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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Keio University

Keio University is a private university in Tokyo whose history begins in 1858, when Yukichi Fukuzawa opened a school of Dutch studies in Edo, today's Tokyo. It is ranked joint 213th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. International students can take a full bachelor's degree in English through PEARL (economics) or GIGA (governance, digital technology and data), or enter Japanese-taught faculties through a separate EJU-based admission for international students. First-year fees for PEARL were $9,600 (JPY 1,508,350) in 2026/27, and Keio explicitly accepts 11-year school systems such as those of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan for its English-taught programmes.

The Old Library of Keio University (1912) on the Mita campus, an Important Cultural Property of Japan, Tokyo. Photo: Kakidai / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Keio_University_Library_3.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Tokyo and Kanagawa: Mita, Hiyoshi, Yagami, Shonan Fujisawa (SFC) and other campuses |
| Type | Private university, roots in 1858 |
| Structure | 10 undergraduate faculties, 14 graduate schools (including the law school) |
| Rankings | QS 2027: =213; THE 2026: 601–800 |
| English-taught bachelor's | PEARL (Faculty of Economics, about 100 places) and GIGA (two SFC faculties, about 50 places) |
| Japanese-taught bachelor's | Admission for international students to five faculties plus medicine; EJU + TOEFL or IELTS |
| First-year fees, 2026/27 | PEARL $9,600 (JPY 1,508,350); GIGA $11,340 (JPY 1,781,350) |
| 2027 application windows | PEARL: three rounds, 21 Oct 2026–7 Apr 2027; GIGA: 8 Dec 2026–22 Jan 2027 |
| English-taught degree programmes | 20 (per the university, June 2026) |

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (USD 1 ≈ JPY 157.1), rounded.

## Who Keio suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-1}

| Strengths | Limitations and risks |
| --- | --- |
| Two full English-taught bachelor's programmes and 20 English-taught degree programmes overall | Private fees: first year from about $9,550 (JPY 1.5 million), later years from about $8,270 (JPY 1.3 million) |
| PEARL and GIGA select on documents only – no interview, no trip to Japan | PEARL requires the IB Diploma or the SAT; nothing else substitutes |
| 11-year curricula of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are named in the eligibility rules | Keio dorms allow a maximum stay of one academic year |
| What Keio describes as Japan's largest university scholarship fund: $152.75 million (JPY 24 billion) | The Japanese-taught admission requires both the EJU and TOEFL or IELTS |
| GIGA does not require the SAT for graduates of non-English, non-Japanese schools – it is "strongly encouraged" | Housing near Tokyo and Kanagawa campuses is costly: Keio dorm rooms run $475–685 (JPY 75,000–108,000) a month |

Keio is worth a close look if you want a top Tokyo name in economics, law, business, media or digital policy and your budget can carry private fees. If cost comes first, national universities such as [Tohoku](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tohoku) and the [Institute of Science Tokyo](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-institute-of-science-tokyo) charge noticeably less: $5,730–7,640 (JPY 0.9–1.2 million) for the first year. If you want an English-taught humanities or social-science degree in central Tokyo, compare Keio with [Sophia University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sophia) and [Waseda](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-waseda).

## Faculties and programmes {#section-2}

Keio has 10 faculties: Letters, Economics, Law, Business and Commerce, Medicine, Science and Technology, Policy Management, Environment and Information Studies, Nursing and Medical Care, and Pharmacy. They are matched by 14 graduate schools, including Keio Business School (KBS) and the law school. The university reports 794 classes taught in English.

### PEARL: economics in English

The Program in Economics for Alliances, Research, and Leadership (PEARL) opened in September 2016 in the Faculty of Economics. It is a four-year, all-English bachelor's leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Economics; students who meet set conditions can graduate in three and a half years. About 100 students are admitted across three rounds, and classes start on 22 September 2027. The faculty does not accept transfer students.

### GIGA: governance, technology and data

The Global Information and Governance Academic (GIGA) Program was launched in 2011 at two faculties on Shonan Fujisawa Campus: Policy Management, and Environment and Information Studies. It combines digital technology, data, design and governance. Applicants from abroad use the Winter AO admission: about 50 places, 25 per faculty, and you can apply to one faculty only per year. You can start in September 2027 or April 2028; Keio strongly recommends September if you cannot yet study in Japanese.

