Application Documents

The following are the required documents and data entry to complete your application. Start arranging them well in advance, as some may take time to be prepared by your school or testing institution. 　　

ICU Online Application System (OAS)

For English Language Based Admissions, applications are completed online alone. Through the ICU Online Application System (OAS), applicants register their information, pay the application fee, and upload the necessary documents. Some items must be uploaded by applicants' school officials, so applicants should register their school counselor and recommenders on the application portal (OAS MyPage).
ICU Online Application System (OAS)

For more details, please check the Admissions Guide for the Undergraduate Program

Required Items for the Online Application

Click "For Regular (First-Year) Students", "For Transfer (Second-Year) Students", "For Non-Degree-Seeking(OYR/Kenkyusei) Students" below to switch.

*Details vary according to your student category (Regular, Transfer, Non-Degree-Seeking) and application type (Type A or B).
Check your eligibility criteria and requirements beforehand. If you feel uncertain, contact Admissions Center.

For Regular (First-Year) applicants
For Transfer (Second-Year) applicants
For Non-Degree-Seeking (OYR/Kenkyusei) applicants

Online Application Form (data entry to OAS)

Sections A-F listed below correspond to the required items to be filled out through the Online Application System (OAS). Once the data entry is complete, you will be asked to pay the application fee within the system (credit card transfer), and then to upload your documents.

A. Basic Information
Provide following informaion: desired student category, application type, applicant's name, date of birth, nationality(ies), status of residence in Japan (if applicable), first language(s), contact address, phone number, parent's/guardian's information, etc.
B. Educational History
Complete your educational history from elementary school to the latest school you are attending or graduated from. The names of the schools must be given in English as it appears on your transcripts. In each entry, provide the length of study (start and end dates), language(s) of instruction, school location, and the name of the diploma/certificate (to be) conferred.
C. Personal Statement
State your motivation and purpose for studying at ICU in 500 to 600 words. Include the following points: (1) Study and career plans (2) Your thoughts about the merits of using both English and Japanese in your studies (3) Contributions you can make to realize ICU's ideals
D. Short Essay
Write an essay on one of the topics listed below. The essay needs a title at the beginning and must be 400 to 500 words long. Include your personal point of view on the issue and/or how the issue has affected or impacted you: A) Discuss a current issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. B) Describe a work of art (painting, literature, music, etc.), a historical episode, or a scientific achievement that has impressed you and explain how it has affected your outlook on life. C) Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, challenge, or ethical dilemma you have accomplished/faced and its impact on you.
E. Extracurricular Activities
List any extracurricular activities, community service activities, or internships you have been involved in while in or after high school. If you have been away from school for more than a year, include the activities after leaving the school (e.g., internship, studying at language schools, employment, etc.).
F. Special Recognition
List any honors, prizes, or special recognitions you have earned during or after high school.

Documents to be uploaded by school

Sections G-J listed below correspond to the items required to be uploaded by school officials (guidance counselor and recommenders). Register your school counselor* and recommenders via the Online Application System (OAS) and send them a request to upload the required documents. Counselors and Recomenders will be able to upload the document through the Submission Portal).
*In the case of Japanese high schools, you may take "homeroom teacher" as "guidance counselor."
How to Add Counselors and Recommenders on OAS MyPage

!! For Counselors and Recommenders:

ICU may contact you if additional information is needed regarding the submitted documents.
When creating an OAS account, applicants agree to authorize all requested information and records to be released to the University. They also agree to waive the right to review confidential letters of recommendation.
Please use your official email account with a school domain for registration to the Submission Portal.If a personal email service such as Gmail, Yahoo, or similar is used, we will ask your affiliated institution to verify the sender's identity.
If you have technical difficulties using the portal, we may accept the file(s) via email attachment. Make sure to use an official email account for that purpose, too. Or you may mail the documents.
All documents must be prepared in English. Documents in a language other than English (such as Japanese) must be accompanied by an official translation into English prepared by a school official or an official agency such as an embassy.
Guide for Counselors and Recommenders

