TOEFL is a widely accepted English language test among international students. ETS states that TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in over 160 countries. Many Japanese universities and individual degree programs accept TOEFL scores, but minimum scores and exemptions differ by program. TOEFL is often compared with IELTS, another English proficiency test.
TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language, and scores are valid for two years. Since January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT score reports have used a 1–6 scale in half-point increments. During a two-year transition period, score reports also include a comparable overall score on the previous 0–120 scale. Applicants should check the latest admissions page for their intended degree program and the rules that apply to their test date.
In this article, we will take you through seven universities in Japan with regular degree programs that accept TOEFL scores or explain how English proficiency is assessed. The table separates undergraduate and graduate examples because each level may follow different admissions rules. These are program-level examples rather than university-wide minimums for every course or degree.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Japanese Universities
| INSTITUTION NAME | EXAMPLE UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENT | EXAMPLE GRADUATE REQUIREMENT |
|---|
| Kyoto University | Kyoto iUP: no fixed English-test minimum; TOEFL iBT 90 is listed as a typical score of successful candidates | Varies by graduate school and degree program; applicants should check the latest guidelines for their intended program |
| University of Tokyo | Global Science Course Undergraduate Transfer Program: TOEFL iBT 80; an English-medium education exemption may apply | Varies by graduate school and degree program; applicants should consult the admissions information for their intended graduate school |
| The University of Osaka | Human Sciences International Undergraduate Degree Program: TOEFL iBT 85 under the 2026 enrollment guidelines | Varies by graduate school and degree program; applicants should follow the latest program-specific guidelines |
| Tohoku University | Privately Financed International Students Entrance Examination for regular undergraduate programs taught in Japanese: TOEFL iBT Test Date Score of 79 or higher | Varies by graduate school and course; applicants should contact their intended graduate school for detailed information |
| Hokkaido University | Integrated Science Program: TOEFL iBT 79 or higher under the 2026 reference guidelines; an English-medium education exemption may apply | Varies by graduate school and program; applicants should check the latest requirements for their intended degree pathway |
| Institute of Science Tokyo | Varies by bachelor’s degree admissions route; applicants should check the latest program-specific guidance | International Graduate Program: an external English test score is generally not required for applications from spring 2025; exceptions may apply |
| Nagoya University | Global 30 International Programs for undergraduate students: TOEFL iBT 80; an English-medium education exemption may apply | Global 30 graduate admissions requirements vary by graduate program; applicants should check the page for their intended master’s or doctoral pathway |
1. Kyoto University
Kyoto University offers Kyoto iUP as a regular undergraduate pathway rather than an exchange program. Kyoto iUP does not set a minimum English-test score, but it lists TOEFL iBT 90, TOEFL PBT 580, and IELTS Academic 6.5 as typical scores of successful candidates. Native English speakers may submit the program’s English Proficiency Evaluation Form instead of a TOEFL or IELTS result.
Graduate applicants should follow the guidance for their intended degree program. Kyoto University has multiple graduate schools offering master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees, and the application procedures differ by graduate school. Applicants should use the latest guidelines published by the appropriate school rather than treating the Kyoto iUP score as a graduate admissions cutoff.
2. University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo, or UTokyo, offers the Global Science Course as an undergraduate transfer pathway. Students must have completed or be completing the first two years of undergraduate study before enrolling in the program.
Applicants who do not qualify for an English-language exemption need TOEFL iBT 80, TOEFL PBT 550, or IELTS Academic 6.5. TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. Applicants may qualify for an exemption if English is their native or first language or if English was the language of instruction at their secondary and post-secondary schools for the last eight years.
Graduate requirements should be checked separately. UTokyo offers graduate degree programs taught in Japanese and English, but admissions requirements differ by graduate school. Applicants should consult the admissions information for their intended master’s or doctoral program.
3. The University of Osaka
The University of Osaka offers the Human Sciences International Undergraduate Degree Program as a regular degree pathway. This replaces the short-term exchange example with an undergraduate admissions requirement.
Under the 2026 enrollment guidelines, applicants need to demonstrate English proficiency through school transcripts or an accepted test. The TOEFL iBT minimum is 85. TOEFL Special Home Edition scores may be submitted, while TOEFL ITP and MyBest scores are not accepted. Future applicants should review the latest version of the guidelines because the requirements may change by admissions cycle.
Graduate applicants should use the application guidelines for their intended graduate school and degree program. The undergraduate TOEFL iBT minimum shown above should not be treated as a graduate admissions cutoff.
4. Tohoku University
- Undergraduate Degree Example: Undergraduate Admission
- Graduate Degree Example: Graduate Admission
- Undergraduate TOEFL iBT Example: A Test Date Score of 79 or higher for the Privately Financed International Students Entrance Examination for regular undergraduate programs taught in Japanese.
- Graduate TOEFL iBT Example: Varies by graduate school and course.
- Tuition Fees | Scholarships
Tohoku University has regular undergraduate programs taught in Japanese and an interdisciplinary undergraduate program conducted primarily in English. Application requirements depend on the route.
