What is TAISI?
TAISI is a four-year English-based bachelor's programme offered by Waseda's School of Social Sciences. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences. It is taught in English, and Japanese language ability is not required at the time of application.
Its central theme is Social Innovation: thinking of more effective, sustainable and fair solutions to social issues, and developing people who can carry them out in the real world. It is not simply a programme for studying the social sciences in English; it moves on to practical learning across foundations in economics, politics, history, law, marketing and more.
What do you study?
According to the TAISI curriculum page, students do not study one narrow major from the start; they combine the foundations of the social sciences with Social Innovation. In Foundations in Social Sciences, they study introductory areas such as Economics, Politics, Humanities, History, Marketing and Law.
Beyond that, Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Innovation centres on the following four fields.
- Peace Building and International Cooperation
- Community and Social Development
- Social Organization and Working
- Economic and Environmental Sustainability
The Practicum also emphasises hands-on learning that brings students into direct contact with local communities and social issues.
Places and selection for 2027
For September 2027 entry, TAISI offers about 60 places. They are not a quota for a particular nationality, and the university states that there is no quota or target for any nationality.
Selection is a Holistic Review of application documents, Standardized Test and English ability together. An interview is not required of everyone; only applicants for whom further information is needed may be invited to an online interview.
2027 admission schedule
| Item | First Round | Second Round | Third Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Application | 10:00 on 7 January to 12 January | 13 January to 17:00 on 28 January | 10:00 on 28 April to 17:00 on 6 May |
| Interview, if required | 13 or 14 February | 3 or 4 April | 5 or 6 June |
| Result | 5 March | 14 April | 11 June |
There is an important caution about the Third Round. If the First and Second Rounds fill the number of places sufficiently, the Third Round may not be held. Whether to hold it is decided at the time of the Second Round results announcement.
The university's site also carries a notice that the Third Round was cancelled for September 2026 entry. It is not safe to prepare on the assumption that a Third Round will definitely take place.
Applicants and successful applicants, 2024 to 2026
| Entry | Applicants | Successful Applicants | Published acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 September | 252 | 64 | 25.4% |
| 2025 September | 431 | 71 | 16.5% |
| 2026 September | 405 | 119 | 29.4% |
Even from these figures alone, you can see the numbers vary greatly from year to year. You therefore cannot assume that, because the rate was 29.4%, about one in three will be admitted in 2027. The mix of applicants, what they submit and the state of recruitment change every year.
Petra Tutors treats these numbers not as an individual's chance of success but as officially published data on past selection.
SAT, ACT and IB averages
- SAT (out of 1600, average of 2026 Successful Applicants)
- 1432
- ACT (same average)
- 32
- IBDP (out of 42, same average)
- 36.8
What matters most here is that these are not minimum scores. TAISI sets no uniform minimum for Standardized Test, and the averages are not a cutoff meaning that this score will get you in. The application as a whole is assessed through Holistic Review. It is wrong to write SAT 1432 as TAISI's minimum passing score.
For the SAT's structure and how to think about preparation, see also SAT exam structure and benefits.
The TAISI page also announces a change to the Standardized Test requirements for graduates of Canadian education systems from the September 2027 intake. If this applies to you, check the official page.
Main items you need to apply
The 2027 Application Guidelines list the following as the main documents. The Standardized Test used is SAT, ACT, IB, GCE or similar, depending on the education system. Certificates issued in a language other than English generally need an English translation attached.
- Proof of Applicant Eligibility
- Academic Transcript
- Grading Scale
- Standardized Test Score
- English Language Proficiency Test Score
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of Achievements
- Personal Identification
- Applicant Photo
- Residence Card, where applicable
- Proof of Payment
The required documents differ by school and education system. Always check the List of Application Documents by Education System that Waseda publishes.
The Statement of Purpose and your activities
At TAISI, the Statement of Purpose and Proof of Achievements are also part of the application. It is therefore not an admission where raising your Standardized Test score alone is enough. You need to set out why you want to study Social Sciences and Social Innovation, what concerns and activities you have had so far, and how they connect with the TAISI curriculum.
However, avoid trying to memorise an essay that TAISI would supposedly like. It matters more to understand the Admission Policy and features of the programme the university publishes, and to write your own experience and thinking accurately.
2027 tuition
- AY2027 First-year Total
- 1,256,800 yen
- Tuition
- 1,051,000 yen
In Waseda's AY2027 English-based Undergraduate Program fee table, TAISI's First-year Total is 1,256,800 yen and the main Tuition is 1,051,000 yen.
The same table carries a note that the AY2027 amounts for the Laboratory work fee, Seminar fee, Library fee and Association fees are undecided, and that AY2026 figures are shown for reference. Check the university's latest guidance when you make the final payment.
How does TAISI differ from SILS and SPSE?
| Programme | Central theme | Features |
|---|---|---|
| TAISI | Social Sciences + Social Innovation | Social issues, practice, the Practicum and four Social Innovation fields |
| SILS | International Liberal Studies | A broader liberal arts curriculum |
| SPSE English-based | Political Science and Economics | Deepens expertise centred on political science and economics |
Even among Waseda's English-based degrees, the purpose and curriculum of each school differ considerably. In choosing where to apply, it is more useful to set side by side the field you want to study for four years, the curriculum, the application method and the cost than to ask which is easiest to get into. JCulP, which studies Japanese culture in English, has a different central theme again. Compare it too in What is Waseda JCulP?.
Students who may suit TAISI
Conversely, if you want to concentrate from the start on Economics only, Political Science only or Computer Science only, it would be better to compare other programmes too.
- Are interested in social issues and Social Innovation
- Want to cross several Social Sciences, not only Economics or Politics
- Are interested in practical classes such as Fieldwork and the Practicum
- Want to earn a degree in English
- Want to think about both Japanese society and Global Issues
Checklist before you apply
Summary
TAISI is a four-year English-based degree in Waseda's School of Social Sciences that studies several social science fields around Social Innovation. For September 2027 entry, about 60 places are offered, with a document-centred Holistic Review and an online interview where needed.
The 2026 averages of Successful Applicants are SAT 1432, ACT 32 and IBDP 36.8/42, but these are neither minimum scores nor guaranteed scores. The 2027 First-year Total in the university's current fee table is 1,256,800 yen.
The admission data is a useful reference, but rather than a simple comparison such as a low ratio meaning easier entry, it matters to judge by what you want to study and the application as a whole.
