Year-Long Study in Japan: Business, Culture and Language Program

Learn Japanese & gain a deeper understanding of Japan 
campus_02
campus_07
campus_08

Program Description

This program is designed for undergraduate students from partner universities who wish not only to improve their Japanese language skills and to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese business, culture, and history but also to attend regular academic classes. From September to December, the business and culture/history classes offered are taught in English. From January to February, students are required to take Japanese Language classes (7 week Winter Term) to improve their language skills in preparation for taking regular classes. From April to August, participants will be assigned to an appropriate academic department, as well as a suitable advisory professor, based on their field of study (as indicated in participants’ Study Plan) and enroll in regular classes (conducted in Japanese) alongside full-time Senshu University students. During that time, participants will also have the option* to continue taking Japanese language classes (depending on their level of Japanese and/or at the recommendation of their advisory professor). There is a fee for takin Japanese Language and Culture programs. * Students must continue to take the JLC (Spring and Summer) course if they are unable to complete J3 class or higher at the Winter JLC, or if their Japanese language proficiency is below JLPT N3.

Throughout the program, Senshu offers many opportunities to participate in activities with Japanese students on campus.
map_japan

Program Calendar
[Period #1] September 18, 2026 – December 9, 2026
  • Students participate in the “2026 Fall Term Business, Culture, and Language (BCL) Program” (i.e. take business and/or culture/history classes (taught in English) and Japanese language classes.
  • Students will enroll in one of the following levels of the Japanese language course based on the results of the “Online Comprehension Check” (a Japanese test provided to students before they arrive in Japan) and a “Placement Test” (a Japanese test provided to students after they arrive in Japan). 
     - J1A [Introductory Level]               - J1B [Beginner Level]           - J1C [Upper Beginner Level]
     - J2 [Lower Intermediate Level]     - J3 [Intermediate Level]        -  J4 [Advanced Level]         -J5 [Upper Advanced Level]
　 * All the Japanese language classes are conducted on Senshu University’s Ikuta Campus.
  • Students participate in company visits, culturally-rich activities, and other excursions organized by Senshu University. 
     * For the details, please also refer our “General Information for 2026 Fall Term Business, Culture, and Language (BCL) program”.
     * Some Business and Culture Classes may be held at Kanda Campus downtown in Tokyo.        
     * Students have the option to also participate in a three-day home visit (i.e. stay with a Japanese family for one weekend) during this period (for an additional fee).
[Period #2] January 8, 2027 – February 26, 2027
  • Students continue to take Japanese language classes during this period as part of the “2027 Winter Term Japanese Language & Culture (JLC) Program”.     
      *Students are expected to take a higher level Japanese language course than they did in the
      “2026 Fall Term Business, Culture, and Language (BCL) Program” (i.e. period #1). 
[Self-Study Priod] February 27, 2027 – March 31, 2027
  • There are no Japanese language classes or scheduled activities during this break. However, students are encouraged to continue studying Japanese with Japanese language tutors during this period in order to be prepared for taking regular academic courses (conducted in Japanese) in period #3. The syllabi for regular academic courses will be available in end of March.  　
      *Students can remain in the i-House [dormitory] during this entire break. 
[Period #3] April 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027
  • Students enroll in regular academic courses (conducted in Japanese) alongside full-time Senshu University students. 
     * Regular academic classes are conducted for 90 minutes one day a week (with some exceptions). The  minimum number of courses students can take is 2 and the maximum is 10.
     * Students are assigned to an appropriate academic department, as well as a suitable advisory  professor, based on their field of study (in according with the “Research Plan” they prepared in period  #1).
     * Students have the option to continue taking Japanese language classes during this period (for an  additional fee). However, they are required to continue take Japanese language classes during this period (for an additional fee) if their advisory professor or Japanese Language Coordinator International, Center deems it necessary and/or if they have not met the following conditions by the beginning of period #2.　　
        - Complete the level J3 Japanese language course (or higher).
　    - Pass level N3 on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
  • In April, students take a mandatory course titled “Academic Skills Course for Exchange Students”. This is a preparatory two-week course that provides students the necessary skills to be successful in the regular academic courses (which are conducted in Japanese alongside full-time university students).
  • Students have the option to also participate in a three-day home visit (i.e. stay with a Japanese family    for one weekend) during this period (for an additional fee).  
campus_06
1574786253152
campus_01

Application

Application Deadline for Senshu University is  Friday, June 26, 2026
Payment Deadline is  Mid August, 2026

To apply for the "Year-Long Study in Japan"(YLBCL) Program 2025-2026, the following materials are needed:
  1.   Online Application (including the "Online Comprehension Check")
  2.  The YBCL Program Confirmation Sheet (Senshu Univerisity).xlsx
  3.  Detailed Study Plan at Senshu University.xlsx
  4.  Letter of Commitment.pdf
  5.  Application for Certificate of Eligibility.xlsx
       * For details please refer to the "Visa Application" section below (page #3)
  6.  Official Transcripts
  7.  Health Certificate (issued by a health provider located out side of Japan).pdf
  8.  Photos of the Applicant (4 cm × 3 cm / 1-5/8” × 1-3/16”)*1
      * Headshot  (passport style; facing front, showing your full face and shoulders, no hat or background).
      * Informal or casual photos are not acceptedTaken within the last 3 months
      * Taken within the last 3 months
  9. Copy of Passport (showing photo ID page)
  10. Evidence of Japanese Language Proficiency *2

*1 
  • Headshot (passport style; facing front, showing your full face and shoulders, no hat or background).
  • Informal or casual photos are not accepted
  • Taken within the last 3 months

*2
  • Examples include scores and/or certificates from the following Japanese tests. 
  • Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
  • Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
  • If a score or certificate cannot be submitted, students must submit a “Letter of Recommendation” regarding their Japanese language level that is issued by their home university.