G. Required Documents by Country/Region/Educational System
A set of documents that verifies your (expected) completion of (upper) secondary education and thus proves your (prospective) qualification for university entrance in your country/region/educational system is needed. Detailed requirements differ according to the country/region/educational system. See the link below and request your school to submit the required documents. Admissions Requirements by Country/Region/Educational System
H. Official Transcript
A high (upper secondary) school transcript and/or term reports are required, which should cover all your courses and grades in the last three years, including the final (senior) year. If the courses of the final (senior) year are ongoing and not included in the transcript... Attach a first quarter/semester or mid-year report separately. The same goes with a list of courses progressing or to be taken in the final semester/year. If not specified in the transcript, add another file to convey it. If graduating early or skipping a grade... Submit an official document to that effect. If clarified in the transcript, that alone will suffice. If you have attended more than one school... Submit a separate transcript for each school unless the information (courses and grades) for all three years across the schools is included in the most recently attended school transcript. If the transcripts do not indicate their grading scale, submit a document prepared by the school explaining it. If already attending a university/college... In addition to your high school transcripts, an official university/college transcript may also be submitted.
I. School Report
The School Report shares supplementary information regarding your academic achievements and school details. Request your counselor (or other school official in an appropriate position responsible for documenting student academic progress) to complete the form linked below. School Report (.docx) School Report (.pages)
J. Two Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are needed from high (upper secondary) school teachers (e.g. principal, guidance counselor, IB coordinator, or other teaching staff). *One must be from an instructor who teaches a core academic subject.** "Core academic subjects" refer to subjects like English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, etc. Note that a foreign language subject that teaches your first language or the one spoken in your home environment is not regarded as a "core academic subject." The same goes for ESL (English as a Second Language) subjects. A letter of recommendation (1,000 words or less)...* ... is expected to reflect on the recommender's unique relationship with the applicant and address their character and abilities. A statement that addresses the applicant's potential success within and contributions to the ICU community will be especially welcomed. There is no designated format for the letter of recommendation. Use of a school's official letterhead is preferred. When uploading, recommenders will be asked to complete the relevant information online. The following information sheet must be attached if they cannot use the submission portal and wish to mail/email their letter of recommendation directly to the ICU Admissions Center. The below format is only for those submitting a letter of recommendation directly to ICU by mail or email attachment. Information Sheet for Recommenders (.docx) Information Sheet for Recommenders (.pages)

Documents to be uploaded by the applicant

Sections K-L listed below correspond to the items required to be uploaded by applicants.

