International Christian University (ICU) was founded by Japanese and North American Christian educators in 1949, four years after the Second World War. In March 1953, the Japanese Ministry of Education authorized ICU as an incorporated educational institution, the College of Liberal Arts opening on April 1 as the first four-year liberal arts college in Japan. A Graduate School was later added in 1957. ICU was envisaged as a "University of Tomorrow," a place where Japanese and international students would live together and learn to serve the needs of emerging, more interconnected world.

In 2008, an academic reform was enforced in the College of Liberal Arts, which replaced the system of 6 divisions with a new organization of the "Division of Arts and Sciences" and a new system of academic majors. In 2010, the Graduate School also conducted a reform and integrated the 4 divisions into a new “School of Arts and Sciences.”

As a liberal arts institution, ICU emphasizes breadth as well as depth of knowledge and offers inquisitive and motivated students from around the world a unique bilingual educational experience. The campus of 150 wooded acres sits on the western doorstep of Tokyo. At ICU the classes are small; the faculty are accomplished and dedicated; and the campus environment is both beautiful and conductive to learning.

ICU students exercise new ways of thinking about the world. They are challenged to commit themselves to help bring about social justice and world peace. The international perspective, the critical thinking skills, and the linguistic abilities that students develop at ICU serve them well far beyond their college years.

The academic programs of the College of Liberal Arts and the Graduate School are individually chartered by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. ICU is a member institution of the Japanese University Accreditation Association. Credits earned at ICU are fully recognized by graduate schools of major universities in Japan, the United States and elsewhere; they are also normally accepted for transfer provided they fit into the student's overall program at his or her home institution.

There are no separate classes or programs for non-Japanese students or Japanese students. The languages of instruction are Japanese and English, sometimes both. Degree-seeking students are required to undergo intensive study in the language they are lacking, so that they will become able to take courses and do assignments in either language. College students from abroad interested in studying for a year in Japan may enroll in ICU as One-Year-Regular Students, taking both Japanese language courses and English-taught courses. However, as English-taught courses are limited, students should not expect a full variety of specialized courses in their major to be available in English. To help preclude possible difficulties afterward, students are advised to consult their study abroad advisors in advance about their program at ICU and about transferring credits.

Located in Mitaka, Tokyo (30 minutes from the heart of Tokyo by train)
32 major buildings on 620,000 square meters.
Campus Map, Access to the Campus

Student Enrollment
Total : 2,968
Undergraduates : 2,809
Graduates : 159
Nationality of Students　(excluding Auditors)
Japanese : 2,748 (92.6%)
Non-Japanese : 220(7.4%)
Faculty
Faculty Size : 155
Nationality of Faculty
Japanese :98 (63.2%)
Non-Japanese : 57(36.8%)