Meiji University Guide for International Students: Programs, Admissions, Tuition, Campus Life & Careers

Thinking about studying in Japan but not sure where to start? Meiji University is one of Tokyo’s most established private universities, with a proud history in law and social sciences and fast‑rising strengths in data, AI, robotics, and global studies. With four urban campuses—anchored by the Surugadai main campus in central Tokyo—Meiji blends tradition with a practical, industry‑connected education. This guide gives you the quick facts, highlights what makes Meiji unique, and explains campus life, exchange options, costs, and career outcomes so you can decide if it fits your goals.

Quick Facts

Type	Private University (Founded 1881) — History
Total Students	Approx. 34,000 (University figure) — Meiji in Numbers
Campuses	Surugadai (Main), Izumi, Ikuta, Nakano — Maps & Directions
Faculties/Schools	Law; Commerce; Political Science & Economics; Arts & Letters; Science & Technology; Agriculture; Business Administration; Information & Communication; Global Japanese Studies; Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences — Undergraduate Schools
Tasse scolastiche	Varies by school. See official schedule (AY2025): 2025 Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (PDF)
Gender Ratio	34% Female : 66% Male — THE Key Stats
Intl‑Student %	5% — THE Key Stats
Students per Staff	34.2 — THE Key Stats

Campus Maps

Surugadai Campus (Main)

Address: 1-1 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8301, Japan

Izumi Campus

Address: 1-9-1 Eifuku, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-8555, Japan

Ikuta Campus

Address: 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan

Nakano Campus

Address: 4-21-1 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-8525, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Meiji University began in 1881 as Meiji Law School, founded by three young legal scholars—Tatsuo Kishimoto, Kozo Miyagi, and Misao Yashiro—during Japan’s push to modernize its institutions. Their guiding spirit was “Rights and Liberty, Independence and Self‑government,” a motto that still shapes Meiji’s ethos today: educate practical, ethical professionals who can contribute to society. The university expanded rapidly in the early 20th century from a law college into a comprehensive institution with multiple faculties and research institutes, and in 1903 it officially became Meiji University. You can trace this evolution—and the university’s milestones—in its official chronologies and history pages. History / Chronological Table

Meiji’s mission today is articulated in messages from university leadership and in its international strategy. The university positions itself as a bridge between Japan and the world, expanding English‑medium programs and promoting research that addresses global challenges. Its four campuses—Surugadai (main), Izumi, Ikuta, and Nakano—sit across central Tokyo and Kawasaki, linking students to government centers, business districts, media hubs, and tech clusters within minutes. President’s Message / International Strategy / Maps & Directions

In numbers, Meiji is large and diverse. The university reports roughly 34,000 students across 10 undergraduate schools and 16 graduate schools, while the Times Higher Education profile lists 33,118 students and an international student ratio of 5%. These figures, together with the 34.2 students‑per‑staff metric, help you gauge class size and resources. Meiji in Numbers / THE – Meiji University

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Faculty: The School of Law

Much like Waseda’s School of Political Science and Economics or Chuo’s renowned Law School, Meiji’s identity is deeply rooted in law and civil society. The School of Law is one of the university’s oldest and best‑known faculties, offering rigorous legal training and pathways toward the professional Juris Doctor through Meiji’s graduate Law School (J.D.). If you’re aiming at public service, legal practice, compliance, or policy, the ecosystem spans undergraduate legal education, moot and seminar culture, and specialized graduate training.

English‑Taught Degrees & a Global Liberal‑Arts Core

Meiji has steadily expanded English‑medium offerings at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The hub is the School of Global Japanese Studies (SGJS) English Track—an interdisciplinary BA taught in English that explores culture, business & society, and globalization, while building strong Japanese language skills alongside. Start with the overview of Degree Programs in English and then check the dedicated SGJS pages (English Track; detailed admissions and fees are in the 2025 Application Guidelines (PDF)).

Data & AI Momentum

Meiji has recently invested in data science and AI across curriculum and staffing. In 2024 the university announced MEXT‑supported initiatives for data/AI education, and in 2025 it followed with news of additional faculty appointments in AI‑related areas—signaling sustained growth in this field. Prospective students in CS, information, or applied analytics can expect more electives and research pathways to open over the coming years. See official updates in English‑language news here: 2024 announcement e 2025 announcement.

