2024/12/02

【FILA】 Major Transformation in AY 2026

Reorganization of English Medium Programs

Soka University plans to consolidate the English Medium Programs (EMPs） currently offered by various Faculties into the Faculty of International Liberal Arts（FILA）. As a result, FILA will begin accepting students for September enrollment, while admissions to the EMPs in other Faculties will cease as follows:

In September 2024, FILA begins its September enrollment.
In September 2025, admissions to the EMP of the Faculty of Economics cease.
In September 2026, admissions to the EMPs of the Faculty of Business Administration, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Letters cease.

FILA’s Major Transformation in Academic Year 2026

As Soka University’s first EMP, FILA was launched in April 2014 and celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Over the years, FILA has been committed to fostering “global citizens” and has prepared many graduates through its curriculum that integrates “breadth of knowledge,” an “international mindset,” and “practical skills.”
As the EMPs offered by other Faculties cease accepting student admissions in a phrase manner and are consolidated into FILA, FILA will undergo a drastic curriculum revamp in the Academic Year 2026. This transformation will allow students to select more specialized courses, particularly business-related courses. Additionally, the revamped curriculum will further promote students’ first-hand on-site experiences beyond the campus and provide an attractive learning environment where domestic and international students can encourage each other and grow together.

Consolidation of EMPs for Broader Learning Opportunities

With the phased discontinuation of EMPs—the EMP of the Faculty of Economics (in September 2025) and EMPs of the Faculty of Business Administration, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Letters (in September 2026) —the functions of these programs as EMPs will be consolidated into FILA, which offers a broad range of Humanities and Social Sciences courses in English. It is important to note that the English-taught courses currently provided by other Faculties will still be maintained.
One of FILA's distinctive features is its broad range of course options, which will continue to grow. Students will be able to benefit from a multi-faceted education grounded in liberal arts and engage in projects that involve identifying and solving issues. In Year 3 onward, students will deepen their expertise in their chosen area. Furthermore, FILA will offer a practical Japanese language program for international students to enhance their job prospects both in Japan and abroad. This program will enable students to seek employment not only with Japanese companies abroad but also with companies based in Japan.

Overseas and Domestic Short-term Training Programs

In line with Soka University’s Grand Design, two short-term training programs will be introduced as part of the new FILA curriculum. These programs are designed to ensure that all FILA students can engage in practical learning outside the campus, allowing them to identify and respond to the issues in both global and local communities.

[Global Citizenship Fieldwork I-II] - Required Short-term Training Program to Examine Japan and Rapidly Transforming Overseas Regions from Multifaceted Perspectives
During the spring break after Year 1, students will visit a rapidly transforming region in the Global South (two weeks) and Japan (one week) to identify issues and explore solutions through multifaceted perspectives drawn from Humanities and Social Sciences. Through this hands-on experience, students will deepen their areas of interest and learn the importance of interdisciplinary perspectives. Additionally, team teaching during Year 1 will provide phased preparation for this short-term training program.

[International Fieldwork I-II] (Optional) - Short-term Overseas Training Program for Identifying and Solving Issues
In Year 2, students will have the opportunity to participate in a two-week program focusing on identifying and solving issues under a specific theme in a target country. The preparatory study (for one semester) will equip students with multi-faceted insights into the target country and prepare them for group work.

Basic Studies in Liberal Arts and Expertise in Chosen Field of Study

From Year 1, FILA students will gain a breadth of knowledge across three fields of study: “Humanities and Sociology,” “Politics and International Relations,” and “Economics and Business Administration.” In Year 3, FILA students will deepen their expertise in their chosen field of study. In addition, through further collaboration with the International Business Studies Program (IBSP) at the Soka University Graduate School of Economics and the Graduate School of International Peace Studies (SIPS), FILA will offer a curriculum that allows FILA undergraduates to take specialized courses in these four areas: international peace studies, accounting and finance, management and business strategy, and international business and economics.

Soka University Faculty of International Liberal Arts SNS【Instagram / X】

We are posting information about an introduction of current and alumni students, events, and much more about the FILA on Instagram and X!