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 TOEFL score, and Japanese universities are among 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 may be 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 have 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.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Japanese Universities
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 that 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 on the TOEFL iBT. It is approximately a 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 a 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 apply 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 take 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 who 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 and have varying acceptable scores and bands.
Here is what Tohoku University Scholars say about TOEFL:
“I would still suggest taking the TOEFL exam since it is widely accepted. I ended up achieving a score of 109/120.”
Shripriya
“I had done all of my undergraduate studies in English, so I simply submitted a certificate from my undergraduate institution confirming this.”
Shubham Verma
“I also took the TOEIC exam to demonstrate English proficiency and achieved a score of 925/990.”
Kushagra Shekhawat
“It is not necessary to have an English proficiency test for the MEXT application, but I believe everything counts.”
Sarah Akinkunmi
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 an English-medium education before.
6. Institute of Science Tokyo
The Institute of Science Tokyo 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 Institue of Science Tokyo 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 it offers 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.
TOEFL Scores of Students Studying in Japan
FAQs: TOEFL Acceptance in 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 is 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.
If my previous degree was taught in English, can I skip TOEFL for Japan?
Sometimes yes, depending on the university and scholarship route. Several MEXT scholars’ stories show this clearly. At Waseda University, Zain Ashfaq’s experience shows that because his undergraduate degree was fully in English, he was exempted from submitting IELTS or TOEFL; he just had to document that his prior education was English-medium. In Nagoya University’s case, Muhammad Abdullah explains that one big advantage of studying in Japan under MEXT is that there was “no compulsion” to have IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE; an English proficiency certificate from his previous institution was accepted instead. Similarly, Jagreet Dasgupta at the University of Tokyo notes that there were no standardized-test prerequisites such as GRE or TOEFL; his scholarship pathway relied more on his academic record, research and performance in MEXT’s own exams and interviews.
What TOEFL score should I aim for to be competitive for scholarships and admissions in Japan?
Looking at the real cutoffs and recipients’ profiles, a good rule of thumb is the following: Minimum target: TOEFL iBT 80 – enough for many strong universities and consistent with common Japanese expectations (80–90); Competitive for top schools & scholarships: TOEFL iBT 90+ – this matches the University of Tokyo’s minimum and gives you room above other schools’ cutoff; Very strong profile: 100+ – this is the level some recipients reach.
For example, Shripriya from India, a fully funded MEXT scholar doing her Master’s at Tohoku University, reports a TOEFL iBT score of 109/120, along with a perfect TOEIC 990/990. That kind of score is well above the minimum 79 TOEFL iBT that Tohoku officially expects and clearly strengthens her application profile.
So while meeting the minimum (e.g., 79–80) can be enough to pass the language requirement, aiming for 85–100+ makes you more competitive when universities and scholarship committees compare applicants.
Here we come to the end of the article about the universities that accept TOEFL scores in Japan. For more articles about studying abroad, head on over to the Study in Japan Page! Get the latest updates about available programs on the Available Programs for International students!
