Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
ICU minimum scores by entry year
From ICU's ELBA application page and its 2027 and 2028 score requirements notice:
| Entry | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| AY2027 (April and September 2027) | 6.5 | 79 (tests before 20 Jan 2026) or 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026) |
| AY2028 onwards (April 2028 and later) | 7.0 | 95 (tests before 20 Jan 2026) or 5.0 (from 21 Jan 2026) |
When the score is optional
From April 2028 entry, submitting IELTS or TOEFL is optional if you spent both junior and senior high school (or the last six continuous school years) at institutions teaching in English, or if you are taking or have taken IB English A. From 2028, IB students with English B only cannot use the waiver.
For TOEFL, ICU counts single test date scores only and does not accept MyBest scores. Duolingo and PTE are not listed.
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Applying through ELBA
ICU has three application periods a year, one for April entry and two for September entry, and applicants choose one. The April 2027 deadline was 8 October 2026 and September 2027 applications open in January 2027. The application fee is 30,000 yen plus an 880 yen system fee. ELBA students skip ICU's English for Liberal Arts programme but must study Japanese, since students cannot graduate with English-taught courses only.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your ICU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where International Christian University (ICU), Tokyo 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 ICU need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 for 2027 entry, rising to 7.0 for April 2028 entry and later.
What TOEFL does ICU need?+
TOEFL iBT 79 (or 4.5 on the new scale) for 2027 entry, and 95 (or 5.0) from 2028.
Can I apply to ICU without IELTS?+
From April 2028 the score is optional if your last six school years were taught in English or you take IB English A.
Does ICU accept TOEFL MyBest scores?+
No. Only single test date scores are considered.
Keep reading
Related
- Sophia University IELTS requirement
- Waseda University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Japan
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 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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