Public university in Suita, Japan, founded 1931

The University of Osaka Admission Requirements 2027 for International Students

The University of Osaka, known for most of its history as Osaka University, is a major national university formed in 1931 and enlarged in 2007 by its merger with Osaka University of Foreign Studies. It runs several English-taught undergraduate tracks through its International College, including a long-running Human Sciences programme, alongside standard-rate national tuition.

Last verified 7 September 2026. Sources · Official site
Next deadline
5 Jan 2027
October 2027, Bachelor, regular, 120 days left
Tuition
¥535,800
per year
English test
IELTS 6.5
TOEFL 85, waiver possible
Acceptance rate
Not published
Application fee
¥17,000
23,234 students

Requirements

Bachelor's (Human Sciences IUDP and other International College programmes)

Applicants need to have completed, or be on track to complete, 12 years of school education recognised as equivalent to Japanese upper secondary school. No Japanese language ability is required at entry; instruction is in English throughout the Human Sciences IUDP.

Master's and PhD

Each graduate school sets its own requirements; a relevant Bachelor's degree (or Master's degree for doctoral study) recognised as equivalent to a Japanese degree is the general baseline, and applicants are generally expected to secure a prospective supervisor's agreement before formally applying.

Documents

For Human Sciences IUDP: an online application, secondary school transcripts and certificates, an English proficiency test score (TOEFL or IELTS) sent directly by the testing body, and any programme-specific essays or forms listed in that year's application guidelines. For graduate applications: degree certificates and transcripts, a research plan or statement of purpose, language proficiency evidence, and confirmation of a supervisor's agreement where the programme expects it.

How to apply

  1. Choose the International College programme that matches your interests (Human Sciences IUDP, the International Undergraduate Program in Science, or an Engineering international route) and check that year's own application guidelines, since each publishes separately.
  2. Prepare your transcripts and a valid TOEFL or IELTS score, arranging for the testing body to send it directly to the university.
  3. Register and submit your online application within the published window; for the Human Sciences IUDP's 2027 cycle this ran from 1 December 2026 to 5 January 2027, with physical documents due by 8 January 2027.
  4. Wait for the admission decision.
  5. If accepted, work with the university's international office to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility, then apply for a student visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate before travelling.
  6. Enrol, arrange health insurance and register your address in Japan.

English test waiver

The Human Sciences International Undergraduate Degree Program (IUDP) asks for TOEFL iBT 85 or above, or IELTS Academic 6.5 or above, with the score valid within two years of application and sent directly by the testing body (ETS institution code B815 for TOEFL). Other English-medium programmes at the university, including the International Undergraduate Program in Science, set their own requirement separately.

Sources, checked 7 September 2026
  1. https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/
  2. https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/campus/tuition/tuition.html
  3. https://iudp.hus.osaka-u.ac.jp/
  4. https://iudp.hus.osaka-u.ac.jp/admissions/
  5. https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/admissions/intl-students/application_guidelines