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Entry requirements for Japan

Our entry requirements will vary depending on your level of study, the course you are interested in and your English language proficiency.

International Foundation Programme

If you have graduated from the national high school system, you may be required to successfully complete an International Foundation Year before entering our undergraduate courses.

Undergraduate courses

You will be required to successfully complete an International Foundation Programme or successfully complete A-levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma with appropriate grades to be considered for admission to our undergraduate degree courses.

Studying here has given me greater insight into my home country than I would ever have gained from staying in Japan.

Masaki Kondo MA International Journalism

Postgraduate taught courses

If you have a good four-year bachelor's (honours) degree from a recognised university in Japan, you will be considered for postgraduate study at diploma or master's level.

Postgraduate research courses

If you are applying for research courses from Japan, you will be required to provide evidence that you have already carried out research, usually via the successful completion of a relevant master's degree.

You will be considered for our research courses if you have a good master's degree from a recognised university in Japan.

English language

You will need to have a relevant English language qualification to satisfy the English language requirements for your course. The minimum admissions requirement is usually IELTS 6.5 but for some courses we may ask for higher grades.

You can improve your level of English language to meet the entry requirements for your course through our in-house English for University Study programme, a full-time course for international students planning to study at a UK university. The minimum entry requirement is IELTS 4.0 for September entry, 4.5 for January and 5.0 for April. The Exit Test results from this course are accepted as IELTS equivalents for entry to all degree courses at Cardiff University.

We also offer summer pre-sessional courses for applicants with academic offers that are conditional on improving their level of English language proficiency.

If you are unsure of your qualifications or entry requirements, please contact us.