上智大学 Sophia University Sophia U
WEB PILOTI

FOR OTHERS, WITH OTHERS

For Guarantors

Greetings

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all guarantors for your continuous cooperation and support towards the educational and research activities of the university.

At Sophia University, we strive to create a learning environment where students can pursue their dreams and aspirations through stimulating encounters and challenges on campus, and where they can seek the enrichment of themselves, others, and society. Our faculty and staff are committed to further enhancing our support system to achieve this goal.

Additionally, we provide various university information to guarantors through LINE Official Account for Parents and Guarantors, as well as the newsletter “Jochi Daigaku Tsushin“ (Currently available in Japanese only, but scheduled to be renewed as a bilingual Japanese-English magazine this summer). We hope you find these resources helpful.

Thank you for your continued support.

Links to Information

 

 

  • Lifelong Learning

  • Completely different type of industry-university collaboration project, in which the business world and Sophia University work together to create a place of learning through industry-university cooperation: SOPHIA PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (available in Japanese only)
  • Extension Lectures given to the public: Jochi Chikyu Shimin Koza (available in Japanese only)

FAQ

Academics

Q．How can students check their grades?

A． Students can check their own grades on Loyola Web Service. Additionally, grades for the previous year are mailed to guarantors around May each year.

Q．Can students transfer to another faculty or Department?

A．There is a system called “Transfer Faculty, Department,” which allows students who meet the requirements for years of enrollment and academic performance to apply. However, a significant reason is required for the application, and depending on the transfer destination, it may not be possible to graduate in four years, so careful consideration is necessary.

For details, please contact the Center for Academic Affairs.

Q．How can students enroll in the teaching license course?

A．Attend the guidance for new enrollees in the teaching license course and apply for enrollment in the course.

The number of subjects and credits required to obtain a teaching licence and the related procedures are very large, so it is necessary to start taking subjects related to the course and make a study plan at an early stage.

In the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Liberal Arts, it is not possible to obtain a license.

Q．How should students prepare for studying abroad?

A．Preparation varies depending on the duration and the system of the study abroad program. In terms of duration, there are short-term programs lasting a few weeks and long-term programs lasting about six months to one year. In terms of the system, it is divided into an exchange program, general study abroad, and leave-of-absence study abroad.

Counseling by study abroad counselors and consultations with staff are available for all study abroad programs at the Center for Global Education and Discovery (1st floor of Building 2).

Q．Can students study abroad and still graduate in four years? What impact does this have on job hunting?

A．In the case of exchange and general study abroad, it is possible to graduate in four years, as the enrollment period and the credits for subjects taken at partner universities can be converted.

While the start time for job hunting is fluid, more companies are now conducting recruitment activities online, such as job fairs for students studying abroad. This makes it possible for students to look for jobs while studying abroad. There has also been an increase in year-round recruitment and employment seminars for students who have studied abroad.

Although around 50-60% of students voluntarily extend their enrollment to look for jobs, the university continues to support students so that they do not give up studying abroad for the sole reason of job hunting. We also offer job guidance to prospective study abroad students, and students in lower yeares who are thinking about studying abroad can participate too.

Q．How should students prepare for graduate school?

A．It is important for students to carefully consider their own academic interests and career plans, such as what they want to research and why.

The university offers systems for internal advancement and some graduate schools organise internal information sessions, so it is recommended that students who are considering entering graduate school gather information early on. Please refer to the entrance examination guidelines, which are published in early May each year.

For inquiries, please contact the Admissions Office or the graduate school/major office.

Q．Please tell me about the leave of absence system.

A.　If students wish to take a leave of absence due to illness or other unavoidable reasons, consult with the chairperson of your department or class teacher. Then, fill out the required information on the prescribed “Leave of Absence Request,” and submit it to the Center for Academic Affairs by the submission deadline. Please note that a check sheet is required in the case of study abroad, and a doctor’s certificate must be attached in the case of illness.

Tuition fees and other school expenses are reduced during the leave of absence period.

For details, please contact the Center for Academic Affairs.

Career and Job Hunting

Q．When should students start job hunting?

A.　The recruitment periods and methods vary by industry and company, so it is not possible to give a definitive answer. Generally, many students start with internships held by companies during the summer vacation of their third year. For this reason, the Career Center provides guidance on job hunting schedules and the latest information during spring break just before their third year.