Robotics & Mathematical Modeling

Robotics at Meiji spans fundamental mechanics, sensing & navigation, human‑robot interaction, and manipulation. Highlights include the Autonomous Robot System cluster and labs such as the Manipulation Lab e Navigation & Sensing Lab. Students in Science & Technology will find a curriculum that threads AI/robotics into core engineering—consult the official course chart for structure and prerequisites: Curriculum Chart.

On the theory and modeling side, Meiji hosts the Meiji Institute for Advanced Study of Mathematical Sciences (MIMS), a hub for cross‑disciplinary mathematical research and doctoral training—useful whether you aim at quantitative finance, complex systems, or advanced computation. MIMS (Institute)

Tokyo Location & Industry Links

From Tokyo Station, Surugadai (the main campus) is a five‑minute train ride to Ochanomizu and then a short walk—placing you in the academic‑business core next to Akihabara and Kanda’s book town. Proximity matters for internships, alumni events, and company seminars hosted on campus. Meiji in Numbers / Direction to Surugadai

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

Meiji’s extracurricular scene is extensive, with cultural and athletic circles that warmly welcome international students. For an English directory, download the latest Clubs & Circles NAVI 2025 — English Version (PDF). If you read Japanese or want the most complete list, see the Circle Navi 2025 — Full Guide (Japanese, PDF). For varsity teams and competitive athletics, check the university overview: Meiji University and Sports.

Dedicated Support: Visa, Housing, Counseling

Meiji centralizes international student services—admissions queries, immigration paperwork, scholarships, and day‑to‑day guidance—through its official pages. Start here: Services for International Students. The International Student Office also publishes detailed instructions and forms (PDF) for entry clearance and procedures. International Student Office Guide (PDF)

For mental‑health support, the Student Counseling Room provides multilingual services (including English) with appointments on each campus; check the guide and current schedule. Student Counseling Room (English) / AY2025 Consultation Hours (PDF)

Language‑Exchange & International Lounges

Each campus hosts spaces where students can practice languages, meet peers, and join events—from conversation tables to cultural workshops. International Lounges

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Meiji partners with hundreds of universities worldwide and accepts around 200 exchange students each semester. The official fact sheet summarizes eligibility, application flow, course availability in English, and housing. Exchange Program Fact Sheet (AY2026) / Browse partners: International Partner Institutions

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Tokyo has warm, humid summers and mild winters with low snowfall. For a reliable overview and long‑term normals, consult Japan’s national meteorological agency. JMA – Climate of Japan

Safety and urban convenience are major reasons students choose Tokyo. In the most recent Safe Cities Index by Economist Impact, Tokyo ranks among the world’s leading cities across digital, health, infrastructure, personal and environmental security (methodology and results here). Safe Cities Index 2021

Cost of living is manageable relative to many Western capitals, helped by Japan’s current price level. Run comparisons and check monthly baskets on Numbeo to plan your budget (remember: rent varies widely by neighborhood and room size). Numbeo – Tokyo

International Student Statistics

International students account for about 5% of the total student body (THE). The university highlights that regular degree students largely come from China and South Korea, followed by Malaysia, Taiwan, and the United States, and that more than 2,300 international students (including exchange and short‑term) join Meiji annually. THE – Key Stats / Meiji in Numbers

Career & Graduate Prospects

Meiji has a long reputation for practical career support. The Career Support Center runs 300+ seminars and events yearly and holds over 22,000 one‑to‑one consultations, contributing to consistently strong outcomes; Meiji also ranks highly in domestic job‑hunting support surveys. Start with the university’s English career page and consult school‑specific guidance (e.g., SGJS). Career (English) / SGJS Career Support / Meiji in Numbers

Practical Notes (Tuition & Key Links)

Undergraduate tuition and fees differ by school. Always verify the latest official PDF and school‑specific admissions pages before applying. For SGJS English Track, see the 2025 admissions guidelines and fee table; for exchanges, confirm with the current fact sheet and your home university’s office. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees 2025 (PDF) / SGJS English Track / Exchange Fact Sheet