### Japanese-taught bachelor's

Most programmes in Letters, Economics, Law, Business and Commerce, Science and Technology and Medicine are taught in Japanese. International students enter through a dedicated admission (外国人留学生入試). From 2027 the two SFC faculties no longer run this Japanese-taught international admission; their route for international applicants is GIGA.

### English-taught graduate programmes

You can complete a degree entirely in English at the Graduate Schools of:

- Economics – master's and doctoral;
- Business and Commerce – Master's Program in Taxation Policy and Management;
- Medicine – doctoral;
- Science and Technology – International Graduate Program for Advanced Science and Technology, master's and PhD;
- Media and Governance – master's and doctoral;
- Health Management – doctoral;
- System Design and Management (SDM) – master's and PhD;
- Media Design (KMD) – master's and doctoral;
- Keio Law School – one-year LL.M. in Global Legal Practice.

## How to apply {#section-3}

### PEARL

Based on the Application Guidebook for September 2027 entry:

- Education. 12 years of schooling abroad, or 11 years under the curriculum of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan or the other countries named in the guidebook, by 21 September 2027. Other routes include the IB, Abitur, A-levels, the GED or individual recognition by Keio (age 18+).
- Academic test. An IB Diploma (or predicted grades) or SAT scores are mandatory, and no other exam, diploma or certificate replaces them. There is no cut-off score, SAT superscores are not accepted, and scores must date from 1 October 2023 or later.
- English. TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic only. There is no cut-off, but TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Online and superscores (including TOEFL MyBest) are not accepted, so you need a test-centre sitting.
- Documents. An application in English on the TAO portal, an essay of up to 600 words on why you are applying to PEARL and how it fits your goals, and a video of up to two minutes in which you speak to the camera. The video replaces an interview; production quality is not assessed.
- Selection. Documents only, no interview.
- Fee. $225 (JPY 35,000), by credit card only.

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in later rounds of the same year.

### GIGA (Winter AO)

- Education. The same options, including 11-year certificates from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
- Tests. If your last three school years were taught in a language other than Japanese and other than English, an English test (TOEFL, IELTS or another listed test) is required and the SAT, ACT or IB is "strongly encouraged". If you were taught in Japanese, SAT, ACT, IB or A-level scores become mandatory.
- Documents. An essay of up to 4,000 characters (about 800 words) plus presentation slides on your academic plans, two teacher evaluations, transcripts, a school profile on Keio's form, and optional recommendations and portfolio items.
- Selection. Documents only, no interview. Spring, Summer and Fall AO rounds require an in-person interview in Japan, so Winter AO is the practical route from abroad – and the only one with GIGA scholarships.
- Fee. $225 (JPY 35,000).

### Japanese-taught admission for international students

For Letters, Economics, Law, Business and Commerce, and Science and Technology (April 2027 entry):

- 12 years of schooling abroad plus eligibility for university in your home country. If your schooling lasted fewer than 12 years, the 2027 guidelines required you to email the admissions office by 25 September 2026; that date has passed, so PEARL and GIGA remain your 2027 options;
- the EJU (Japanese plus the subjects your faculty specifies) and TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic;
- documents including the application form, transcripts, graduation certificate and a statement of purpose, plus an essay for Law;
- selection on documents; Letters and Business and Commerce add a second stage with an interview (online for Letters). Letters, Economics, Law and Science and Technology can be completed without travelling to Japan;
- places: 20 in Economics, 10 each in Law and Political Science, "a few" elsewhere;
- fee: $125 (JPY 20,000) for Economics, Law and Science and Technology; $190 (JPY 30,000) for Letters and Business and Commerce.

Online registration and fee payment run from 14 to 28 October 2026, with final results on 22 January 2027. Medicine runs its own admission, which closed in July 2026.

### Graduate study and research-student status

Graduate applicants apply to a specific graduate school, each with its own timetable, exam language and document list. English-taught programmes usually ask for a bachelor's degree, a research plan, recommendations and an English score; Japanese-taught programmes often expect JLPT N1 or EJU Japanese scores. Contacting a prospective supervisor early helps in many schools, and research-student status lets you join a lab first and prepare for entrance exams.

