TOEFL is a very famous choice of English Language test among international students because of its acceptance rate in top universities worldwide. Almost all top-ranking universities accept a good TOEFL score and the Japanese universities are one of them. The test can be difficult for someone who has very basic knowledge of the English language but for someone who is well-versed in the language, it maybe is a piece of cake.
TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language and once given is valid for two years. An estimated 2.3 million students has taken this exam. This shows the worldwide popularity of the test and how it has come neck to neck with IELTS. Thankfully, Japanese universities accept TOEFL scores as proof of English language competence.
In this article, we will take you through seven universities in Japan that accept TOEFL scores and also let you know their desired TOEFL scores for international students coming to Japan.
What Type of TOEFL Exam is Accepted in Japan?
Japanese universities accept TOEFL iBT and it is the most premium form of TOEFL tests. Like the rest of the tests, TOEFL iBT also has four modules. These modules include: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. Each module has a score from 0 to 30 where 0-3 means below low-intermediate, 4-17 means low-intermediate, 18-23 means high-intermediate and 24-30 means advanced in language proficiency levels.
TOEFL iBT are available in all the test centers that conduct the generic TOEFL test so make sure to specify your test before you register for your test and test center location.
Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores in Japan
1. Kyoto University
Kyoto University is one of the most prestigious universities in all of Japan. This university is known for its high-quality education and standards around the world. It is not that easy to get into Kyoto University for international students as they have a rigorous admission process which gets even more competitive when it comes to international students. Overall, the university has kept its name consistently among the top universities in Japan since its inauguration in 1897.
They require a minimum of 72 scores in TOEFL iBT. It equals 5.5 band in IELTS. This should not be a difficult task for someone who has had previous education in English medium or has had a good familiarity with the language. This is also a very standard TOEFL score so make sure you score more than 72 to get a chance at education at Kyoto University.
2. University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo or UTokyo was founded in 1877 and since then it has become a hallmark of a-class education in Japan for national and international students. This university was the first of its kind and till now has maintained its integrity and top-place globally. As with other public universities, Tokyo is funded by the Japanese government among many other donors and affiliations.
The minimum score that UTokyo requires for you to be eligible to study in it is 90. This score is surely not an easy task and would require rigorous practice and experience with the English language.
3. Osaka University
Osaka University is yet another Japanese university that has a place among the top universities around the world and thus is very famous among international students. This university in Japan has a TOEFL score requirement of a minimum of 80 score which is very reasonable. The university encourages its prospective students to sit in the TOEFL tests conducted by the university, multiple times a year.
Osaka University or Handai is very well-known for its research so if you are a student that has an eye on world-class research and related activities, you should definitely go for Osaka University. With its minimum 80 TOEFL score, there is always a good chance that a student of a good caliber will surely be accepted.
4. Tohoku University
Tohoku University is a Japanese national university that has been working its way up since 1907. This university has a great influx of international students each year because of its high values and incredibly accommodating staff. International students are however required to produce a TOEFL score of more than 79. Other than TOEFL, many English language tests are acceptable that have varying acceptable scores and bands.
5. Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University was founded in 1876 and has since become a very prestigious Japanese university. The university was the fifth Imperial university in all of Japan and till now, it has managed to maintain its integrity and position in the country and beyond. The best thing about this university is its ties with the community of international students. This top Japanese university, therefore, accepts a TOEFL score of 79 or higher which is not a hard task for anyone who has had English medium education before.
6. Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tokyo Institute of Technology is situated in Tokyo and is one of the most prestigious and transforming universities in all of Japan. It is known around the world and is thus the attraction of many international students. The minimum accepted score for TOEFL is 70, however, the accepted score will still highly depend on the study program,
The university offers great courses, degrees, and diplomas with exceptional research opportunities and industry placements. If you are looking to come to Tokyo, do check the Tokyo Tech. university as they are truly a great institution to be associated with.
7. Nagoya University
Nagoya University is one of those universities that can offer you a great urban life without being situated in a busy and bustling city. Nagoya is a great city for international students and this makes the university a great place for education and growth. The Japanese university accepts a TOEFL score of more than 79 which is great because students can normally attain this score if they are from a sound English education background.
Overall, Nagoya University is a great choice for international students as they offer some of the best courses in all of Japan. So if you are looking for a laid-back urban life while studying, Nagoya University should definitely be on your watch list.
Here we come to the end of the article about the 7 universities that accept TOEFL scores in Japan. We hope this was an informative read for you and now you can positively decide whether you should go for TOEFL or any other English language tests. For more articles about studying abroad, head on over to the Study in Japan page! Get the latest updates about available programs on the Open Course page for International students!
