FAQ for ICT Global All-English Program

1. About the University of Aizu (UoA)

(1) What are some strong points of the UoA?

The University of Aizu is the first university in Japan solely dedicated to computer science and engineering. Our university offers advanced ICT (Information Communication Technology) and English education with a unique computer environment and international campus. We are proud of our outstanding faculty, of whom around 40% come from different countries in the world.

(2) What is the UoA vision?

We aim to be a multicultural campus by providing an environment in which students can learn the most advanced ICT knowledge in English and by welcoming faculty and students from all over the world. We foster experts with various cultural and technical skills in the computer science and engineering field with various cultural and technical skills.
In addition, we support students to learn ICT, from basics to advanced, and provide practical opportunities such as research, internships, and skill training.
We also actively support extracurricular activities so that each student can discover his/her interests, potential, and future path.

(3) What is the UoA mission?

Our mission is to foster the experts in the computer science and engineering field, and foster in students innovation, spirit, and an enterprising consciousness.

(4) Is any special provision made to help new students settle into the university?

As soon as you are admitted to our university, we will help you apply for a student visa and prepare for enrollment. During your university time, our faculty members will offer expert instruction and support in learning, and our staff will help you handle any troubles in living. Also, Japanese students will support you as a "buddy" so that you can get used to your new college life in Aizu as soon as possible. If you have any trouble in your studies, staff members at the Global Office for Learning Support can help you in English.

(5) What curriculum does the UoA follow?

Our curriculum follows CS2005 and CSC 2013 which are guidelines for Computer Science education indicated by ACM/IEEE.

(6) What opportunities does the UoA have for students to develop ICT skills?

We have various extracurricular projects to help you get hands-on research experience, have workshops to help you realize your ideas, and have many internship opportunities in Japanese and overseas companies to facilitate practical learning.

(7) Where do faculty members come from?

Our faculty members are openly recruited from around the world. Our current experts in related research fields have been recruited from 16 countries.

(8) What is the faculty-to-student ratio?

Our faculty members provide attentive instruction with a student-faculty ratio of approximately 10:1.

(9) What is the average class size at the University of Aizu?

Most undergraduate classes have 20 or fewer students on average.

2. Admissions

(1) Where can I find the Application Guide and other materials?

Please find the Application Guide, Application Form, and Form of Letter of Recommendation at the following page:

(2) Will the classes be conducted entirely in English?

Yes, all educational activities, including lectures, exercises, homework, tests, presentations, are conducted entirely in English.

(3) Do I need Japanese Language proficiency?

Japanese language ability is not required at that time of admission. However, we provide Japanese language classes and classes about Aizu culture for international students.

(4) What kind of examinations should applicants take?

Our examination process consists only of document screening. However, if needed, an online interview will be conducted.

(5) What kind of documents should applicants prepare?

Please refer to the following Application Guide for details:

(6) Can students who have Japanese nationality apply for the ICTG Program?

Yes. Japanese students can also join the program as long as they meet the application eligibility.

(7) Can non-Japanese students living in Japan apply for the program?

Yes. Students living in Japan, as long as they meet the application eligibility, can apply for the program in the same way as students living overseas.

(8) Can I apply with my Cambridge International Examination (CIE) Advanced Levels (A-Levels) as that is recognized as equivalent to SAT or IB?

You can take the SAT、IB、EJU、ACT、CIE A Levels、GCE A-levels、AISSCE、Gaokao in China、HKDSE、STPM、UEC for admission. Please refer to the following Admission Guide for details.

(9) Do applicants need SAT 1 (Mathematics and English)?

SAT 1 is not required. If students would like to take the SAT, they need to submit the results of Mathematics level 2 and Science (Physics). Please refer to the following Admission Guide for details:

(10) Can applicants submit their application online?

We only accept applications submitted by mail. However, If students email us all the documents in a PDF format in advance, we can check and correct the documents via email to give you some instruction for its revision. Please make sure that you have enough time to prepare the application documents.

(11) Should students appear for the entrance examination held at the University of Aizu?

There is no need of appearing for the entrance examination. Our selection is based only on document screening. However, if necessary, an online interview will be conducted.

(12) Is there any assistance for acquiring a Student Visa?

After finishing the entrance procedure, the UoA staff helps students to apply for a Student Visa.

3. Education contents, curriculum, degree, and future career

(1) Will a Bachelor's degree be in "Computer Science and Engineering" or something relating to the field of Computer Science and Engineering?

Students will obtain a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering.

(2) What can students acquire from this program?

Students can widen and deepen knowledge about computer science, computer engineering, and information and communication technology so that they acquire practical and general skills. Students can also develop their ability to work with a diverse group of people through collaborative team projects and develop discussion and presentation skills through research activities.

(3) Is it possible for a student in this program to take ICT courses in Japanese?

