TUJ is a branch campus of Temple University in the United States. All classes (except foreign language) are taught in English, and students can earn 4-year undergraduate degrees without leaving Japan. For students wishing to pursue the Japanese language, TUJ offers a major and minor in Japanese and has classes ranging from beginner to advance. TUJ is a great choice for students who are looking to obtain an American degree, learn Japanese, and gain an international experience.

TUJ has three semesters in an academic year: fall (beginning in late August), spring (beginning in early January), and summer (beginning in mid-May). As in the U.S. university system, many students study fall and spring semesters and take the summer semester off. TUJ visa-sponsored students who are not taking summer classes are required to leave Japan for the duration of the summer semester.

• Academic Calendar

Please follow the instructions on the Admission Application Requirements.

• Admission Application Requirements

Applicants with a GED are recommended to apply with at least 15 college-level semester credits to strengthen their application. Applicants are required to submit transcripts from all schools attended since the start of high school, in addition to the official GED transcript.

The personal statement is a chance for applicants to introduce themselves; discuss their interest in Japan; describe long-term personal, academic or career goals; or share any other information pertaining to academic goals that the applicant would like the Admissions Office to consider. Be clear and concise and stay within 250-400 words.

Students typically receive an admissions decision by e-mail within four weeks after submitting a complete application for admission.

Yes. We are a test-optional school and choosing to not submit your scores does not negatively impact your application. If you feel that your test scores are not an accurate reflection of your academic ability, or you were not able to take SAT or ACT tests due to circumstances outside of your control, you do not have to apply with scores.

However, if you believe an SAT or ACT score would complement your application, you should submit your scores.

Placement into math and English courses at Temple may be determined using high school GPA, SAT, ACT, or AP scores. If not submitted, placement assessments will be required.

Yes, TUJ will take your U.S. military courses and review them as part of your credit transfer evaluation. Please request an original Joint Services Transcript (JST, formerly SMART or AARTS) or Community College of the Air Force transcript to be sent directly to TUJ.

In most cases, applicants accepted as matriculated students will be able to check their transfer credit evaluations in TUPortal. Transfer credits will only be evaluated for accepted students.

No, your GPA does not carry over to TUJ. If you have taken college courses elsewhere, we will evaluate your official transcripts for college credit but your GPA will not accompany the credits transferred.

Students requiring student visa sponsorship will need to send in a completed student visa application by the final deadline (note that the final deadlines for the admissions and student visa applications are the same). In the months before the start of the semester you've applied for, you will receive regular updates from the Admissions and Student Services offices. These will include notices regarding the Certificate of Eligibility for the student visa, housing request form, pre-departure information, new student information packet, the Orientation schedule and information on advising and registration that precedes the start of classes.

• Newly Accepted Students

Yes, TUJ accepts transfer students. In most cases, applicants accepted as matriculated students will be able to check their transfer credit evaluations in TUPortal.

Yes. An applicant with 15 or more transferable semester credits is considered a transfer student. Applicants with less than 30 transferable semester credits are evaluated on both their high school and college records. Students with more than 30 transferable semester credits are evaluated on their college GPA.

TUJ requires you to submit a high school transcript if you have less than 30 college-level semester credits.

In general, courses that are academic, college-level, taken at a properly accredited institution, and in which you have earned a grade of C or better are transferable. Courses from very specialized majors are less likely to transfer. ESL and other pre-college developmental courses, ungraded credits, and credits earned for internships or seminar courses do not transfer. Computer science credits typically do not transfer. Reevaluation of certain courses may be possible after a matriculated student has consulted with the Academic Advising Center or major coordinator. In general, it is best to take general education and lower-division courses at your current college or university.

• Transfer Credits

You should follow the requirements at your community college for a transfer associates degree. There is no guarantee that everything will transfer but sticking with the basics usually gets the student the most transfer credits. College-level mathematics and English composition are highly recommended.

English is the common language for both classes and general administrative activities. No Japanese proficiency is required to be a student at TUJ.

Tokyo is a very safe city, particularly for a major metropolis, with a very low crime rate. TUJ is centrally located in a well-populated neighborhood.

TUJ is housed in a newly-built facility on the grounds of Showa Women’s University with building maintenance and security staff on hand.

Visa-sponsored students stay in either a TUJ dorm or participate in a home stay for their first semester. TUJ uses two dorm facilities in the Tokyo area, located within 30-50 minutes of the campus. Housing placement depends on the number of students each semester. Every student sponsored by TUJ for a student visa is guaranteed housing for the first semester in either the dorms or a home stay. Descriptions of the facilities are available on the page below.

• Housing Information

TUJ offers the following majors:

ART / ASIAN STUDIES / COMMUNICATION STUDIES / COMPUTER SCIENCE / ECONOMICS / GENERAL STUDIES / INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS / INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS STUDIES / JAPANESE / POLITICAL SCIENCE / PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDIES / TOURISM & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

• Majors at TUJ

Yes, students can choose to double major, have a major and minor, or other combinations of degrees. You may not only have a minor; you must have a major to accompany it.

All payments, including application fee, Advance Payment, tuition and fees, may be paid by credit card or wire transfer. TUJ does NOT accept cash, personal checks, or money orders.

• Application Fee Payment Online
• Application Fee Payment via Wire Transfer

Yes, TUJ can sponsor student visas. Please note that there are several visa requirements for those applying for a student visa through TUJ. Please review the website carefully, so you understand the regulations, paying close attention to the Proof of Financial Viability and Advance Payment sections.

• Visa Information

No. TUJ must apply for the visa on behalf of all students. Students cannot apply for a student visa independently of TUJ.

Visa application process is outlined on the page below.

• Visa Application Process and Documents

Yes, as long as you apply for admission early. The deadline for the admissions and student visa applications are the same. Students who apply for admission at least one month before the final deadline can receive an admissions decision before they need to send in the student visa application. If it is within one month of the final deadline, students should send in both the admissions and student visa applications to ensure that all documents arrive on time.

• Application Deadlines

Please refer to the Proof of Financial Viability section on the Visa Application Process and Documents page.

• Visa Application Process and Documents

A guarantor is a person who will be financially responsible for your education, usually your parent or guardian. Every student seeking a student visa must have a guarantor. You can be your own guarantor if you can submit financial documents in your name showing access to 3 million yen (about US$30,000).

Yes, if you obtain a work permit, you can work up to 28 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week (8 hours per day) during the semester breaks. Students can apply for a work permit during the immigration procedure at the arrival airport.

In addition to a small number of on-campus jobs, students are welcome to search outside of TUJ for job opportunities. Many students teach conversational English (or their native language), which usually pays pretty well (typically 2,000 yen to 3,000 yen per hour). Be careful — classes at TUJ are challenging and require significant time and effort. You'll need to find a good balance between classes, social activities, and a job.