School of Global Studies and Collaboration
Aoyama Gakuin University
Information on the Exchange Student Program

Academic Affairs Division
Sagamihara Campus

School of Global Studies and Collaboration
Aoyama Gakuin University
Address: 5-10-1 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa, 252-5258, JAPANE-mail: exchange@gsc.aoyama.ac.jp
Phone: +81-42-759-6050

Last updated on: July, 2024

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application

1NOTE: This is information for exchange students. Please confirm with your home university whether your university/school havepartnership with School of Global Studies and Collaboration (GSC) or Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU). Visiting students and nondegree students at partner universities are not eligible. To find out more about studying for a full degree at Aoyama Gakuin
University, please visit the following website: https://www.aoyama.ac.jp/en/

Introduction
Aoyama Gakuin University is a nationally renowned leader in Japanese higher education. Established in 1949 as theflagship institution of the larger Aoyama Gakuin school system, the university boasts generations of graduates thathave become leaders in fields ranging from arts and athletics to business and national politics. Aoyama Gakuin, acomprehensive educational institute encompassing all levels from kindergarten to university, was founded in 1874
by American missionaries based on Christian faith. It continues to carry that legacy today with its distinctiveemphasis on instilling a commitment to service and an international outlook into its students. In addition toproviding high level instruction in specialized fields across 26 departments, the university strives to cultivate“servant leaders” that possess both the knowledge and character to effectively serve their communities locally andglobally.
The School of Global Studies and Collaboration (GSC) was established in 2015 with the goal of cultivating graduates
prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing globalized world. Students in the department take courses from fourclusters: collaboration, sociology, business・economy, and media and spatial information. This interdisciplinary
curriculum ensures that students receive broad-based social science instruction that can be utilized in a wide varietyof fields. GSC faculty members include a number of instructors with long records of practical experience in theirrespective fields and industries, and strive to provide students with the tools to connect classroom theory with realworld applications.

About GSC：Asia’s Growing Significance: Challenges and Opportunities
The economic, political, and cultural impact of the emergence of Southeast Asia is transforming the shape ofglobalization. While the growing markets of Thailand, Malaysia, and other surrounding nations offer
opportunity, their rapid modernization and internationalization also present serious challenges both locallyand globally. GSC aims to cultivate individuals who can contribute to solving these problems by synthesizing
theory-based social science with project-based fieldwork.
Location

Sagamihara Campus
Address: 5-10-1 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5258, Japan*7-minute walk from Fuchinobe Station on the JR Yokohama Line*A short train ride from the center of Tokyo*1 hour away from the Aoyama Campus

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application

2Facts* Student intake capacity (GSC): 812 (full-time students)* Faculty size (GSC): 25 full-time members* Student enrollment (AGU): 20,617 (19,242 undergraduates and 1,375 graduates)* No. of overseas partner universities: 137* Overseas offices in L.A.(U.S.A.)(as of May 2023)

Program Details
 Language of Instruction
Japanese and/or English
 Academic Calendar
Spring semester: April to end of July
Fall semester: Mid-September to end of January Courses
University-level exchange students may take any courses at any of the colleges they wish. Departmental
exchange students may take any course offered at GSC. Japanese Language Courses are elective courses, but
recommended for all international exchange students.
 Academic Units and Grading
Most AGU courses count for either one or two units of credit. A two-unit course meets for one 90-minutesession per week.
Transcript MarkScore

AA

100-90

A

89-80

B

79-70

C

69-60

XX

Under 59

X

Unevaluable because of absence,

Evaluation

PassFailetc.

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application3 Japanese Language and other courses (General Education)
AGU offers below courses that are offered especially for Exchange Students.
・Japanese (A), (B), (C), (D) (日本語) : 4 classes per week (1 credit each)
Japanese Language Courses are taken according to levels (CEFR-A2～CEFR-C1). The levels are decided basedon the Placement Test result and application documents. These courses are offered under undergraduate
courses. Please note that AGU does not have a separate Language Center.
(A): Aim to improve listening skills(B): Aim to improve speaking skills(C): Aim to improve reading skills(D): Aim to improve writing skills

・Society and Culture of Japan A～H (日本の社会と文化) : 1 class per week (2 credits)
The course will be designed to help exchange students understand Japan, regardless of their level of Japanese.
A few of the classes will be in English, and a few will be in Japanese.
・Japanology (A) ,(B) (日本学): 1 class per week (2 credits)
Japanology (A) introduces students to Japanese cultural and social history, examining how lifestyles andcultural activities have evolved from ancient times to the present.
In Japanology (B), you can deepen your knowledge of Japanese cultures by learning Japanese Anime and Nihon
Buyo (Japanese traditional dance) as well as Japanese manners.
◆ Courses offered by the School of Global Studies and Collaboration
Japan Studies Courses
Students can choose from 16 selection of courses taught in English, covering business, economics, culture,
history, and geography. They will learn from a collection of renowned researchers, artists, and policy analysts
about issues in each field. Some of the courses provide opportunities for hands-on experiences of traditionaland contemporary Japanese culture, from Noh and Kabuki to pop culture and robotics, inside and outside ofthe classroom. These events give students the chance to become familiar with numerous aspects of Japan’svibrant cultural heritage while building lasting connections with their Japanese peers.
*Course Descriptions for Japan Studies Program:
https://www.aoyama.ac.jp/en/academic/undergraduate/gsc_exchange_program_detail/

Other GSC Courses
GSC takes an interdisciplinary curricular approach based on the broad field of the social sciences. This
interdisciplinary curriculum ensures that students receive broad-based social science instruction that can beutilized in a wide variety of fields. Experienced practitioners teach students so they can integrate theories into
professional practice for solving today’s social problems and improve the global community through projectbased learning activities. There are some courses offered in English as well.
*GSC Course Descriptions offered in English:
https://www.aoyama.ac.jp/en/academic/undergraduate/gsc_exchange_program_detail/Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application

4

Applications
Exchange student candidates should submit their applications through the International Office of their homeuniversities.
 Eligibility
Applicants should be a student at one of GSC/Aoyama Gakuin University’s partner institutions and have a 2.5
GPA or above (4.0 scale).
 Required Language Ability
GSC requires exchange students to have language ability equivalent to either of the below:
1.

