Doshisha Women’s College — Admissions, Tuition, Programs, Exchange & Student Life Guide for International Students

Thinking about studying in Japan, but want a classic Kyoto vibe with modern facilities and strong student support? Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts (DWCLA) could be your fit. With two campuses—one in historic central Kyoto and another in the Kansai Science City area—DWCLA blends tradition with innovation, offers diverse majors from Liberal Arts to Nursing and Pharmacy, and provides structured exchange pathways, language support, and career services. Below you’ll find essential facts, strengths, and resources (with official links) to help you decide if DWCLA belongs on your short list.

Quick-Facts Table

Type (National/Public/Private)	Private Women’s University Official Site (EN)
Total Students	6,501 (as of May 1, 2025) Student Numbers (JP)
Campuses	Kyotanabe (Main) & Imadegawa (Kyoto city center) — Access: Kyotanabe / Imadegawa
Faculties/Schools	6 faculties / 11 departments: • Faculty of Liberal Arts (Music; Media; International Studies) • Faculty of Contemporary Social Studies (Social Systems; Childhood Studies) • Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Clinical Pharmacy) • Faculty of Nursing (Nursing) • Faculty of Culture & Representation (English; Japanese Language & Literature) • Faculty of Human Life & Science (Human Life Studies; Food Science & Nutrition) Details: DWCLA Faculties & Departments (EN)
Tasse scolastiche	Undergraduate first-year total (FY2025): approx. ¥1,223,000–¥2,257,000 (by department) Tuition 2025 (JP) Graduate (reference): Master’s/Doctoral annual total ≈ ¥954,000 (2022) Graduate Tuition (EN)
Gender Ratio	Women’s College (undergraduate programs are women-only). About DWCLA (EN)
Intl-Student %	Long-term inbound internationals: 15 (as of May 1, 2024) ≈ 0.23% of total students (excludes short programs). Source: Inbound/Outbound Counts (JP)
Students per Staff	≈ 33:1 (undergraduates per full-time faculty; 6,403 undergrads ÷ 192 faculty). Sources: Student Numbers (JP) / Faculty Numbers (JP)

Campus Maps

Imadegawa Campus (Kyoto)

Address: Teramachi Nishi-iru, Imadegawa-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0893, Japan

Kyotanabe Campus (Kyoto Prefecture)

Address: Kodo, Kyotanabe City, Kyoto 610-0395, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1876 in Kyoto, Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts (DWCLA) traces its roots to the Christian-inspired educational vision of Joseph Hardy Neesima and early American missionary partners. As a sister institution in the wider Doshisha family, DWCLA developed a distinctive mission centered on liberal arts education, global mindedness, and ethical leadership. The college’s two-campus model reflects this balance: the Imadegawa Campus sits amid Kyoto’s centuries-old cultural sites and learning traditions, while the Kyotanabe Campus anchors the Kansai Science City area, connecting students to research and innovation. Founding Spirit / History Overview

From its earliest days, DWCLA positioned women’s higher education as a driver of personal agency and societal contribution. Over time, the college added faculties responding to Japan’s changing needs—music, languages and literature, social systems, human life and nutrition, nursing, and pharmaceutical sciences—while maintaining a liberal-arts core that prizes critical thinking, communication, and intercultural competence. Today, the English website gives a concise window into these ideals and how they translate into programs and support services for both domestic and international students. DWCLA (EN)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Two-Campus Advantage in Japan’s Cultural Capital

DWCLA operates in two complementary settings: Imadegawa (downtown Kyoto) and Kyotanabe (Kansai Science City). Imadegawa places students steps from historic temples, the Imperial Palace, and Doshisha University, enabling easy urban access and collaborations. Kyotanabe offers spacious facilities and modern labs in a knowledge hub connecting Kyoto and Osaka. Both are reachable via JR/Kintetsu rail or subway, and a shuttle links the two. Imadegawa Access / Kyotanabe Access

Global Liberal-Arts Core & International Pathways

Liberal arts shape the academic experience across DWCLA’s faculties, with the Department of International Studies offering globally focused coursework and exchange options. Students can pursue mid/long-term exchange, short-term overseas research programs, language immersion, and internships, with credit recognition and tuition arrangements that lower barriers to participation. International Studies (Dept. overview) / Mid/Long-Term Study Abroad / Short-Term Programs / Inbound JSP/JLIC

Flagship Professional Faculties with National Exam Support

Pharmaceutical Sciences (Department of Clinical Pharmacy)

DWCLA’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences emphasizes clinical readiness, lab experience, and structured exam preparation. The department details past results and the support framework on its official pages. Clinical Pharmacy (EN) / National Examination Results (JP)

Nursing (Department of Nursing)

The Faculty of Nursing reports high pass rates for national nurse, public health nurse, and midwife examinations. Annual performance is summarized in university news and public information pages. See the most recent consolidated update: 2024 National Exam Results (JP)

Student Support, Health Insurance & Practical Help

International students can access a dedicated International Affairs team, visa guidance, housing tips, and National Health Insurance information. Student pages outline services and contacts in English. International Student Support (EN) / Health Insurance (EN)

Career Education & Outcomes

DWCLA’s career center provides counseling, employer connections, and licensure support across faculties. English pages share employment snapshots and licensing support details. Career & Employment Data (EN) / Licenses & Qualifications (EN)

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

Cultural clubs (tea ceremony, kimono, calligraphy), music ensembles, and language circles often include special activities for exchange students—many highlighted in program brochures. For example, see Chatham University’s DWCLA flyer (club visits & culture activities listed): Chatham × DWCLA Program PDF

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

DWCLA’s International Affairs pages walk you through paperwork, life support, and medical coverage. International Student Support / National Health Insurance

Language-Exchange & Buddy Programs

English/Chinese study initiatives, prep seminars, and tutoring strengthen language and academic confidence alongside classes. English/Chinese Study & Support

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

DWCLA partners with universities across North America, Europe, and Asia. Students can select mid/long-term exchanges (1 semester to 1 year) or short-term programs during vacation periods, with credit recognition and (for partner exchanges) tuition waivers on the host side. Mid/Long-Term Exchange / Short-Term (Overseas Research) / Inbound Programs (JSP/JLIC)

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Kyoto has four distinct seasons: humid-hot summers and chilly winters, with beautiful shoulder seasons. Over the past several years, summer highs in July–August commonly reach the low-to-mid 30s °C, while winter lows around January can dip near freezing. For monthly means and daily max/min trends, check the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Kyoto station dataset. JMA Monthly Climate (Kyoto) / City tips: Kyoto Travel — Weather & Clothing

Everyday Costs & Safety

International student living expenses in Kyoto are often lower than Tokyo. Study Kyoto’s guides and recent snapshots break down typical rent and monthly budgets (¥). Living Expenses (Guide) / 2024 Cost Snapshot. For visitor/stay safety information and disaster-readiness tips (heat, earthquakes, typhoons), see the Kyoto City tourism pages: Safety Information / Disaster Safety Tips

International Student Statistics

DWCLA publishes inbound/outbound student figures and related indicators in its information disclosure hub. When comparing year-to-year movement, be sure to check update dates and notes on coverage. Overseas/International Students (JP) / Public Info (EN)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career advisers help students translate campus learning into internships and job offers, with strong support in license-bearing fields (Pharmacy, Nursing, Nutrition). Check employment snapshots and license guidance on the English site, and exam pass-rate summaries on the public info pages. Career & Employment Data (EN) / Licenses & Qualifications (EN) / National Exam Pass Rates (JP) / 2024 Results (News)