Thinking about studying in Japan? Keio University—Japan’s oldest private university—mixes tradition with modern, career‑focused education across central Tokyo and nearby Kanagawa. With English‑medium degree options (including Economics and the globally minded GIGA programs), strong research labs, and over 340 partner institutions worldwide, Keio is a practical choice for students who want an internationally recognized degree and real‑world outcomes. Below you’ll find quick facts, campus map embeds, a plain‑English history, strengths you can actually use, and what day‑to‑day life looks like for international students.

Mita Public Speaking Hall at Keio University's Mita Campus
Mita Public Speaking Hall — An iconic auditorium representing Keio’s tradition of public discourse. Campus: Mita.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Old Keio University Library brick facade at Mita Campus
Old Keio University Library — A beloved brick landmark and photo spot on the hill. Campus: Mita.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Keio University Mita Main Gate with city backdrop
Mita Main Gate — The best-known entrance to Keio’s historic hillside campus. Campus: Mita.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Exterior of Keio Museum Commons (KeMCo) at Mita
Keio Museum Commons (KeMCo) — Keio’s museum hub linking history, archives, and design. Campus: Mita.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Ginkgo-lined avenue at Keio University Hiyoshi Campus in autumn
Hiyoshi Ginkgo Avenue — A golden promenade and seasonal icon for students. Campus: Hiyoshi.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Front view of Keio University's Yagami Campus
Yagami Campus Front — Engineering hub known for labs and maker culture. Campus: Yagami.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: Public Domain
Main Gate of Keio Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)
SFC Main Gate — Gateway to Keio’s interdisciplinary Shonan Fujisawa Campus. Campus: Shonan Fujisawa (SFC).
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Omega walkway/bridge structure at Keio SFC
SFC “Omega” Walkway — A distinctive architectural feature connecting facilities on campus. Campus: Shonan Fujisawa (SFC).
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Kitasato Memorial Medical Library at Shinanomachi Campus
Kitasato Memorial Medical Library — A quiet core for medical study and archives. Campus: Shinanomachi.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Keio University Hospital building at Shinanomachi Campus
Keio University Hospital (Bldg. 1) — A major teaching hospital and medical research base. Campus: Shinanomachi.
Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Quick Facts (Keio University)

Type Private research university
Total Students 33,864 (as of May 1, 2025). Source: Facts & Figures → Student Enrollment 2025 (PDF).
Campuses Mita (main); Hiyoshi; Yagami; Shinanomachi; Shonan Fujisawa (SFC); Shiba‑Kyoritsu. Source: Campus Information.
Faculties / Schools Letters; Economics; Law; Business & Commerce; Medicine; Science & Technology; Policy Management; Environment & Information Studies; Nursing & Medical Care; Pharmacy. Source: Undergraduate Faculties.
Tasse scolastiche AY2025 first‑year totals vary by faculty: approx. ¥1,463,350 (Letters) to ¥3,943,350 (Medicine). Source: Undergraduate Academic Fees (AY2025).
Gender Ratio ≈64% male / 36% female (undergrad + grad total, May 1, 2025). Source: Facts & Figures → Student Enrollment 2025 (PDF).
Intl‑Student % 2,196 international students (May 1, 2025), ≈6.5% of total. Breakdown by country below. Source: Keio International Center statistics (JP): 留学生数.
Students per Staff ≈12:1 (33,864 students in 2025 ÷ 2,767 full‑time faculty in 2024). Sources: Facts & Figures (Student Enrollment 2025; Academic Staff 2024).

Note: Fees vary by faculty and year. International‑student percentage is calculated using Keio’s latest total‑enrollment and International Center figures. Always verify the most recent PDFs on Keio’s Facts & Figures page.

