Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS): Admissions, Programs, Tuition, Scholarships & Student Life for Intertional Applicants

Thinking about studying languages, international communication, or Japan studies in the Tokyo Bay area? Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) in Makuhari, Chiba, is a focused, friendly campus built around language learning, global liberal arts, and practical international experience. With a renowned Self-Access Learning Center (SALC), active exchange programs across 30+ countries and regions, and majors spanning English, Asian, Ibero‑American languages, and Global Liberal Arts, KUIS offers an immersive environment to grow your language skills and global mindset. This guide collects quick facts, strengths, student life tips, weather and lifestyle notes, and career outcomes so you can decide whether KUIS fits your academic journey.

Quick Facts: Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS)

Numbers below come from the university’s latest disclosures and English pages wherever available; see the evidence links throughout this article for details.

Type	Private University
Total Students	≈4,300 (UG: 4,238; Grad: 50) as of May 2025
Campuses	Makuhari (Chiba) – Single main campus
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Foreign Languages (Departments: English; Asian Languages—Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai; Spanish & Portuguese; International Communication) / Faculty of Global Liberal Arts (GLA) / Graduate School of Language Sciences
수업료	Foreign Languages (first‑year total): ¥1,525,000; Global Liberal Arts (first‑year total): ~¥1,725,000
Gender Ratio (UG)	≈29.5% male / 70.5% female (2024)
Intl‑Student %	≈4.7% overall across UG/Grad/Bekka/IES (2024)
Students per Staff	≈11.3 students per teacher (UG overall, 2025)

Campus Maps

Makuhari Campus (Main, Chiba)

Address: 1-4-1 Wakaba, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0014, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS) opened in 1987 as part of the Kanda Gaigo (Kanda Institute of Foreign Languages) group’s long‑standing commitment to language education and intercultural understanding. From the beginning, the university focused on language proficiency, communication skills, and international perspectives rather than becoming a generalist mega‑campus. That focus is still its identity today, visible in the curriculum, campus spaces, and student support system. The university describes its mission simply: to “weave the world together through its network of communication,” nurturing people who understand languages and cultures and can communicate with an open heart—a vision expressed across its English “Our Philosophy” page and materials available to prospective students.

Over the decades, KUIS has expanded and reorganized its departments while preserving a single clear theme: languages as the foundation for global education. Milestones include the establishment of the Graduate School of Language Sciences (1992–94), the launch of the Department of International Communication (2001), and a major reorganization into four language‑centered departments in 2012. Alongside degrees, the university built the Self‑Access Learning Center (SALC)—a student‑facing hub for independent language learning, advising, and research in learner autonomy—followed by KUIS 8, a landmark building that integrates SALC, the English Language Institute (ELI), classrooms, cafés, and community spaces (you’ll see “KUIS 8” referenced throughout the English site). The Japanese Language and Culture Program (Ryūgakusei Bekka) was added to welcome exchange students into intensive Japanese study while keeping them connected to campus life.

A recent development is the Faculty of Global Liberal Arts (GLA), designed for students who want to study in English across humanities and social sciences while tying learning to real‑world experience. GLA emphasizes a six‑month Global Challenge Term early in the program and a study‑abroad pathway with the State University of New York (SUNY), which anchors outbound mobility in the degree structure. While the campus remains compact—a single site in Makuhari—KUIS’s network is big: partner institutions across 30+ countries and regions give undergraduates routes into exchanges, short‑term programs, and collaborative projects. If you’re looking for a mission‑driven, language‑forward Japanese university with a practical international compass, this is it. (See Our Philosophy 그리고 History pages.)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Self‑Access Learning Center (SALC) & Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education (RILAE)

KUIS’s SALC is a centerpiece for language learning beyond the classroom. It offers learning‑advisor appointments, writing support, language practice partners, themed learning communities, workshops, and reservable study spaces. The SALC keeps generous opening hours in the KUIS 8 building and publishes clear info for visitors and students, including maps, services, and contact details. The institute paired with SALC—RILAE—supports research and professional development in learner autonomy (open webinars, an open‑access journal, and practitioner networks). For prospective international students, this means you’ll find structured guidance (advising) plus community activities that help you use your target language daily and build confidence. See SALC’s hub: KUIS8.com and the SALC pages here. RILAE overview (English PDF) is here.

