Seijo University Guide for International Students: Admissions, English Courses, Scholarships & Student Life

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that feels personal, green, and close to downtown Tokyo? Seijo University sits in Setagaya, one of the capital’s most livable neighborhoods. It’s a small, student-centered private university with a liberal-arts spirit, close professor interaction, and practical exchange options in English or Japanese. If you’re looking for a tight-knit community, real support for international students, and easy access to the city’s opportunities, Seijo is a compelling, underrated choice worth adding to your shortlist.

Quick-Facts Table

Type (National/Public/Private)	Private (Official Site)
Total Students	≈5,488 (Undergrad 5,406 / Grad 82, May 2021) — Facts & Figures
Campuses	Main: Seijo campus (Setagaya, Tokyo) — Access
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Economics; Faculty of Arts & Literature; Faculty of Law; Faculty of Social Innovation — Undergraduate Programs
Tasse scolastiche	Varies by program (see averages for Japan) — Academic Fees (Japan)
Gender Ratio	Men 2,473 / Women 3,015 (May 2021) — Facts & Figures
Intl-Student %	41 international students (2019 snapshot) — Facts & Figures
Students per Staff	Small classes emphasized; 153 full-time faculty (May 2021) — Facts & Figures
Exchange / English-taught	Exchange Program & Courses in English

Campus Maps

Seijo Campus (Setagaya, Tokyo)

Address: 6-1-20 Seijo, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-8511, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Seijo University traces its roots to the Seijo Gakuen educational institute, founded by Masataro Sawayanagi, a reformer of modern Japanese education. The university embodies a mission of cultivating individuality and creativity through small classes and close interaction between students and faculty. Its principles—often summarized as a commitment to truth, goodness, and beauty—continue to guide the campus ethos today. For official statements of the mission and ideals, see Seijo’s SEIJO Principles and a concise institutional timeline in the History section. The central Setagaya campus is a short walk from Seijo-Gakuenmae Station, offering a safe, residential environment with fast connections to Shinjuku and Shibuya (Access).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Small-Class Liberal Arts DNA

Seijo emphasizes small-group learning and liberal education, encouraging independence and initiative. This is stated explicitly in the university’s guiding principles and is reflected across undergraduate programs (SEIJO Principles; Undergraduate Programs).

Flagship Faculties

Arts & Literature

A signature strength with coursework spanning literature, film, media, folklore, and cultural studies—great for students who want Japan-facing humanities and creative studies in a bilingual context. See program overviews via Undergraduate Programs.

Social Innovation

Interdisciplinary by design, this faculty analyzes how new ideas move from concept to impact—covering policy, design, and community engagement. It’s a modern, career-connected option for students who want to tackle real-world problems (Faculty of Social Innovation).

Institute of Folklore Studies (MINKEN)

Seijo’s Institute of Folklore Studies houses renowned collections (e.g., the Yanagita Collection) and publishes long-running bulletins and monographs—an unusual asset for undergraduates interested in culture and anthropology. Explore the institute’s outputs via Publications.

Courses in English & Japanese Language Program

Exchange students can enroll in a curated list of Japan-focused Courses in English and join a small, intensive Japanese Language Program (JLP) (placement-based; classes conducted in Japanese).

Location & Safety Advantage

Setagaya’s residential vibe means tree-lined streets, cafés, and a calmer pace—yet you’re minutes from major business and culture hubs. For broader urban safety context, see the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index 2021. Campus routing and train tips are in Seijo’s Access page.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

From cultural circles to competitive sports, there’s a wide range of student-led activities—an easy way to make friends across language levels (Extracurricular Activities).

Dedicated Support Offices

Seijo’s International Studies Center (ISC) assists with onboarding, visas, course registration, scholarships, housing guidance, and more (ISC). Campus amenities include the Media Network Center, sports/health facilities, and study spaces (Facilities; Health & Medical).

Language-Exchange & Buddy Program

A structured buddy system pairs you with Seijo students for language practice and city life tips, easing daily life in Tokyo (Buddy Program). Housing info for exchange students is here: Accommodation.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Seijo maintains a diverse partner network across Europe, North America, and Asia, enabling semester or year-long study abroad for both inbound and outbound students (Partner Universities). Exchange logistics (deadlines, scholarship notes, syllabi) are outlined under Exchange Program → Application/Scholarships.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Tokyo’s climate features warm, humid summers and mild winters with occasional cold snaps. For monthly temperature and precipitation trends (long-term station data), see the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Tokyo series (WMO 47662): JMA Monthly Climate Statistics. For budget planning, consult official estimates of student living costs and typical rent differentials in Tokyo vs. national averages: Study in Japan – Living Costs. Exchange housing options and rent assistance details are summarized by Seijo here: Accommodation. For a global view of urban safety and infrastructure, browse the EIU’s Safe Cities Index site and the 2021 report PDF above.

International Student Statistics

Seijo publishes headline numbers (e.g., total enrollment, faculty counts, and a snapshot of international student totals). Use the official dashboard for the latest figures and breakdowns: Facts & Figures.

Career & Graduate Prospects

Seijo’s career support is practical and student-facing, including advising, company info sessions, and on-campus resources tailored to Japan’s job-hunting cycle. To see how spaces are designed to support advising, applications, and interviews, check a recent case study of the renovated Career Center (2022 completion): ITOKI: Seijo University Career Center. For graduate study pathways, explore Seijo’s master’s and doctoral programs (Graduate Programs), and for a quick overview of the institution profile: Seijo University (Wikipedia).