Campus Maps

Mita Campus (Main, Tokyo)

Address: 2-15-45 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8345, Japan

Hiyoshi Campus (Yokohama)

Address: 4-1-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8521, Japan

Yagami Campus (Science & Technology, Yokohama)

Address: 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 223-8522, Japan

Shinanomachi Campus (Tokyo)

Address: 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan

Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC, Kanagawa)

Address: 5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan

Shiba-Kyoritsu Campus (Faculty of Pharmacy, Tokyo)

Address: 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Keio University traces its roots to 1858, when reformer Yukichi Fukuzawa opened a small school for Western studies in Edo (old Tokyo). From this seed grew Japan’s first modern private university, devoted to jitsugaku—“practical learning”—and to Fukuzawa’s famous ethos of “independence and self‑respect” (dokuritsu jison). The idea was simple but bold: cultivate free‑thinking citizens whose knowledge serves society, not just the classroom. That spirit still anchors Keio’s mission today. Philosophy | History

After relocating to Mita in 1871, Keio expanded from literature and political economy into medicine, science & technology, and business, building a comprehensive university that mirrors Japan’s modernization. Mita remains the symbolic heart, with its red‑brick library (an Important Cultural Property) and the tree‑lined quad where students crisscross between classic lecture halls and modern facilities. Meanwhile, specialized campuses took shape: Shinanomachi for Medicine and Keio University Hospital; Yagami for the Faculty of Science and Technology; Shonan Fujisawa (SFC) for policy, environment, and information studies; Hiyoshi for first‑ and second‑year undergraduates; and Shiba‑Kyoritsu for Pharmacy. Campus Information | Mita Campus

Keio’s modern profile blends scale with selectivity: more than 33,800 students across six major campuses, a network of over 410,000 alumni, and a culture that prizes initiative. The university’s Facts & Figures summarize this at a glance: 20+ English‑taught degree programs and nearly a thousand courses in foreign languages, 30 double‑degree pathways, and more than 340 overseas partner institutions. That worldwide footprint reflects Fukuzawa’s belief that Japan’s future depended on engaging the world—an idea that continues to guide Keio’s curriculum design, research partnerships, and student exchange. Facts & Figures

Key Strengths & Unique Features

English‑Medium Degrees: PEARL & GIGA

If you want a full degree in English, Keio offers two flagship routes. The first is PERLA, a four‑year B.A. in Economics taught entirely in English within the Faculty of Economics—one of Japan’s most established economics schools. Admissions are document‑based (no interview), cohorts are intentionally small (~100 across periods), and the curriculum connects theory with applied policy and industry. PEARL admissions

The second is GIGA at Shonan Fujisawa Campus—two English‑medium majors (Policy Management; Environment & Information Studies) designed for students who want to blend data, design, policy, and entrepreneurship. Many classes are project‑based with cross‑disciplinary teams, and students can access SFC’s maker spaces and labs that link technology with real‑world problem solving. See Keio’s overview of English‑taught options here: Degree Programs Offered in English.

Global Partnerships & Double Degrees

Keio has one of Japan’s broadest exchange networks, with 340+ overseas partner institutions across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Students can pursue semester/year exchanges or join short‑term programs. For a select group of majors, Keio also runs 30 double‑degree programs—including ties with Sciences Po (France), Bocconi (Italy), ESSEC (France), the CEMS alliance (Master’s in International Management), RWTH Aachen and TUM (Germany), KTH (Sweden), and partners in China, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. These tracks award degrees from both institutions and are a strong fit for globally mobile careers. Double Degree Programs | Facts & Figures

Research Powerhouse: From Medicine to Robotics & Data

Keio is consistently visible in research, with highly cited scholars and cross‑disciplinary centers that connect labs to clinics and startups. The School of Medicine at Shinanomachi anchors clinical and translational work in partnership with Keio University Hospital, a major teaching and research hospital in central Tokyo. Engineering and computing research concentrate at Yagami Campus, where labs span robotics, systems control, AI, networking, and materials science. SFC adds cyber‑physical experimentation, social innovation studios, and policy labs. For a quick snapshot across campuses, see Keio’s Facts & Figures and research pages. Health & counseling infrastructure is described here: Keio University Health Center.

