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
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
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.
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
Academic restrictions
Additional academic information
Exchange deadlines
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)
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
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (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.
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
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1:
Open: 24 April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Close: 31 May (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2:
Open: 24 September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Close: 31 October (for Semester 2 of the following year)