English Language Institute (ELI) & Immersive English Support

The ELI coordinates intensive English courses and campus‑wide support with faculty advisors and activity programming that feed into SALC. For exchange or degree‑seeking students who major in English, International Communication, or GLA, ELI’s environment accelerates practical fluency—particularly presentation skills, academic writing, and media literacy. For a window into the ELI community and its links to SALC and KUIS 8, see the public info at ELI links 및 KUIS 8 hub.

Flagship Faculties for Global Careers

Faculty of Foreign Languages

Four departments create a multilingual ecosystem: English; Asian Languages (Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai); Spanish & Portuguese; and International Communication. Expect strong skill training (speaking, interpreting & translating options), culture & area studies, and career‑oriented courses in global business communication. Department pages (English): English, Asian Languages, Spanish & Portuguese, International Communication.

Faculty of Global Liberal Arts (GLA)

GLA is an English‑medium program integrating Humanities, Societies, and Global Studies with a mandatory Global Challenge Term and a SUNY study‑abroad component. You study academic English deeply (reading, writing, critical thinking) while connecting coursework to field experiences. See details (in Japanese with diagrams) on the official page: GLA Overview. KUIS factsheets for exchange students confirm that many English‑taught courses sit in both the Faculty of Foreign Languages and GLA, widening your options.

Compact, Connected Campus in Makuhari

KUIS sits in Makuhari, a new urban district between Tokyo and Narita Airport, alongside other universities, Makuhari Messe convention center, business towers, hotels, and wide parks. The campus is walkable and self‑contained—SALC/ELI inside KUIS 8; cafés; language‑practice spaces such as the Multilingual Communication Center (MULC). The official “Location” page gives travel times and local highlights: Makuhari Location & Access.

Student–Staff Attention and Learning Advisors

KUIS reports ≈11.3 students per teacher (UG overall, 2025). Combined with SALC learning advisors and ELI faculty, this ratio helps keep language feedback personal—especially in skills classes, academic writing support, and capstone projects.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

There are 80+ clubs and circles—from language and culture groups (English Speaking Society, Thai instrument ensembles, Latin music) to athletics (American football STINGERS, taekwondo, lacrosse), plus volunteer and media circles. The English page shows examples and encourages joining across departments and years: Clubs & Circles.

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

KUIS provides International Student support through the Global Engagement & Partnership Division (for exchange procedures and general support) and program offices. Accommodation options include a university‑managed women’s international dorm, a men’s dorm, and help finding apartments: see the English accommodation page Accommodation for International Students. Campus health and counseling services and a Medical Center are listed under official disclosure materials (Japanese) along with student‑support divisions; you can review those links from the Information Disclosure page (Japanese).

Language‑Exchange & Buddy/Tutor Programs

International students can join the university’s Buddy/Tutor framework centered on the Japanese Language and Culture Program (Bekka) and the Department of International Communication. Buddies help with arrival, mobile phone setup, shopping, campus orientation, and weekly Japanese‑support sessions. There are also independent learning‑support tutors and class visits to build interaction with Japanese students. Details: Tutor System.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

KUIS maintains 120+ partner institutions across some 30 countries and regions, offering semester/year exchanges and short programs. Examples on the official list include Queensland University of Technology (Australia), University of Jyväskylä (Finland), Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland), Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal), universities in Korea (e.g., Hanyang, Kyung Hee), and leading language universities in China (e.g., Beijing Language and Culture University, Shanghai International Studies University). The partner directory is public (Japanese): International Affiliation List. For exchange students coming to KUIS, current factsheets outline English‑taught courses, Japanese immersion (Bekka), and estimated living costs; check the latest factsheet provided by partner universities (e.g., AMU) for up‑to‑date course and visa notes.

