Senshu University

Fall and Winter Programs:

The Fall BCL program (Business Culture and Language) offers three classes: Survey of Japanese Business (approx. 6 credits), Survey of Japanese Culture (3 credits) and Japanese Language (several levels from beginner offered). Overall, the program is typically 12-15 credits total, depending on your academic assessment. 

The Japanese Language and Culture Program (JLC) is predominately a language intensive program, offering five levels from elementary to advanced. Students will take language classes every morning, and the cultural aspects of the program will be planned for various afternoons throughout the program.

• For the Fall 12-week JLC program, you can get 12 UCalgary units (4 HCE) of language with possibly 3 additional units of culture, please check with your academic advisor.
• For the 7-week Winter JLC program, you can expect to earn 6 UCalgary units (2 HCE). 

Full Academic Year Programs:

The International Exchange Program where you can take regular Senshu University classes. Most courses are taught in Japanese, though some classes in the Department of English are taught in English.

The Year-long study in Japan: Business, Culture and Language program provides an opportunity to take the Fall BCL Program, followed by the Winter JLC Program, and then move to Japanese-taught classes in regular faculties from April to August, which can also include a variety of interest-based courses. Students can additionally continue to take Japanese language classes in the mornings (intro to advanced levels) on top of their course(s) for an extra fee. For visa reasons, students must attend the full-year program (cannot finish at the end of the JLC winter program), or may apply for either the BCL Fall or JLC programs (not both).  

Fall & Winter Programs:

The BCL program is a three month program in the Fall running from mid-September to mid-December.

The JLC program has Fall and Winter semester sessions students can choose from. 

• The Fall program runs for 12 weeks from mid-September to mid-December
• The Winter program runs for 7 weeks from early January to late February

(Click here for the 2021-2022 JLC dates.)

Note: A Spring Group Study JLC Program and Summer Exchange JLC Program at Senshu are also offered!

Full Academic Year Programs:

Both full-year exchange programs typically run September to August.

Students will live at Senshu International House, that comes equipped with WiFi and bedding (pillows/sheets, not towels). While there is not a meal plan, it does have kitchen facilities (with fridge, microwave, toaster ovens, electric rice cookers, and dishes/cutlery. There are also a variety of cafeterias on campus, and fast-food outlets at nearby Mukogaoka-yuen Station. Japanese students who are residence assistants also live in the dorm. Washers/dryers (and steam irons) are also located on each floor, and cost approx. 200-100 yen per load. There are also study rooms available. 

There is an option to do a three day homestay with a local Japanese family as well (it's recommended to bring small gifts from Canada for them). 

It is possible to arrange your own housing privately as well.

Student Tips: "I stayed at Senshu International House. The building was quite new and there was lots of space outside the rooms. The rooms were a little small but the location was right on the campus so it was good. Basic amenities were provided, such as bedding, dishes and such. Things that had to be bought were things such as laundry detergent and towels. The building had internet and such, but amenities such as the gym were on campus. We were expected to arrange food ourselves, however there were multiple cafeterias on campus. There was also a 7-11 nearby that is 24 hours with food. [In terms of security] there was always staff on the residence. 2 Office staff during the day, and security guards after office hours."

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

Japanese 205 is recommended, though it is not required for the BLC and JLC programs. For students without previous Japanese study, Senshu will provide some pre-program language basics so that students can learn hiragana on their own prior to the start of the program. 

Students planning to take Japanese-taught courses must meet the eligibility requirements for Japanese language as set by each department at Senshu.

Language requirement: For the year long study in Japan program and the regular exchange, students must prove their Japanese proficiency. This can either be a JLPT or EJU certificate (etc) or a recommendation letter from your most recent Japanese professor written in Japanese. 

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

What's unique about Senshu?

They have two campuses: The Ikuta campus in Kawasaki, a suburb of Tokyo, and the Kanda campus in central Tokyo, just north of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo station. The BCL program and the JLC programs are located at the Ikuta campus. Students taking the year-long exchange may be at either campus.

Because the BCL and JLC programs are only three months or less, students are eligible to purchase the JR pass before they leave for unlimited travel on all JR train lines!

What resources are available for incoming students?

Senshu's library in Building 9 has over 4 floors and 1,000,000 books in a variety of languages, and offers the opportunity to watch DVD movies, or listen to CDs. On the 4th floor of the building there is also a computer center with 2200 computers available for use. The International Center is located on the 5th floor of this building and supports students with a variety of information and support. 

The campus also has a number of budget-friendly cafeterias, as well as a gym (located next to Building 9). The gym has a weight/training room, basketball courts, ping-pong tables, a swimming pool, and an indoor track.