Musashi University — A Practical Guide for International Students: Admissions, Programs, Costs, Scholarships & Student Life

Looking for a Tokyo-based university that blends small‑group teaching with real global options? Musashi University (武蔵大学) is a private institution in Nerima, a leafy residential ward just minutes from Ikebukuro. With intimate class sizes, a long tradition of seminar-style learning, and an English‑friendly global curriculum you can tap into through exchange and elective programs, Musashi quietly punches above its weight. This guide walks you through the essentials—programs, strengths, student life, climate, costs, and outcomes—so you can judge if Musashi fits your Japan‑study plans.

Source: Photo by Pott, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by PekePON, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by Kekdeok, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by Fehni1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by Nextla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by Pott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by Nextla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: Photo by Nextla, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick‑Facts Table

Item	Details
Type (National/Public/Private)	Private University
Total Students	5,107 (Undergraduate 5,053; Master’s 47; Doctoral 7) as of May 1, 2025 Official Data & Information
Campuses	Main: Ekoda Campus (Nerima, Tokyo). Additional: Asaka Facilities (Saitama) for athletics and training. Access / Asaka Facilities
Faculties/Schools	Faculty of Economics; Faculty of Humanities; Faculty of Sociology; School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Economics & Management [EM] Program; Global Studies [GS] Program). Faculties / LAS Overview (JPSS)
수업료	Undergraduate tuition (per year, 2025): approx. ¥800,000 (Humanities); ¥820,000 (Economics); ¥1,000,000 (School of Liberal Arts & Sciences). Plus admission fee (~¥240,000) and other fees depending on faculty. JPSS (English) / JPSS LAS
Gender Ratio	Male 55.3% / Female 44.7% (total students, 2025). Computed from official counts. Source
Intl‑Student %	~0.5% (22 international students out of ~4,408 reported; third‑party snapshot—actual year‑to‑year varies). TopUniversities
Students per Staff	~36.7 per full‑time faculty (5,107 ÷ 139); ~11.3 including part‑time (5,107 ÷ 452). Students / Number of Faculty Members (PDF)

Notes on the table: Student totals and gender balance are from the university’s English “Data and Information” page (as of May 1, 2025). Faculty numbers come from the linked “Number of Faculty Members” PDF on the same page. Tuition figures are consolidated from English‑language JPSS pages by faculty/school. International‑student share reflects an English third‑party snapshot (TopUniversities) and is best treated as indicative.

Campus Maps

Ekoda Campus (Main, Nerima, Tokyo)

Address: 1-26-1 Toyotamakami, Nerima City, Tokyo 176-8534, Japan

Asaka Athletic Facilities (Saitama)

Address: 3-15-3 Saiwaicho, Asaka, Saitama 351-0015, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Musashi University traces its DNA to the Nezu family’s commitment to building people as much as railways. The seeds were planted in 1921 when the Nezu Scholarship Society was founded to expand educational access; the next year, Musashi High School opened as a seven‑year school—the forerunner of today’s university. Post‑war reforms brought Musashi University proper in 1949 with the Faculty of Economics, before the humanities and sociology disciplines rounded out the present structure in 1969 and 1997. The founding spirit prioritized global awareness and independent inquiry long before “internationalization” became a buzzword.

The university’s mission sits on three founding principles: to cultivate individuals who blend the cultural values of East and West; who can act on the world stage; and who think and research independently. In practice, Musashi operationalizes these ideals through a liberal arts & sciences approach spanning general education, language study, and specialized majors—keeping the entire experience compact, cross‑disciplinary, and human‑scaled. Founding philosophy

From the early 2000s onward, Musashi’s history has an increasingly global cadence. The Musashi International Studies Center was set up in 2002 and the East Asian Studies (EAS) Program followed in 2003—anchoring an English‑medium curriculum space for visiting and degree‑seeking students. In 2015, the institution took a bold step with the University of London Parallel Degree Programme (PDP), allowing select students to study toward a BSc from the University of London while also completing their Musashi degree—without leaving Tokyo. History / University of London Recognised Teaching Centre

Across a century, this compact university has deliberately resisted bigness in favor of proximity: student to professor; campus to city; East to West. That design choice explains the famous “seminar culture” (ゼミ) and the steady investment in outward‑looking programs that make Musashi appealing to globally minded students who still want a tight‑knit academic home.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Seminar Culture & Small‑Group Learning (“Zemi”)

