When families think about international degree programs abroad, the UK, the US, or Singapore may often come to mind first. However, Keio University in Japan is another highly attractive option, especially when considering academic quality alongside overall cost.
Founded in 1858, Keio is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious private universities. Today, it has approximately 34,000 students and an alumni network of around 420,000 graduates, supported by roughly 75 overseas Mita-kai alumni associations. This strong network is one of Keio’s notable advantages for students who are already thinking beyond university and toward their future careers.
For Thai students who do not yet speak Japanese, Keio offers two undergraduate pathways that can be completed entirely in English:
PEARL — Economics
and
GIGA — Policy Management / Environment and Information Studies
PEARL allows students to study Economics entirely in English throughout the four-year program.
GIGA, meanwhile, is particularly interesting because of its interdisciplinary approach, combining Technology, Science, Design, Business, Innovation, International Relations, and Public Policy. Japanese-language proficiency is not required for admission.
Another reason Keio deserves attention is its tuition cost. Compared with leading universities in many other countries, the fees for its English-taught programs remain relatively attractive.
For example, PEARL’s 2026 academic fees are ¥1,308,350 per year, with an additional one-time admission fee of ¥200,000. This brings the first-year university fees to approximately ¥1.51 million, or just over THB 300,000, based on the exchange rate used in the accompanying poster. Living expenses are not included.
What students gain from Keio is not only a degree from a leading Japanese university, but also the opportunity to live and study in the Tokyo metropolitan area, one of Asia’s most important centers for business, technology, and innovation.
Keio also provides Career Services for students, including employment information and job-hunting seminars specifically designed for international students seeking opportunities in Japan.
However, students who hope to work for Japanese companies after graduation should consider developing their Japanese language skills during their four years at university. Even if their degree is taught entirely in English, stronger Japanese proficiency can significantly expand their career opportunities.
For students interested in Economics, Business, Technology, Innovation, Public Policy, or International Relations, and who would like to pursue an English-taught undergraduate degree in Asia, Keio is certainly a university worth seriously comparing with options in Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, and the US.
Sometimes, the university that suits us best may not be the one we hear about most often.
It may instead be the one that offers the right balance of academic quality, opportunities, experience, and reasonable cost. 🇯🇵❤️
