Features of the Faculty of Economics

The Keio University Faculty of Economics was established as the Department of Political Economy of Keio Gijuku College, and as Japan's first faculty of economics, it boasts a long tradition of excellence. The program emphasizes both theoretical and empirical aspects, with first- and second-year students receiving a broad foundational education at the Hiyoshi Campus, followed by in-depth study of major field courses across 10 disciplines at the Mita Campus in the third and fourth years. We also focus on developing economic experts who can play an active role in Japan and abroad through the three pillars: research groups (seminars), the Professional Career Program (PCP), and research projects.

The Faculty of Economics was the first of its kind in Japan. Since its establishment in 1890 as the Department of Political Economy at Keio Gijuku College, the Faculty of Economics has been a leader in both theoretical and empirical research on economics in Japan. Furthermore, in the spirit of “learning while teaching, teaching while learning” that has been held since Keio Gijuku’s founding, the Faculty has provided advanced economics education in a liberal, open-minded atmosphere, producing many outstanding graduates known as “Keio Keizaijin.” Currently, graduates of the faculty are active in a variety of fields, including business, academia, politics, and government.

The educational goal of the faculty is to develop the next generation of leaders in the global economy. To this end, we believe it is essential to cultivate individuals who have a firm knowledge of the basic principles of economics, the ability to apply and practice them, and a broad understanding of a wide range of disciplines beyond economics. To this end, the faculty has been actively engaged in inspirational educational initiatives. For example, in order to develop individuals who can play an active role in the international community, we have promoted economics education in English and double-degree programs with overseas universities. In addition, to equip students with the ability to develop their own ideas and communicate them to the world, we focus on small-group education. This includes research projects, in which students choose their own research topic and spend a year working on a thesis, and seminars, in which students study diligently alongside their classmates over a two-year period.

Students in the Faculty of Economics spend their first and second years at the Hiyoshi Campus, where they study liberal arts and the basics of the field. Two courses of study are offered for this period: “Type A (focusing on economic theory and mathematics)” and “Type B (focusing on economic conditions and history).” Type A focuses on deductive methods and Type B on inductive methods, leading to specialized study in major field courses in the third and fourth years. In the third year, the two courses merge, allowing students to acquire specialized knowledge and conduct research, ultimately developing the ability to think economically in a way that combines logic and experience.

In addition to lectures, the Faculty of Economics offers three pillars of specialist education to develop students’ thinking and research skills: Research groups (seminars), research projects, and the Professional Career Program (PCP).

This course involves study in small-group classes, a method with a long tradition at the Faculty of Economics. Over the course of two years, students conduct in-depth study in a specialized field under the guidance of a specific faculty member, compiling the results of their studies in a graduation thesis. An emphasis is placed on collaboration with others, including group work.

This is an individual research course in which students set their own topic and write a thesis over the course of a year. This research can be conducted not only in economics but also in other areas as well. The goal is to give form to each individual’s enthusiasm for research.

This is a small-group specialized education course offered entirely in English. Students acquire specialized knowledge through English-language instruction and experience project-based classes. As such, this program develops individuals who can meet the challenges of a global era.

In addition to traditional specialized education, Keio University’s Faculty of Economics offers distinctive programs that foster a wide range of perspectives and capabilities. The PEARL program, which offers degrees taught entirely in English, aims to develop leaders who will play an active role on the international stage. The DEEP program, which began in the 2022 academic year, is designed to hone students’ data-driven economic analysis skills, while the FACTS program is designed to cultivate empirically-derived insight through fieldwork. Plurilingual and Pluricultural Studies, which began in the 2026 academic year, is a liberal arts program that takes the study of a second foreign language as a starting point for intensive exploration of the language, culture, and society of a specific language area. Through these programs, the faculty has established an educational environment that allows students to develop their studies in depth from multiple perspectives while maintaining a focus on the present era and global society.