K. Proof of English Proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
Minimum Requirement: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 Upload one of the following documents in PDF format to OAS: - IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) - TOEFL Test Taker Score Report Submission of IELTS or TOEFL is optional if you meet either of the following criteria: [1] You have spent both junior and senior high school years (or the equivalent last continuous six school years) at institutions in which English is the language of instruction (in all classes except for foreign and national language classes) or [2] You are an IB Diploma candidate and are taking or have taken IB English A ("Literature" or "Language and Literature"). !! Please note: The test(s) must have been taken no more than two years before the first day of the month following the last day of the application period. TOEFL MyBest score is not acceptable. Only a single test date score is acceptable for TOEFL. IELTS must be an Academic Module. One Skill Retake is not acceptable for IELTS. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is acceptable. TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) is not. There is no need to arrange for the reports to be sent to ICU directly from the testing institution. However, OAS requires you to provide your verification number (i.e. TRF number for IELTS and Appointment Number for TOEFL) at a certain point in the data entry. Contact each testing institution, not ICU, for any test-related issues including the score reporting. If home-schooled:* Even if the language of instruction has been English, if you were home-schooled, you should contact the Admissions Center in advance. We need further confirmation to see if you meet the exemption criteria. For those who are deemed by ICU to have extreme difficulty in taking the IELTS or TOEFL test: for example, those in refugee camps or war-torn areas: You may submit Duolingo English Test results instead of IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score requirement is 110. If this applies to you, contact the Admissions Center in advance. You need permission to use your DET score as proof of English Proficiency.
L. SAT/ACT Plus Science and Writing, IB Diploma, or UK GCE A Level (only for Type A)
Type A applicants must submit any* of the following scores or certificates: Applicants may choose any of the three, regardless of their school's educational system. For example, an IB student may submit SAT scores instead of IB grades if they have valid SAT scores. [1] SAT or ACT Plus Science and Writing score report:* Your official score report must be sent to ICU electronically from the testing institution. ICU's institutional code is "0860" for SAT, and "5279" for ACT Plus Science and Writing. Make sure to arrange this well in advance, since it usually takes several weeks for your official report to be sent to the university. Your application will be considered incomplete if your official score report cannot be confirmed. When arranging the score reporting, you should keep a copy of your order invoice as proof. Also, the Online Application System (OAS) requires you to upload your test taker's score report (.pdf) for confirmation. Contact each testing institution for score reporting/delivery and other test-related questions. SAT/ACT scores must be taken within five years of the application start date. ICU will evaluate your application by noting the highest test scores in each section across test dates (also known as "Superscores"). [2] IB Full Diploma (Final Grades or Predicted Grades report):* Arrange for your IB final grades to be sent to ICU electronically through the IB organization or for your school to prepare and submit a certified copy. If your final grades are unavailable at the time of application, request your school to issue a predicted grade report. If your school has no format for this purpose, Report Form for IB Predicted Grades(.docx / .pages) may be used. 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. f you submit predicted grades at the time of application... you must submit the final grades, as soon as they become available, as part of entrance procedures once you are admitted. Remember that you must pass at least two subjects at A Level. Otherwise, your admission will be canceled. [3] UK GCE A Level certificates (Final Grades or Predicted Grades report) : Submit the certificates (original or certified copies) listed below. If your final grades are unavailable at the time of application, request your school to issue a predicted grade report. - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) - General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary (GCE AS Level) (if applicable) - General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A Level (A2)) At least five subjects must be passed, ideally with one from each of the subject groups: Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Languages. Of the five passes, two must be at GCE A Level. Applicants originally from non-English speaking countries/regions are recommended to take English Language unless they have spent their junior and senior high school years - approximately six years - in the British school system. A subject from the "Language" group cannot be counted toward the above requirements if it teaches your first language or the language spoken in your home environment. If you submit predicted grades at the time of application... you must submit the final grades, as soon as they become available, as part of entrance procedures once you are admitted. Remember that you must pass at least two subjects at A Level. Otherwise, your admission will be canceled. ! NOTE: Primarily, the previous [2] and [3] items are expected to be uploaded by your school counselor in the "G) Required Documents by Country/Region/Educational System" section. If your school officials cannot submit the requested items (by uploading, mailing/emailing, or any other means), you may do so on the school's behalf. Please note that, if you uploaded the items under the "other documents" section on the school's behalf, they must be stamped or signed by a school official, and that you must mail the original paper copies to ICU as part of entrance procedures once you are accepted.

A. Basic Information
Provide following information: desired student category, application type, applicant's name, date of birth, nationality(ies), status of residence in Japan (if applicable), first language(s), contact address, phone number, parent's/guardian's information, etc.
Complete your educational history from elementary school to the latest school you are attending or graduated from. The names of the schools must be given in English as it appears on your transcripts. In each entry, provide the length of study (start and end dates), language(s) of instruction, school location, and the name of the diploma/certificate (to be) conferred.
State your motivation and purpose for studying at ICU in 500 to 600 words. Include the following points: (1) Study and career plans (2) Reason for transferring to ICU (3) Your thoughts about the merits of using both English and Japanese in your studies (4) Contributions you can make to realize ICU's ideals
Write an essay on one of the topics listed below. The essay needs a title at the beginning and must be 400 to 500 words long. Include your personal point of view on the issue and/or how the issue has affected or impacted you: A) Discuss a current issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. B) Describe a work of art (painting, literature, music, etc.), a historical episode, or a scientific achievement that has impressed you and explain how it has affected your outlook on life. C) Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, challenge, or ethical dilemma you have accomplished/faced and its impact on you.
List any extracurricular activities, community service activities, or internships you have been involved in while in or after high school. If you have been away from school for more than a year, include the activities after leaving the school (e.g., internship, studying at language schools, employment, etc.).
List any honors, prizes, or special recognitions you have earned during or after high school.

