Applications for 2026 entries have already concluded. The earliest available entry is April 2027. There are no late admissions for September 2026 entry.
For September 2026 Entry:
Click here to review your admission result (available until August 2026)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For April 2027 Entry: Online application starts in October 2026.
For September 2027 Entry: Online application starts in January 2027.
*Applicants must confirm the most recent Admissions Guide and designated forms for their intended year of entry.
For MEXT Scholarship applicants: Click here to find more information.
Applying to ICU in English
(English Language Based Admissions)
In this admission route, hereafter referred to "ELBA (or English Language Based Admissions)",
the entire process is conducted in English. Therefore, having sufficient English language
proficiency to take university-level courses in English is a prerequisite.
Below are the minimum requirements for demonstrating this proficiency.
◼ Minimum Requirements:
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Tests taken before January 20, 2026 | Tests taken on or after January 21, 2026 | |
| 6.5 | 79 | 4.5 |
-
NOTES:
- For TOEFL iBT, only single test date scores are considered; MyBest scores are not accepted.
- Submission of these scores is required unless applicants meet an exemption criterion described in the Admissions Guide.
- The minimum score requirements are scheduled to be raised starting with the 2028 admissions cycle. For details, please refer to the linked document .
- The average test scores of admitted students over the past five years can be found here .
No Japanese language proficiency is required at the time of application;
however, students admitted via the ELBA route must complete the
Japanese Language Program (JLP)
as part of graduation requirements.
The length of the JLP depends on the student's proficiency of the Japanese language
at the time of enrollment. For beginners, it may take up to 6 terms (2 years) to complete.
This is a part of ICU's commitment to
Japanese-English bilingual education
.
Students cannot graduate by only taking courses offered in English or only in Japanese.
-
Important Notes: ELBA is NOT ELA
-
English Proficiency of ELBA Admits:
Once you are admitted through the English Language Based Admissions (ELBA) process, you are considered to be proficient enough in English. In such cases, ELA (English for Liberal Arts Program) classes are not required in principle. -
Purpose and Target Students of the ELA Program:
As a language program designed to help students acquire English language proficiency and critical thinking skills, ELA is primarily for those who enter ICU through the admissions conducted in Japanese (See " ICUの入試について").
*Once enrolled, there is no curriculum distinction by admissions routes besides the JLP or ELA requirements.
- For Regular (first-year) applicants
- For Transfer (second-year) applicants
- For Non-Degree-Seeking (OYR/Kenkyusei) applicants
Regular applicants will proceed to either Type A or Type B based on their educational background:
|
■ Criteria for Type A and Type B Applications:
Meeting the application type criteria does not replace the general eligibility criteria or the system-specific admissions requirements . |
|---|
|
-
!! Important Notes:
-
Applicants from the Japanese or U.S. educational system must apply under Type A:
Applicants who graduate from Japanese or U.S.-based educational systems are not eligible to apply under Type B, regardless of whether SAT or ACT scores are submitted. -
Only IB Full Diploma is accepted (IB Course Certificates or IBCP Certificate is NOT):
Applicants who hold only IB Course Certificates, or who completed IB courses without obtaining the IB Full Diploma, are not eligible to apply under either Type A or Type B unless they possess other valid qualifications recognized by ICU. Likewise, the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) Certificate is not accepted. -
Applicants from the U.K. educational system (UK GCE A Level, including International A Levels):
Applicants from the U.K. educational system must apply under Type A and may not apply under Type B. Such applicants must have passed at least two A Level subjects. Further details can be found in the Admissions Guide. -
Applicants from schools with multiple accreditations:
If an applicant's school holds multiple accreditations and the applicant's educational background allows eligibility under either Type A or Type B, the applicant may choose one application type. However, applicants may not apply under both Type A and Type B simultaneously.
*Example: A Canadian school (Type B) offering a dual program that also awards a U.S. High School Diploma (Type A). -
Applicants who have passed recognized Japanese or U.S. high school equivalency examinations:
Applicants who have passed any of the examinations listed below are regarded as having qualifications equivalent to a Japanese or U.S. high school diploma:
- Japanese "Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination (高等学校卒業程度認定試験)"
- Japanese "University Entrance Qualification Examination (大学入学資格検定)"
- U.S. GED (General Educational Development)
- U.S. HiSET (High School Equivalency Test)
Admission decisions are made holistically, and all components are given equal consideration, including academic transcripts, application essays, and letters of recommendation, as well as standardized test scores (for Type A applicants) or the online interview (for Type B applicants).
Process Overview (from Application to Results)
| 1. Check your eligibility and detailed requirements. |
|---|
|
Visit the following links to see if you are eligible to apply. Details differ by educational system.
Eligibilities Criteria Admissions Requirements by Educational System |
| 2. Know your application schedule and deadline |
|
There are three application periods per year: One is for April entry and two are
for September entry. Applicants must choose one period, as they are not allowed to
apply more than once per year. Whoever wishes to reapply must wait at least one year.
*Type B applicants may not apply in the first application period for September entry. Application Schedule |
| 3. Prepare required application documents |
|
Start arranging documents with your school and testing institutions well in advance.
Application Documents *Steps 4 through 6 below must be completed within the designated timeframe (See Application Schedule ) |
| 4. Complete the online data entry once the application period starts |
|
Register your information in the Online Application System (OAS) once the application period starts.
ICU Online Application System (OAS) |
| 5. Pay the application fee |
|
- 30,000 yen for Regular (First-Year) Students.
*In addition to the application fee, an 880 yen system operation fee will be charged. Please note that, once paid, the application fee (and the system operation fee) will not be refunded under any circumstances. |
| 6. Upload all required application documents in PDF format |
|
Once you complete the data entry and application fee payment, you may upload the necessary files on your
application portal (OAS MyPage). Be sure to upload the required items by the application period deadline.
Some documents must be uploaded by your school counselor and recommenders. To do this, it is necessary that you
register the teachers in OAS in advance to send them a request for uploading the required items.
For Counselors and Recommenders Forms to Download |
|
7. Have the submitted documents reviewed (All applicants)
Have an online interview on a designated date and time (Type B applicants only) |
| Type B applicants must be interviewed online in addition to the documentary screening. Since interviews are conducted remotely via Zoom, applicants do not need to come to the campus. Prior to the online interview, a connection test must be done on a separate date. Detailed instructions about the online interview and necessary connection test (including a meeting time, ID, and passcode) will be notified through OAS. |
| 8. Notification of the admission decisions |
|
Admissions results will be notified through OAS on the given notification date.
*An additional online interview may be required at the discretion of the university.
Details, including an invitation to Zoom, will be provided at the time of notification. |
Those who do not hold Japanese nationality must have, or obtain, valid residence status in Japan to enroll in ICU. Even if you complete the required entrance procedures after receiving notification of acceptance from ICU, if you fail to obtain valid residence status in Japan, you will not be allowed to enroll in ICU. Even if ICU applies to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) on your behalf, ICU assumes no responsibility for the results of the CoE application.