International Christian University
الجامعة المسيحية الدولية (ICU)
About the scholarship program
International Christian University (ICU) is a private university in Mitaka, Tokyo, which opened in 1953 as Japan's first college of liberal arts. It offers a bilingual Japanese–English bachelor's programme in a single College of Liberal Arts with 31 majors, plus a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences awarding master's degrees and the PhD. The Public Policy and Social Research master's can be completed entirely in English, and ICU hosts a Rotary Peace Center that funds Peace Studies master's fellows. International students can enter in April or September through English-language document screening.
Information last verified: November 4, 2026Official source
Tuition for international students
Bachelor's: annual tuition plus facilities fee is ¥1,521,000 for students entering in AY2026, rising to ¥1,599,000 by the fourth year, plus a one-time ¥300,000 matriculation fee. Graduate: tuition is ¥906,000 a year for master's and ¥420,000 for doctoral students, excluding facilities fees. ICU scholarships and the Rotary Peace Fellowship are available.
Admission for international students
Applications: January 6, 2027 – February 25, 2027 · Not open yet
Admission for international students
Applications: January 6, 2027 – February 25, 2027 · Not open yet
International bachelor's applicants apply through ICU's Online Application System (OAS) under English-language document screening. For September 2027 entry, the 1st period runs 6–14 January 2027 (Type A) and the 2nd 15–25 February 2027 (Types A and B, with an online interview for Type B). The April 2027 round closed on 8 October 2026. Graduate admissions have separate dates.
Official admission announcementLife and living
Tokyo · Japan
Life and living
Tokyo · Japan
Living in Tokyo
Japan’s capital and largest city, home to the University of Tokyo, Waseda and Keio, with punctual public transport and high safety.
Student housing
International students spend on average ¥57,000 a month on housing in Tokyo versus ¥41,000 nationwide; total living costs average ¥105,000 (JASSO).
Transport for students
The student commuter pass (tsūgaku teiki) is discounted and priced by the route between your home station and campus, so there is no flat price.
Top landmarks

Tokyo Skytree
Kakidai · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sensō-ji Temple (Asakusa)

Meiji Shrine
Akonnchiroll · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Shibuya Crossing
David Kernan · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Last verified: October 2026
Sources:Tokyo Metropolitan Government – PopulationStudy in Japan (JASSO) – Cost of livingKyoto University – Student commuter pass
Studying and living in Japan
Costs and living
Tuition Fees in Japan (2026/2027): • National Universities: Fixed nationally by MEXT at 535,800 JPY per year (~3,500 USD) with a one-time admission registration fee of 282,000 JPY. • Local Public Universities: 540,000 to 650,000 JPY per year. • Private Universities: 900,000 to 1,800,000 JPY per year for humanities, business, and engineering degrees. Living Expenses & Visa Proof: • Average living costs: 90,000 to 150,000 JPY per month (Tokyo averages 120,000–160,000 JPY; regional cities like Kyoto, Sendai, and Hiroshima average 80,000–110,000 JPY). • Financial guarantee for Certificate of Eligibility (COE): Bank statement showing approximately 2,000,000 JPY for the first year (or scholarship grant certificate).
Working while studying
Working During Studies: • International students are permitted to work up to 28 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week (8 hours/day) during official university breaks, by obtaining the work permit stamp (Shikakugai-katsudō-kyoka) at the port of entry airport free of charge. • Average hourly wage: 1,100 to 1,500 JPY in Tokyo and major urban areas. Post-Study Work & Immigration: • Japan offers the Designated Activities Visa (Job-hunting visa) granting 6 months, renewable for up to 1 full year after graduation. • Securing employment allows immediate transition to professional work visas (Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services). Fast-track permanent residency is available within 1 to 3 years under the Highly Skilled Professional points system.
Faculties and programmes
2 faculties · 38 programmes
Faculties and programmes
2 faculties · 38 programmes
Programmes taught at each faculty, with study levels and teaching language where the university publishes them. Admission and funding differ per programme.
College of Liberal Arts
BachelorENEnglishJAJapanese- Anthropology
- Biology
- Business Management
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Law
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Digital Media
- Economics
- Environmental Science
- Fine Arts (Painting, Sculpture)
- History
- Human Rights Law
- International Law
- International Relations
- Languages and Literature
- Mathematics
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Theology & Religious Studies
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
MasterPhDENEnglishJAJapanese- BiologyJA
- Computer ScienceJA
- Curriculum & InstructionJA
- Economics
- Educational PsychologyJA
- HistoryJA
- International Relations
- Languages and LiteratureJA
- Materials Science & EngineeringJA
- MathematicsJA
- Political Science
- PsychologyJA
- Sociology
Scholarships to study at this university
Scholarships from other funders that include this university among their partner universities.
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship – Embassy Recommendation 2028
Rotary Peace Fellowship 2028–2029 (Fully Funded)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
International Christian University is listed as: Self-Funded. The exact benefits are not verified yet, so check the official website (https://www.icu.ac.jp/en/) before applying.
Eligible levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD.
Apply directly on the official website: https://www.icu.ac.jp/en/. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
Track your academic readiness
Use the checklist in your profile to prepare your documents and make sure you meet this scholarship’s requirements.
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