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–August |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Semester | September–February |
View the SWU academic calendar.
Guides and additional information
SWU has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 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!
- B. Arts / EducationSemester 2, 2017
Full-time study load
8 tani credits per semester at SWU is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at SWU.
You will need Japanese language skills at level N2 or higher to study courses taught in Japanese.
You must have completed at least 1 year of your degree program at UQ prior to arriving at SWU.
Find courses
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.
Please see "Additional academic information" for program options and specific course offerings if courses do not appear in the database.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
SWU is open for exchange to female undergraduate students only.
For those planning to study mainly Japanese language at SWU as a non-degree student, the minimum requirement is to have studied at least 1 year of Japanese language before arrival.
Additional academic information
- SWU Academic Program (Liberal Arts courses taught in Japanese, worth 2 credits per course, requires JLPT N2 or above).
- One semester long Intensive Japanese Language Program (Intermediate level):
- Students must have studied basic Japanese (JLPT N3/N4 or CEFR A2 recommended).
- Students are required to take 5 mandatory Japanese Language courses (8 credits in total): 1) Japanese Communication; 2) Japanese in Context; 3) Internship Preparation (Internship experience not included); 4) Intermediate Grammar; 5) Intermediate Reading.
- Students may also take up to 2 liberal arts elective courses which are open to them, either in English or Japanese (depends on thier Japanese language level).
- There is also an optional internship experience (maximum 1 month) for students who wish to extend their stay after the program.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 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 the Student Exchange Program 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
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 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, Global Experience programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.