin reorganized as a private university (1949), opening its doors more widely while preserving a tradition of humanistic education and public service. The founding prospectus emphasized cultivating international knowledge, mastering foreign languages, and building character through scholarship and community engagement—an ethos that still shapes campus culture today. History of Gakushuin University

The university’s single, green Mejiro campus consolidates five faculties and key research centers in one walkable area, promoting cross‑faculty interaction and a tight academic community. In recent years, Gakushuin has refreshed its learning infrastructure—most notably with the Learning Hub (housing the University Library) in April 2023, where students study, meet with tutors, and access digital resources. The library system collectively holds about 2.02 million volumes, supporting both Japanese and international scholarship. Campus Overview

Gakushuin pairs that scholarly heritage with small‑group instruction to support individual growth—an approach the university explicitly highlights as “unique to small‑group learning.” It’s complemented by practical bridges to Tokyo’s wider academic scene through f‑Campus, a credit‑exchange system with five nearby universities that lets you sample specialized courses beyond Gakushuin’s own catalog. f‑Campus consortium

Key Strengths & Unique Features

All‑in‑One, Green Campus in Central Tokyo

Gakushuin’s 180,000‑㎡ Mejiro campus sits 30 seconds from JR Mejiro Station (Yamanote Line), yet feels like an urban garden with historical buildings and modern labs. Everything—five faculties, graduate schools, research centers, sports/health facilities, and the library—sits together, making logistics and student life simple. The “all‑in‑one” design encourages interdisciplinary conversations and smooth daily routines (class → lab → club → library), especially helpful for new arrivals.

Learning Hub & Big‑Library Culture

The Learning Hub (with the University Library) reopened in April 2023 as a centerpiece of academic life—group study areas, advising services, and a well‑equipped International Centre all under one roof. With roughly 2.02 million volumes across libraries, you’ll have excellent access to Japanese and international scholarship. Campus Overview

Global Liberal‑Arts Core via ISS

If you want a global social‑science degree with strong English exposure, explore the Faculty of International Social Sciences (ISS). The curriculum blends economics, law, management, area studies, and sociology with fieldwork and study‑abroad options, preparing graduates for careers across business, policy, and NGOs. (ISS publishes English program information and showcases alumni career paths.) ISS (English)

Small‑Group Teaching & Strong Career Outcomes

Gakushuin emphasizes personal attention and seminar‑style classes—then backs it with practical career advising. For the Class of March 2025, the university reports a 98.1% successful job‑seekers rate, with graduates heading into ICT, finance, service industries, public sector, and more. Top employers include Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Japan Airlines, NEC, NTT DOCOMO, JR East, Accenture, and multiple prefectural/municipal offices. Career Services (EN)

Flagship Faculties

Law & Economics

Historically strong in public service and finance, these faculties draw students aiming at careers in government, banking, consulting, and corporate management. Shared facilities (like the Law & Economics Library) and the central library’s collections support in‑depth policy and market studies. Campus Overview

International Social Sciences (ISS)

ISS integrates business, policy, and area studies with English‑medium coursework and structured overseas study components, making it a standout for globally oriented students. ISS (English)

Science

Research ranges from biomolecular science to materials and the cosmos, anchored by departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Life Science. The Institute for Biomolecular Science broadens opportunities for life‑science research. Faculty of Science (EN) / Chemistry (EN)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs, Circles & Cultural Events

The International Centre runs a steady calendar—orientation sessions, social gatherings, “Japanese Culture Week,” off‑campus study trips, and short home‑stay opportunities with local families. These are supported by Japanese student volunteers, which makes it easy to plug into campus life even if you’re new to Japan. Events for International Students

Support Offices: Visa, Housing, Counseling

The International Centre advises on residence status (“College Student” visa), work‑permission applications for part‑time jobs (up to 28 hours/week during term), and re‑entry procedures. You’ll find step‑by‑step guidance and links to Tokyo Immigration. Residence Status in Japan (EN)

For exchange students, Gakushuin may help secure accommodation and, in some cases, provide accommodation grants (up to ¥50,000/month) and small scholarships. The official fact sheet also notes a Buddy System and Japanese Language SA lessons to support daily life and academic transitions. Gakushuin Fact Sheet 2025–2026 (PDF)

Language Exchange & Self‑Study Spaces

The Foreign Language Teaching & Research Centre and the ISS English self‑study room provide PC‑equipped spaces for conversation practice and language learning. Combined with International Centre events, these are natural hubs to meet local students and keep improving Japanese and English. Campus Overview

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Gakushuin has agreements with 58 institutions across 20 countries/regions—from LSE (UK) and ANU (Australia) to Rice University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (USA), plus leading universities across China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. Partner Universities List

For inbound exchange, Gakushuin accepts about 20–30 students annually from partner schools. Most lectures are in Japanese, with some offered in English; students may combine language and content courses and can take classes across faculties as appropriate. Application deadlines are October 31 (April entry) and March 15 (September entry). Student Exchange Programme

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Over the past five years (2020–2025), Tokyo’s climate has skewed hotter and more humid. Japan logged its hottest summer on record in 2023, and July 2024 set a new national monthly heat record—bringing more “extremely hot” days (≥35 °C) and warmer nights. Rainy-season timing has wobbled: in 2024 Kanto-Koshin began about two weeks later than usual, while in 2025 the end came slightly earlier than average. Short, intense downpours also remain a midsummer risk as atmospheric moisture increases. Practically: plan heat/UV protection from late June to September, keep a compact umbrella for June–July and late-summer storms, and expect generally mild, dry winters. JMA 2023 summer analysis / JMA July–Aug 2024 heat / AJW: 2024 rainy-season start / Nippon.com: 2025 rainy-season end / JMA 2022 heat/heavy-rain report

Safety & costs: Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s safest large cities (Economist Impact’s Safe Cities Index 2021), and Japan’s National Police Agency publishes annual crime data for transparency. For budgeting, JASSO’s Study in Japan site estimates monthly housing averages around ¥57,000 in Tokyo (national average ¥41,000). Safe Cities Index 2021 / NPA Crime Statistics (EN) / JASSO: Living Costs

International Student Statistics

Gakushuin indicates there are currently “around 250” international students on campus (undergraduate and graduate combined). Using the latest overall enrollment totals (~9,407), that implies roughly 2.5–3.0% international representation. Year to year, numbers fluctuate with exchange intakes and program growth (e.g., ISS). Global (EN) / Fundamental Data

Exchange flow: the university typically welcomes about 20–30 inbound exchange students each year from its partner network, while promoting outbound study for Gakushuin students (some ISS cohorts include a required overseas component). Student Exchange Programme / ISS (English)

Career & Graduate Prospects

The university reports a 98.1% successful job‑seekers rate for the Class of March 2025, with balanced outcomes across ICT, finance, service, manufacturing, education, and public administration. The alumni association spans 50 countries/regions, and the career office delivers interview training, industry seminars, and individualized advising—supported by more than 200 alumni volunteers. Career Services (EN)

Typical employers (recent years): Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Mizuho Securities, Japan Airlines, NEC, NTT DOCOMO, JR East, Accenture, and public‑sector roles across Tokyo and neighboring prefectures. This mix reflects Gakushuin’s strengths in law, economics/management, and data‑rich social sciences, plus STEM fields feeding into ICT and manufacturing. Career Services (EN)