### Step-by-step plan for 2027

1. September 2026. If you are taking the Japanese-taught route with an 11-year certificate, email Keio's admissions office by 25 September; without that query, focus on PEARL or GIGA.
2. September–November 2026. For PEARL, book the SAT or prepare your IB results; for both programmes, take TOEFL iBT or IELTS. SAT and IB scores must reach Keio directly from College Board or the IBO before the round closes.
3. 21 October–2 December 2026. PEARL Round I (results 25 January 2027) – the best choice if you want an early answer and time for the visa.
4. 8 December 2026–22 January 2027. GIGA Winter AO, with scholarship applications submitted at the same time (results 12 March 2027).
5. 4 December 2026–27 January 2027 and 24 February–7 April 2027. PEARL Rounds II and III.
6. Spring–summer 2027. Pay fees, submit documents, receive your Certificate of Eligibility, apply for the visa and for a dorm (July application for September move-in).

## Application timeline for 2027 {#section-4}

| Programme | Application window | Results | Start |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PEARL Round I | 21 Oct–2 Dec 2026 | 25 Jan 2027 | 22 Sep 2027 |
| PEARL Round II | 4 Dec 2026–27 Jan 2027 | 4 Mar 2027 | 22 Sep 2027 |
| PEARL Round III | 24 Feb–7 Apr 2027 | 24 May 2027 | 22 Sep 2027 |
| GIGA Winter AO | 8 Dec 2026–22 Jan 2027 | 12 Mar 2027 | Sep 2027 or Apr 2028 |
| Japanese-taught admission (five faculties) | 14–28 Oct 2026 | 22 Jan 2027 | April 2027 |
| Japanese-taught admission, Medicine | July 2026 | – | April 2027 |

All times are Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).

## Tuition and fees {#section-5}

As a private university, Keio charges more than national universities, and fees vary by faculty. The table shows official 2026/27 first-year totals, which include the $1,270 (JPY 200,000) admission fee, a $445 (JPY 70,000) registration fee, tuition, a facilities fee and small association fees.

| Faculty or programme | First year | Later years |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Economics (including PEARL) | $9,600 (JPY 1,508,350) | about $8,330 (JPY 1,308,350) |
| Policy Management; Environment and Information Studies (including GIGA) | $11,340 (JPY 1,781,350) | about $10,060 (JPY 1,581,250) |
| Letters, Law, Business and Commerce | $9,570–9,630 (JPY 1,503,350–1,513,350) | $8,290–8,360 (JPY 1,303,250–1,313,250) |
| Science and Technology | $13,320 (JPY 2,093,350) | $12,050 (JPY 1,893,250) |
| Medicine | $25,160 (JPY 3,953,350) | $23,890 (JPY 3,753,250) |

Fees for 2027 entry are due to be confirmed in late November 2026. Part of the fee is indexed each year on a sliding scale linked to public-sector pay, so budget for modest annual increases.

Master's programmes cost less: 2026/27 annual fees were $7,310 (JPY 1,149,200) in Economics, $7,840 (JPY 1,232,600) in Science and Technology, $10,510 (JPY 1,650,600) in Media and Governance and $14,180 (JPY 2,227,600) at KBS.

For comparison, the national-university benchmark is $3,410 (JPY 535,800) a year, although some national universities, such as [Tohoku](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tohoku), charge international students more from 2027.

### Living costs

Keio's International Center estimates monthly costs for exchange students living in Keio dorms at $825–1,150 (JPY 130,000–180,000), covering rent, food, transport and books. Rent in Keio dorms is $475–685 (JPY 75,000–108,000) a month plus a $125 (JPY 20,000) maintenance fee in the first month, with no deposit or key money. For a fuller budget, see our guide to the [cost of studying in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-japan).

## Scholarships {#section-6}

- GIGA scholarships (Winter AO only). Apply together with your application; you can receive only one. The MEXT scholarship via university recommendation pays $8,940 (JPY 1,404,000) a year plus travel and covers the application fee, admission fee and tuition; the Mentor Mitakai and Yoshiaki Ishii scholarships cover first-year academic fees and the admission fee; the Masatada Kobayashi scholarship covers year one, then pays $6,360 (JPY 1,000,000) a year. MEXT requires a GPA of at least 2.30 on the MEXT 3-point scale; awards run up to four years subject to annual review.
- Keio University Scholarship. For undergraduates, including privately financed international students: $3,180 (JPY 500,000) or 250,000 a year (about 310 recipients). For graduate students: $3,180 (JPY 500,000) or 600,000 depending on the school (about 220 recipients). Applications are made after enrolment.
- "Design the Future" Award. A special scholarship for outstanding international students that covers full academic fees and pays a monthly living allowance plus a one-off payment on admission.
- JASSO Honors Scholarship. $305 (JPY 48,000) a month for one year; in AY 2024, 101 undergraduates and 25 graduate students at Keio received it.
- MEXT via embassies for research students and undergraduates; see our [MEXT scholarship guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-mext-scholarship).