Career Launchpad & Alumni Network

Keio is widely known in Japan for employability and alumni connections. The university reports strong outcomes and regularly places within the global top tier for employer reputation. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, Keio was top‑50 worldwide for Employer Reputation (46th) and top‑70 for Employment Outcomes (69th). Keio news on QS 2025 | Career Services | Alumni Network

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles (Welcoming Overseas Students)

Keio has hundreds of circles and varsity clubs—from music and entrepreneurship to robotics and international exchange. Many groups run bilingual events, and International Center–affiliated activities (e.g., Global Lounge lunches and international student events) are easy places to start. See International Center events and campus‑wide student life pages for options. Athletics & Recreation | International Center

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Center coordinates admissions information, scholarships, short‑term programs, and exchange support. For housing, Keio operates and brokers student dormitories and provides guidance for private rentals. On health and well‑being, every major campus has a Health Center branch and a Student Counseling Room (English counseling available on specified days). Useful starting points: Study Abroad & International Programs | Health & Well‑being | Health Center | Student Counseling (PDF, 2025)

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Type Support

International students can join language‑exchange meetups at Global Lounges and make use of “tutor” (buddy‑type) schemes advertised via the International Center. Details and sign‑ups vary by campus and semester; check current notices. International Center

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Keio maintains 340+ partner institutions worldwide for exchange and research collaboration, covering North America, Europe, and across Asia. In addition to semester/year exchanges, Keio runs short‑term programs and specialized double‑degree tracks (30 in total across undergraduate and graduate levels). For English‑medium degree seekers, major options include PEARL (Economics) and the GIGA programs (Policy Management; Environment & Information Studies). Evidence: Study Abroad & International Programs | Double Degrees | English‑taught Programs

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Patterns

Tokyo–Yokohama has a humid subtropical climate: mild, dry winters (occasional light snow), a pleasant spring (cherry blossoms late March–early April), a June rainy season, hot/humid summers, and typhoon risk mainly August–October. For official long‑term climate context, see the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA): Overview of Japan’s Climate (JMA).

Safety & City Life

Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s safest large cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index, reflecting strong infrastructure, health, digital, and personal‑security pillars. See the 2021 whitepaper for methodology and rankings context: Safe Cities Index 2021 (Economist Impact). Day‑to‑day, students rely on dense public transit, late‑hour convenience stores, and neighborhood amenities around each campus (e.g., business districts near Mita; student‑friendly areas around Hiyoshi/Yagami; beaches and cafés near SFC in Fujisawa).

Cost of Living (Typical Ranges)

Keio and government sources suggest that a realistic monthly budget in greater Tokyo is around ¥130,000–¥170,000 including housing, meals, transport, and incidentals (individual lifestyles vary). See the Study in Japan (JASSO) official guidance and Keio inbound pages: Study in Japan – Living Costs | Keio (Economics) Exchange – Cost Guidance.

International Student Statistics

Total international students: 2,196 (as of May 1, 2025). Degree‑seeking undergraduates: 772; degree‑seeking graduates: 873; plus other categories (JLP, short‑term, etc.). Source (official, JP): Keio International Center statistics.

Top Countries/Regions (2025) Students Share
China95143.3%
Korea36716.7%
France1376.2%
Taiwan1014.6%
United States1004.6%
Germany482.2%
Indonesia462.1%
Vietnam361.6%
Italy351.6%
Thailand341.5%
Other 71 countries34115.5%

Career & Graduate Prospects

Keio’s career outcomes benefit from three pillars: (1) strong employer recognition, (2) a very active alumni network, and (3) embedded career services. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, Keio scored 46th globally for Employer Reputation and 69th for Employment Outcomes—signals that recruiters value the brand and graduates land well. The university also highlights that many students secure job offers before graduation. Evidence: Keio news on QS 2025 | Career Services.

Keio’s alumni network is one of Japan’s largest, with around 410,000 graduates and hundreds of Mita‑kai alumni chapters in Japan and overseas, which host mentoring, networking, and industry talks. That community is a practical asset for internships and full‑time roles. Alumni Network

To see concrete destinations, browse faculty‑level placement pages (examples from Economics list major finance, manufacturing, tech, and consulting firms). Remember that each faculty publishes its own placement snapshots by year. Faculty of Economics – Graduate Employment Data

Admissions, Fees & Practical Notes

Academic Calendar & Fees

Japan’s academic year typically runs April–March, with some September entries depending on the program (PEARL and GIGA admit in September). Check Keio’s calendar and the latest fee PDFs for exact schedules and totals by faculty. Academic Calendar | Undergraduate Academic Fees (AY2025)

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