keio

Keio University

Keio is one of Japan's top 10 universities and is a private university with over 33,000 students, including 1300 international students.

Experience the home of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and study at one of the most prestigious universities in Japan! Keio is the first modern university in Japan, celebrating their 160th anniversary in 2018. Located in central Tokyo across the Bay from Odaiba and ten minutes from the Tsukiji Fish Market, you can experience the busy Tokyo lifestyle at Keio. The university is ranked in the top 200 world wide (QS 2020)

Key information

Location

Tokyo, Japan

Language

English, Japanese

Semester

Fall, Winter, Academic year

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open October 1, 2024

 

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2025-2026 applications

Priority Deadline: January 5, 2025

University-specific additional requirements

One academic reference required; min GPA 3.0. See Eligibility section below for more details.

This reference will not be collected at time of application but during the partner application step.

2026-2027 applications

Open October 1, 2025

Student experience

You owe it to yourself to study abroad

Tommy Osborne, The Gauntlet

Program details

Areas of Study:

There are three programs available at Keio:

Course Requirements:

4 Japanese credits = 1 UCalgary half-course (3 units), though some language courses may be 2 credits to a UCalgary half course. Please speak with the exchange advisor for more information.

Most programs require students to be enrolled in at least 7 courses per semester within their program with the opportunity to take additional courses outside the program. (Many courses are 1-2 credits.)

Student Experience: "I got to study Japanese literature, Japanese history, Japanese Noh theatre, and Japanese language. You can learn a lot about Japan that you wouldn't be able to in Canada."

Graduate Research: UCalgary Masters/Graduate students (with basic Japanese or greater) can conduct research under the supervision of an academic advisor at Keio University. Please speak with the exchange advisor. 

The academic year is divided into 2 semesters.

  • Spring semester runs from late March to late July
  • Fall semester runs from September to early February. 
  1. Costs

    Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.

    Keio estimates that monthly living expenses (rent, utilities, food, clothes, transportation, books and miscellaneous expenses) to be 130,000 - 170,000 yen per month. 

    One student budget example for a month in Tokyo:

    Expense Cost in CAD

    Rent$900

    Food$600-900

    Health Insurance$36

    Laundry$24

    Transit$120

    Mobile Phone$30

    Gym$36

    Total Range$1746-2046

    Also, remember to include things like visas, vaccinations, etc in your budget planning.

    Tokyo cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here

  2. Funding

    Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.

    Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.

Keio has off campus housing that is subsidized by Keio, which exchange students have priority access to. Rent ranges from 51,000 - 78,000 yen per month. 

Keio advises that as finding an apartment is very difficult, all students are strongly recommended to apply for Keio University Housing. Applications are handled on a first-come, first-considered basis when the portal opens (will be emailed to students). 

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B). 

Keio has specific requirements for the reference. You may approach your professor to ask if they can provide you a reference specifically in February, after you have been accepted by our office. We cannot accept references that do not meet the partner's requirements and/or are on the school specific form.

Important Visa Info: Japanese citizens must travel on their Japanese passport.

Keio has a buddy program called Keio Tomodachi Program, as well as a Global Lunch, and other great events to meet local students

Every fall in late October/early November Keio also participates in their version of the Crowchild classic, the "Keio-Waseda Baseball Games", where students can cheer for Keio as they take on their Waseda rivals!

Student Tips: "If you want to meet the local Japanese people, join the groups that are meant to facilitate this, like KOSMIC (Keio Organization of Student Members of the International Center)."


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The exchange advisor for this program is: Veronica V. Cardoso

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

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International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.