Yes. Students can also take the courses given in Japanese for credits, which are similar or equivalent to the courses in the ICTG Program. However, the credits for the Bachelor's degree in this program should be acquired mainly from the courses taught in English.

(4) Are there any planned opportunities to interact with Japanese students?

Yes. We have a buddy program in which Japanese students individually support your daily life and can study with you as a buddy. International students can conduct various activities. with them. You can also spend a fun time with Japanese students through activities at the Global Lounge, clubs, and your laboratory.

(5) Are there Japanese language and cultural education in the program?

Yes. We offer Japanese language classes for international students whose first language is not Japanese (or equivalent).

We have "Basic Level", "Intermediate Level", "Advanced Level", and "Business Level" as regular courses. Furthermore, we have non-credit-bearing extracurricular courses for students who want to improve their skills. In extracurricular courses, we offer courses and countermeasure courses for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) test at different levels. The UoA has a four-quarter system, so students can start studying at any time they want according to their level.

In addition, we offer "Culture and History of Aizu" in English to teach the culture and history of Japan and Aizu.

(6) Is it possible to work in Japan after graduation?

Students can work in Japan after graduation. Many international students who graduated from the UoA are working in the best Japanese companies. Teachers of the Japanese language courses and professional staff in the Office for Employment Support help international student's job hunting in Japan. Please refer to the following links for details.

(7) Is there any support for job hunting?

Japanese-style job hunting, including how to write an "entry sheet" and self-promotion, how to talk at the job interview, may be one of the difficulties for international students.

Our professional staff not only support international students in improving their job-hunting skills but also provide one-on-one consultation for their career development.

(8) What level of Japanese is required for job hunting?

It depends on the companies or organization but generally at least N2 level of the JLPT test is required at least.

4. Tuition, fee, expenses, etc.

(1) What are the tuition, admission fee, and examination fee?

Tuition: 520,800 JPY (around 4,000 USD) per year. Payment in two installments of 260,400 JPY each by the end of April and by the end of October.

Payment for Admission
Admission Fee Insurance Fee Comprehensive Insurance for International students Others Total
564,000 JPY 3,300 JPY 6,080 JPY 70,000 JPY 643,380 JPY
Living Expenses per Month
Housing Food Recreation Total
20,000~60,000 JPY 30,000 JPY 10,000 JPY 60,000~100,000 JPY

*Living expenses depend on where and how you live, but these are approximate costs of living in Aizuwakamatsu city.

(2) Could the tuition, admission fee, and examination fee be exempted?

Our tuition is set to a reasonable level, i.e. 520,800 JPY a year. Students receiving a scholarship from the Japanese government may have the opportunity of tuition exemption.

(3) Is there a scholarship available at the time of admission?

There are various opportunities for applying for the scholarships. Here is the list of potential scholarship programs for international students.

Competitive Scholarship Programs (partial list) Monthly Amount
Japanese Government Scholarship Program 117,000 JPY
Japanese Government Scholarship Program
(Top Global University Project)
117,000 JPY
Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for privately-financed international students 48,000 JPY
Rotery Yoneyama Scholarship 100,000 JPY

(4) Can students do part-time jobs while studying at the University of Aizu?

Yes, but with some restrictions on foreign students. For details, please refer to the link below.

5. Life and Environment

(1) Is there on-campus accommodation for international students?

Yes. We provide an on-campus dormitory for international students. Please refer to the following link for details:

(2) What kinds of social activities can students join?

Many kinds of activities are held at the university. Just to mention a few, visiting villages and contacting Japanese families is fun and helpful to understand the traditional Japanese culture and lifestyle. Further, many international students join the activities of the AizuWakamatsu International Association.

(3) Do students have internship opportunities in Japanese companies?

Internships in Japan or overseas are encouraged. We will introduce internship programs for students after enrollment.

(4) Where is the University of Aizu located?

The University of Aizu is located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, about 320 km north of Tokyo, about 190 km south of Sendai, and about 100 km east of Niigata.

(5) What are life and the environment in Aizuwakamatsu like?

  • Aizuwakamatsu was developed around the castle of the chief of the Aizu Clan during the Edo Period (1603-1868). There are many historical buildings and sites in the city.
  • The Aizu region is rich in beautiful natural scenery such as Mt. Bandai (one of the hundred most famous mountains in Japan), Lake Inawashiro (the fourth-largest lake in Japan), and Oze National Park.
  • Aizuwakamatsu is a good place to live with kind local citizens, healthy food, and a safe environment.

(6) What effects did the accident in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant have on Aizuwakamatsu city?

Aizuwakamatsu is located about 100 kilometers to the west of the Fukushima nuclear power plants. The Aizu region was hardly affected by the accident. The radiation level has been at a safe level since the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is a good place to live with kind local citizens, healthy food, and a safe environment.