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Makuhari, Chiba)

Weather pattern (recent years): Based on Japan Meteorological Agency observations for Chiba City in the 2019–2024 window, winters are cool and summers hot‑humid. Typical January averages are around 8–10°C by day and 2–4°C at night; peak summer (August) sees average daytime highs around 30–33°C and nighttime lows around 24–26°C. See JMA’s monthly values for Chiba (station 47682), including tables of monthly mean, mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures: 2019–25 index and 2024 monthly details are viewable on the official JMA site. For packing, plan light winter layers and full summer heat gear (sun protection, breathable clothing).

Neighborhood & access: Makuhari is a planned district with wide sidewalks, shopping (Aeon Mall Makuhari), seaside parks, and international hotels. The campus is roughly 40 minutes from Tokyo Station (JR Keiyō Line to Kaihin‑Makuhari) and convenient to both Narita and Haneda airports. University page: Location & Access.

Cost of living (rough guide): Current exchange factsheets estimate typical monthly costs (rent, food, transport, insurance) for inbound students. If you plan a degree, use those figures as a baseline and adjust for a 12‑month stay. For accommodation specifics at KUIS (women’s dorm, men’s dorm, private apartments), see the university’s English page: Accommodation.

International Student Statistics

As of May 2024, KUIS reported 205 international students across programs: Undergraduate (61), Graduate School (20), Japanese Language & Culture Program/Bekka (94), and IES/Short‑term (30). Counting all categories together yields ≈4.7% international students across the university community. The university’s student statistics page (Japanese) also lists undergraduate enrollment by gender (≈29.5% male / 70.5% female) and total undergraduates (4,146 in 2024). For the newest headcounts (May 2025), the university’s staff‑student disclosure shows undergraduates at 4,238 and graduate enrollment around 50.

Career & Graduate Prospects

KUIS emphasizes career education from first year (portfolio‑style guidance, seminars, and one‑on‑one counseling). Employment data (multi‑year) show graduates entering trading/wholesale/retail, IT & communications, airlines/transport/logistics, hospitality & travel, manufacturing, public sector/teaching, finance, and more. Named employers in recent annual summaries include Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, JR East, DHL Japan, Accenture, Apple Japan, Fast Retailing (UNIQLO), IBM Japan, NTT group companies, major hotel groups (Ritz‑Carlton, Hilton), and ministries/local governments. One official statistics page (Japanese) also shows, for 2022, 801 total outcomes at undergraduate level (772 employed; 29 graduate school/study abroad). See English “Job Hunting” and the Japanese “Employment status & companies” pages for current lists and sector breakdowns: Job Hunting (EN) / 就職状況・就職先 (JP).

Programs & Money: Practical Notes

Majors and Where to Start

If your goal is English‑medium study with built‑in study abroad, look at GLA. If you want deep language specialization plus career focus (interpreting & translating; international business communication), browse the four departments in the Faculty of Foreign Languages. Graduate students can pursue MA TESOL or language sciences in English/Japanese tracks. Department overviews: English / International Communication / Asian Languages / Spanish & Portuguese / History & background.

Tuition & Typical First‑Year Costs (¥)

For the Faculty of Foreign Languages, the latest first‑year total widely reported is ¥1,525,000 (includes ¥200,000 admission fee; tuition ~¥980,000; facilities/fees). For the Faculty of Global Liberal Arts, first‑year total is ~¥1,725,000, with GLA’s four‑year plan noting a reduced KUIS tuition in the SUNY study‑abroad year plus an additional study‑abroad management fee and the actual SUNY study‑abroad costs. For official breakdown PDFs (Japanese) and roundup pages, see KUIS tuition notices and major Japanese college guides: e.g., KUIS GLA tuition PDF and Kei‑Net/Benesse summaries.