G. Two Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are needed from college/university faculty members. NOTE: If you have not completed one academic year of university/college work at the time of application, one of the two may be submitted by your high (upper secondary) school teacher. A letter of recommendation (1,000 words or less)... ... is expected to reflect on the recommender's unique relationship with the applicant and address their character and abilities. A statement that addresses the applicant's potential success within and contributions to the ICU community will be especially welcomed. There is no designated format for the letter of recommendation. Use of a school's official letterhead is preferred. When uploading, recommenders will be asked to complete the relevant information online. The following information sheet must be attached if they cannot use the submission portal and wish to mail/email their letter of recommendation directly to the ICU Admissions Center. The below format is only for those submitting a letter of recommendation directly to ICU by mail or email attachment. Information Sheet for Recommenders (.docx) Information Sheet for Recommenders (.pages)

*H. Required Documents by Country/Region/Educational System (if necessary)**
*Exempted if you already have a bachelor's degree. A set of documents that verifies your completion of (upper) secondary education and thus proves your qualification for university entrance in the country/region/educational system is needed. Details of the required documents differ by country/region/educational system. See the link below and prepare the required documents. Admissions Requirements by Country/Region/Educational System
A college or university transcript (original or certified true copies with a college/university stamp or signature) is required, which should contain all the courses and grades including the most recent ones. If having not completed one full academic year of college/university work yet at the time of application: Along with the college/university transcript, attach your high school transcript and final examination results (if any). If the transcripts do not indicate the school's grading scale, submit an additional document prepared by the school explaining it. If the college/university's grading system is not explained in the transcript: Submit an official document or a letter issued by the university/college explaining its grading system. If attended more than one college/university: Submit a transcript from each institution you attended. Transfer credits will be granted only when students complete the credit transfer procedure after entering ICU. More details can be found on the linked webpage below: Information on Transfer of Credits
Ask an official at your current college/university to complete the following form (Certificate of Enrollment). This form certifies that you are either enrolled at the institution as a bachelor degree-seeking student (not as a non-degree-seeking student) or expected to obtain an associate degree by the time of enrollment at ICU. Certificate of Enrollment (.docx) Certificate of Enrollment (.pages) !NOTE: The items listed above H. to J. must be stamped or signed by a school official. Documents without school stamps or signatures, such as student copies, are unacceptable as we cannot tell if it is genuinely an authorized official document. Once admitted, you must submit the original or certified true copy of the uploaded documents via courier service or registered mail in part of the entrance procedures.
K. Proof of English Proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
Minimum Requirement: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 Upload one of the following documents in PDF format to OAS: - IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) - TOEFL Test Taker Score Report Submission of IELTS or TOEFL is optional if you meet either of the following criteria: [1] You have spent the last continuous six years at institutions in which English is the language of instruction in all classes except for foreign and national language classes or [2] You have an IB Diploma and took IB English A ("Literature" or "Language and Literature"). !! Please note: The test(s) must have been taken no more than two years before the first day of the month following the last day of the application period. TOEFL MyBest score is not acceptable. Only a single test date score is acceptable for TOEFL. IELTS must be an Academic Module. One Skill Retake is not acceptable for IELTS. