Welcome to the ILA
The Institute for the Liberal Arts (ILA) offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Liberal Arts taught exclusively in
English, here at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.
ILA’s approach to undergraduate studies is interdisciplinary, providing an in-depth examination of Japan that
facilitates broader comparative research. The Institute's team of academics and administrators all understand the
importance of both local and global contexts, and together with students, draw on their own experiences of living and
researching across the world. In today's world, an international education, internship experience, global networks, and
language skills will give you the competitive edge to help you succeed.
”It is very international; by that I mean the students here are from almost everywhere – the USA, Brazil, Sweden, Uganda,
Taiwan, Korea, China and so on.”
Steve Jean Pierre, Haiti
In 2011, we welcomed our first students and we are confident of expanding further afield in the future. ILA classes are
joined by Doshisha students from departments across the university, and exchange students from our worldwide network of
partner universities.
Like the historic and dynamic city of Kyoto, we have our eyes focused on the globalized world of the future with our
feet placed firmly on the local knowledge of traditions.