ウエスタン大学（Western University）

海外の大学のアドミッション担当者にインタビューを行い、各大学の特色や学生生活、出願などに関するお話を伺います。
今回は、カナダのオンタリオ州にある州立の研究大学、ウエスタン大学 を取り上げました。すべて英語で掲載していますので、最後まで頑張って読んでいきましょう！

Fast Facts

Name	Location
Western University	London, Ontario, Canada

US News Education: Best Global Universities	Times Higher Education: Canadian Universities
#309	#10 among Canadian Universities #201–250 World University Rankings

# of Students	% of International Students
42,978 students	5,445 international students (134 countries represented)

Recommended Minimum SAT ® Score for US Applicants	Minimum TOEFL iBT® Score for International Applicants
1190 / 1600	4.5 / 6 (Old Scales : 83 / 120 )

Interview

I. General

1. In your opinion, why is studying in Canada advantageous for Japanese students?

I think there are several factors. First of all, the Canadian education system, especially at the higher education level, is one of the best in the world. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s a large university, like Western or the University of Toronto, or a smaller institution such as Thompson Rivers University or Brock University. At the undergraduate level, the quality of education is quite similar across universities. There isn’t a significant gap between schools. Where the differences begin to appear is at the Master’s and PhD levels, particularly in research areas. This is where larger universities tend to stand out more. However, at the undergraduate level, each type of university has its own advantages. For example, smaller universities usually offer smaller class sizes, typically ranging from 15 to 30 students per class. On the other hand, larger universities often have stronger reputations and are more research-intensive. However, they may also have larger class sizes, especially in first-year courses.
Another important aspect is Canada’s multicultural environment. It is a very inclusive and diverse society where people from different cultural backgrounds are respected. It doesn’t matter what language you speak or what beliefs you hold—people are encouraged to maintain their own cultural identity. This diversity is one of the most appealing aspects of Canada. Safety is another key factor. Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Although it is the second-largest country by land area, its population is relatively small, with about 41 million people. In addition, Canada experiences four distinct seasons. While winter can be quite long, there are also spring, summer, and fall. These seasons are well-defined, allowing people to enjoy a variety of weather and activities throughout the year. Whether you live in a smaller city or a larger one, the overall standard of living is consistently high. These factors make Canada a very attractive destination and one of the best choices for students who want to study abroad.

1. What makes Canadian universities distinct from those in other English-speaking countries?

The Canadian higher education system is divided into three different categories, based on each school’s purpose. The three categories are: undergraduate-focused, comprehensive, and medical/doctoral. For the undergraduate-focused category, most of their programs—probably 95% or even more—are centered on undergraduate education. There are very few Master’s degree programs. These institutions mainly focus on teaching. The second category is the comprehensive universities. These offer a full range of undergraduate programs, as well as a wide selection of Master’s programs. They may also offer some PhD programs, but their research activity is limited compared to larger institutions. The third category is the medical/doctoral universities. These institutions typically have a full range of undergraduate programs—often with some of the largest enrollments—as well as complete offerings at the Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels. They are strongly focused on research and are required to have a medical school. So, that’s essentially how the Canadian higher education system is structured. As mentioned earlier, smaller universities are usually in the undergraduate-focused category, with smaller class sizes and a strong emphasis on teaching. Both comprehensive and medical/doctoral universities balance teaching and research. However, medical/doctoral universities are expected to excel in both areas.

II. Academics

1. What are your most popular undergraduate Bachelor’s degree programs?

Oh, wow, that’s a hard question because, as I mentioned, we are in the medical/doctoral category. This means that, at the undergraduate level alone, we have more than 400 programs across 12 faculties, covering almost every field—from arts and humanities to social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, medical and health sciences, music, and business. I would say the most popular programs for international students are in business and science. Within the Faculty of Science, majors like Mathematics, Data Science, Actuarial Science, and Computer Science are especially popular. Business stands out as one of the top choices, especially since are home to one of the leading business schools in the world, the Ivey Business School. Another key area is FIMS (Faculty of Information and Media Studies), which focuses on communication and media-related programs. Health-related programs are also in high demand, such as Kinesiology and Food and Nutrition. Engineering is another major area of interest—we offer around 12 different engineering programs. In addition to individual programs, students also have opportunities for interdisciplinary study and combined programs, allowing them to explore multiple fields. Overall, these programs have consistently been the most popular among international students in recent years.

