Three Policies of the Department of Law

Based on Keio University’s Diploma Policy, the Department of Law in the Faculty of Law aims to cultivate individuals who can perceive social phenomena from a legal perspective, make flexible and sound judgments, and think logically, enabling them to play proactive and independent roles across diverse sectors of society. Students who achieve these goals at a high level, acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and abilities outlined below, and fulfill the prescribed curricular requirements will be awarded the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree.

  (1) Acquisition of Specialized Knowledge and Skills


Students acquire specialized legal knowledge that gives them an accurate and multifaceted understanding of diverse social phenomena and issues, the ability to think logically, and appropriate approaches for problem solving.  

  (2) Acquisition of Knowledge Across a Broad Range of Fields


Students broaden their intellectual interests and develop interdisciplinary, progressive, and creative thinking by acquiring extensive knowledge not only in law but also in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.  

  (3) Acquisition of Language and Communication Skills for International Success


In addition to specialized knowledge in law, students develop advanced language proficiency and expressive abilities, enabling them to communicate their perspectives and exchange views with diverse people and societies, thereby expanding their activities onto an international stage.  

To cultivate the qualities and abilities outlined in the Diploma Policy, the Department of Law (Bachelor of Laws [LL.B.]) systematically organizes a curriculum comprising both general education subjects—comprising foreign languages, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences—and major subjects in law, structured in three stages: introductory, core, and advanced.

Under this curriculum structure, education is delivered through a combination of lecture-based subjects, where students acquire foundational knowledge of legal theory, positive law, and methods of application, and seminar classes that enhance reading comprehension and legal reasoning through active, interactive, and multi-directional engagement using instructional methods such as the Socratic method. In addition, seminar classes taught by legal practitioners are offered, enabling students to practically acquire the competencies and professional mindset required to work as legal professionals, including members of the legal profession.

Learning outcomes related to the defined competency objectives are evaluated under the university-wide assessment framework. In addition to subject-specific grading standards, evaluations incorporate a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators—both direct and indirect—such as surveys and questionnaires.

(1) A number of major subjects are offered for the acquisition of specialized knowledge and skills in legal studies. These subjects are categorized into introductory, core, and advanced levels, enabling students to deepen their legal expertise progressively, from foundational subjects to applied, developmental, and cutting-edge areas. A diverse selection of subjects allows students to design their studies in accordance with their individual interests. Small-group seminar classes featuring interactive, multi-directional instruction further cultivate analytical ability, legal reasoning, and expressive skills. For students aspiring to careers in the legal profession, the Legal Track is available, enabling graduation in three years and progression to an affiliated law school upon fulfillment of specified requirements.

(2) To promote the acquisition of broad-based knowledge, a diverse range of general education subjects in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences is offered. In addition, a sub-major system enables students to pursue systematic and progressive study in a field outside law as a “second specialization” through lecture and seminar classes taken up to the fourth year.

(3) To cultivate internationally minded students capable of engaging with linguistic and cultural diversity, a wide range of foreign language classes is offered, including intensive programs designed to develop advanced proficiency. Within major subjects, students also study foreign legal systems using foreign languages, engage in the reading of foreign-language legal materials, and participate in interactive, multi-directional seminar classes conducted in foreign languages, thereby strengthening their ability to apply legal expertise in international contexts.

The Faculty of Law seeks students who:

(1) Understand the founding principles of Keio University and the educational goals of the Faculty of Law, and engage proactively and independently in learning under its curriculum.

(2) Possess foundational knowledge, critical thinking skills, and expressive abilities to perceive, analyze, and make judgments on societal issues from legal and political perspectives.

(3) Have a global outlook, embrace diverse values, and demonstrate the ambition to create and lead a new society.

To admit a diverse range of students with these qualities, selection is conducted through the following methods: (1) General Selection, (2) Admissions for Japanese Returnee Students, (3) Admissions for International Students, (4) Admissions by Recommendation from Designated High Schools, and (5) FIT Admissions by Self-Recommendation.

 (1) General Admission

A written examination is administered in three subjects—Foreign Language (English), Geography and History (Japanese and World History), and an essay—to assess whether applicants possess the foundational knowledge, language proficiency, critical thinking skills, and expressive abilities required for study at the Faculty of Law.

  (2) Admissions for Returnee Students

To respect the educational backgrounds of students educated overseas and to foster diversity, applicants are evaluated through an essay examination assessing comprehension, idea development, composition, and expression, as well as through submitted documents and interviews that provide a multifaceted evaluation of language ability, academic achievement through high school, and motivation for learning.  

  (3) Admissions for International Students

To respect the educational backgrounds of those educated overseas and to admit a diverse body of international students, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted based on submitted documents, including results from the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) and an essay, to assess Japanese language proficiency, foundational knowledge, critical thinking, and the motivation required for study at the Faculty of Law.  

  (4) Admissions by Recommendation from Designated High Schools

This admissions system is based on recommendations from principals of designated high schools and evaluates applicants as well-rounded individuals with outstanding achievements in both academic and extracurricular areas.  

  (5) FIT Admissions by Self-Recommendation

この学生を「教えたい」という法学部教員と、慶應義塾大学法学部で「学びたい」という学生の良好な相性（fit）を実現しようとFIT admissions seeks to achieve an optimal “fit” between Faculty of Law faculty members and students who wish to study at the Keio University Faculty of Law. FIT also stands for "Flexible and Intelligent Thinking." Applicants are evaluated holistically and person-centered through submitted documents such as a statement of purpose or self-recommendation letter, essay examinations, and interviews, with emphasis on initiative, social engagement, creativity, and communication skills.