Language of instruction
International Christian University is Japan's first liberal arts college. It was founded in 1953 based on Christian principles. It has been a tradition at ICU for newly enrolled students to sign the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to help bring about social justice and world peace during their student years and beyond.
The 153-acre wooded campus in Mitaka City, in the western part of Tokyo, is rich in history and nature. Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with seemingly endless choices for shopping, entertainment, culture and dining.
Semester dates
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UQ Semester
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Host Semester
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Dates
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Full year:
Semester 2 + Semester 1
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Autumn, Winter & Spring Terms (1st, 2nd & 3rd)
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September - June
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Single semester only:
Semester 1
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Spring Term (3rd Term)
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April - June
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Single semester only:
Semester 2
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Autumn Term (1st Term)
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September - November
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View the ICU academic calendar.
* Full year exchange must begin in the Autumn term and students are required to study in all 3 terms.
** Exchange in Winter term only is not available.
Guides and additional information
ICU has online resources to help get more from your exchange:
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B. ArtsSemester 2, 2014; Semester 1, 2015
- B. ArtsSemester 2, 2014; Semester 1, 2015
Full-time study load
- Full year exchange (begin in Autumn term): 28 credits/units per year at ICU is equivalent to 16 UQ units.
- Single term only exchange (Autumn OR Spring): 12 credits/units per term at ICU is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0 to study at ICU.
Japanese taught regular courses require JLPT N2 level or above.
Find courses
Search the ICU course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
Please read "How to search courses" guideline before your searching.
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Courses from "English for Liberal Arts Program" are not open to exchange students.
Additional academic information
Exchange students will study under the College of Liberal Arts. 30% of courses at this College are taught in English, while 70% are taught in Japanese.
Exchange program options:
1. JLP - Japanese Language Program (refer to Japanese as a Foreign Language Track) plus English taught course(s):
JLP has two programs available:
- The Japanese Program meets 4 days a week with 9 periods, carring 5 credits a term. Student can take only one level of Japanese language course per term, but they can take other English-taught courses offered at the College of Liberal Arts.
- The Intensive Japanese Language Program (currently is not offered in the year of 2020 and 2021) is intended for students who wish to complete from Basic to Intermediate level in 3 terms, at double the pace of the Japanese Program. The Intensive Program meets 4 days a week with 15 periods, carrying 10 credits a term. "Intensive Basic" is for J2 and J3 level, "Intensive Intermediate" is for J5 and J6 level.
2. English-taught discipline focused courses offered at the College of Liberal Arts : it offers a wide selection of courses across 31 majors.
Course levels at ICU:
Undergraduate-level
001-099: Language, Health and Physical Education, and General Education courses
101-199: Foundation level of Major courses and Introductory level of College-Wide courses
201-299: Intermediate level in Major and College-Wide courses
301-379: Advanced Major and College-Wide courses
381-389: Advanced Seminars and Studies courses
391: Senior Thesis
Postgraduate-level
400-599 This range of courses are also open to 3rd year or 4th year undergraduates with prior permission from the course instructor and academic advisor at ICU, but some courses may have restrictions and prerequisites, please check the course syllabus for detail.
ICU has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
- Japanese language program
- Academic information, including the grading system
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
There are on-campus and off-campus housing options available for exchange students at ICU. Housing Office and ICU Service Co will help students to find suitable accommodation during their stay.
Cost of living
ICU provides a breakdown of the average living costs and expenses for exchange students.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
There are several funding opportunities for which students studying at ICU can apply. ICU provides information on eligibility and the application procedure to assist students planning their exchange.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in the Student Exchange Program are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
All non-Japanese students must join the Japanese Government's National Health Insurance Program (Kokumin Kenko Hoken).
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Contact the Consulate General of Japan for visa and immigration information.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, Global Experience programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
You must register your travel plans on the International SOS so that you can be contacted and supported in an emergency.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.