PhD in Doctral Program

WASEDA University's Doctoral Program is based in Fukuoka, Japan, and leads to a doctoral degree completed over three years, with an April start date and instruction delivered in English. WASEDA University is internationally recognized as one of the top private universities in Japan, based in central Tokyo, and organized with 13 undergraduate and 20 graduate schools enrolling over 47,000 students, making it the second largest university in the country. It has produced 8 prime ministers among its alumni and describes its founding ethos as the harmonisation of Eastern and Western cultures; in the 2019 academic year it enrolled approximately 8,000 international students from more than 120 countries and regions. Doctoral study typically centers on an original research project carried out under faculty supervision, culminating in a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the student's field. Depending on the discipline, doctoral candidates may combine research with coursework, seminars, teaching experience, and conference presentations, while building the methodological expertise needed to work independently as a researcher. Graduates of doctoral programs commonly pursue academic careers, research positions in industry or government, or specialized professional roles that call for the highest level of subject expertise. Completing a doctorate at Waseda's Fukuoka location gives international students access to the university's research infrastructure and faculty network outside the main Tokyo campus, within an institution known for welcoming students from a wide range of countries and academic backgrounds.