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)
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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 applicant: Click here to find more information.
Applying to ICU in English
(English Language Based Admissions)
In this admission route (also known as "English Language Based Admissions"), the entire process is conducted in English. Having sufficient English language proficiency to take university-level courses in English is a prerequisite (see the minimum score requirements below).
Minimum Requirements:
- IELTS 6.5
- TOEFL iBT (Taken Before January 20, 2026) 79 (from a single test date)
- TOEFL iBT (Taken on or after January 21, 2026) 4.5 (from a single test date)
NOTES:
- April 2028 Entry and Thereafter: As outlined in the linked document, the minimum English language proficiency test score requirements are scheduled to be raised for applicants entering in April 2028 and thereafter.
- Reference Information: 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. Please note that you must complete the Japanese Language Program (JLP) as part of graduation requirements once admitted to ICU via this admissions route. This is a part of ICU's commitment to Japanese-English bilingual education. You cannot graduate by only taking courses offered in English or only in Japanese.
*NOTE: As a language program to help students acquire English proficiency and critical thinking skills, English for Liberal Arts Program (ELA) is mainly for those who enroll at ICU through admissions conducted in Japanese (See "ICUの入試について").
You cannot choose ELA instead of JLP if you enroll through English Language Based Admissions.
Proceed to either Type A or B Application
In the English Language Based Admissions, you will proceed to either the Type A or Type B track based on your educational background. If you graduate from a US, Japanese, IB, or UK school, you should apply via Type A by submitting SAT, ACT Plus Science and Writing, IB Diploma, or UK GCE A Level scores. From other educational systems, you should apply via Type B with an online interview in addition to documentary screening.
■ Criteria for Type A and Type B Applications:
・Applicants may apply under only one application type (Type A or Type B).
・Meeting the application type criteria does not replace the requirement to meet Eligibilities and Admissions Requirements.
・Applicants who would otherwise fall under Type B may choose to apply under Type A by submitting valid SAT or
ACT Plus Science and Writing scores.
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|
!! Please Be Aware:
-
Japanese or US high school (prospective) graduates must apply by Type A.
*They may not proceed to Type B even if they fail to prepare valid SAT or ACT Plus Science and Writing scores in Type A.
-
IB certificate alone is not acceptable. IB Full Diploma is needed.
*IB Course candidates cannot apply via either type unless they have other valid credentials for admission to ICU. Similarly, IBCP Certificate is not accepted.
-
Applicants from the UK system must apply via Type A and may not proceed to Type B. Without taking UK GCE A Level subjects, they cannot apply to ICU via the English Language Based Admissions. Additionally, at least two GCE A Level passes are required to apply. Details can be found here at
https://www.icu.ac.jp/en/admissions/undergraduate/engdoc/categories/#uk.
-
If your school has multiple accreditations and it appears your application could be via Type A or Type B, you may choose to apply via either*, according to your preference. This is the case, for example, for a Canadian school (Type B) offering a dual program with a US High School Diploma curriculum (Type A) .
*You may not apply via both types simultaneously.
-
If you have passed one of the exams below, you have the equivalent of a Japanese/US High School Diploma:
- Japanese "高等学校卒業程度認定試験 (Certificate for Students Achieving the Proficiency Level of Upper Secondary School Graduates)" test
- Japanese "大学入学資格検定 (University Entrance Qualification Examination)"
- US "GED (General Educational Development)" test
- US "HiSET (High School Equivalency Test)"
Admission decisions are made holistically, and all the components are equally important, from academic transcripts, application essays, and letters of recommendation to the standardized test scores (for Type A applicants) or the online interview (for Type B applicants).
Process Overview (from Application to Results)
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1. Check your eligibility and detailed requirements.
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Visit the following links to see if you are eligible to apply. Details differ by educational system.
Eligibilities and Admissions Requirements
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2. Know your application schedule and deadline
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There are three application periods per year: One for April entry and two for September entry. Applicants must choose one of the three as they are not allowed to apply for more than one application period 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
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3. Prepare required application documents
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Start arranging documents with your school and testing institutions well in advance.
Application Documents
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4. Complete the online data entry once the application period starts
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Register your information in the Online Application System (OAS) once the application period starts.
ICU Online Application System (OAS)
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5. Pay the application fee
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- 30,000 yen for Regular (first-year)
*An 880 yen System Operation Fee will be charged in addition to the application fee.
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6. Upload all required application documents in PDF format
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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
Application Documents
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7. Have the submitted documents reviewed (Type A and Type B applicants)
Have an online interview on a designated date and time (Type B applicants only)
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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 between the applicant and the University. Detailed instructions about the online interview and necessary connection test (including a meeting time, ID, and passcode) will be notified through OAS.
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8. Notification of the admission decisions
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|---|
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Admissions results will be notified through OAS on the given notification date.
*NOTE: 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.
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At what degree level have you been enrolled in the current/former institution and for how long?
For Transfer applicants who have completed one or more academic years of a bachelor's degree program at the time of application:
You will proceed to documentary screening in English. You do not have to submit SAT or ACT Plus Science and Writing scores, or have an online interview* (either of which is required if you have not completed one or more academic years of a bachelor's degree program).
NOTES:
- IB Diploma or UK GCE A Level results are still required as part of the "Admissions Requirements by Educational System" if applicable.
- An online interview may be required if deemed necessary by the university.