1. Must students choose a program or declare a major when they apply?

Not necessarily. We understand that committing to one program or major from the get-go can be challenging. In fact, our research has found that many students tend to change programs after the first year. In order to help our students succeed, we created a system called the Common First Year. Students apply to a general faculty or area, rather than a specific program. For example, if a student is interested in science and thinks they may want to study physics, they apply to the science faculty, instead of committing to the Physics program right away. During their first year, through the Common First Year system, this student could explore different areas of study within the faculty. The Common First Year allows students to gain a much clearer understanding of what they enjoy, where their strengths lie, and what program they want to pursue.

1. Do you emphasize theoretical or practical learning? Are classes mostly lectures, discussions, or labs?

Well, I think for a general program—rather than a highly specialized one like Engineering, which is more focused on practical applications—university education, especially in the first year, is more theory-based. Students are required to learn foundational concepts, which are usually delivered in a lecture format, with the instructor presenting the material while students take notes and review it later on their own. However, at Western University, we try our best to balance theory with practical experience. After the first or second year, there are several ways we support this transition. The first is through projects and assignments. Students work either individually or in groups on practical projects, and in some cases, companies are involved and provide feedback. This helps students connect what they’ve learned in class to real-world situations. The second is that all of our 400 undergraduate programs offer opportunities such as co-ops, internships, or practicums. These allow students to apply their academic knowledge in real work environments, giving them valuable hands-on experience and helping them better prepare for their future careers.

III. Admission

1. How do you anticipate international enrollment at your institution changing in the coming years?

Right now, the field of international education is changing due to geopolitical factors. In Canada, for instance, changes in immigration policies are impacting enrollment. Additionally, economic challenges around the world have affected enrollment. We haven’t observed a dramatic decline, but it is noticeable. However, one positive development is that we are working to diversify our international student population. In the past, we had a large number of students coming from just a few countries. Now, we are seeing much more diversity. Currently, we have around 4,000 to 5,000 international students representing approximately 138 different countries.

1. What does your ideal Japanese or international applicant look like?

At Western, we don’t define a “dream candidate.” Instead, we believe every student has their own strengths and want to give each individual the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, depending on their chosen program and their personality. There isn’t a single set of rules that can apply to all types of students. For example, if a student is interested in research-focused programs, then having a strong academic background is very important. At the same time, they should also have good interpersonal skills and research capabilities. In addition, what they have achieved outside the classroom—such as extracurricular activities or personal projects—also plays an important role. If we take Computer Science as an example, a strong academic foundation combined with relevant experience or interest in the field would be valuable. On the other hand, some students may be more interested in non-traditional or creative programs, such as Music, where the expectations and evaluation criteria can be quite different. Thus, our admission requirements vary across programs. The academic expectations can differ significantly, typically ranging from around 80% to 93%, depending on the type of student and program we are looking to attract.

1. What part(s) of an application do you place particular importance on?

It depends on their program of choice. For example, if a student is applying to the Arts and Humanities Faculty, earning decent grades would give them a pretty good chance of being admitted. In the case of a student applying to the Faculty of Engineering, they will need to showcase proficiency in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. An applicant aiming for a medical program would need to take the CASPer test. As you can see, every program emphasizes a different part of a student’s application.

1. Do you require Personal Statements or supplemental essays from international applicants?

We usually require three years of transcripts and a language proficiency test score, such as IELTS or TOEFL^_®. We may ask for a Personal Statement or proof of extracurricular activities if necessary.

1. What support (if any) do you offer to help recently admitted international students get study permits?

Due to regulations set by Canada’s Immigration Bureau and IRCC, we typically do not get involved in the study permit process. However, we can provide international students with all the links from IRCC, which they can read through themselves—it’s a pretty straightforward checklist. We also have a Western International Division with licensed advisors who provide professional services to students for free. So, if students have any questions, they can make an appointment with an advisor and receive full support and appropriate guidance.

