Oxford has strong links with Japan. The Bodleian received its first Japanese book in 1629, and the first Japanese student, Tomotsune Iwakura, came to the University in 1873. There are countless research collaborations between Oxford and many of the leading universities and companies from Japan. The University has one of the best departments in the world for Japanese Studies, and is home to both the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies and the Oriental Institute, in which Japanese is taught as an undergraduate subject.
The current Warden of Merton College, Professor Irene Tracey, has been nominated to become the new Vice-Chancellor of the University and subject to the approval of Congregation will take up post in 2023.
The University has created a page on the main website outlining our response to the invasion of Ukraine.
There are a number of scholarships available, some of which are specifically aimed at Japanese candidates.
Oxford also provides hundreds of other scholarships that are open to students regardless of their nationality. You can search for scholarships on our Fees and Funding website.
Donors from Japan have played a key role in providing important funding for Oxford which has had a huge impact on the University. Your donation makes a true difference in many important ways. It helps provide scholarships for the best minds internationally, it endows posts that allow us to attract the world’s academic elite, and it supports the University’s unique and precious buildings—the buildings where cutting-edge research is conducted and where our cultural and intellectual heritage is protected and made available for generations to come.
We have approximately 1,500 University of Oxford alumni currently in Japan, and a number of active alumni societies.
Please contact these societies directly to find out about their latest activities. In addition, the University of Oxford Japan Office regularly holds academic and social events including our popular Oxford Academics in Japan lecture series. These events strengthen ties between Oxford alumni and friends of the University. If you were at Oxford, please update your contact details on the Alumni website to ensure we can invite you to our events.
We have also compiled answers to the questions we get most frequently asked here in Japan.