Soka University

Areas of Study:

Students can choose to focus entirely on Japanese language studies, or they can combine language studies with other courses taught in English. These are sorted by the faculty offering them.

Soka publishes a list of courses available in the past academic year. The exact courses offered may change slightly from year to year, but these lists online are a good reference.

• Japanese language & culture courses
• Other courses available for exchange students
  **Note that these departments have courses taught in English: Letters (includes History, Linguistics), International Liberal Arts (includes Culture, Communication, Sociology, International Relations, Political Science, Development), Economics, and Business

There is a syllabus search available online.

Course Information:

4 Japanese credits = 1 UCalgary half-course equivalent (3 units). Most courses are worth two credits, so when your grades are transferred back to UCalgary, two courses at Soka are combined to equal one UCalgary half-course.

Exchange students at Soka University generally take 16 credits per semester.

Course restrictions: graduate level courses are not open for exchange students. To take courses in Japanese, N2 proficiency is required.

The academic year is divided into two semesters.

• Fall Semester runs from mid September to early February
• Spring Semester runs from early April to early August.

Please note: Students who study for the Fall semester only will not finish in time to return for winter semester, nor will students be able to study at UCalgary for Winter before going to Japan for their Spring semester.

Students can apply to live in one of Soka's student dormitories. New dorms opened in 2017 - Takiyama for men, and Manyo for women. 

Student Experience: "I stayed in Takiyama International Dormitory (also known as Shin-Takiyama). It was located right on campus and maybe a 5-10 minute walk to anywhere on campus. Campus is quite quiet being in the suburbs and far from the station, and also spacious. The dormitory is a massive building (houses 300-400 students), which is actually two buildings that are 6 and 7 floors tall. The dormitory is new as of 2017. There are TV/lounge rooms on all floors, as well as a larger TV/lounge room in the basement, also a large Japanese bath (ofuro) that is accessible by dorm members. There are 3 cafeterias on campus, as well as a meal plan cafeteria in the basement of the mens dormitory buildings. Food is budget-friendly and very good for the price. The campus is very beautiful, with lots of green on and surrounding the campus, and was especially special during cherry blossom season.  Buildings are very modern and aesthetic." [Male Dorm]

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 2.5.

Students who wish to take courses taught in Japanese should have passed either N1 or N2 of the JLPT. If you wish to take courses in English, Japanese 205 is required. 

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

Application requirements

Soka has specific forms that references need to be submitted on. Please do not approach your professor for a reference until after you have been accepted by our office.

Do I have to speak Japanese?

No. If you wish to take courses in English it is recommended to take some beginners Japanese before or during your exchange. If you wish to take courses in Japanese, please see the eligibility requirements section for details on certification. 

What resources are available for new students?

Soka offers an orientation before the start of classes to assist with transitioning to life in Japan and matters relating to university life, and they also offer airport pickup. 

Student Experience: "There was a large international student orientation that occurred in the first couple of days. Things like course selection, Japanese proficiency test, cell phone plans, bank account setup, cafeteria, campus tour etc. were given to us.  Info for dormitories were provided on arrival/move-in day. They had even arranged for the international student club to meet with groups of exchange students to bring us to grocery or department stores to collect initial supplies. I think the most useful was helping us fill out our registration documents for Japan health care, student pension (waived), and city hall as it was completely in Japanese." 

Soka offers sightseeing tours for International students, including trips to Tokyo Disneyland, Hakone to cheer for runners in the Hakone Ekiden, and ski tours to the mountains. 

The university also offers a variety of clubs and sport teams for students. 

Student Experience: "They had special events run by the international students club, some were scavenger hunt type, meeting new students, club days etc. The dormitory also held social activities at the start and end of the semester as a unit sports competition. Other events such as a school talent show invited international students to participate. Meeting locals were easy as the dormitory mainly consisted of Japanese students, however, most of my close local friends were met through mutual friends that were international students OR at clubs/classes. I would recommend joining many clubs (in Japan clubs are more serious, circles are more relaxed) to meet people."

What supports or services are available at Soka?

Soka offers a Counselling Centre on campus for students on a walk-in and booked appointment basis.
The university also offers a Health Centre for any medical issues while abroad.