When choosing a career path or occupation, the most important thing is for students to “know themselves well.” What abilities will I use in society, and how will I use them? What do I want to do, and what can I do? Where can I practice that? Students should not suddenly start thinking about these things in their third year. These are not things to start thinking about suddenly in their third year, but rather things that become clear through new challenges and experiences in daily student lives, such as studying, studying abroad, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and volunteer activities starting in their first year.

The Career Center offers a wide range of programs to learn about the content and rewards of work, such as internships and exchanges with graduates, as well as comprehensive support for the basics of job hunting, including guidance on written exams, entry sheets, and interview preparation. We recommend actively utilizing these resources.

Q．Should students participate in an internship?

A.　Internships have become increasingly diversified in recent years, and there are various programs with different names, such as open companies and 1-day job explanation sessions, in addition to the original internships that involve work experience for 5 days to more than six months. Here, these programs are collectively referred to as “internships, etc.”

According to survey results, approximately 3/4 of job-seeking students have participated in an internship program, and it is becoming more common for students to participate in an internship program before being screened for employment. Whether or not the internship has an impact on the actual selection process depends on the company. However, we believe that the important thing is not the fact that students participated in an internship, but rather that they learn about the nature of the work and assess their own aptitude and abilities through the internship and other opportunities. In addition, the number of accepted internship positions is generally smaller than the number of available positions, and it does not mean that students cannot proceed to the selection process or receive a job offer unless they participate in an internship program.

Q．Should students vist almuni?

A.　 Visiting alumni is to visit university seniors who are working in the industry or company students are interested in and gather information useful for job hunting, such as actual job descriptions and workplace atmosphere, which cannot be obtained from websites or company information sessions alone. Visiting alumuni is not mandatory, but it can help students gain a deeper understanding of the industry or company, which can increase their chances of finding a job with a high level of satisfaction, and reduce the possibility of mismatches after joining a company.

The Career Center holds a variety of events where students can hear from almuni, including introductions to almuni. We hope students will take advantage of these events.

In addition, since November 1, 2024, Sophia University has officially started using “BizReach Campus” a network service for visiting alumni operated by BizReach Co., Ltd., in cooperation with the Sophia University Alumni Association (Jochi Daigaku Sophia-kai). It is a more secure tool for visiting alumni as it is completed online.

Q．What qualifications would be advantageous for employment?

A.　Excluding national qualifications, such as the Certified Public Accountant and the Bar examinations, which are said to be extremely difficult, there are no qualifications that are directly advantageous for employment. If anything, the following qualifications may give a positive impression to companies:

  • JCCI Bookkeeping Examination (Level 2 is not considered advantageous, but Level 1 would be positively evaluated)
  • TOEIC (a score of 800 or above would be positively evaluated)
  • Proficiency in languages other than English (at a business level)
  • Study abroad experience (excluding short-term study abroad of about one month)

However, recruiters often consider these to be “nice to have”. This is because, when recruiting new graduates, the important consideration is “how much they are likely to grow” after joining society, rather than whether they have qualifications or knowledge. Students’ attitude towards obtaining a qualification and their approach to learning are more important than the qualification itself.

Many companies also value cooperation and communication skills with others. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy accumulating experiences such as encountering different values and working together towards a common goal during school years, rather than focusing solely on qualification exams.

Q．How is continued enrollment (repeating a year) for job hunting perceived by companies?

A.　Students will not usually be rejected solely because of continued enrollment at the entry sheet selection stage, but they will definitely be asked in interviews why they repeated a year and what they gained from it. Students need to be able to clearly convey their own answers and thoughts and explain to the interviewer how they have grown through repeating a year and how they can contribute to the company.

Against the backdrop of a labor shortage, there are many companies, including large ones, that continue to recruit or offer new positions after June. Especially since the year before last, more companies have been implementing year-round and autumn recruitment to secure the planned number of hires. It is quite possible to continue job hunting even after the peak period of job offers has passed, and many seniors have obtained job offers by continuing their job search. Whether or not to repeat a year should be carefully considered based on these points.

Q．How are technical job recruitments conducted?

A.　Some companies use a “school recommendation selection process,” which differs from the general selection process. In the “school recommendation selection process”, the university recommends students based on a relationship of trust between the university and the company. The university issues a school recommendation letter in the name of the the university president and recommends students who meet the criteria, such as selecting the company as their first choice. Students who obtain a school recommendation cannot to apply to or select other companies nor can they decline job offers. Since some aspects of job hunting may be restricted, it is important to carefully consider the application process.

