Soka University

Tokyo, Japan

Official Website:

https://www.soka.ac.jp/en/

Since its founding in 1971, Soka University has provided education as an institute that aims to be a "student-first university," upholding the founding principles put forth by founder Daisaku Ikeda.

Founding Principles:

Be the highest seat of learning for humanistic education

Be the cradle of a new culture

Be a fortress for the peace of humankind

Origins of Soka Education

In 1930, educator Tsunesaburo Makiguchi published the first volume of The System of Value Creating Pedagogy. "Soka" in Japanese means "value creation." In essence, creating value is synonymous with enhancing life. To persevere in the pursuit of peace also means to protect human dignity and to create value no matter what difficulties may be encountered. These are the essential ideals of Soka education, and they exist to nurture creative individuals. The Makiguchi philosophy of respecting life was carried on by his disciple, Josei Toda. On November 16, 1950, Toda entrusted

Daisaku Ikeda with the dreams of Makiguchi, and this became the philosophy upon which Soka University was founded. "Daisaku, let's build a university. A Soka University. But this may not be possible for me to achieve during my lifetime.

If that's the case, I am counting on you, Daisaku. Let's make it the best university in the world!"

Remaining true to the will of his mentor, Ikeda founded Soka University on April 2, 1971, with the aim of fulfilling the philosophy of Soka education.

ELIGIBILITY

An individual who satisfies one of the six following conditions is eligible to apply:

(1) An individual who has completed or is scheduled to complete a 12-year school education in a foreign country (*1).

(2) If the 12-year school education includes the enrollment period in schools based on the Japanese education system, one of the following must apply.

For those who have completed or are scheduled to complete high school in a foreign country, the enrollment period in Japanese elementary, junior high, and high schools (*2) must be 6 years or less.
For those who have completed or are scheduled to complete the relevant high school courses stipulated in the School Education Act of Japan, the enrollment period in Japanese elementary, junior high, and high schools (*2) must be 3 years or less.

(3) An individual who was educated abroad and has less than 12 years of education due to grade-skipping or other reasons.

(4) An individual who has obtained Swiss International Baccalaureate, German Abitur, French Baccalaureate, or other equivalent qualifications.

(5) An individual who satisfies the requirements such as being deemed to have completed a designated course of not less than 11 years and has completed a course of a school corresponding to an upper secondary school (List of Courses of Foreign Schools Corresponding to Upper Secondary Schools Designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) in a foreign country

https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1395423.html

(6) An individual who has completed 12 years of education at educational institutions accredited by international accrediting bodies, namely the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the Council of International Schools (CIS), and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

In addition, in cases where there is no accreditation by accrediting bodies mentioned in (6) as above, eligibility for admission may be determined through an individual eligibility assessment.

*1 School education in a foreign country includes schools in the “List of Schools for Non-Japanese Designated as Equivalent to Foreign Upper Secondary Schools in Japan” https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1395424.html

*2 Japanese elementary, junior high, and high schools indicate elementary, junior high, and high schools based on School Education Act of Japan and overseas Japanese schools approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1395425.html

Applicants must submit their English proficiency score of 61 or more in TOEFL-iBT or 5.5 or more in IELTS Academic Module. However, those who have taken six years of junior high and high school taken in English in either Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or United States, are able to submit their transcript, corresponding to the English proficiency score above. *Taken within two years prior to application
Applicants for the Faculty of International Liberal Arts:
Applicants must submit their score for their standardized examination (including scores for Mathematics and other compulsory subjects).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

An applicant must meet the following requirements.

(English proficiency requirements)

Applicants must submit their English proficiency score of 70 or more in TOEFL-iBT or 6.0 or more in IELTS Academic Module. However, those who have taken six years of junior high and high school taken in English in either Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or United States, are able to submit their transcript, corresponding to the English proficiency score above. *Taken within two years prior to application

(Other requirements)

However, applicants from a country where no standardized examination is held or high school students from a country where the timing of the standardized examination is late and the score cannot be submitted by the application deadline must take the SAT or ACT and submit its score report.

If applicants have difficulty taking the SAT or ACT, they may submit an IERF Detail Report regarding high school transcripts as an alternative to the score report of standardized examination.

If applicants have enrolled in the relevant high school courses stipulated in the School Education Act of Japan for more than 1 year, they must submit school report (調査書) of that high school (written and sealed by the school principal).

For Malaysian students, the below main standardized examinations is accceptable to used for college admission:

STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia)
A Level (Advanced Level)
GCE (General Certificate of Education)
UEC (Unified Examination, Senior Middle Level)

Financial Support System

Soka University created a Financial Support System for international students thanks to the assistance of people from many different fields. To support international students who wish to pursue their career as creative world citizens, we reduce their financial burden, which poses a significant obstacle to many. In this way we provide an environment where international students can concentrate on their studies.

*Applications for the following scholarship and grant must be made onca a year after enrollment.

Academic Fee Exemption Scholarship for International Students

Screening of recipients is conducted before enrollment.

Exemption is applied from the first year.

Preparatory Japanese Language Program
- Household income Below 10,000,000 JPY -- 50% exemption
- Household income 10,000,000 JPY or above -- No exemption
Undergraduate
- Household income Below 8,000,000 JPY -- 50% exemption
- Household income 8,000,000 JPY or above -- No exemption

Application process

Please submit the application form and the certification of annual household income with the necessary documents for applying to the admission for international students. Applicants will be notified of the results along with the announcement of the admission results.

Soka University Undergraduate International Student Designated Country Grant

The applicants from the following designated countries can apply for the grant. Designated countries and territories are as below.

Korea, Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mongol, Uzbekistan, Kirghiz, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, African countries set by the foreign ministry.

Payment period:

At the university entry -- 200,000 JPY (one time per person)

After enrollment -- Yearly 300,000 JPY (Max 4times per person)

Application process

Please read the guidelines for "Saka University Undergraduate International Student Designated Country Grant" on the application guidelines page and send the required documents with application documents to Saka University. Applicants will be notified of the results along with the announcement of the admission results.

LEAM International Higher Education Expo

Soka University

Official Website: