Sophia University

Sophia University (“Jochi Daigaku” in Japanese) was founded in 1913 by the Jesuits, a Catholic order renowned for excellence in education. From the beginning, the university founders stressed an internationally oriented curriculum and rigorous training in foreign languages. Sophia soon established itself as a leading institution for scholarship on foreign languages and literature in Japan.

Since the founding of the International Division in 1949, Sophia University has now been leading the globalization of Japanese universities by conducting classes in English and welcoming multinational students, faculty members, and researchers for more than a half-century. We will continue to develop human resources with a thorough understanding of diversity and practical skills centered on expertise, drawing on our many years of experience and knowledge.

Today Sophia University is a major teaching and research university in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences with 14,000 students and teaching staff of 1,400 members, encompassing dozens of nationalities. Sophia University has been selected as one of 37 universities to receive funding from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for internationalization effort called the "Top Global University Project."

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One of the top private universities in Japan

Sophia’s reputation for excellence in undergraduate education, outstanding graduate programs, and a competitive research environment enables it to maintain its ranking as one of Japan’s top private universities. Students benefit immensely from the ability to study the latest developments in their chosen field of specialization with distinguished Japanese and international faculty members. Reflecting the quality of their education, Sophia graduates are highly regarded as leaders in the global workplace at multinational companies and international organizations.

Wide variety of English-medium programs

Students can study business and economics, science and technology and environmental studies, all strengths of Japan, in English. Sophia also boasts a long tradition in Japanese studies. Monumenta Nipponica, an English-medium scholarly journal that serves as an important resource for researchers studying Japan worldwide, is edited at the University. The following programs offer entirely of English-medium curriculum:
"Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF)," a new English-based undergraduate program scheduled to launch in the autumn semester of 2020.

Undergraduate level: Liberal Arts, Science and Technology, SPSF (Journalism, Education, Sociology, Economics, Management, Global Studies)

Graduate level: Education, Global Studies, Global Environmental Studies, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Green Science and Technology

Non-Degree programs: Liberal Arts, Center for Language Education and Research (Japanese-language courses)

New Digital Green Technology Department to Launch in April 2027 to Nurture Global GX Leaders

Sophia University will establish the Department of Digital Green Technology in April 2027 within the Faculty of Science and Technology. This new department aims to nurture next-generation innovators who will lead GX and tackle global challenges. The curriculum, delivered entirely in English, equips students with cutting-edge engineering skills based on date science and digital technologies.