Doctoral Program (English-based Degree Program)

Waseda University's Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS) is an English-based degree completed over three years, with entry available in April or September, at the university's Tokyo campus. The program is offered within a private university enrolling more than 47,000 students across 13 undergraduate and 20 graduate schools, ranking it as the second largest university in Japan. Asia-Pacific studies at the doctoral level typically brings together international relations, political science, economics, and area studies focused on the region, with candidates completing independent dissertation research under faculty supervision. Coursework and research seminars often cover regional security, trade and economic integration, comparative politics, and development issues across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the wider Pacific. Doctoral candidates work through a structured process of coursework, a qualifying stage, dissertation research, and a final defense, often supported by opportunities to present at academic conferences or contribute to policy-oriented publications. Graduates from Asia-Pacific studies doctoral programs commonly pursue careers in academia, international organizations, government foreign policy and trade departments, think tanks, and multinational organizations with a regional focus. A doctorate in this field can also lead to senior research or advisory roles in development agencies and consulting firms working across Asia. Being based in Tokyo gives candidates direct access to Japanese government ministries, regional diplomatic missions, and a concentration of Asia-Pacific research institutes, useful for fieldwork, interviews, and networking. Because the program allows English-medium screening and thesis writing, it is designed for international researchers who want to study the Asia-Pacific region from within Japan without needing Japanese-language coursework, while the flexible April or September start supports applicants coordinating with prior academic calendars.