Seinan Gakuin University (SGU) is a private humanities-focused university with a long history of international exchange and cooperation. The international exchange program, now managed in the Center for International Education, is one of the oldest such programs in Japan. With a total graduate and undergraduate student population of about 8,500, SGU is consistently ranked as one of the leading privately-funded universities in Western Japan.
Fukuoka city, where Seinan Gakuin is located, is situated on the island of Kyushu, the southwestern most of Japan’s four major islands. It is a city built on commerce, with a population of about 1.6 million, and has developed as the cultural and commercial center of the island. The city enjoys a convenient geographic location with easy access to other Asian nations, only 540 kilometers from Seoul and 870 kilometers from Shanghai, versus 1,100 kilometers to Tokyo.
One of the key attractions of Fukuoka is the way it combines the convenience of the city with a rich natural environment. The public transport network is excellent, with rail, bus and subway services that make it easy to get around in the city. Lush natural surroundings – sea and mountains – are only about 30 minutes away from downtown, and the city is noted nationwide for its delicious foods.
Programmes of study
All students on exchange at Seinan Gakuin University study a combination of Japanese language courses and elective modules which are taught in English in relation to Japanese culture, history, tradition, business and society.
The Japanese language courses include Comprehensive Japanese, Writing and Reading which are offered at different levels. Students with no prior knowledge of Japanese language can start at beginners level. Detailed information about the course offer can be found here.
Exchange students will be required to follow a full programme of study for the academic year based at Seinan Gakuin University.
Learn more about campus activities and events
The SGU student volunteer group, ‘Seinan Global Society (SGS)’, actively holds social events on campus to offer students opportunities to develop international awareness, learn about different cultures and widen their perspectives. Their events include sports activities, cultural events (Halloween, Christmas, cherry blossom viewing) and social gatherings (International Coffee Hour).
Moreover, 150 clubs are available for students to join. This includes academic and cultural clubs such as Japanese chess (Shogi), Rakugo, Shodo (Calligraphy), and more. Students can also enjoy traditional Japanese sports through the sports clubs such as Kendo, Shorinji-Kempo and Aikido. The coastal location also means students can participate in boating and yachting.
Travel & accommodation
Visas & insurance
Costs
Living costs in Japan tend to be similar to those in the UK. We recommend that you do further independent research to gain a better understanding of the cost of your year abroad. To help you, we have a created a simple cost comparison between the UK and Japan: