Are you planning to study abroad to pursue higher education? Then you may want to consider studying in Japan, as the country continues to grow as an educational destination for international students. With an aging population, the Japanese government has been working to attract more international students. Its current internationalization plan aims to welcome 400,000 foreign students by 2033.
However, one major drawback is that foreign learners often believe the language barrier could be their first obstacle if they choose to study in Japan. While it is true that the medium of instruction at many Japanese universities is mainly Japanese, there are also several English-taught courses and degree programs offered to domestic and international students.
You can apply to these courses by submitting proof of English proficiency along with the required documents. In Japan, IELTS is one of the widely accepted English language competency exams. If you are searching for Japanese universities that accept IELTS scores, here is a list of schools you can consider.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Japanese Universities
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| Nagoya University | 6.0 for G30 undergraduate programs | 6.0 for many G30 graduate programs; verify the program page |
| Waseda University | No university-wide minimum score set | Varies by graduate school; some programs list 5.5 or 6.0, while others set no minimum |
| Hokkaido University | 6.0 for some English-taught programs; varies by program | 6.0 for some English-taught programs; varies by program |
| Doshisha University | 6.5 for the Institute for the Liberal Arts; varies by program | Varies by graduate school/program |
| Kanda University of International Studies | 4.0 to 5.5 depending on admissions route | 6.5 for the MA TESOL program |
| Kwansei Gakuin University | 6.0 for the School of International Studies international admission route | 6.0 is listed as a general indication for the Institute of Business and Accounting; verify by program |
1. Nagoya University
Founded in 1871, Nagoya University was first known as the Temporary Medical School and Public Hospital. Today, the university offers a range of Japanese-taught and English-taught programs and attracts both local and international students.
For the G30 undergraduate programs, applicants must submit proof of English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption. IELTS Academic is accepted, and the listed minimum is an overall band score of 6.0. For graduate programs, English requirements vary by program, although many G30 graduate programs also list IELTS Academic 6.0 as the minimum.
If you are applying as an undergraduate, consider applying for the Global 30 Undergraduate Scholarship. This can help reduce your academic expenses.
Here is what Nagoya University Scholars say about IELTS:
“One big advantage of studying in Japan under MEXT, there is no compulsion to have IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE. You can use an English proficiency certificate from your last institute, and it works.”
Muhammad Abdullah
2. Waseda University
Situated in the center of Tokyo, Waseda is a research-focused university that offers international students an engaging learning environment. Waseda has several English-based undergraduate programs and a broad selection of graduate programs.
At the undergraduate level, Waseda does not set one university-wide IELTS minimum for all English-based programs. Required documents differ depending on the school and the applicant’s educational background. At the graduate level, requirements vary by graduate school: some programs list IELTS scores such as 5.5 or 6.0, while others state that there is no minimum score requirement. Applicants should check the application guidelines for their intended graduate school.
Here is what Waseda University scholars say about IELTS:
“In addition, both my IELTS and JLPT scores were high, which definitely strengthened my application further and showed my readiness to operate in both English and Japanese academic environments.”
Agnese Dionisio
“Since my undergraduate degree was completed in English, I was exempted from submitting IELTS or TOEFL scores, which simplified the application process.”
Zain Ashfaq
3. Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is a national university based in Sapporo. The university began as Sapporo Agricultural College in 1876 and later became Hokkaido Imperial University in 1918. Today, it operates major campuses in Sapporo and Hakodate and offers programs in a wide range of academic fields.
Hokkaido University offers several English-taught degree programs. Some English-taught programs list English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79, or TOEIC L&R 730, while other programs may set different requirements. Applicants should check the latest application guidelines for the exact program they want to enter.
International students from non-English-speaking countries may be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or equivalent English proficiency scores for admission purposes. In many cases, scores must be from tests taken within the period specified by the program.
4. Doshisha University
Another Japanese university that accepts IELTS as proof of English competency is the private institution Doshisha University, also known as Dodai. Founded in 1875, it is one of Japan’s long-established private higher education institutions and enrolls a large student body across multiple faculties and graduate schools.
Doshisha University offers English-based degree programs for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. For the Institute for the Liberal Arts, applicants must meet an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or above. Other English-based degree programs may have different English proficiency requirements, so applicants should check the specific program page before applying.
