University of the Sacred Heart crest

University of the Sacred Heart

Tokyo, Japan Founded 1910

Overview

English Name: University of the Sacred Heart
Local Name: 聖心女子大学
Founded: 1910
Control Type: Private
Entity Type: For-profit
Religious Affiliation: Christian-Catholic
Motto: Ubi caritas, ibi Deus
University of the Sacred Heart campus from the outside
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Established in 1948, the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo (Seishin Joshi Daigaku) is a for-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large metropolis of Tokyo (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants).

Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo is a small-sized women only Japanese higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 76-year-old Japanese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. The acceptance rate range is 20-29% making this Japanese higher education organization a very selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Geographic and contact information for University of the Sacred Heart — useful before scheduling visits or sending enquiries. Each channel below routes to a different team, so pick the one matching your question.

Address: 4-3-1 Hiroo Shibuya-ku
Postal Code: 150-8938
Map:
Phone: +81 (3) 3407 5811
Fax: +81 (3) 5485 3884
Social Media:

Academic Details

Academic statistics for University of the Sacred Heart — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.

Academic Year: April to March (April-July; October-March)
Accrediting Agency: Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA)
Admission Requirements: Graduation from high school (Koto Gakko) or recognized foreign equivalent, and entrance examination
Student Enrollment: 2
Academic Staff Range: 50-99
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)

Academic Structures

The institutional units housing University of the Sacred Heart's programmes. Subject overlap across faculties is normal — interdisciplinary fields like data science or environmental studies often span multiple units.

Unit 2 items
  • Faculty of Liberal Arts
  • Graduate School of Arts

Degrees

Also Teaching Certificate Programmes (Undergraduate Certificate), Certificate in Clinical Psychologist and Certification in Social Studies

Other 14 programs
  • Aesthetics
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Communication Studies
  • Cultural Studies
  • Education
  • English
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Japanese
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Psychology
  • Social Studies

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

Liberal Arts (Faculty) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
  • English
  • History
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • International Studies
  • Japanese
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Primary Education
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences (Graduate School) 9 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities
  • Cultural Studies
  • Education
  • English
  • History
  • Japanese
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Social Studies

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Policy Analyst
  • Social Worker

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes University of the Sacred Heart offers is searchable and grouped by level below. Some programmes accept rolling applications; others run on annual cycles — check before applying.

Bachelor's Degree

9 programmes

These 9 programmes make up University of the Sacred Heart's undergraduate catalogue. A bachelor's degree is the baseline credential for most graduate careers and advanced study.

English Culture and Communication 英語文化コミュニケーション学科 Communication Studies
Elementary Education 教育学科初等教育学専攻 Education & Teaching
Education 教育学科教育学専攻 Education & Teaching
Psychology 心理学科 Psychology
International Relations 国際交流学科 Politics & International Relations
Human Relations 人間関係学科 Humanities & Cultural Studies
History 史学科 History
Philosophy 哲学科 Philosophy & Ethics
Japanese Language and Literature 日本語日本文学科 Literature

Master's Degree

6 programmes

University of the Sacred Heart offers 6 programmes at master's level — postgraduate programmes that deepen a specialism, usually over one to two years after a bachelor's degree.

English and English Literature 英語英文学専攻 English Language Studies
Human Sciences 人間科学専攻 Humanities & Cultural Studies
Social and Cultural Studies 社会文化学専攻 Social & Cultural Studies
History 史学専攻 History
Philosophy 哲学専攻 Philosophy & Ethics
Japanese and Japanese Literature 日本語日本文学専攻 Literature

Doctorate

3 programmes

University of the Sacred Heart delivers 3 programmes at doctoral level for graduates committed to advancing the frontier of their discipline through original inquiry.

Human Sciences 人間科学専攻 Humanities & Cultural Studies
Social and Cultural Studies 社会文化学専攻 Social & Cultural Studies
Humanities 人文学専攻 Humanities & Cultural Studies

How to apply to University of the Sacred Heart

Application guidance for University of the Sacred Heart, structured as five practical steps with attention to documents and admissions communication.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    University of the Sacred Heart's catalogue includes 18 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for University of the Sacred Heart's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Submit your completed application through University of the Sacred Heart's official website at www.u-sacred-heart.ac.jp. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +81 (3) 3407 5811. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of the Sacred Heart

Frequently asked questions about University of the Sacred Heart, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.

When did University of the Sacred Heart open?

University of the Sacred Heart traces its founding to 1910 (approximately 116 years ago).

In which city is University of the Sacred Heart?

University of the Sacred Heart is based in Tokyo, Japan.

Is University of the Sacred Heart a public or private institution?

University of the Sacred Heart is a private institution.

How many students study at University of the Sacred Heart?

University of the Sacred Heart has approximately 2,000-2,999 students.

Is University of the Sacred Heart affiliated with a religion?

Yes, University of the Sacred Heart is affiliated with Christian-Catholic.

How many faculties does University of the Sacred Heart have?

University of the Sacred Heart has 2 academic units.

Who recognises University of the Sacred Heart?

University of the Sacred Heart is accredited by Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA).

How do I find University of the Sacred Heart online?

The institution's website is www.u-sacred-heart.ac.jp.

Top-Ranked Universities in Japan

When shortlisting in Japan, students often start with the top-ranked institutions. Below are the national leaders worth comparing against University of the Sacred Heart, helpful for calibrating where University of the Sacred Heart sits in the broader landscape.

Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)

Cross-credit recognition between International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) members reduces friction for students moving between universities. University of the Sacred Heart's membership often eases credit transfer to the institutions below.

Other Japanese Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic

Pastoral counselling services at Christian-Catholic institutions typically integrate with mental health support rather than being standalone. The peers below generally follow this integrated approach.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

If University of the Sacred Heart's location appeals to you, these nearby universities offer comparable environments and academic breadth. Local clusters tend to share cultural, linguistic, and employment context, which can matter as much as institutional choice itself.

Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies

Practicum and placement requirements vary widely across Humanities & Cultural Studies programmes in Japan. Compulsory placements affect total time commitment but typically improve post-graduation employment outcomes.

Universities Often Compared with University of the Sacred Heart

Cross-peer scholarship reciprocity exists in some systems where peer institutions accept each other's scholarship students. Worth checking for University of the Sacred Heart if location flexibility matters.

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