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International Christian University

Address: 3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8585
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Program Overview

Why Choose ICU? ~The Top Choice for International Students~

 

Japan’s Premier Liberal Arts College and Graduate School
The International Christian University (ICU) has been a pioneer in liberal arts education in Japan since its founding in 1953 .


Bilingual Education
Japanese and English are the official languages at ICU. This bilingual commitment reflects ICU’s internationalism and the promotion of mutual understanding and exchange. Courses are offered both in Japanese and English.


Japanese Language Education
ICU’s Japanese Language Program (JLP) is one of the world’s best and helps students, from beginners to advanced learners, develop the skills needed to thrive academically and professionally in Japan.


Engaging Learning Environment
The ICU campus includes modern facilities and a 620,000 m2 wooded campus, offering a unique and unparalleled setting in the greater Tokyo area.


A Diversity-Rich Campus
Japanese and non-Japanese students and faculty, representing a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, study, work, and live together, learning to serve the needs of an emerging and interconnected world.


Top Private University in Japan
ICU was ranked as the leading private university in Japan in the Times Higher Education’s Japan University Rankings in 2019 , 2020 , 2021 , 2023 and 2025 

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Conditions

Number of Scholarships Offered in Spring 2026
2 Undergraduate scholarships
1 Graduate scholarship


Status of Admitted Students
Undergraduate
Degree-seeking undergraduate student ("First-Year Regular Student" or "Second-Year Transfer Student")
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2 students will be admitted directly into ICU's undergraduate degree program as degree-seeking students. 
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There is no need for applicants who wish to become degree-seeking undergraduate students at ICU to apply to ICU separately.
 

Graduate
Degree-seeking master’s student, provided that the student applies to the ICU Graduate School and is admitted.

Important Note about the Graduate Scholarship:
Applicants who wish to become a graduate student at ICU must (1) apply for the Japan Education Pathways and (2) apply to the ICU Graduate School through its regular admissions process and be admitted to both. Even if an applicant is selected as a finalist for the Japan Education Pathways, if they are not admitted by the ICU Graduate School, the scholarship offer will become invalid. The scholarship cannot be deferred.


*To apply to the master’s course at the ICU Graduate School, please follow the steps outlined on this webpage between November 14 and 28, 2025, which is the application period for the AY2026 April Admission Spring Selection.

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Eligibility

  • Must currently reside in Japan

  • Must be a citizen of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria or Ukraine

  • Displaced students who relocated to Japan through an education pathways program administered by Pathways Japan. (Students who did not relocate to Japan through a program administered by Pathways Japan but currently attend Pathways Japan's partner language schools may also apply.)

  • Age 25 or under at the time of enrollment in the university (April 1, 2026) for undergraduate students (No age limit for graduate students)

  • Single with no dependents

  • Japanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N3 level or above 
     

Language of Instruction
Both Japanese and English. 
Since its founding, ICU has been committed to bilingualism by making Japanese and English its official languages, and all students are required to take courses in both languages. International undergraduate students who are fluent in English must take the Japanese Language Program (JLP) in order to graduate from ICU. It is optional for international graduate students to take the JLP. 

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Majors Offered in the Degree Program

Undergraduate
ICU offers 31 majors in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences in the College of Liberal Arts.

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Graduate
The ICU Graduate School has four programs: Education and Psychology, Public Policy and Social Research, Comparative Culture, and Natural Sciences.
The areas of concentration in each program can be viewed here.

 

Language Requirement
Japanese: JLPT N3 equivalent and above ((Even if the applicant has not taken the N3 exam, they will be considered if they have proficiency at that level)
English: TOEFL iBT 79+ or IELTS 6.5+ for undergraduate students. Graduate students must submit either a TOEIC, TOEFL or IELTS score (there is no cutoff score).

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Accommodation
On-campus dormitory provided at no cost. 

 

Stipend
Provided (70,000 JPY/month)

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Inquiries

If you have questions about the university and graduate school, please inquire directly.

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