ICU’s English for Liberal Arts Program: Your Gateway to a Global Liberal-Arts Degree in Tokyo

Japan’s first bilingual liberal-arts university, International Christian University (ICU), sits on a 620-thousand-square-meter wooded campus in western Tokyo. Its flagship English for Liberal Arts (ELA) program delivers a U.S.-style curriculum in small, discussion-based classes while immersing students in Japanese culture and career networks. If you want an English-medium degree without sacrificing authentic local experiences, keep reading—this deep dive shows why ICU ELA could be your perfect academic home.

1. Why Choose ICU ELA?

Global Liberal-Arts Vision

Founded in 1953 by Japanese and North-American educators, ICU introduced the U.S. liberal-arts model to Japan. Its core mission—cultivating global citizens who serve God and humanity—translates into an open-major system and seminar classes of about 19 students each. The Japan Times praises ICU for keeping faculty-to-student ratios among the lowest in the country while fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

English-First Curriculum—No Catch-Up Semesters

ELA has offered every introductory credit in English since 1949, letting you progress on schedule without advanced Japanese. One-third of degree requirements are in English, another third in Japanese as proficiency grows, and the final third in either language you choose—flexibility few “English tracks” match.

Suburban Parkland Campus, Urban Access

ICU’s Mitaka campus is 25 minutes by train from Shinjuku yet feels worlds away—think tree-lined footpaths, a koi-filled pond, and study nooks in a landmark post-war chapel. The calm environment boosts focus, while quick rail links put internships, museums, and nightlife within easy reach.

2. Curriculum & Learning Experience

Stream Placement for Personalized Pacing

A placement test assigns you to one of four Streams so classes match your current English proficiency—beginners get scaffolded support; advanced learners jump straight into research writing.

Stream	Entry Profile	Pace / Hours wk	Key Milestone
1	CEFR A2-B1	Full year / 10 h	Academic foundations
2	B1	2 terms / 9 h	Group presentations
3	B2	2 terms / 8 h	Argument essays
4	C1+	1 term / 7 h	Independent research

Core-Seminar Pedagogy

First-year seminars of 12 students train you in critical reading and Socratic debate, with professors doubling as advisers. Lively discussions replace rote lectures, prepping you for 300-level electives in politics, media studies, or data science.

Capstone: Research Writing

All Streams converge in a supervised 3,000-word research paper that polishes argumentation and citation skills—valuable whether you pursue grad school or corporate strategy roles.

3. Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships

Application Timeline & Tests

ICU accepts April and September intakes. Submit the online form, essays, and a 35,000 JPY fee, then upload standardized scores—SAT, ACT, IB, or A-Levels—as listed in the official checklist. Conditional offers arrive six weeks later, giving you time for visa paperwork.

Costs & Financial Aid

AY 2025 Undergraduate Year-1 Costs
Tuition	1,137,000 JPY
Facilities Fee	354,000 JPY
Total	1,491,000 JPY

International students can combine the JICUF Scholarship (up to two-thirds tuition) and the University of Tomorrow Award (full ride for applicants from Least Developed Countries). Smaller grants, work-study jobs, and merit bonuses further reduce costs.

Work & Visa Support

ICU’s International Office helps you secure a part-time work permit (28 h/week) on your student visa—ideal for gaining experience while offsetting living costs.

4. Campus Life & Career Outcomes

A Truly International Community

Roughly 30 % of students hold non-Japanese passports, creating daily dialogues that span 60 nations. Clubs range from TEDxICU and jazz band to aikido and United Nations simulations.

Internships & Jobs

Within six months of graduation, about 70 % of ICU alumni enter jobs at multinationals like Deloitte, Hitachi, or the UN system, while 20 % pursue advanced degrees worldwide. Career Services runs résumé clinics, alumni panels, and a five-year combined B.A./M.A. pathway.

Housing & Support Services

Ten on-campus dorms cost 55,000–79,000 JPY per month, utilities included. A multilingual counseling center, peer-tutoring hubs, and the VR campus tour help newcomers settle in quickly.

5. Living in Tokyo on a Student Budget

Groceries for a frugal cook average 30,000 JPY a month, and an unlimited commuter pass from dorm to campus runs about 5,500 JPY. Part-time jobs pay 1,200–1,600 JPY/hour—enough to cover daily expenses without jeopardizing study time. Tokyo’s low violent-crime rate and reliable late-night trains make 24-hour libraries and ramen runs stress-free.

Ready to apply? Download the full Application Guide (PDF), circle your preferred intake, and start drafting that admissions essay today.