Language of instruction
Limited places available. Potentially available as a second of third preference.
Sophia University is one of the top private universities in Japan and is situated in the heart of Tokyo. The University has been a pioneer for internationalisation in Japan, encouraging the academic study of global ideas to cultivate insightful and critical thinking in all its students.
The campus is centrally located within walking distance of many places of interest. Shinjuku, one of the most exciting areas in Tokyo, is just a 5 minute train ride away from Yotsuya, the closest station.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Semester | April–July |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Semester | September–January |
Guides and additional information
Sophia University has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Campuses
Sophia University has multiple campus locations, however, only the Yotsuya Main campus is open to exchange students.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Student testimonials
- B Arts/Business ManagementSemester 1, 2019
Full-time study load
Japanese Language (Intensive Track): 8 credits per semester (15 classes per week) are equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Japanese Language (Regular Track): 8 credits per semester (minimum 6 classes per week) are equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Undergraduate English-taught programs: 16 credits per semester at Sophia are equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Graduate English-taught programs: 16 credits per semester at Sophia are equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Host university requirements
GPA
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0 to study at Sophia University.
Language
Students wishing to take courses taught in Japanese will require Japanese proficiency of level N1 or higher. Individual study options or faculties may have higher requirements.
Study Options
You must choose from one of the five programs/tracks detailed below. Further details are outlined in the Additional Academic Information section below.
Note: host university eligibility criteria are at the discretion of the host and may change without notice.
Find courses
Search the Sophia University course catalogue.
UQ Credit Precedent Database
The first step is to review the host university's most recent course catalogue and identify the courses available to exchange students in the semester you plan to attend (e.g. Fall/Spring or Semester 1/Semester 2).
Once you have identified suitable courses, you can search the Credit Precedent Database (CPD) to check whether any of those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
Please note:
- Always use the host university course catalogue to identify available courses. The CPD should only be used to check whether those courses have previously been assessed for UQ credit.
- The CPD is a guide only and does not represent the full or current range of courses available at a host institution.
- Previous credit assessments may have expired or no longer reflect the current course content.
- Courses that do not appear in the CPD can still be considered for UQ credit through the Study Plan assessment process.
Study areas taught in English
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
Accommodation
Sophia University offers a number of dormitory housing options for exchange students. All dormitories are located off-campus and commuting times vary for each. The University also provides links to external resources to help exchange students organise their own housing arrangements.
Cost of living
Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, however, the cost of living while studying in Tokyo can be determined by your spending expectations and lifestyle. Sophia University provides an estimate of approximate costs depending on housing types and other anticipated expenses.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Students going on exchange to Sophia University may be eligible to apply for a number of scholarships and funding opportunities.
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 exchange students must enrol in the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) system after their arrival in Japan.
Exchange deadlines
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October
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.
Sophia University has visa and immigration information for incoming exchange students.
Contact the Consulate General of Japan for more visa 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
Exchange deadlines
The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October