The Career Center provides guidance for students considering using school recommendations, as well as technical alumni exchange meetings and job hunting consultations.

Q．Is graduate school advancement in humanities disadvantageous for employment?

A.　Compared to science majors, liberal arts majors are sometimes said to be disadvantageous in terms of employment due to fewer opportunities to utilize their specialized knowledge. However, the high level of expertise, advanced analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities unique to graduate students are in demand not only at companies but also at international organizations. If students can demonstrate their attitude toward graduate school research and how they can make use of the knowledge and skills they have acquired, rather than explaining the specifics of their research itself, we believe that graduate school advancement in the humanities will rather increase employment options.

Additionally, in recent years, there has been increasing attention on doctoral candidates to enhance Japan’s international competitiveness. In paticular, goverment support for doctoral students is increasing, and initiatives such as “job-based research internships,” which match students with companies, have begun. The Career Center also conducts guidance sessions for graduate students and students considering graduate school advancement, so please make use of them.

Campus Life

Q．What extracurricular activities are available at Sophia University besides academic studies?

A.　There are various types and contents of extracurricular activities at  universities. Some are like “club activities” in high school, where students practice daily and prepare for games and presentations, while others are like so-called “clubs (circles),” where students gather together with other students who share common interests. Additionally, there are also those that address social issues or collaborate with companies or external organisations. Besides these voluntary student activities, there are also peer support activities at the university, extracurricular educational programs and study tours provided by the university.

The workload and burden on students vary greatly depending on the activity, so we recommend that students gather information in advance through websites, social networking services, or by talking to seniors and classmates, and consider how much time they want to devote to extracurricular activities during their university life before deciding which activities to participate in.

Q．Is there anything students should pay attention to when simultaneously pursuing a wide variety of activities in addition to academics?

A.　In university life, students will be required to simultaneously pursue a wide variety of activities besides academics, such as extracurricular activities, job hunting, part-time jobs, and leisure. In order to make the most efficient use of limited time, it is important students to plan with future goals in mind. By carefully considering how much time to devote to each activity based on their own goals and aspirations, and by clarifying priorities, students will be able to manage their time efficiently. In addition, actively taking advantage of the various types of support offered by the university, such as academic support and career counseling, will make it easier for you to balance your studies and other activities.

Sophia University believes that extracurricular activities are also beneficial in fostering a keen awareness of the issues and judgment of modern society. In job-hunting activities, students often express themselves through the experiences they have devoted to something or the way they interact with others during their school years, and this often leads to their evaluation.

University is a place where students can gain diverse experiences and grow as well as prepare for their future careers. There are many opportunities and challenges in student life, we encourage students to take advantage of them to realize their own goals.

Q．How do students apply for scholarships?

A.　Applications are accepted at the financial aid counter in the Office of the Center for Student Affairs. Please refer to the Web Piloti Scholarship page for details, as the application process and conditions differ depending on the type of scholarship.

Q．Is there a place where students can consult when they have problems or concerns in university life?

A.　It is possible to consult with the faculty members who interact with students daily, such as the “class teachers” in each department and seminar. In addition, the university has several counseling offices to respond to various consultations from students.

Health and Wellbeing Support

  • If students feel unwell physically or mentally, they can visit the Wellness Center (Health Support). Internal medicine consultation with a school physician and “mental health consultation” with a psychiatrist are available, and referrals to medical institutions are also available.          *Note: They do not provide insurance medical care or prescribe medication.
  • Students who feel depressed, anxious or worried can consult with  counseling services. Counselors (licensed psychologists and clinical psychologists) will work with students on various issues they are facing, approaching them from a psychological perspective.
  • When students don’t know which department to consult or are unsure whether to consult the university but are in trouble, the “General Consultation Desk” accepts questions and consultations. Depending on the nature of the consultation, we will provide students counseling or connect them to relevant university departments or external counseling organizations.
  • The university has a contact point for each problem or concern. Please encourage students to feel free to consult them without worrying alone.

 

Others

Q．What is the procedure for changing the address of a student or a guarantor? 

A.　Students can update their own registration information via the Loyola Web Service.

Faculty Website

Inquiries about the
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Department Name
Office of General Affairs
Contact
03-3238-3172