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is acceptable. TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) is not. There is no need to arrange for the reports to be sent to ICU directly from the testing institution. However, OAS requires you to provide your verification number (i.e. TRF number for IELTS and Appointment Number for TOEFL) at a certain point in the data entry.. Contact each testing institution, not ICU, for any test-related issues including the score reporting. If home-schooled:* Even if the language of instruction has been English, if you were home-schooled, you should contact the Admissions Center in advance. We need further confirmation to see if you meet the exemption criteria. For those who are deemed by ICU to have extreme difficulty in taking the IELTS or TOEFL test: for example, those in refugee camps or war-torn areas: You may submit Duolingo English Test results instead of IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score requirement is 110. If this applies to you, contact the Admissions Center in advance. You need permission to use your DET score as proof of English Proficiency.
Type A applicants must submit any of the following scores or certificates: [1] SAT or ACT Plus Science and Writing score report: Not applicable if you have completed one or more academic years of a bachelor's degree program at the time of application. Your official score report must be sent to ICU electronically from the testing institution. ICU's institutional code is "0860" for SAT, and "5279" for ACT Plus Science and Writing. Make sure to arrange this well in advance, since it usually takes several weeks for your official report to be sent to the university. Your application will be considered incomplete if your official score report cannot be confirmed. When arranging the score reporting, you should keep a copy of your order invoice as proof. Also, the Online Application System (OAS) requires you to upload your test taker's score report (.pdf) for confirmation. Contact each testing institution for score reporting/delivery and other test-related questions. SAT/ACT scores must be taken within five years of the application start date. ICU will evaluate your application by noting the highest test scores in each section across test dates (also known as "Superscores"). [2] IB Full Diploma (Final Grades): Submit a certified copy of your IB final grades prepared by your high school, or arrange for your IB final grades to be sent to ICU electronically through the IB organization. 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. [3] UK GCE A Level certificates (Final Grades):* Submit the following certificates (original or certified copies). - General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) - General Certificate of Education Advanced Subsidiary (GCE AS Level) (if applicable) - General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A Level (A2)) At least five subjects must be passed; ideally, one from each subject group: Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Languages. Of the five passes, two must be at the GCE A Level. Applicants originally from non-English speaking countries/regions are recommended to take English Language unless they have spent their junior and senior high school years - approximately six years - in the British school system. A subject from the "Language" group cannot be counted toward the above requirements if it teaches your first language or the language spoken in your home environment. Suppose those whose first language is Japanese takes a GCE A Level in the Japanese language subject, for example. In this case, they must have two GCE A Levels besides Japanese to apply. ! NOTE: If you have already uploaded the previous [2] and [3] in your response to "H) Required Documents by Country/Region/Educational System," you do not have to upload them again. Remember that you must mail the original or certified true copies of them to ICU as part of entrance procedures once you are admitted.

A. Basic Information
Provide following information: desired student category, application type, applicant's name, date of birth, nationality(ies), status of residence in Japan (if applicable), first language(s), contact address, etc.
Complete your educational history to the latest school you are attending or graduated from. The names of the schools must be given in English as it appears on your transcripts. In each entry, provide the length of study (start and end dates), language(s) of instruction, school location, and the name of the diploma/certificate (to be) conferred.
State your motivation and purpose for studying at ICU in 400 to 500 words. Include the following points: (1) Study and career plans (2) Contributions you can make to realize ICU's ideals
List any extracurricular activities, community service activities, or internships you have been involved in while in or after high school. *For Kenkyusei* applicants:** If you have been away from school for more than a year, include the activities after leaving the school (e.g., internship, studying at language schools, employment, etc.).
List any honors, prizes, or special recognitions you have earned during or after high school.