At least one year of formal study and Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N5 or above

2.

IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 68 or above

 Application Materials
When you apply to the GSC Departmental Exchange Student Program, you must submit all of the following
materials through designated online form. Please refer to the latest “Application Instructions for ExchangeStudents” for details:
Application for Exchange Student Program (online form, informed after nomination)



Evaluation of Japanese Language Proficiency* (if applicable)

Copy of score report of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (if applicable)

Copy of score report of IELTS or TOEFL (for those who do not have JLPT score report)

Official Academic transcripts of home university (in English)

Letter of recommendation (in English or Japanese)Statement of Academic Objectives(1 page, A4 size)Health Certificate* (health check must be within 3 months before the deadline of application andmust be filled out by the medical institution including chest x-ray and the date of the examination)

Information for Tutor*Application for Certificate of Eligibility* (Use designated Excel file and upload it. Refer to Sample sheetof Excel file for details.)



Copy of valid passport (page with photo)

Official Bank Statement and/or Certificate of Scholarship (In English or Japanese, with amount inJapanese Yen converted. Requires more than 1,200,000JPY to stay 1 year, 600,000JPY to stay 6months.)

ID photo data in jpg file (used for Student ID Card, and for submission to Immigration Bureau in size
4cm X 3cm, taken in the last 3 months, plain background, color photocopies are not acceptable)*AGU forms and further details are available at the International office of your home university.

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application5 Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)
Exchange students are required to have an official visa (student visa) for entry into Japan. AGU will, on behalfof the exchange students, apply to the Tokyo Immigration Bureau for the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). As soon
as the CoE is issued, it will be sent to you. You will need to bring the CoE to your local Japanese embassy or
consulate and obtain a student visa.
 Applying for the dormitory
GSC recommends exchange students to live in a dormitory located in Sagamihara City. Please refer to the latest“Housing Information for Exchange Students” for details. (Monthly rent for the accommodation will be waived
depending on the agreements between universities. Please consult your home university.) The deadline forthe dormitory application is the same date as the exchange student application deadline. For details aboutaccommodation, please refer to the Housing Information website.
https://dormy-ac.com/page/aoyama-hashimoto
 Schedule for Admission
Application forApplication for

Spring Semester (Apr)

Fall Semester (Sept)

Late October

Late March

Mid-November

Mid-April

Late December

Early June

Late January

Early August

Late March-Early April

Early-September

Orientations for exchange students

Early April

Mid-September

Classes begin

Late July

Late JanuaryClasses end

Last week of July

Last week of January

Deadline for nomination by exchange program
coordinator (online form)
Deadline for exchange program application anddormitory application
Notification of admission to all accepted exchange
students (by e-mail)Welcome Package, including the Certificate ofEligibility, is sent to your home university.

Final Exam Period

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application

6Other Information
 Living Expenses
The following shows estimated living costs of attending AGU as an exchange student for one semester (fivemonths). Actual expenses vary depending on the type of housing and the student's lifestyle.
Room & board (if not waived)¥ 600,000 - ¥ 750,000

Food (lunch, etc.)¥ 100,000 - ¥ 200,000

Books and materials¥ 30,000 - ¥ 40,000

Transportation¥ 10,000 - ¥ 20,000

Extracurricular activities¥ 50,000 - ¥ 100,000

National Health Insurance¥ 10,000 - ¥ 12,000

Miscellaneous¥ 70,000 - ¥ 100,000

 Orientation (Schedule details are announced after admission is granted. Orientation is held before classes start. )・For Spring semester: end of March・For Fall semester: early-September Student Support
Buddy System
Exchange students will be assigned Japanese students as tutors. The tutors assist the students in dealing withboth academic and personal matters, such as coping with any language or cultural problems that may arise.
Chat RoomThe Chat room was established to provide students of Aoyama Gakuin with the opportunity to have cultural
exchange, by communicating in foreign languages（English, Korean, Chinese, etc.）with international students
enrolled at Aoyama Gakuin, called Chat Leaders. Japanese Chat sessions for international students are also
provided.
Social EventsThe International Center holds various events and get-togethers throughout the year.
 Extracurricular activities
Field Trips/Japanese Culture Experience
In addition to trips coordinated by the International Center, GSC provides exchange students with unique field
trips to popular destinations such as Yokohama, Kamakura, Kawagoe, where students have the opportunity toexperience both traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. These events give students the chance tobecome familiar with Japan’s vibrant cultural heritage while building lasting connection with peers. Ourprogram also includes company visits, giving students the rare chance to go behind the scenes at innovativebusinesses.

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application

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Indigo Dyeing ”Aizome” experience in Kawagoe

Visiting Tsuruoka Hachimangu (Shirine) and making pottery in Kamakura

Furin (wind chime) Workshop in Edogawa

Information contained herein is provided by the host institution and is subject to change.
Interested students should confirm all information with the host institution prior to application

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