Ask alumni what defines Musashi and you’ll hear “ゼミ”—intensive, discussion‑heavy seminars that start early and run throughout a student’s degree. This format accelerates faculty mentorship, presentation practice, and original research, and it spills into co‑curricular life via the university’s Seminar Association and a host of student‑led circles. For English‑medium entrants, the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) explicitly centers seminar work in its “traditional seminar‑based education” pitch. LAS Overview (JPSS)

Parallel Degree with the University of London (PDP)

Musashi is Japan’s first—and still the only—Recognised Teaching Centre that offers the University of London’s BSc courses. Selected students in the Economics & Management (EM) track of LAS can complete a “parallel degree,” studying University of London curricula in Tokyo while earning a Musashi degree. Launched in 2015, the PDP has produced graduates with robust quantitative and analytical training grounded in global standards. UoL Musashi Centre / EMFSS Prospectus (PDF)

Global Liberal‑Arts Core: EAS, Language Support & MCV

For inbound exchange and degree students, the East Asian Studies (EAS) Program is the intellectual gateway—taught in English and spanning politics, economics, history, society, and culture across East Asia. Students who want to build up academic English before diving in can enroll (with approval) in Study Abroad Preparation courses. Day‑to‑day language practice lives at Musashi Communication Village (MCV), a drop‑in space for casual conversation, events, and peer‑learning in multiple languages. Academic Options (GEC) / Study Abroad Preparation / MCV

Flagship Faculties

Faculty of Economics

Musashi’s oldest faculty remains its largest, with a strong pipeline into finance, manufacturing, and services. The Department of Finance (est. 1992) reflects Musashi’s early recognition of financial specialization in undergraduate education. Seminar‑based training in empirical analysis and policy debates pairs well with EAS electives for students eyeing regional careers. History

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS): EM & GS Programs

For globally minded students, LAS is the headline act: the EM Program integrates the University of London’s BSc pathway (PDP), while the GS Program delivers interdisciplinary global studies—both embedded in Musashi’s seminar culture. The school’s curriculum is designed around English‑medium instruction for all LAS subjects, with added support to help students adjust to all‑English classes. LAS Overview (JPSS)

Compact Tokyo Campus + Dedicated Athletic Facilities

Ekoda Campus sits in a quiet residential pocket of Nerima—but it’s a seven‑minute local train ride from Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s biggest transit hubs. The compact footprint means short walks between classes and quick access to cafés, libraries, and club rooms. For sports and trainings, Musashi operates the Asaka Facilities in neighboring Saitama Prefecture—multi‑purpose grounds used by clubs and teams year‑round. Ekoda Campus / Asaka Facilities

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

With dozens of sports and cultural organizations—from Aikido, Kendo, and Rugby to English Language, Modern Jazz, Photography, Manga, and University Orchestra—you’ll find communities that actively welcome exchange and degree‑seeking students. The clubs page includes snapshots and voices from past exchange students describing how quickly they were integrated into teams. Clubs & Organizations

Support Offices: Global Education Center (GEC)

GEC is your first stop for advice and practical support. Its remit spans international cooperation, exchange programs, intensive language study, self‑designed overseas research, and global internships—plus daily language‑learning opportunities via MCV. The office is designed to be approachable for both Japanese and international students on campus. The Purpose of the GEC

Language‑Exchange & Buddy‑Style Programs

Expect low‑friction peer opportunities: “Campus Mates,” E.S.S. (English Speaking Society), English Jam, and culture‑exchange groups like “Chingu.” These student‑to‑student spaces make it easy to practice Japanese and English, meet friends, and get informal help navigating life in Tokyo. For International Students: Peer‑to‑Peer

Housing: NEM HOUSE (International Residence)

Opened in October 2024, NEM HOUSE is a dedicated residence for international students near Ekoda Campus. It offers private rooms (≈15 m²) with en‑suite shower, shared kitchen and laundry, bicycle parking, and quick access to four stations. Rent is listed at ¥80,000/month—including utilities and Wi‑Fi—which is competitive for Tokyo. NEM HOUSE details

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

Musashi’s Global Education Center publishes a live list of mobility partners and program types (exchange, study‑abroad, short‑term intensives, etc.). Examples include the University of Kent, University of Winchester and Worcester (UK); Temple University (U.S.)—including collaboration with Temple University, Japan Campus; University of British Columbia–Okanagan (Canada); Deakin and Southern Cross (Australia); Passau (Germany); Fontys and Windesheim (Netherlands); and more. GEC Overview / TUJ–Musashi Credit Exchange / Temple Partner List

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Tokyo/Nerima)

