Language of instruction
Showa Women’s University is one of the country’s top academic institutions for women. SWU educates women to become self-reliant and to take a significant role in society. SWU is a medium-sized private university, with small class sizes and professors who are close and easy to consult with.
SWU’s main campus is located in Sangenjaya in the centre of Tokyo – a residential neighbourhood renowned as a desirable address for young people where the streets are lined with traditional shops and apartment buildings.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | Late March–Late July |
| Semester 2 | Fall Semester | September–Early February |
View the SWU academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
SWU has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Student testimonials
- B ArtsSemester 1, 2019
A very busy student life, but overall a privileged and enjoyable experience
- Bachelor of ArtsSemester 2, 2017 and Semester 1, 2018
Come and study at Showa! You will be well looked after and have a fabulous exchange!
Full-time study load
8 tani credits per semester at SWU is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at SWU.
Language
- SWU Academic Program: Students wishing to take courses taught in Japanese will require Japanese proficiency of level N2 or higher.
- Intensive Japanese Language Program: Students must have studied basic Japanese (JLPT N3/N4 or CEFR A2 recommended) before commencing the program.
Study Options
You must choose either the SWU Academic Program or the Intensive Japanese Language Program. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Semester Restrictions
The Intensive Japanese Language Program is available for a one-semester duration only.
Other Requirements
SWU is open for exchange to female undergraduate students only.
Note: Host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Please see "Additional academic information" for program options and specific course offerings.
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
You must still check the host university course catalogue to see if courses from the Credit Precedent Database are still on offer and in the correct semester of your exchange.
Study areas taught in English
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Accommodation
SWU offers 3 types of accommodation choices for international students with monthly rental fees. Alternatively, students can opt to live with a Japanese family from the University's homestay program.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Japan is relatively expensive, however, there are multiple ways to reduce your expenses while living and studying in Japan.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Students studying at Showa Women's University may be eligible to apply for the JASSO Scholarship.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in a Semester-based Exchange are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All non-Japanese students must join the Japanese Government's National Health Insurance system (NHI or Kokumin Kenko Hoken).
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Contact the Consulate General of Japan for visa and immigration information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, experiences to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice, and sign up to receive updates for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 17 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 22 June (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 18 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 23 November (for Semester 2 of the following year)