Scholarship decisions are made by Keio, MEXT, JASSO or private foundations, not by StudyU.

## Housing {#section-7}

Keio runs ten dormitories open to international students near the Hiyoshi, Yagami, Mita and SFC campuses, including:

- Hiyoshi International Dormitory – four-person units shared by two Japanese and two international students;
- Motosumiyoshi Residence and Plume IS – single rooms with private kitchen, bath and toilet;
- Tsunashima Student Dormitory, Omori and Motosumiyoshi International – with breakfast and dinner;
- Takanawa International Dormitory – women only, one stop from Mita Campus;
- Shonan Fujisawa International Dormitory – the first dorm beside SFC, where GIGA students study.

Applications open twice a year: late January for March move-in and July for September move-in. The maximum stay is one academic year, so most students rent privately from year two and need a guarantor or guarantor company. See our guide to [student housing in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-japan).

## Visa and part-time work {#section-8}

After admission, Keio applies for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), which you use to obtain a student visa at a Japanese consulate; the consulate makes the visa decision. Student-status holders can work up to 28 hours a week after receiving permission from immigration. See our guides to the [Japanese student visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-japan) and [working while studying](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-japan).

## Pros and cons for applicants from Russia and the CIS {#section-9}

What helps:

- Keio names the 11-year curricula of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan in its PEARL and GIGA eligibility rules, so there is no need to prove equivalence separately.
- PEARL and GIGA select on documents online, with no pre-admission trip to Japan.
- For GIGA, a graduate of a Russian- or Kazakh-language school needs an English score; the SAT is encouraged but not required.

What makes it harder:

- PEARL is impossible without the SAT or IB. The SAT is only offered at authorised College Board centres, so check early where your nearest available centre is – you may need to travel abroad.
- The Japanese-taught admission requires the EJU, which is held only in Japan and 13 Asian countries and regions.
- Graduates of 11-year schools in countries not named in the guidebook (for example Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan) should contact the admissions office in advance.
- Applicants abroad can pay the PEARL and GIGA application fee by credit card only; check early which legal channels you can use for the fee and for yen tuition transfers, and allow time before each deadline.

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Applying to PEARL with the ACT or A-levels instead of the SAT. The guidebook accepts only IB or SAT.
- Leaving PEARL until Round III. Results arrive on 24 May 2027 and fees are due by 18 June, leaving little time for the visa and housing.
- Using a Spring, Summer or Fall AO round from abroad. These require an in-person interview in Japan, and GIGA scholarships are tied to Winter AO.
- Applying to both GIGA faculties. Only one per year is allowed.
- Using TOEFL iBT Home Edition or IELTS Online for PEARL. PEARL does not accept them, although GIGA accepts TOEFL Home Edition.
- Missing the 11-year query deadline. For 2027 Japanese-taught admission it was 25 September 2026; for the next cycle, check the date as soon as the new guidelines appear.
- Assuming the dorm lasts four years. The maximum stay is one academic year.

## Campuses {#section-11}

Keio's main campuses are Mita in central Tokyo (Minato), Hiyoshi in Yokohama, Yagami in Kawasaki and Shonan Fujisawa (SFC) in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. Your campus shapes where you should live: GIGA students study at SFC, which gained its own dormitory in 2021, while most other dorms cluster around Hiyoshi and Yagami with convenient rail links to Mita.

## Rankings {#section-12}

| Ranking | Position |
| --- | --- |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =213 |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 601–800 |

The gap largely reflects methodology: QS gives more weight to employer and academic reputation, THE to research metrics. For choosing a programme, the specific faculty and its graduates matter more.

## FAQ {#section-13}

### Can I apply to Keio with 11 years of schooling?

Yes. The PEARL and GIGA eligibility rules name the 11-year curricula of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. For the Japanese-taught admission, 11-year graduates must contact the admissions office in advance; for 2027 entry the deadline was 25 September 2026, so check the date in the next guidelines.

### How much does Keio cost?

In 2026/27, the first year of PEARL cost $9,600 (JPY 1,508,350) and GIGA $11,340 (JPY 1,781,350); later years are roughly $1,270 (JPY 200,000) less. Keio will confirm 2027 fees in late November 2026.

