Master's Program (English-based Degree Program)

Waseda University's Master's Program at the Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies (GSICCS) is an English-based degree completed over two years, with entry available in April or September, based at the university's Tokyo campus. The program sits within a private university enrolling more than 47,000 students across 13 undergraduate and 20 graduate schools, making Waseda the second largest university in Japan. Master's-level study in international culture and communication typically covers media studies, cultural studies, communication theory, and international relations, combining coursework with a research thesis completed under faculty supervision. Students commonly examine topics such as cross-cultural communication, global and digital media, cultural policy, and the relationship between culture, politics, and society, often through seminars, case studies, and independent research projects. A program structured this way usually builds core theoretical grounding before allowing students to specialize through elective coursework and thesis research aligned with their interests. Graduates from international culture and communication master's programs pursue careers in media and journalism, international communications, cultural organizations, public diplomacy, marketing and public relations, and further doctoral study for those interested in an academic path. Being based in Tokyo gives students access to Japanese media companies, cultural institutions, and international organizations, along with the chance to study Japan's own cultural and communication landscape directly. Because English proficiency requirements are assessed against published guidelines rather than a strict cutoff, and applicants may still apply without a fully matching score, admission is designed to be accessible to students from a range of academic and linguistic backgrounds who want a master's degree taught in English within a Japanese university.