Study in Japan

Global Leadership Fellows Program with Waseda University

Spend the Year at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan

Waseda Global Leadership Fellows Program (GLFP) is an exchange program offering a chance for students to study a full year at Waseda (and earn UW credits) and also for Waseda students to study at the UW. This interdisciplinary program runs autumn 2025 to early summer of 2025. Qualified UW undergraduate students are invited to apply. Students who participate in this program will receive UW credit (per pre-approval by your home department) and the exceptional experience of studying at a world-class university in Japan. Coursework is mostly in English, but some Japanese language proficiency is required. During the year long program at Waseda University, UW students will work with students from other U.S. universities which are part of the GLP cohort  including Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, University of California at Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, University of Chicago, and of course the University of Washington. Waseda is on the semester schedule and the academic calendar is Autumn through early summer.

To see a list of current Waseda course offerings click here.

Waseda UniversityWaseda University
Global
Leadership
Fellows
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Outbound Students

Eligibility Requirements

The Waseda Global Leadership Fellows Program is open to all UW undergraduate students and best suited for juniors and seniors with prior international experience. Priority will be given to students who have some proficiency in Japanese, or who are planning to study Japanese prior to their departure,  have demonstrated interest in Japan, and at least a 3.3 GPA. UW students may have the opportunity to engage with a small cohort of Japanese students participating in the Global Leadership Program currently attending UW prior to their departure to Japan.

Application Process and Deadline for outbound UW Students

Program Fees

  • During their exchange, UW students will pay a program fee to UW Study Abroad in place of their UW tuition. Exchange fees include the below and you can find further information on the UW Study Abroad fees & billing page.
    • Program fee equivalent to the UW tuition you normally pay. For an academic year exchange, this will be equivalent to 3 quarters of your UW tuition
    • Study Abroad Administrative fee that varies by year
    • UW Student Abroad Insurance fee that varies by year
  • Costs not covered by the program include the below and can also be found on the cost sheet in the program brochure

Housing and program excursion fees are covered

  • GLFP students from American universities will be accommodated in a university dormitory in the heart of Tokyo without monthly room charge during their stay at Waseda (however utility and facility fees apply).
  • The dormitory, Waseda Houshien International House, is located 5 minutes by foot from the Waseda main campus.
  • Information regarding the dormitory can be found here.

Note to Honors Program Students

Honors Program students will be allowed up to 15 credits of their work at Waseda to count towards their Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements. Discussion with Honors Program advising staff prior to departing to Japan is strongly advised.

Fast Facts for Waseda

  • Most Waseda classes are taught in English.
  • Waseda is on the semester system.
  • Most classes are 2 credits and meet once per week for 1.5 hours.
  • Most students take eight to ten courses per semester.
  • 45-54 credits per year is an average course load. Most students take up to five classes per semester, and some take up to seven.
  • The Waseda academic structure is based on the “Zemi” model. A Zemi is a unique Japanese academic experience that is a cross between a seminar, lab, and social network/club.

Learn more about the Global Leadership Fellows Program on the Waseda website.

Inbound Students

Application Process and Deadline for Inbound Waseda Students

Students from Waseda wishing to apply to the UW through the GLFP in their third year must first be nominated through the Waseda GLFP. Nominated students will then apply to the UW through the Visiting Exchange Student website.  Because students selected as Fellows are recognized as “exchange students,” they will select subjects in accordance with the course requirements set by the host university. For details on the course requirements at each university, please check the Program Overview of each partner university.

Students are able to take a wide variety of courses at the University and will benefit from personalized advising through Jackson School Office of Academic Services, area of major department, and with  UW Study Abroad. Students considering enrolling in Honors Program courses are advised to work with Brook Kelly, Assistant Director for help in registering for courses.  bbkelly@uw.edu