Meiji Gakuin University

Meiji Gakuin University

Meiji Gakuin University (MGU) was established 150 years ago by American Christian missionary James Curtis Hepburn who published the first fully-fledged Japanese-English dictionary. It has more than 12 000 students located over two campuses.

Academic Highlights

The curriculum at MGU centres on the liberal arts and offers degrees in economics, sociology, the humanities, law, psychology and international studies.

Location

MGU’s two campuses are located at Shirokane, in Tokyo’s south and in Yokohama, Japan’s second largest city.

Did you know?

Yokohama played a leading role in introducing beer from the West and is the home of the Kirin beer brewing company.

Language of Instruction

English (limited in some areas), Japanese

Program Duration

1 semester

Academic Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Minimum Result Required

65% WAM

Previous Round Cut-off (WAM% or GPA)

72% WAM

Additional Requirements

Must be studying Japanese language as part of your degree

Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027

No places

Exchange Availability

Closed

Eligible Monash Campus

Monash Australia

Agreement Scope

All Faculties

Handbook/Catalogue

MGU's course catalogue

For more information on specific courses, search specific class syllabi here.

Academic Restrictions

  • Students applying for an exchange in Japan will need to have a WAM of 65% or above.
  • You are only eligible to apply for this university if you are studying Japanese Studies at Monash at the point of exchange application. The only exception is if you have been selected as a New Colombo Plan Scholar.
  • Exchange students must register for a minimum of 12 and maximum of 24 credits per semester at MGU to maintain their student visa.
  • Due to the popularity of exchange at MGU, Monash students can only apply for a one-semester exchange period.

Language requirements

  • Students must have already mastered Hiragana and Katakana to participate in the MGU exchange program. If you wish to take regular units taught in Japanese, you must have passed JLPT N1. More information about JLPT can be found here.
  • For students with no prior Japanese language learning experience, the Japanese language courses designed for beginners will only be offered at the Yokohama Campus.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Semester

Min. 18 Monash points

Max. 24 Monash points

14 credits

19 credits

Year

Min. 36 Monash points

Max. 48 Monash points

28 credits

38 credits

Academic Calendar

MGU Spring semester (Monash Semester 1): late March - late July
MGU Fall semester (Monash Semester 2): mid-September - late January

MGU's Academic Calendar (under the Academic Program heading as a downloadable PDF)

Japanese Languages & Culture studies

Note

  • The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
  • Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

Meiji Gakuin University offers off-campus domitory accommodation for students at both their Shirokane and Yokohama campuses.

MGU provides further information on dormitory life at both campuses. 

Visas

Exchange students must obtain a College Student visa to enter Japan. To apply for the College Student visa, you need to submit the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for residence in Japan to your nearest Japanese Consulate. Your host University will issue the COE to you after your exchange application has been accepted.

For more information on visas, please refer to the Consulate-General of Japan here.

MGU also offers some information on visas under the Application heading.

Health and insurance

Exchange students participating in the International Student Program must join the Japanese National Health Insurance Scheme, which automatically covers 70% of most medical/dental expenses incurred in Japan.

All exchange students will be mandatorily enrolled in the "Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives Coupled with "Gakkensai" For International Students",  in addition to the standard Gakkensai (Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research).

Orientation and extra-curricular 

MGU's International Center organises a international events, including introductions to Japanese culture and a sports festival.

MGU offers many supports for international students, including a short-term homestay program, a buddy program, and events.

MGU also has a vibrant campus life, with student clubs and sports.

Cost of living

MGU provides guidance on estimated personal expenses for exchange students.

Funding

Each year, Japanese universities apply for Japanese government funding for the following scholarships:

  • The Japan Student Services Organizations (JASSO) scholarship here.
  • The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship here.

If Chiba University is successful in receiving the funding, they will request Monash to nominate students. You do not need to apply for these scholarships directly unless requested to do so.

Students may also be eligible for the New Colombo Plan scholarship, and if they are studying Japanese language courses, the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.

For more information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

Due to a lack of availability of exchange places, this program is not currently accepting applications.

Have you been to Meiji Gakuin University and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!