For regular undergraduate programs taught in Japanese, applicants using the Privately Financed International Students Entrance Examination must submit a TOEFL iBT Test Date Score of 79 or higher. They must also meet the applicable EJU requirements and take an entrance examination conducted in Japanese.
Graduate admissions follow separate rules. Tohoku University offers degree courses taught in Japanese, English, or a combination of both. The application qualifications, procedures, admissions periods, and examination processes vary by graduate school and course. Applicants should contact their intended graduate school directly for detailed information.
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 offers the Integrated Science Program as a regular undergraduate degree pathway for students interested in the sciences.
The 2026 reference guidelines list a TOEFL iBT Test Date Score of 79 or higher for applicants who do not qualify through English-medium education. TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also accepted, while MyBest scores are not. An applicant may meet the English requirement without a test score after receiving at least four years of secondary or higher education in English as the primary language of instruction.
The full guidelines for 2027 enrollment are scheduled for release in early September 2026. Graduate applicants should check the requirements for their intended school and degree pathway separately. Hokkaido University offers several graduate-level degree programs in English, but the screening procedures and program requirements differ by school.
6. Institute of Science Tokyo
The Institute of Science Tokyo, or Science Tokyo, offers bachelor’s and graduate degree programs. Applicants should follow the current guidance for their intended academic field because admissions requirements differ by route.
For the International Graduate Program, the external English test score requirement was removed starting with spring 2025 admission because English is evaluated during the admissions process. Applicants may still need to submit an English test score if a scholarship requires one or if their intended academic supervisor requests it as reference material when issuing a consent letter.
7. Nagoya University
Nagoya University offers Global 30 International Programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These regular degree pathways replace the summer-program example used previously.
Undergraduate applicants need to submit proof that they meet the English proficiency requirement. The listed minimum is TOEFL iBT 80. TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL MyBest scores are accepted, while TOEIC and TOEFL ITP are not. Applicants who completed at least three consecutive years of secondary education, including the final year, with English as the primary language of instruction are exempt from submitting an English proficiency test score if they provide the required school statement.
Graduate applicants should use the guidance for their intended degree program. Nagoya University’s English-taught graduate options include programs in engineering, environmental studies, science, medicine, economics, humanities, law, and international development. Graduate admissions are research-based, and the requirements and application procedures depend on the selected pathway.
TOEFL Scores of Students Studying in Japan
The following scores are self-reported in Global Scholarships recipient stories and are included as examples rather than admissions requirements.
FAQs: TOEFL Acceptance in Japan
What Type of TOEFL Exam is Accepted in Japan?
Japanese universities and degree programs commonly specify TOEFL iBT, but accepted test modes and score types vary by program. TOEFL iBT measures four areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Since January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT score reports have used a 1–6 scale in half-point increments for the four section scores and the overall score. During a two-year transition period, score reports also include a comparable overall score on the previous 0–120 scale. TOEFL iBT is available at authorized test centers and as a Home Edition, but each university program decides whether it accepts the Home Edition, MyBest scores, and other score-report options.
Do undergraduate and graduate TOEFL requirements differ in Japan?
Yes. TOEFL requirements are usually set at the program level rather than by the university as a whole. An undergraduate degree pathway and a graduate school at the same institution may follow different rules.
For example, Kyoto iUP lists TOEFL iBT 90 as a typical score of successful undergraduate applicants without setting a fixed minimum, while Kyoto University directs graduate applicants to the guidelines for their intended graduate school. UTokyo's Global Science Course lists TOEFL iBT 80 for its undergraduate transfer pathway, but graduate requirements differ by graduate school. Applicants should always use the latest admissions page for their intended degree program.
If my previous studies were taught in English, can I skip TOEFL for Japan?
Sometimes, depending on the degree program. For example, the University of Tokyo Global Science Course does not require an English proficiency score if English is the applicant's native or first language or if English was the language of instruction at the applicant's secondary and post-secondary schools for the last eight years. Hokkaido University's Integrated Science Program allows applicants to meet its English requirement through four or more years of secondary or higher education completed in English as the primary language of instruction. Nagoya University's Global 30 undergraduate programs exempt applicants who completed at least three consecutive years of secondary education, including the final year, with English as the primary language of instruction.
Graduate exemptions also vary by program. Applicants should check the current application guidelines for their intended degree pathway rather than assuming that an English-medium education certificate will always replace TOEFL.
What TOEFL score should I aim for to be competitive for scholarships and admissions in Japan?
Use the official minimum for your intended degree program as your baseline. The undergraduate examples above include TOEFL iBT minimums of 79, 80, and 85 on the previous scale. Kyoto iUP does not set a fixed English-test minimum but lists TOEFL iBT 90 as a typical score of successful candidates.
Graduate requirements vary by school and degree program. A higher score may strengthen an application in some admissions or scholarship selection processes, but there is no universal TOEFL score that guarantees admission or a scholarship.
For example, Shripriya, a MEXT scholar at Tohoku University, reports a TOEFL iBT score of 109/120 and a TOEIC score of 990/990. This is one recipient's profile, not an admissions cutoff.
Here we come to the end of the article about universities that accept TOEFL scores in Japan. For more articles about studying abroad, head over to the Study in Japan Page! Get the latest updates about available programs on the Available Programs for International Students!