Weather Patterns You’ll Actually Feel

Looking at the last five years in central Tokyo (2020–2024, JMA station 47662), typical January daytime highs have averaged around 10–12 °C with night lows near 2–4 °C, while August brings average highs of roughly 33–34 °C and warm nights around 25–27 °C. Expect an early-summer rainy season (June–July) and occasional typhoon-influenced downpours in late summer to early autumn. Heat has intensified recently—Japan recorded record-hot summer conditions in 2023 and elevated nationwide warmth again in 2024—so plan for hydration, shade, and sun care in midsummer. See the Japan Meteorological Agency’s recent monthly mean daily maximum temperatures 그리고 monthly mean daily minimum temperatures for Tokyo, plus news coverage of the record-hot 2023 summer 그리고 near-record warmth in 2024.

Safety & Everyday Convenience

Tokyo consistently ranks among the world’s safest large cities. In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index 2021, Tokyo placed in the global top tier—one reason many first‑time visitors find it comfortable to navigate late‑night trains, convenience stores, and quiet residential streets like those around Ekoda. Safe Cities 2021 (Whitepaper)

Cost of Living Snapshot (Student‑Relevant)

A single person’s non‑rent monthly costs in Tokyo sit around ¥148,000 by recent crowdsourced estimates, while rent swings widely by neighborhood and building age. Students often mix dorms, shared houses, or compact studios to keep budgets sane. Musashi’s NEM HOUSE listing (¥80,000/month including utilities and Wi‑Fi) falls on the affordable end for the city. Always sanity‑check budgets with current numbers. Numbeo: Tokyo / NEM HOUSE

International Student Statistics

Musashi’s English data pages publish detailed totals by faculty and gender, but do not currently show an aggregate international‑student count across the whole university. Third‑party snapshots indicate a small but present international cohort—TopUniversities lists 22 international students among 4,408 total in a recent cycle (≈0.5%). Within LAS specifically, JPSS notes a small international student body in the 2025 school year. Treat these as directional and verify year‑by‑year. TopUniversities / JPSS LAS

Career & Graduate Prospects

Placement Rates & Where Graduates Go

For the most recent cohort published (Undergraduates, 2022—tabulated as of May 1, 2023), Musashi reports strong employment outcomes across faculties. Aggregated across Economics, Humanities, and Sociology, 981 of 1,083 graduates secured employment—about 90.6%. Faculty‑level detail is available on the English data page under “Students after Graduation.” Students after Graduation

How Musashi Builds Employability

Three elements stand out. First, seminar‑heavy pedagogy develops writing, analysis, and facilitation fundamentals. Second, the GEC ecosystem—EAS courses, Study Abroad Preparation, and MCV—builds intercultural fluency and English presentation skills valued by multinational employers. Third, the University of London PDP (EM track) gives select students a globally benchmarked curriculum in economics/management while in Tokyo. Together, they help explain the high placement rates above.

Admissions & Money (Quick Pointers for Overseas Candidates)

Language & Program Fit

Most courses at Musashi are taught in Japanese across the three faculties; the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences (EM/GS) is the primary English‑medium home for full‑degree studies. Exchange students typically tap EAS and Japanese language classes. Applicants should match their language profile to program choice. Teaching language by faculty

IB Applicants & Scholarships (General)

Musashi publicly indicates that IB Diploma holders can apply to two undergraduate programs conducted entirely in English (EM and GS) with final or predicted scores; EM applicants should submit IB Mathematics results. There are no IB‑specific scholarships, but international students can apply for general scholarships. Always confirm the current year’s details with admissions. IBO: Musashi University

What to Budget

For tuition, plan on roughly ¥800,000–¥1,000,000 per year depending on faculty/school, plus an admission fee (≈¥240,000) and other mandatory fees. For living costs, recent benchmarks put non‑rent spending near ¥148,000/month, with rent highly location‑dependent. Musashi’s NEM HOUSE is a helpful fixed‑cost option at ¥80,000 including utilities/Wi‑Fi. JPSS (Musashi) / Numbeo: Tokyo

Why Musashi Could Be the Right Fit for You

Choose Musashi if you want a human‑scaled campus with real faculty access; if you prefer seminar‑driven learning over lecture marathons; if you want to keep Tokyo’s energy close without the sprawl; and if you value globally benchmarked options such as the University of London PDP and partner‑university exchanges. The trade‑off is that, outside LAS and EAS, most degree programs are Japanese‑medium—so language preparation matters. But for the right student, Musashi offers a rare balance of intimacy, rigor, and global opportunity in the heart of Tokyo. Musashi (English Top)