F. Two Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are needed from college/university faculty members. A letter of recommendation (1,000 words or less)... ... is expected to reflect on the recommender's unique relationship with the applicant and address their character and abilities. A statement that addresses the applicant's potential success within and contributions to the ICU community will be especially welcomed. There is no designated format for the letter of recommendation. Use of a school's official letterhead is preferred. When uploading, recommenders will be asked to complete the relevant information online. The following information sheet must be attached if they cannot use the submission portal and wish to mail/email their letter of recommendation directly to the ICU Admissions Center. The below format is only for those submitting a letter of recommendation directly to ICU by mail or email attachment. Information Sheet for Recommenders (.docx) Information Sheet for Recommenders (.pages)

G. Official Transcript
A college or university transcript (original or certified true copies with a college/university stamp or signature) is required, which should contain all the courses and grades including the most recent ones. If having not completed one full academic year of college/university work yet at the time of application (only for OYR): Along with the college/university transcript, attach your high school transcript and final examination results (if any). If the transcripts do not indicate the school's grading scale, submit an additional document prepared by the school explaining it. If the college/university's grading system is not explained in the transcript: Submit an official document or a letter issued by the university/college explaining its grading system. If attended more than one college/university: Submit a transcript from each institution you attended. Transfer credits will be granted only when students complete the credit transfer procedure after entering ICU. More details can be found on the linked webpage below: Information on Transfer of Credits
For OYR applicants: Ask an official at your current college/university to complete the following form (Certificate of Enrollment). *For Kenkyusei* applicants:** Request your (former) college/university to complete the following form (Certificate of Enrollment) to certify your (prospective) graduation. If you have other official documents (such as a diploma, official transcript, etc.) that verifies the graduation date, you can substitute it. Certificate of Enrollment (.docx) Certificate of Enrollment (.pages) ! NOTE: The items listed above G. to H. must be stamped or signed by a school official. Documents without school stamps or signatures, such as student copies, are unacceptable as we cannot tell if it is genuinely an authorized official document. Once admitted, you must submit the original or certified true copy of the uploaded documents via courier service or registered mail in part of the entrance procedures.
Minimum Requirement: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 Upload one of the following documents in PDF format to OAS: - IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) - TOEFL Test Taker Score Report Submission of IELTS or TOEFL is optional if you meet either of the following criteria: [1] You have spent the last continuous six years at institutions in which English is the language of instruction in all classes except for foreign and national language classes or [2] You have an IB Diploma and took IB English A ("Literature" or "Language and Literature"). [3] You have completed the entire bachelor's degree program in English (only for Kenkyusei). !! Please note: The test(s) must have been taken no more than two years before the first day of the month following the last day of the application period. TOEFL MyBest score is not acceptable. Only a single test date score is acceptable for TOEFL. IELTS must be an Academic Module. One Skill Retake is not acceptable for IELTS. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is acceptable. TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) is not. There is no need to arrange for the reports to be sent to ICU directly from the testing institution. However, OAS requires you to provide your verification number (i.e. TRF number for IELTS and Appointment Number for TOEFL) at a certain point in the data entry.. Contact each testing institution, not ICU, for any test-related issues including the score reporting. For those who are deemed by ICU to have extreme difficulty in taking the IELTS or TOEFL test: for example, those in refugee camps or war-torn areas:* You may submit Duolingo English Test results instead of IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score requirement is 110. If this applies to you, contact the Admissions Center in advance. You need permission to use your DET score as proof of English Proficiency.

All documents must be prepared in English. Documents in a language other than English (such as Japanese) must be accompanied by an official translation into English prepared by a school official or an official agency such as an embassy.
If your name on the application documents differs from the one registered for OAS, request your school to prepare a letter of clarification or submit a copy of your passport for identification.

Application Documents

ICU Online Application System (OAS)

For more details, please check the Admissions Guide for the Undergraduate Program

Required Items for the Online Application

Online Application Form (data entry to OAS)

Documents to be uploaded by school

Documents to be uploaded by the applicant

Online Application Form (data entry to OAS)

Documents to be uploaded by college/university

Documents to be uploaded by the applicant

Online Application Form (data entry to OAS)

Documents to be uploaded by college/university

Documents to be uploaded by the applicant

Undergraduate Admissions