IV. Financial Aid

1. Are international students eligible for on-campus jobs or paid internships?

Yes, international students are eligible to work on campus full-time or off campus for up to 20 to 23 hours per week. They will also be able to pursue other opportunities depending on the program they are enrolled in. Here, it’s important to understand the difference between a co-op, an internship, and a practicum. For international students at Western, co-ops and internships are usually optional. Practicums, on the other hand, are required by specific programs. Students must complete a certain number of working hours to graduate.
Co-ops and internships usually start after a student’s second year. The student works full-time in positions related to their field of study. The salary is typically comparable to a regular staff member of that team. Students can work up to four terms, and each term is four months long. They are also allowed to work for the same company for multiple terms or at different companies.
The application process for co-ops and internships mirrors a real-world job search. A student must prepare their resumé, apply to positions posted by employers on the university website, and attend interviews. Once accepted, a student can work full-time for four, eight, twelve, or sixteen months. They earn credits for their work experience and then return to complete the rest of their degree program.

V. Student Life

1. Where do most first-year international students live during the school year?

We encourage all international students to spend their first year living on campus. Before moving off campus, they usually need time to get familiar with the city. This time also gives them the chance to really get to know others and find good friends who they might want to rent an apartment with later. Students can also remain on campus after their first year, if they choose to. However, they may need to pay a little extra if they decide to do so.

1. What are your popular student organizations? How can international students join the community?

We have more than 200 student clubs and organizations. We have student associations from many different countries. We also have sports clubs including soccer, badminton, volleyball, and curling. I imagine many students from Tokyo would also be interested in our skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, and ice-skating clubs. In addition, we have music clubs, hobby clubs, and religious clubs. If students can’t find an organization that interests them, they can start one themselves. As we have a large campus and are in a large city, we can accommodate a wide variety of student activities.

VI. After Graduation

1. How many students graduate with a degree? How many secure a job within the first year after graduation?

The answer to your first question is a little complicated. You may have seen graduation rates reported for WGU, including a low rate on the College Scorecard. That’s because the College Scorecard uses Department of Education data that only counts first-time, full-time students.
In other words, the nontraditional students who make up more than 90% of WGU’s student body are not counted in the College Scorecard data. The vast majority of WGU students have previous college experience before coming to WGU. These students are not considered first-time students, so their success at WGU is not counted in the rate reported by the Department of Education through the College Scorecard.
So, our graduation rate of first-time, full-time students is only 50.37%. However, 87% of our graduates report that they are employed in their field, and 93% report that they are employed within six months of their graduation.
(Graduation and Retention Rates)

VII. Other Questions

1. How can students in high school (or even middle school!) best prepare to apply to your school?

The most important thing a student can do is identify what they truly like to do. This can start as early as middle school. If they can figure this out early on, it will be very advantageous.
Some students might overvalue their hobbies without considering the academic reality needed to turn that hobby into a career. For example, a student who enjoys playing video games may want to become a video game developer. However, if they dislike math or struggle with programming, that career path would be very challenging. Of course, I don’t want to discourage students from pursuing their passions! My point is that they should seriously consider what is needed to professionally pursue their passions. They can talk to their parents, do online research, or even interview people working in that field. This will help them make an informed decision when they choose a program. Older students planning to enter university in the next few years should also consider whether they are more interested in attending a research university or a practical, career-oriented school.

1. Do you have any academic programs for high school students currently living abroad?

We have many programs available for students of all ages, but most are for students physically in Canada. Some of these programs include Discovery Western Summer Camp (K–Grade 6), Western Engineering Summer Academy (Grades 7–12), Math Camp (Grades 8–12), Discovery Healthcare Camp (High School), and Western’s Summer Academy (Grades 11–12).

1. Why are you passionate about your school?

First of all, I’m proud of our reputation, both in Canada and internationally. Western is one of the top universities in the country. Secondly, I am very passionate about our students. When a student comes to Western, I truly believe they will have a bright future.

YGC invites you to visit our campus in Yoyogi to meet with our advisers and instructors and learn more about studying abroad. We offer a variety of programs to support students who aspire to attend top boarding schools and universities all over the world!

※TOEFL^_®はETSの登録商標です。このコンテンツはETSの検討を受けまたはその承認を得たものではありません。