If you have decided to study in Japan, an entirely new horizon of possibilities is opening up for you. Japan offers many academically strong programs and universities that are well represented in global rankings. Immersed in a culture that values excellence, you will find yourself challenged to do your best every day.
According to JASSO’s latest survey, Japan had 408,000 international students as of May 1, 2025. The largest single group was students at Japanese language institutes, followed by professional training colleges and undergraduate universities. Many institutions also offer degree programs or courses taught in English, so Japanese is not always required for admission to every program.
However, this comes with its own set of challenges. Is an IELTS score necessary when applying to an English-based program in a Japanese institution? Not always. Some programs require IELTS, but many accept other tests, such as TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge English Qualifications, SAT or ACT English scores, or an English-medium education waiver. Because rules are set by each university and intake, always check the current application guidelines.
Ways to Study in Japan without IELTS
1. Study in Japanese
If you have been interested in Japanese culture for years and have been taking language courses, you might have a level sufficient to take your higher education in Japanese. You will usually need to prove your proficiency in Japanese. One of the most widely recognized exams for this purpose is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, which has five levels from N5 to N1. This can be one way to study in Japan without IELTS.
2. Attend a Japanese language school
You could join the more than 140,000 international students enrolled at Japanese language institutes in Japan. If you are determined not only to learn the language but also to pursue a life in this country, this could be a great first step. Learning the language while immersed in Japanese culture and being encouraged to practice can greatly speed up your learning process. Furthermore, if you are interested in pursuing higher studies after this, you can wait until you have reached the necessary level. Then, you can apply to a program that is taught in Japanese. By the time you finish your degree, you may be fluent in the language and have greater chances of pursuing job opportunities in the country.
3. You don’t need IELTS if you’re a native speaker
Some English-taught degree programs waive English test scores for applicants whose first language is English or who meet specific English-medium education criteria. However, this is not automatic at every university. You may still need to submit documents requested by the program, such as a passport copy, school certificate, or other proof of eligibility for the waiver.
4. Your high school education was in English
Many programs allow applicants to study in Japan without IELTS if their high school or secondary education met specific English-medium conditions. For example, some universities require a set number of years of English-medium education, while others ask for a certificate from the school confirming that English was the primary language of instruction. The exact rule varies by university and program, so applicants should check the official admissions guidelines for the intake they plan to enter.
5. Submit other English tests
IELTS is not the only English proficiency test accepted by Japanese universities. Depending on the program, universities may accept TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge English Qualifications, EIKEN, TEAP, SAT or ACT English sections, or other official English tests. The scores necessary for admission vary between universities, programs, and application cycles.
Universities in Japan that Don’t Require IELTS
1. University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo is one of Japan’s top-ranked institutions. Its English-taught undergraduate programs include PEAK, where no Japanese is required for admission and courses are generally delivered entirely in English. For PEAK admission, applicants who need English proof may submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or Cambridge English Qualifications. Applicants are exempt from submitting English test scores if they have received English-medium education for at least nine school years before high school graduation and at least five of the last six school years before graduation. PEAK may still ask for further evidence.
2. University of Tsukuba
The University of Tsukuba is located in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, not Tokyo. It offers several English-taught undergraduate routes, including International Social Studies, Life and Environmental Sciences, Medical Science for transfer students, Interdisciplinary Engineering, and the Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues. For the Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues guidelines, English proficiency may be shown through TOEFL iBT 79 or higher, TOEIC L&R 730 or higher, IELTS Academic 6.0 or higher, or equivalent tests. Applicants whose medium of instruction was English for at least three years at the high school level are not required to submit TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS scores, although submission is recommended. The Medical Science program separately states that applicants submit TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS scores, while first-language English applicants are generally not required to take the exam.
3. Hiroshima University
Hiroshima University offers the English-taught Department of Integrated Global Studies. IELTS is one accepted test but is not the only option. Selection Systems A, B, and D accept several approved English tests, including Cambridge English, IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and TOEIC L&R plus S&W. Applicants who have completed at least three years of secondary education in English, or an International Baccalaureate Diploma taught in English, may be exempt from submitting an English proficiency certificate. Applicants from countries outside Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, or the United States must provide proof that English was the primary language of instruction.
4. Meiji University
Meiji University’s School of Global Japanese Studies offers an English Track undergraduate program. For September admission, all applicants must submit an official English proficiency score, and Meiji explicitly states that there are no waivers, even for applicants educated in English. IELTS is not required specifically because acceptable English proof includes TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Cambridge English Qualifications, SAT Reading and Writing scores, or ACT English. Meiji also requires a separate official standardized test or examination certificate, such as SAT, ACT, an International Baccalaureate Diploma, or EJU.
These are only some of the universities with English-taught programs that accept other proof of English competency apart from IELTS. However, requirements vary widely: some programs waive tests for English-medium education, while others accept IELTS as only one of several tests or require an official English score from every applicant. There are more English-taught undergraduate options than before, but availability still depends heavily on the university, subject, and intake.
Japan’s international student population continues to grow, and English-taught offerings and admissions rules continue to change. Because application requirements can change every year, use this article as a starting point and confirm the exact test, score, waiver, and document requirements on the official program page before applying.
Japan is an exciting place, and language is no longer always an impediment to broadening your view of the world and pursuing your studies in this advanced country.
We hope that this article has been informational! To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Study in Japan guide and Available Programs for International Students for more study options!
