Why has ICU adopted a trimester system?

The academic year at ICU is divided into three trimesters, with each course lasting one trimester term. At universities that separate the academic year into two semesters, students only have eight opportunities to select courses over their four-year academic careers. Thanks to the trimester system, however, ICU students have 12 chances to choose courses. This allows for a dynamic learning experience, where students can design their own curricula as their interests change and develop. The majority of courses have multiple classes per week, which means that students can learn more intensively than classes at other universities that meet only once a week.

Having a term that starts in September also gives students who have been educated in an overseas school system a smoother entry into university.