Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Hitotsubashi English scores by programme
From the APPP eligibility page, the ICS MBA Young Leaders Program page and the ICS FAQ. No band minimums are given.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Public Policy Program (master's) | 6.0 or higher | TOEFL iBT 79-80 |
| ICS MBA, Young Leaders Program | Academic 7.0 or equivalent | TOEFL iBT 100, PBT 600, CBT 250 |
| ICS DBA | Academic 7.5 (recommended) | TOEFL iBT 109 (recommended) |
Minimums and benchmarks
The APPP figure is a stated minimum. For the ICS MBA the FAQ says a TOEFL or IELTS score is optional, though some scholarships require one, and the Young Leaders Program page describes 7.0 as the level applicants should show. The DBA figure is a recommendation.
For the ICS DBA, native English speakers, holders of a degree taught entirely in English and applicants with more than 3 years of work in an English-speaking country are exempt. The APPP page refers exemption details to its application package. PTE and Duolingo are not mentioned on these pages.
Free test: are you at Hitotsubashi University's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Undergraduate study and how to check
We did not find an English-taught undergraduate programme with an IELTS figure on Hitotsubashi's pages, so this guide covers postgraduate programmes only. The APPP page does not state a score validity period or intake year.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one in the current Hitotsubashi application guide for your programme, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Hitotsubashi University publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Hitotsubashi APPP need?+
IELTS 6.0 or higher, or TOEFL iBT 79-80.
What IELTS does Hitotsubashi ICS MBA need?+
The Young Leaders Program page says applicants should show IELTS Academic 7.0 or equivalent. The ICS FAQ says scores are optional, but some scholarships need them.
What IELTS is recommended for the Hitotsubashi DBA?+
IELTS Academic 7.5 or TOEFL iBT 109.
Does Hitotsubashi have English-taught bachelor's degrees?+
We did not find one with a published IELTS figure. The English-taught programmes covered here are postgraduate.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in Japan accepting IELTS 6.0
- IELTS for Japan
- University of Tokyo IELTS requirement
- Keio University IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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