Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Human Sciences English requirements
From the Human Sciences application guidelines for October 2026 enrolment (updated 22 December 2025):
| Test or qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5, generally no component below 6.0 |
| IELTS Indicator | Accepted; shortlisted applicants are interviewed |
| TOEFL iBT or Special Home Edition | 85 (generally L21 R22 S20 W21); ITP and MyBest not accepted |
| Cambridge CAE or CPE | Grade C or above |
| GCSE or IGCSE English | Grade C or above |
| IB Diploma | English A at 4 or above (English B at higher level, 4 or above) |
| HKDSE English | Level 4 or above |
Proving English through school
Applicants can also show English through recent upper secondary study where a wide range of courses were taught and assessed in English. Test scores had to be obtained before 9 January 2026 and be within their two-year validity. Duolingo and PTE are not on the list.
Free test: are you at The University of Osaka (formerly Osaka 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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Timeline and fees
For October 2026 entry, applications opened on 1 December 2025 and online registration closed on 6 January 2026, with interviews from mid-February to mid-March and offers on 26 March. The application fee is JPY 17,000. The degree is a Bachelor of Human Sciences, with concentrations in Diversity and Inclusion, Japan Studies, or Political and Global Studies.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Osaka programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where The University of Osaka (formerly Osaka 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 the University of Osaka need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5, generally with no component below 6.0, for the Human Sciences international programme.
What TOEFL does Osaka Human Sciences need?+
TOEFL iBT or Special Home Edition 85; TOEFL ITP and MyBest scores are not accepted.
Does the University of Osaka accept IELTS Indicator?+
Yes, but applicants with IELTS Indicator or TOEFL Home Edition scores are interviewed if shortlisted.
Can I apply to Osaka without IELTS?+
Yes, if your upper secondary study was taught and assessed in English, or with qualifying IB, A Level or Cambridge results.
Keep reading
Related
- Kyoto University IELTS requirement
- Waseda University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Japan
- How long is IELTS valid?
- 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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