For Transfer applicants from an associate degree program OR who have not completed one academic year of a bachelor's degree program at the time of application :
You should follow the same process as Regular (first-year) applicants. Namely, you will proceed to either the Type A or Type B track based on your educational background. If you graduated from a US, Japanese, IB, or UK high school, you should apply via Type A by submitting SAT, ACT Plus Science and Writing, IB Diploma, or UK GCE A Level scores, along with your college/university transcript. From other educational system, you should apply via Type B with an online interview in addition to documentary screening.
■ Criteria for Type A and Type B Applications:
・Applicants may apply under only one application type (Type A or Type B).
・Meeting the application type criteria does not replace the requirement to meet Eligibilities and Admissions Requirements.
・Applicants who would otherwise fall under Type B may choose to apply under Type A by submitting valid SAT or
ACT Plus Science and Writing scores.
|
|
|
!! Please Be Aware:
-
Japanese or US high school graduates must apply by Type A.
*They may not proceed to Type B even if they fail to prepare valid SAT or ACT Plus Science and Writing scores in Type A.
-
IB certificate alone is not acceptable. IB Full Diploma is needed.
*IB Course certificate holders cannot apply via either type unless they have other valid credentials for admission to ICU. Similarly, IBCP Certificate is not accepted.
-
Applicants from the UK system must apply via Type A and may not proceed to Type B. Without taking UK GCE A Level subjects, they cannot apply to ICU via the English Language Based Admissions. Additionally, at least two GCE A Level passes are required to apply. Details can be found here at
https://www.icu.ac.jp/en/admissions/undergraduate/engdoc/categories/#uk.
-
If your school has multiple accreditations and it appears your application could be via Type A or Type B, you may choose to apply via either*, according to your preference. This is the case, for example, for a Canadian school (Type B) offering a dual program with a US High School Diploma curriculum (Type A) .
*You may not apply via both types simultaneously.
-
If you have passed one of the exams below, you have the equivalent of a Japanese/US High School Diploma:
- Japanese "高等学校卒業程度認定試験 (Certificate for Students Achieving the Proficiency Level of Upper Secondary School Graduates)" test
- Japanese "大学入学資格検定 (University Entrance Qualification Examination)"
- US "GED (General Educational Development)" test
- US "HiSET (High School Equivalency Test)"
Admission decisions are made holistically, and all the components are equally important, from academic transcripts, application essays, and letters of recommendation to the standardized test scores (for Type A applicants) or the online interview (for Type B applicants).
Process Overview (from Application to the 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 and Admissions Requirements
|
|
2. Know your application schedule and deadline
|
|---|
There are three application periods per year: One for April entry and two for September entry. Applicants must choose one of the three as they are not allowed to apply or more than one application period 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
|
|
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 Transfer (second-year transfer)
*An 880 yen System Operation Fee will be charged in addition to the application fee.
|
|
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. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by your recommenders. To do this, it is necessary that you register the recommenders in OAS in advance to send them a request for uploading a letter.
For Recommenders
Application Documents
|
7. Have the submitted documents reviewed (Type A and Type B applicants)
Have an online interview on a designated date and time (Type B applicants only)
|
|---|
|
Type B applicants (and some other transfer applicants if deemed necessary by the university) 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 between the applicant and the University. Detailed instructions about the online interview and necessary connection test (including a meeting time, ID, passcode) will be notified through OAS
|
|
8. Notification of the admission decisions
|
|---|
|
Admissions results will be notified through OAS on the given notification date.
*NOTE: 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.
|
One-Year-Long Study Aboard Experience at ICU as a Non-Degree Seeking Student
If you have already completed a bachelor's degree, or 16 years or more of formal education, by the time of enrollment at ICU:
You are eligible to apply to ICU as a Kenkyusei (Special Student) to study at ICU for one academic year in a specific field (in many cases as a preparation before moving on to a postgraduate program).
If you are not a student from one of ICU's exchange partner institutions, but are still interested in studying independently at ICU for one academic year:
You may apply to ICU as an independent One-Year-Regular (OYR) Student, you must meet both of the following criteria at the time of enrollment to ICU:
(1) completed at least one academic year of higher education (university/college) outside of Japan and
(2) attended formal education outside of Japan during the previous two years.
In either case of applying as a Kenkyusei or OYR student, admissions decisions are made holistically through the documentary screening process, and all the components are equally important, from academic transcripts, personal statements, to letters of recommendation.
Process Overview (from Application to the Results)
|
1. Check your eligibility and detailed requirements.
|
|---|
Visit the following links to see if you are eligible to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
|
|
2. Know your application schedule and deadline
|
|---|
There are three application periods per year: One for April entry and two for September entry. Applicants must choose one of the three as they are not allowed to apply or more than one application period per year. Whoever wishes to reapply must wait at least one year.
Application Schedule
|
|
3. Prepare required application documents
|
|---|
Start arranging documents with your school and testing institutions well in advance.
Application Documents
|
|
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 OYR and 22,000 yen for Kenkyusei
*An 880 yen System Operation Fee will be charged in addition to the application fee.
|
|
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. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded by your recommenders. To do this, it is necessary that you register the recommenders in OAS in advance to send them a request for uploading a letter.
For Recommenders
Application Documents
|
|
7. Notification of the admission decisions
|
|---|
|
Admissions results will be notified through OAS on the given notification date.
*NOTE: 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.
