

What is PCP?
What is PCP?
The Professional Career Programme (PCP) was established inside the Faculty of Economics at Keio University in the Academic Year 2005. The programme offers an opportunity for third and fourth year students, principally in the Faculty of Economics, to receive a practical economics education in English. In order to join PCP, students are required to prove their outstanding academic record as well as English language skills.
Since the Spring Term of Academic Year 2007, PCP classes have been open to qualified foreign students via Keio University’s International Centre.
PCP aims to produce graduates who can thrive in the global arena, who will ‘design the future’. It is intended for students who plan to build a career in an internationalized environment, such as graduate and professional schools outside Japan, international organizations and multinational firms. All lectures, examinations and communication with the PCP Co-ordinator are in English.
Accepted PCP students spend at least one semester taking courses to acquire research skills by writing papers jointly and individually. Students are encouraged to expose themselves not just to English but to other languages as well.
Students who earn credits for all the necessary classes receive a PCP Certificate upon graduation. The Certificate is signed by the President of Keio University, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Economics.
Objectives
PCP’s objective is to turn out competent, open-minded individuals who can become global leaders that ‘design the future’.
We welcome eligible students from around the world to classes offered within the programme, to be educated alongside Japanese and other Keio students.
In PCP, all lectures, examinations and communications with the PCP Co-ordinator are conducted in English, and exposure to a third language is strongly encouraged. We also motivate students to study abroad as PCP students.
Graduates of PCP are expected to build their career as professionals with a global outlook. Many go on to study at graduate schools and professional schools such as law schools, business schools, schools of public policy and schools of development.
A Brief History
Please note that the Japanese academic year starts in April and ends in March.
Academic Year 2005
April |
Start of the programme |
April |
Established the two PCP majors (courses), “Law and Economics” and “International Economics |
Academic Year 2006
April |
Established the new PCP majors (courses), “Environmental Economics” and “Finance” |
March |
First ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2007 |
Academic Year 2007
April |
Established the new PCP major (course), “Public Policy” |
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 10 in the Spring Semester and 16 in the Autumn Semester |
August |
PCP was selected as the MEXT’s Distinctive University Education Assistance Program (FY2007-2009) |
March |
Second ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate on the class of 2008 |
Academic Year 2008
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 10 in the Spring Semester and 21 in the Autumn Semester |
September |
TOEFL iBT examination exclusive to PCP students |
March |
Scholarship for studying abroad, funded by UBS, were given to five PCP students |
March |
Third ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate on the class of 2009 |
Academic Year 2009
April |
Established the PCP major (course) “Japanese Economy” in place of “Public Policy” |
April |
Start of a Portfolio Project (AY2009-2010) and Tutoring by students in the Master’s Program |
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 18 in the Spring Semester and 29 in the Autumn Semester |
August |
TOEFL iBT examination exclusive to PCP students |
March |
Fourth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2010 |
Academic Year 2010
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 28 in the Spring Semester and 26 in the Autumn Semester |
March |
The ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate on the class of 2011 was cancelled due to the Great East Japan Earthquake |
Academic Year 2011
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 6 in the Spring Semester and 15 in the Autumn Semester |
October |
The first PCP Festa |
March |
Fifth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2012 |
Academic Year 2012
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 28 in the Spring Semester and 30 in the Autumn Semester |
November |
The second PCP Festa |
March |
Sixth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate on the class of 2013 |
Academic Year 2013
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 36 in the Spring Semester and 31 in the Autumn Semester |
October |
The third PCP Festa |
March |
Seventh ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate on the class of 2014 |
Academic Year 2014
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 35 in the Spring Semester and 27 in the Autumn Semester |
October |
The forth PCP Festa |
March |
Eighth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2015 |
Academic Year 2015
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 35 in the Spring Semester and 50 in the Autumn Semester |
March |
Ninth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2016 |
Academic Year 2016
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 44 in the Spring Semester and 40 in the Autumn Semester |
March |
Tenth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2017 |
Academic Year 2017
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 48 in the Spring Semester and 40 in the Autumn Semester |
March |
Eleventh ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2018 |
Academic Year 2018
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 46 in the Spring Semester and 68 in the Autumn Semester |
March |
Twelfth ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate, on the class of 2019 |
Academic Year 2019
April/September |
The number of registration by international students in PCP classes was 65 in the Spring Semester and 88 in the Autumn Semester |
March |
The ceremony to confer the PCP Certificate on the class of 2020 was cancelled due to the situation regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) |