Here is what Doshisha University scholars say about IELTS:
“To satisfy language requirements, I took IELTS. I prepared by studying sample exams, taking mock tests, and reviewing areas where I was weak. The good IELTS (7.0) result strengthened my application and met the entry requirements.”
Meina Jia Sandal
5. Kanda University of International Studies
Next on our list is Kanda University of International Studies, a private university situated in Chiba, Japan. The university was established in 1987 and is known for its focus on language learning and international studies.
KUIS offers several admissions routes, and IELTS requirements differ by route. Some undergraduate admissions routes list IELTS Academic scores starting from 4.0, while transfer admission lists IELTS Academic 5.5 or above. For graduate study, the MA TESOL program requires non-native English-speaking applicants to submit proof such as IELTS 6.5 or above, TOEFL iBT 80 or above, TOEIC 800 or above, TOEFL ITP 550 or above, or EIKEN Grade Pre-1 or above.
Thus, to be eligible for your preferred degree at KUIS, you should check the admission route and program you are applying to rather than relying on one university-wide IELTS score.
6. Kwansei Gakuin University
Kwansei Gakuin University is a Christian coeducational private institution in Japan. Prospective students can choose from many departments for their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
For the School of International Studies international admission route, applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet an English proficiency requirement such as IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 71, TOEIC L&R 730, or EIKEN pre-first grade. At the graduate level, requirements vary by program. For example, the Institute of Business and Accounting states that IELTS 6.0 may be regarded as a general indication of the English ability likely to be necessary. No IELTS score guarantees admission or scholarship eligibility, so applicants should check the scholarship and program criteria separately.
IELTS Scores of Students Studying in Japan
The table below shows self-reported IELTS scores from Global Scholarships scholar profiles. These examples can help you see what successful students have submitted, but they are not official university minimums.
FAQs: IELTS in Japan
Is IELTS mandatory to win a Japan scholarship like MEXT?
Not always. Requirements depend on the scholarship route, scholarship type, embassy or university process, and host university. The official Study in Japan guidance explains that MEXT applicants apply through embassy recommendation or university recommendation and that detailed requirements may differ, so applicants should follow the latest application guidelines. Some students can use an English-medium instruction certificate, while others may need IELTS, TOEFL, or another English test depending on the program.
What IELTS score is competitive for undergraduate admission in Japan?
Many English-taught programs list 6.0 overall, but requirements vary. For example, Nagoya University G30 undergraduate programs list IELTS Academic 6.0, Doshisha’s Institute for the Liberal Arts lists 6.5, and Science Tokyo’s GSEP accepts IELTS Academic but states that there is no minimum score requirement. A higher score can strengthen an application, but it does not replace the program’s other academic and document requirements.
What IELTS score should I target for Master’s/PhD programs?
A practical target is usually at least 6.0 to 6.5, but graduate requirements differ widely by university and program. Waseda lists 5.5 for some master’s programs, 6.0 for others, and no minimum for some graduate schools. Kanda University of International Studies lists IELTS 6.5 for its MA TESOL program. Osaka University and Kyoto University generally direct applicants to program-specific requirements. Always check the current graduate school guidelines.
Can I study in Japan without IELTS if my previous degree was taught in English?
Often, yes, but it depends on the university and program. Some universities allow exemptions or accept proof that previous education was conducted in English. For example, Nagoya University G30 and some Osaka University programs describe exemptions or equivalent proof of English ability. Always confirm with the specific program before applying.
Besides IELTS, which English tests do Japanese universities accept?
Universities commonly accept TOEFL, and some also accept TOEIC, Duolingo English Test, CEFR-based proof, or English-medium instruction certificates. Accepted tests vary by institution and program, so applicants should check the latest admissions page for their intended program.
Given Japan’s changing demographics, the Japanese government has been implementing policies to attract international talent and strengthen higher education internationalization. English-taught programs are one part of this effort, and they have opened more opportunities for international students who want to study in Japan without first completing a full Japanese-taught degree program.
We hope this article will be useful as you prepare for your studies in Japan! If you are searching for programs to take, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
