Earn a Graduate’s Degree in Economics at the Keio University: English Program

Article Updated: April 2023

Why Keio University?

Keio University is located in the Greater Tokyo Area, which is one of the world’s largest metropolitan regions. With 6 major campuses, 10 undergraduate facilities, and 14 graduate schools, Keio offers its students a diverse intellectual environment with a remarkable alumni network. Considered one of Japan’s most prestigious private institutes for higher education, Keio University especially prides itself in its globally recognized Faculty of Economics. Out of the thousands of graduate programs in economics that exist in the world, Keio’s faculty ranks in the top 101-150 range. And since the QS World University Rankings evaluates the international students and faculty ratio as well as the number of publications (which tends to be in English), the recent implementation of international facilities and programs by Keio University will most definitely contribute to its rising academic reputation!

A Brief History

The Keio University was founded in 1858 by Yukichi Fukuzawa as the first private institution of modern higher learning in Japan. A modern thinker of his time, Fukuzawa believed in the importance of English language skills, as well as a specialized focus on economic studies. The precursor to the modern Faculty of Economics was founded in 1890 as the first institute for higher education in Japan to promote economic research.

Notable Professors

Meet Professor Ryo Nakajima, a professor at the Department of Economics of Keio University. Professor Nakajima’s research is distinctive from the traditional economic paradigm in that it focuses on the empirical analysis of society’s economic behavior through social interactions, rather than via market transaction data. In 2018, he was awarded the Ishikawa Prize of the Japanese Economic Association for his innovative research.

Likewise, Professor Ippei Fujiwara teaches economic theories and policies. His research includes topics on sustainable international monetary policies and the correlation between aging and inflation. Having received his master’s and doctorate degree at Oxford University, Professor Fujiwara is very comfortable with English and teaches research seminars and courses on macroeconomics in the English Graduate programs!

International students can also take classes from Professor Edward Yagi, an alumnus of Keio University’s Graduate School of Economics himself! His academic works focus on the sociological perspectives of economics, such as the role of healthcare in regulating businesses and society. Professor Yagi teaches the Global Management Practice course in the English Graduate programs!

While the list of notable professors continues, it would take several articles to cover them all! For more information, you can visit the Department’s official website linked in the reference section below.

Internationalization

With the goal to produce more graduates who are uniquely prepared to act as leaders in the global economy, the university’s Faculty of Economics has established an undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate program for international students that are taught in all English. Read on to learn more about the Master’s and Doctorate Degree Programs in Economics at Keio University!

About the Master’s Degree Program in Economics

Throughout the duration of two years, students of the Master’s program will gain familiarity with the modern theory and techniques of economics at levels appropriate for professional economists. Ultimately, they will demonstrate these skills by writing a thesis in a chosen field, and a degree for Master of Arts in Economics will be awarded.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The program tuition is ¥950,000 per year. There is an additional one-time admission fee of ¥60,000 and separate costs designated as “other fees” of ¥9,200. To cover these financial costs, Keio University offers a selection of scholarship options, such as the MEXT Scholarship, the JASSO Scholarship, university-funded scholarships, and other privately funded scholarships.

Admission

Prospective students can apply for either the September entry or the April entry programs. While a total of 70 students are admitted per year, the admission guidelines warn that only a few may be selected out of the April entry application pool.

Applicants must satisfy one of the following requirements:

In general, an applicant must have completed, or be expected to complete, 16 years of education prior to the graduate program, including 4 years of undergraduate studies. Specific qualifications can be found in the admission guidelines.

Timeline

While the September Entry applicants must submit language tests and entrance examination scores, the April Entry applicants are evaluated solely on their submitted documents. Thus, students must produce excellent research results in their “Paper for Admission” portion of the application!

Curriculum

There are ten fields of study included in the program: Economic Theory, Econometrics, History of Economic and Social Thought, Economic History, Labor and Industrial Economics, Public Economic and Monetary Economics, the Economy of Japan, the International Economy, Environmental Economics, and Economy and Society. As reference, click here for a list of English-taught classes provided by Keio University from 2019.

Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete 30 credits with the following distribution requirements:

1. 10 or more specialized class credits
2. 8 or more seminar class credits
3. A total of 20 or more credits earned at Keio University, including (1) and (2)

They must also submit a thesis, pass the evaluation, and take a final oral examination.

About the Doctorate Degree Program in Economics

Students of the doctorate program work towards completing their doctoral dissertation. Each student will have two professors as advisors. A prerequisite for completing the dissertation is the publication of at least one refereed paper.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The program tuition is ¥660,000 per year. There is an additional one-time admission fee of ¥60,000 and separate costs designated as “other fees” of ¥9,200. The doctorate program also has a selection of scholarship options, such as the MEXT Scholarship, the JASSO Scholarship, university-funded scholarships, and other privately funded scholarships.

Admission

Prospective students can apply for either the September entry or the April entry programs. While a total of 15 students are admitted per year, the admission guidelines state that only a few may be selected out of the April entry application pool.

Applicants must satisfy one of the following requirements:

In general, an applicant must have received or be expected to receive a Master’s degree or a Professional degree prior to the admission deadline. Exceptions and specific requirements can be found in the admissions guidelines, linked here.

Timeline

Requirements for Graduation

In order to complete the program, students must enroll in the program for at least three years, during which they must complete 12 credits. At the end of the program, they must submit a doctoral dissertation and pass the evaluation and a final oral examination.

Seize the Opportunity!

For any student wanting to study economics in Japan, Keio University’s Graduate Programs are perfect choices for obtaining your degree! The university’s rich research environment provides its students with the latest technologies and information through systems like the Library’s Media Service Center, Mita Information Technology Center, the Institute for Economic Studies, the university’s own Economic Observatory, short-term exchange programs, and many more! Seize this opportunity, and take your graduate studies in Japan…using English!

For more information on Keio University’s Graduate Programs, you can visit their official website, cited in the Reference section below! Happy readings!

References

Overview – About Keio Economics – Keio University Faculty of Economics, Graduate School of Economics, www.econ.keio.ac.jp/en/about/overview.

Keio University Faculty of Economics, Graduate School of Economics, www.econ.keio.ac.jp/en/.

“Degree Programs Offered in English.” Keio University, www.keio.ac.jp/en/academics/programs-offered-in-english/#section02.

“Keio University.” Top Universities, 19 Feb. 2020, www.topuniversities.com/universities/keio-university/postgrad.