### Is the SAT required?

For PEARL, yes, unless you have the IB Diploma. For GIGA, applicants from schools taught in neither Japanese nor English need an English test, while the SAT, ACT or IB is only recommended.

### Is there an interview?

Not for PEARL or GIGA Winter AO – decisions are based on documents; for PEARL, a two-minute video takes the place of an interview. In the Japanese-taught admission, Letters (online) and Business and Commerce include an interview.

### Which scholarships can I get at admission?

Through GIGA Winter AO: MEXT via university recommendation and three private scholarships covering at least first-year fees. After enrolment: the Keio University Scholarship ($1,590–3,180 (JPY 250,000–500,000) a year) and JASSO ($305 (JPY 48,000) a month).

### How does Keio compare with Waseda?

Both are leading private universities in Tokyo with English-taught bachelor's degrees. Keio offers two such programmes – PEARL and GIGA – so the range of fields is narrower; compare [Waseda's](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-waseda) requirements before you start preparing for the SAT, because test rules differ.

### Does StudyU help with applications to Keio?

Under an agreement with StudyU, we help choose the programme, check requirements, prepare essays, GIGA slides and other documents, and support the application, scholarship and visa stages. The university decides on admission, the university or the foundation decides on scholarships, and the Japanese consulate as the consular authority decides on the visa.

## Sources {#section-14}

- [Keio University: Admissions Guide for International Students](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/international-student/)
- [Keio University: Degree Programs Offered in English](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/international-student/programs-offered-in-english/)
- [Admissions Procedures for the PEARL](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/faculty/examinations/pearl/)
- [PEARL Application Guidebook, September 2027 Entry (PDF)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/files/c9c4d47ee5f4d118ad078942dac9baeb225edc5c1b26271959e2b80c4ed54c82)
- [Admissions Procedures for Winter AO 2026 (GIGA)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/faculty/examinations/ao-giga-sfc-pem/)
- [Winter AO Application Guidebook, September 2027 and April 2028 Entry (PDF)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/files/a4a9f182205773d65b21fc9a316f71e05740cfc37eeda152fe5d0e00c40e4b81)
- [Scholarships Available Exclusively for GIGA Program International Students](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/sfc-pem/admission/financial-aid/undergrad/)
- [Admission for international students, Japanese-taught (Japanese)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/admissions/faculty/examinations/international-student/)
- [2027 Admission Guidelines for International Students (Japanese, PDF)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/fixed-files/ryugaku_youkou.pdf)
- [AY 2026 Academic Fees and Expenses for Undergraduate Faculties (PDF)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/files/74725a53d22ba2b1b26d1889f8567d82404785eb0003ebc298aa8ae44022f822)
- [AY 2026 Academic Fees and Expenses for Master's Programs (PDF)](https://www.keio.ac.jp/files/92446f38dc587a176fbe87b824d23c53619077cbfe934c78a675c4d4d0e0205c)
- [Keio University: Scholarships](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/scholarship/)
- [Keio University Scholarship: amounts and recipients](https://www.students.keio.ac.jp/en/com/scholarships/guideline/internal.html)
- [Keio University: Student Dormitories](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/admissions/housing/)
- [Keio International Center: Housing & Living Expenses](https://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/study/exchange/housing.html)
- [Keio International Center: How to Apply for Dormitories](https://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/life/housing/ryu_boshu.html)
- [Keio University: History](https://www.keio.ac.jp/en/about/history/)
- [JASSO: EJU overseas test sites](https://www.jasso.go.jp/ryugaku/eju/examinee/contact/asia.html)
- [Immigration Services Agency: permission for activities outside residence status](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00045.html)
- [QS World University Rankings: Keio University](https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/keio-university)
- [THE World University Rankings: Keio University](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/keio-university)
- [ECB reference rates, 29 September 2026](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml)

To compare Keio with other Tokyo options, see our guide to [universities in Tokyo](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-tokyo) and [studying in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan). If you want to know whether PEARL or GIGA is the more realistic route for you, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Tohoku University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tohoku)
- [Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Tech)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-institute-of-science-tokyo)
- [Sophia University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sophia)
- [Cost of Studying in Japan in 2026: Tuition, Living Costs and a First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-japan)
- [Studying in Japan for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan)
- [Waseda University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-waseda)

Updated: September 2026