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
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Spring Term (3rd Term) | April–June |
| Semester 2 | Autumn Term (1st Term) | September–November |
| Winter Term (2nd Term) | December–March |
View the ICU academic calendar.
* Full year exchange must begin in the Autumn term and students are requried 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 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.
Search the ICU course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
Please read "How to search courses" guideline before your searching.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
Courses from English for Liberal Arts Program are not open to exchange students.
Additional academic information
20% of courses at ICU at taught in English, while 80% are taught in Japanese.
Exchange program options:
- The Intensive Japanese Language Program is intended for stduents who wish to complete from Basic to Intermediate level in 3 terms, at double the pace of the Japanese Program. The Intensive Program meet 4 days a week with 15 periods, carrying 10 credits a term.
- College of Liberal Arts offers a wide selection of English-taugth courses across 31 majors.
ICU has online resources to help navigate their academic policies:
- Japanese language program
- Academic information, including 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 UQ Abroad 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 UQ Abroad 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, UQ Abroad 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
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.